This is the oldest lakeside town in Europe and has just been declared a World Heritage Site

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The time when Albania could be described as a hidden gem of Europe is long gone.

Between the rising crowds in Ksamil this summer and the long-awaited opening of a brand new airport in Vlorë, the Balkan country is undergoing a well-deserved tourism renaissance.

That said, it’s not like everything Albania’s secret places have been discovered by the masses – and believe us, there is certainly no shortage of them.

Regular visitors aren’t the only ones just getting to know Albania: even UNESCO has been catching up lately.

Despite having some of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe and numerous impressive archaeological sites, Albania has only four UNESCO World Heritage Sites. By comparison, Greece has 19, and across the Ionian Sea Italy has a whopping 61.

However, as of 2025 there has been a fifth location added to the list:

Discover Lin, one of the oldest villages in Europe

If you’re looking for truly off-the-beaten-path European cities that have remained completely protected from the spoils of mass tourism, you can’t miss Lin in 2026.

A small village in Albania, on the shores of Lake Ohrid, with a fascinating history dating back thousands of years, family-owned taverns serving affordable food, and of course a scenic promenade overlooking crystal clear waters.

If the name Ohrid sounds familiar, it’s probably because you’ve read it in another one Travel off the path article about the emerging seaside resort of Ohrid, just across the coast, in North Macedonia.

While Ohrid has started to see a rapid increase in the number of tourists in recent years, mainly due to word of mouth and some viral TikToks, Lin has remained virtually untouched.

Enjoy all that old world charm

It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in Europe, with archaeological remains indicating a foundation date in the 6th century BC. It is therefore no wonder that UNESCO has set its eyes on this relatively unknown village.

With a population of around 1,680 people and 296 families in the early 2000s, it is a side of Europe that many thought had been lost forever.

It’s now officially a ‘Urban architectural ensemble‘, and it has been added to the Albanian side of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes Lake Ohrid.

We are talking about cobbled alleys where not a single tour group can be seen, preserved architecture, the Albanian style on the lake, with thick-walled houses topped with rustic, terracotta roofsand equipped with wooden balconies with carved details.

Mansions here usually have enclosed courtyards, where vine or fig trees grow, which is probably where the wine served at the local waterfront taverna comes from.

Why this is great news for Albania as a whole

This UNESCO designation could not have come at a better time, as Albania is experiencing a surge in popularity among tourists.

Between the quirkiness and vibrant feel of the national capital, Tirana, and the historic charm of smaller towns like Berat and Gjirokaster, the country has never been as trendy as it is today. It’s time for the overlooked Lin to get his laurels.

Albania has also historically struggled with maintaining its national heritage.

Archaeological sites are often in a suboptimal state of conservation, and smaller settlements, far from the larger, more developed urban centers, still suffer from decades of underdevelopment and precarious conditions.

The country may be on an upward trajectory, but that doesn’t mean its long-standing problems will be solved overnight. Lin’s UNESCO classification as an area of ​​interest will help raise awareness protect the cultural and natural heritage of the village.

What to see in Lin

Apart from the picturesque mansions and dramatic setting, on a narrow peninsula jutting into Lake Ohrid, Lin’s most notable site is the early Christian basilica.

Built in the 5th (or 6th) century AD, the old church has beautiful floor mosaicsin a remarkable state of preservation considering the lack of restoration efforts, and it is a living testament to Lin’s early role as a center of faith in the Byzantine period.

About 1% of the actual ancient Lin settlement has been excavated, so with UNESCO taking the reins, we expect many more layers to be uncovered in the coming years.

Meanwhile, you can stroll through the timeless streets, full of authentic Balkan charm, swim in the lake (only in the warm summer months) and try the local cuisine in one or two tavernas. On that note, make sure you stop by Hotel Restorant Leza:

A guest house And restaurant on the lake shore, they serve generous portions of lake fish, grilled with lemon and olives (an Ohrid specialty) and home-made wine (remember the vines in the courtyard?) for between 1,500 and 2,000 Albanians leak.

So in USD terms about $14–19 for a main course with a drink.

Explore Lake Ohrid

Lin is also the perfect base for exploring the wider Lake Ohrid, one of the oldest and deepest lakes on the European continent.

It is shared by both Albania and North Macedonia, and there are incredible sights on both sides of the border.

In Albania, Pogradec is the main city, just a 25-minute drive from Lin. It is known for its equally scenic lakeside walk, abundance of cafes and cozy restaurants specializing in local cuisine Quran trout. Uphill, the ruined Pogradec Castle offers breathtaking views of the lake.

In North Macedonia you don’t want to miss Ohrid, the medium-sized city after which the lake itself is named. Dubbed ‘Jerusalem of the Balkans‘ Thanks to its more than 300 churches, Roman and Byzantine ruins and Old World allure, it is the undisputed jewel of the lake.

Ohrid is the center of the UNESCO protected area and you can easily get there from Lin by driving along the shores of Lake Ohrid towards North Macedonia.

If the border is not busy, you can expect to reach your destination within 50 minutes.

Other sights on the Macedonian side include the Sveti Naum Monastery, famous for its ornate frescoes, and Trpejca, known locally as the ‘Saint-Tropez of Macedonia’. It features beaches, lakeside restaurants and a rapidly developing hospitality sector.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior head writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60 countries to his name (and is currently weaving stories from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.