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Discover the beauty of nature! | Entdecken Sie die Schönheit der Natur!

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        • Hiking on the tortoise trail
        • Kallamas Trail: Hidden History and Culture in the Prespa Nature
        • A Hidden Secret on the Island of Maligrad in the Great Prespa Lake
        • On Historic Foot Paths from Gollomboc to Diellas
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MENUMENU
  • Home
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  • National Parks
        • Prespa National Park
          • Travel info
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          • Travel info
        • Bredhi i Drenoves National Park
          • Travel info
        • Protected Area of Pogradec – Lake Ohrid
          • Travel info
  • Hiking Tours
        • Prespa National Park

        • Hiking on the tortoise trail
        • Kallamas Trail: Hidden History and Culture in the Prespa Nature
        • A Hidden Secret on the Island of Maligrad in the Great Prespa Lake
        • On Historic Foot Paths from Gollomboc to Diellas
        • Shebenik-Jabllanicë National Park

        • From Librazhd to the Peak Faqet e Lemueme
        • On traditional trails to the Ice Cave of Akullit
        • Bredhi i Drenoves National Park

        • The "Billy-Goat” Stone Tour
        • Protected Area of Pogradec – Lake Ohrid

        • Alarup – Dry Mountain Hiking Trail: One View – Three Lakes
        • Nature and Culture in the Mokra Mountains
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Island of Maligrad | Photo: Prespa National Park

A Hidden Secret on the Island of Maligrad in the Great Prespa Lake | Prespa National Park

Join us on a boat trip on one of the oldest lakes of the world to Maligrad Island to see the cave church St. Mary, nature and wildlife as well as archeological sites – with booking information!

You are here: Home / Guided Tours / A Hidden Secret on the Island of Maligrad in the Great Prespa Lake | Prespa National Park
Table Of Contents
  1. Highlights of this tour
  2. Tour description
  3. General information and booking contact
    • Length
    • Height difference (m)
    • Level of difficulty
    • Requirements
    • Best season
    • Start time
    • Starting/end point
    • Number of participants min./max.
    • Cost
  4. Tour Guide
  5. Julian Kodra
  6. How to book
  7. Discover our guided tours!

Highlights of this tour


  • One of the oldest lakes in the world
  • The hidden ancient church of St. Mary on the island of Maligrad
  • Archeological sites embedded into remarkable nature
  • Unique culture and history

Tour description

We will go on a boat trip on the Great Prespa Lake to Maligrad island in Prespa National Park, including a gentle walk to unique cultural sites.


Prespa Lake with Maligrad Island | Photo: Prespa National Park

Maligrad is a small island (5 ha), in Lake Prespa, with many caves and a small cliff. Though the area is mainly sandy and rocky you can find several types of trees and a huge biodiversity.


Prespa Lake | Photo: Prespa National Park

Starting from the village Pustec we will take a cruise to Maligrad island. There we will start a gentle walk to the famous cave church of St. Mary, a cultural moment of Albania that was built by Caesar Novaku, a local nobleman in 1369.


Inside St. Mary's Church (Shpella e Maligradit) on Maligrad Island | Photo: Prespa National Park
Inside St. Mary’s Church on Maligrad Island

We will see unique old fresco paintings as well as archaeological remains that prove very early settlements here.


Frescoes in St. Mary's Church on Maligrad Island | Photo: Prespa National Park
Frescoes in St. Mary’s Church on Maligrad Island

After climbing on to the top of the island we will enjoy a short picnic with traditional dried foods, fish, dairy, ayran, vegetables or fruits of the season, mountain tea, honey and traditional homemade bread.

Here is the opportunity to take some pictures, before going back and visit some more archeological sites on the island by boat.


Island of Maligrad | Photo: Prespa National Park
Maligrad Island in Prespa Lake

General information and booking contact

Length

7.5 km (bidirectional, boat cruise + walk)
3 hours (1/2 hour boat trip, 2 hours visit at the island, 1/2 hour boat trip back).

Height difference (m)

The island is located 850 m above sea level, the height difference on the island is small.

Level of difficulty

Easy.

Requirements

Clothes for wind protection, sun protection (hat). Though the boat is equipped with all necessary safety equipment, including life vests, guests should be able to swim.

For all tours, we recommend to take out a travel health insurance, including accident insurance.

Best season

Spring, summer, autumn.

Start time

10:00 am (depending on weather conditions)

Starting/end point

Pustec Village – Maligrad Island – Pustec Village

Number of participants min./max.

Minimum 2 person, maximum 8 persons.

Cost

20 Euro per person

Tour Guide

Tour guide Julian Kodra, Prespa National Park | Photo: Prespa National Park

Julian Kodra

Nature tour guide

My friends call me Juli and I am from Korça. I am working as a monitoring specialist at the Regional Agency for the protection of the Prespa National Park. Learn more

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How to book

You can book this tour by contacting Julian Kodra (email: or phone: +355675368129) or Llazo Stojani (email: or or phone: +355683504717).



Discover our guided tours!


Guri i Cjapit in Bredhi i Drenoves National Park, Photo: Bredhi i Drenoves National Park

The “Billy-Goat” Stone Tour | Bredhi i Drenoves National Park

See the natural moument Guri i Cjapit, the bear spring and the church Saint Peter & Paul on this guided hiking tour – with booking information!
Learn more
View of Prespa Lake | Photo: Prespa National Park

Hiking on the Tortoise Trail | Prespa National Park

On this guided tour you will see tortoises, typical mixed forests of the region and a traditional irrigation system – with booking information!
Learn more
Dragani lake | photo: Shebenik-Jabllanicë National Park

From Librazhd to the Peak Faqet e Lemueme | Shebenik-Jabllanicë National Park

See the traditional houses of Llangë village and the Visitor Centre of the National Park as well as Lake Fushë Studë and Lake Dragan and enjoy the splendid views from Peak Faqet e Lemueme – with booking information!
Learn more
Prespa Lake | Photo: Prespa National Park

Kallamas Trail: Hidden History and Culture in the Prespa Nature | Prespa National Park

Discover Staro Sello with its Neolithic findings, rich wildlife, pelicans and other birds, enjoy a panoramic view of Prespa Lake and see the monastery Sv. Marena – with booking information!
Learn more
Mali i Thate (Dry Mountain) hiking trail | Photo: Protected Area of Pogradec – Lake Ohrid

Alarup – Dry Mountain Hiking Trail: One View – Three Lakes | Protected Area of Pogradec – Lake Ohrid

On this guided tour you will see Lake Ohrid and the UNESCO world heritage site Ohrid-Region, the “tree of life” and the highest point of the Lake Ohrid watershed – with booking information!
Learn more
Island of Maligrad | Photo: Prespa National Park

A Hidden Secret on the Island of Maligrad in the Great Prespa Lake | Prespa National Park

Join us on a boat trip on one of the oldest lakes of the world to Maligrad Island to see the cave church St. Mary, nature and wildlife as well as archeological sites – with booking information!
Learn more
Photo: Prespa National Park

On Historic Foot Paths from Gollomboç to Diellas | Prespa National Park

Guided tour with beautiful views on a historic trail from Gollomboç, home of Sterjo Spasse along an old road to an observation platfrom and on to Diellas – with booking information!
Learn more
Shpella e Akullit | Photo: Shebenik-Jabllanicë National Park

On Traditional Trails to the Ice Cave of Akullit | Shebenik-Jabllanicë National Park

See the traditional houses of Llangë village, the Visitor Center of the National Park Shebenik-Jabllanicë and the ice cave of Akullit – with booking information!
Learn more
Lukova lakes | Photo: Protected Area of Pogradec – Lake Ohrid

Nature and Culture in the Mokra Mountains | Protected Area of Pogradec – Lake Ohrid

Combined car and hiking tour where you will see the bridge of Golik, the old tombs of Selca and the Lukova Lakes in the Mokra mountains – with booking information!
Learn more

Text and photos: Prespa National Park & Cveta Trajçe


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