Rakija Distillery Tour in Ohrid: Taste Premium Spirits

Underground cellar where oak barrels age rakija and fruit liqueurs

A guided tour of Distillery Balaklija near Lake Ohrid where you taste premium rakija, homemade fruit liqueurs and Macedonian wine paired with locally made cheese, bread and seasonal produce. The experience includes a walk through the vineyard and orchards, and time in the atmospheric underground cellar where the spirits mature. A knowledgeable guide leads the whole visit, which runs two hours and suits anyone 18 or older.

Step-by-step itinerary

Distillery tour and tasting experience

• Meet guide and start distillery tour
• Taste traditional Macedonian food and wines
• Walk through vineyard and orchards
• Visit underground cellar and taste rakija

The experience

The distillery sits in a quiet valley far from crowds, built from stone and wood structures that blend into the landscape. Your guide welcomes you and walks you through how the estate works as an agritourism operation: the philosophy behind it, the handcrafted products, and what makes this different from a standard tasting room. The setting itself is part of the experience: a terrace overlooking the river, a cozy indoor space depending on season, and eventually the underground cellar where the air fills with the smell of oak.

You'll taste several homemade Macedonian wines paired with food prepared from the estate's own gardens and nearby farms: artisan cheeses, homemade bread, seasonal vegetables. The guide explains traditional winemaking methods as you eat, connecting each flavor back to the land and the region's culinary heritage. After the food and wine, a short walk through the vineyard and orchards (weather permitting) shows you where everything comes from: the grapes, the fruit for liqueurs, the cycle that turns field into bottle.

The second half moves into the underground cellar, where you'll learn how rakija and fruit liqueurs are crafted and aged. Your guide introduces the character of each spirit, walks through the production process, and you taste a selection of premium rakija and flavorful fruit liqueurs. The whole visit is designed to slow you down: to connect with the land, the people, and the traditions behind what you're tasting.

What’s included

• Guided tour led by a knowledgeable guide in English.
• tastings of premium rakija, homemade fruit liqueurs and Macedonian wines.
• traditional Macedonian food including artisan cheeses, homemade bread and seasonal produce.
• a walk through the vineyard and orchards (weather permitting).
• access to the underground cellar.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 May 2027

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomeNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Distillery Balaklija

Is this one for you?Groups of at least two people work best for this tour. The fixed two-hour schedule fits easily into a day trip from Ohrid, and the mix of tasting, food and walking suits anyone who wants to slow down and taste something real without the crowds.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly do I taste during the rakija distillery tour near Ohrid?

You taste premium rakija, homemade fruit liqueurs, and several Macedonian wines, all paired with traditional food made from produce grown on the estate: artisan cheeses, homemade bread, and seasonal vegetables from the gardens.

Is the distillery accessible if I use a wheelchair?

Distillery Balaklija is wheelchair accessible. All areas and surfaces are accessible, and transportation options are also wheelchair accessible.

What happens during the walk through the vineyard and orchards?

Your guide shares insights about the farming practices, explains the cycle of grapes and fruit, and shows how everything you've tasted moves from field to bottle. The walk is short and depends on season and weather.

Can I visit if I'm under 18?

Alcoholic beverages are served only to guests 18 and over. Younger travelers are offered a selection of non-alcoholic drinks, including freshly prepared juices made from fruits and herbs grown on the property.

What is the underground cellar like?

The cellar is atmospheric, filled with the aroma of oak barrels where rakija and fruit liqueurs rest and mature under carefully maintained conditions. You'll learn about the craftsmanship and tradition behind each bottle before tasting.