Hotel in Tushemisht on Lake Ohrid – Lakeshore, Springs and Village Culture

Tushemisht lies on the western shore of Lake Pogradec and combines the landscape of Lake Ohrid with a village centre, churches, crafts and regional cuisine. The residents of Tushemisht have developed family tourism there. Along the shoreline of Lake Ohrid between Lin and Tushemisht, numerous visitor attractions can be found in a landscape between the lake and the mountains.

Landscape

Driloni is located near the tourist village of Tushemisht. Driloni is part of the protected national park in the Albanian section of Lake Ohrid and is also a karst spring consisting of three watercourses. A karst cave from which a clear karst spring emerges is one of the dozens of springs that supply Lake Ohrid with water. Thus, in the surrounding area, the lake, spring water and karst formations are closely connected, without this landscape being limited to a single attraction.

Lake Ohrid offers opportunities for swimming and fishing; Tushemisht is one of the well-known tourist centres on its shore. In Tushemisht, visitors can walk along the lakeshore. In Drilon, visitors can take boat trips. These options range from spending time directly by the water to exploring the distinctive spring landscapes of nearby Driloni.

Culture

Tushemisht offers a village setting with centuries-old houses. The local religious and cultural landscape includes 15 churches, four of which are cultural monuments. The Church of Saint Pandelimon is an attraction in Tushemisht. The house “Teto Ollga” contains a bust dedicated to the actress Violeta Manushi.

The handicrafts market in the centre of Tushemisht is also part of this local profile. It offers handmade clothing for children and adults, as well as crocheted children's toys made by the village's women. The market also offers traditionally produced foods such as trahana, peta, various jams, pickled vegetables, vinegar, raki and wine.

Cuisine and Crafts

Tushemisht is one of the villages on Lake Ohrid where Koran fish is prepared. Koran fish casserole is part of the intangible cultural heritage. Thus, fish cuisine is not only part of the culinary offering, but also forms part of an explicitly transmitted cultural tradition.

Routes and Activities

The Tushemisht–Peshkëpi hiking trail covers an approximately two-hour walk from Tushemisht to Peshkëpi. The Tushemisht–Peshkëpi route offers views of Lake Ohrid, Tushemisht and Mali i Thatë. A cycling tour travelled from Drilon towards Tushemisht. In addition, the mini-marathon of the International “Enkelana” Marathon passes through Tushemisht along its 11.5-kilometre route.

Access

Sallkëni i Tushemishtit can be reached by bus or car as far as the entrance to the village; from there to below the village church, access is possible only by a small car or on foot. To reach the cave, it is possible to drive by car, minibus or a bus with more than 30 seats to the vicinity of the customs point; from there, the cave is reached on foot.

Further destinations: Gërmenj, Ersekë, Gozhdarazhde, Kamenicë, Dardhë, Tuminec.

For the higher-level travel overview: Korça County.