Introduction
Prespa National Park is one of the most underrated gems of the Balkans. Tucked between North Macedonia, Albania, and Greece, it offers raw nature, remote fishing villages, ancient ruins, and birdlife in a setting that feels untouched by time.
For travel photographers, Prespa is a dream: you’ll find mirror-like lake reflections, pastel dawns, haunting abandoned churches, wooden boats, and pelicans gliding across the water. It’s a place where you can shoot landscapes, culture, and wildlife — often in the same day.
In this guide, I’ll take you through the best photo spots in Prespa National Park with clear instructions:
- Where exactly to go
- When to shoot (sunrise, sunset, midday, night)
- What gear and settings to use
- How to compose your shots for maximum impact
By the end, you’ll know how to capture a full photography story of Prespa Lake and its surroundings.
Spot 1: Oteševo Lakeshore
Why shoot here: Oteševo is one of the most accessible and photogenic parts of the North Macedonian side of Prespa. With wide-open views across the lake toward Albania, it’s the perfect place for both sunrise and sunset photography.
When to go:
- Sunset: Golden light paints the Albanian mountains across the lake.
- Sunrise: Mist often rises from the water in pastel tones.
How to shoot it:
- Arrive early to scout the shoreline — look for old piers, reeds, or driftwood to use as foreground interest.
- Use a wide-angle lens (16–24mm) to capture both the lake and the sky.
- For glassy reflections, shoot during calm conditions (usually mornings).
- Settings: ISO 100, f/8–f/11, shutter speed 1/50–1/200 (sunset/sunrise).
Composition tip: Place reeds or wooden boats in the foreground, the lake in the mid-ground, and the mountains in the distance to create depth.
Spot 2: The Submerged Ruins of Old Oteševo
Why shoot here: On the lakeshore near Oteševo lie ruins of old buildings partly overtaken by nature. These haunting structures contrast beautifully with the calm lake, offering moody shots.
When to go:
- Late afternoon or sunset for dramatic side-lighting.
- Overcast days also work for atmospheric B&W shots.
How to shoot it:
- Use a tripod for long exposures (10–30 sec) to smooth water around ruins.
- Bring a polarizer to reduce glare.
- Experiment with low angles to exaggerate the structure against the sky.
Composition tip: Isolate the ruins against a colorful sky at sunset — use negative space to enhance mood.
Spot 3: St. George Church, Kurbinovo
Why shoot here: This 12th-century Byzantine church sits above the lake, offering cultural + landscape photography in one spot.
When to go:
- Golden hour in the evening, when warm light hits the church façade.
- Mid-morning for clear lake views below.
How to shoot it:
- Use a wide lens to include both the church and lake.
- Frame details of frescoes and stonework with a 50mm or 85mm.
- Settings: ISO 100–200, f/5.6–f/8, adjust shutter speed to light.
Composition tip: Use the curve of the hillside as a leading line toward the lake in the background.
Spot 4: Stenje Village Shoreline
Why shoot here: This traditional fishing village is full of wooden boats, reed beds, and daily life on the lake. Perfect for cultural storytelling.
When to go:
- Sunrise: Fishermen head out onto the lake, creating silhouettes against glowing skies.
- Late afternoon: Warm side light on boats and reeds.
How to shoot it:
- Wide lens for boats pulled onto shore.
- Telephoto for isolating fishermen on the water.
- Aperture priority at f/8–f/11 for sharp landscapes; f/2.8–f/4 for portraits.
Composition tip: Position yourself low to the ground so the boats lead the viewer’s eye into the water and beyond.
Spot 5: Konjsko Village
Why shoot here: Another authentic lakeside village with rustic houses, piers, and views across Prespa. Great for cultural and architectural details.
When to go:
- Sunset for warm golden tones over the lake.
- Evening blue hour for village lights reflecting in water.
How to shoot it:
- Focus on details: nets hanging, wood textures, stone houses.
- Use a 35mm prime for documentary-style shots.
Composition tip: Capture daily rhythms — an old fisherman repairing nets or children playing by the water. These moments make Prespa come alive in photos.
Spot 6: Golem Grad (Snake Island)
Why shoot here: Known as Snake Island, this uninhabited spot in Lake Prespa is full of ancient ruins, rare wildlife, and wild scenery.
When to go:
- Mid-morning for the best light on ruins and cliffs.
- Late afternoon for softer golden light.
How to shoot it:
- Take a boat from Stenje (arrange in advance).
- Wide shots of the island from the water.
- Telephoto for birds, lizards, and ruins.
- Use a drone (if you have one) for aerials — the island shape is striking.
Composition tip: Frame ruins with branches or rock formations to add natural framing.
Spot 7: Wetlands and Birdwatching Sites
Why shoot here: Prespa is a birding paradise with Dalmatian pelicans, herons, cormorants, and more.
When to go:
- Early morning when birds are active.
- Spring migration for the most species.
How to shoot it:
- Telephoto lens (200–400mm minimum).
- Continuous autofocus and burst mode.
- Shutter speed 1/1000+ sec for birds in flight.
Composition tip: Shoot at eye level with birds where possible — crouch low near reeds to create intimate perspectives.
Spot 8: Galicica Pass (for Lake Views)
Why shoot here: Driving between Ohrid and Prespa, the Galicica Pass offers spectacular panoramas of both lakes from high above.
When to go:
- Sunrise for pastel colors over Prespa.
- Sunset for warm tones over Ohrid.
How to shoot it:
- Wide-angle landscapes with both lakes visible.
- Long lens to isolate Prespa villages from above.
- Settings: ISO 100, f/8, polarizer to enhance lake colors.
Composition tip: Use the winding road as a leading line toward the lakes in your frame.
Spot 9: Dolno Dupeni Village
Why shoot here: A sleepy village with orchards, stone houses, and lake views. Excellent for slow-travel photography.
When to go:
- Morning for soft light on orchards and gardens.
- Afternoon for warm tones on village houses.
How to shoot it:
- Document fruit harvests, old stone walls, and village life.
- 50mm prime lens for intimate, storytelling portraits.
Composition tip: Capture contrasts between daily life and the vast lake backdrop.
Spot 10: Prespa Lake at Night
Why shoot here: The lake’s remoteness means superb dark skies for astrophotography.
When to go:
- Summer for Milky Way.
- Winter for crisp star trails.
How to shoot it:
- Tripod + fast wide lens (f/2.8 or faster).
- ISO 3200, 20–25 sec, f/2.8 for Milky Way.
- Stack multiple shots for noise reduction.
Composition tip: Use piers, boats, or trees in the foreground to anchor your astro shots.
Gear Checklist
- Wide-angle (16–35mm): Landscapes, lake views, Milky Way.
- Telephoto (70–200mm or 100–400mm): Birdlife, compressed lake scenes.
- Prime lens (35mm/50mm): Village life, portraits.
- Tripod: Long exposures, astro, lake reflections.
- Polarizer: Enhance lake blues, cut glare.
- Drone (optional): For aerial shots of Golem Grad and lakeshore patterns.
Putting It Together: A One-Day Photo Plan
If you want to maximize your one night in Prespa, here’s a sample shooting plan:
- Afternoon arrival: Stop at Galicica Pass for twin-lake views.
- Evening sunset: Oteševo lakeshore or Stenje village boats.
- Night: Astro over wooden piers or the sunken ruins.
- Sunrise: Fishermen in Stenje or misty Oteševo shoreline.
- Morning excursion: Boat trip to Golem Grad or wetlands bird photography.
Follow this plan and you’ll return with a balanced gallery: landscapes, culture, wildlife, and astro.
Conclusion
Prespa National Park is one of the Balkans’ best-kept photography secrets. With just a little planning, you can capture sunset reflections, night skies, sunrise mist, and cultural life all in one trip. Unlike crowded Ohrid, Prespa rewards those who love quiet, authentic landscapes and stories.
Bring your tripod, your patience, and your eye for detail — and Prespa will give you a portfolio of unforgettable shots.