Located approximately 10 km south of the City of Ohrid. It is spread across the western slopes of Galicica National Park, and 0.1 - 2 km from the shore of Lake Ohrid. The main part of the village is located at 850 - 950 m. above sea level, while the new satellite settlement of Elesec rises directly from the shores of Lake Ohrid, at 700 m Elshani has 680 inhabitants living in the village all year around. In summer days there are approximately 400 more temporary inhabitants staying in their summer houses, built in the vicinity of the lake. As a traditionally orthodox village, it has many churches. The oldest church in the village goes back as far as 1408 AD. There are two temples in the village: The Cathedral Church of St. Elijah (restored in 1859; painted in 1944) and St. Mina's (built in 1994). The chapel of St. Petka from 1947 is shared with the neighbouring town of Peshtani.
Accommodation can be found in 30 family homes with nearly 200 beds in total, all through the year and at different locations, down by the lake or up in the mountain. Also by the lakeside is the Elesec Camping Site, which is well structured, but operating during the summer period only. Most of the local people find employment in hotels by the lakeside, or in the Ohrid factories, although, there are still some more traditional activities: each family has its own vineyard and a garden, animals are still kept, and traditional production of wine and rakija (brandy) is still practiced. Also by the lakeside is the Elesec Camping Site, which is well structured, but operating during the summer period only, in July and August.
All year round activities enlighten the rural experience in Macedonia! The people of Elshani welcome visitors and will be happy to introduce you to their style of living. From early April to late October, days are long with many sunny hours and medium temperatures of the air between 20o and 30o C. This is the right time for outdoor activities, such as water sports and mountain hiking. Winter brings lower temperatures, and sometimes it can snow, as well. However, frost and fog are rarely seen here. Let our guides take you around the village, or even higher into the mountain. Have a closer look at the beauties of Mount Galicica, and admire the immense blue surfaces of Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa.
