Dojran is a region around the Dojran Lake in the south-eastern Macedonia, between Kaltepe hill, Belasica and Krusa mountains. Dojran is made up of two fisherman’s towns: Nov Dojran (new settlement) Star Dojran (old settlement which contains both: old ruins and recent construction, especially hotels, resorts and restaurants)

According to the 2002 census, the Dojran municipality had 3,426 inhabitants, while Nov (New) and Star (Old) Dojran have 1,200 and 800 inhabitants. They both lie at an altitude of 140-160 meters above sea level.

Dojran is located 170 km from Skopje, 34 km from Gevgelija and 59 km from Strumica and can be entered by a car or bus heading from Valandovo, Bogdanci and Strumica. Dojran is very close to the Greek border.

Dojran has suffered an outrageous bombing during the 1st World War, being on the Macedonian Front line (1916-1918) it was almost struck down. At that time Dojran was turned into a military camp. After the war, of 18,000 inhabitants only few remained to live in Dojran.

The tourism, along with Dojran hotels and the lake brought the life back in Dojran region. After the stagnation from the end of the 20th century, when the level of Dojran lake was lowered for 10 meters, thanking to the new pipeline system, the number if tourists/visitors has raised to a normal level.

Climate and when to come in Dojran

The climate in the Dojran plain is modified Mediterranean and the entire region is under the climatic influence of the Salonica gulf. The climate is characterized with warm and dry summers and soft winters. Over 120 days during the year have over 26°C. The average temperature during the year is 14.2°C. The warmest month is July (average daily temperature of 24.7°C), while the coldest is January (average daily temperature of 3.6°C). However, temperatures have been registered as low as -13°C and up to 43°C as well.

Dojran tourist attractions

• DOJRAN CLOCK TOWER The clock tower of Dojran was built in the 14th century. According to the legend passed down through many generations, the tower was built by Evrenos-beg, in honor of the conquest of Dojran. During the First World War, the tower was partially destroyed, and it remains in the same condition today. 0.17 km WSW from main square / Dojran
• DOJRAN LAKE The Dojran lake has a surface of 43,1 sq km, of which 27,3 belongs to Macedonia and 15,8 sq km on Greece. The shape of Dojran lake is similar to a circle and it’s length is 9 km and it’s width 7 km. According to an old legend, a Macedonian girl named Dojrana was accustomed to fetching water from special springs that had to be sealed following use. Yet at the very moment Dojrana was filling her jugs, she heard that her beloved had come back from the army, and forgot to seal the springs. Dojran lake was, the legend says, the result of her unthinking euphoria. Due to the lake 15 types of fish, (of which famous are kostreš, plašica, carp, sheath-fish) and water grass (algi), the Dojran lake enters the list of world’s rarities due to its special features. Dojran lake is the richest lake in fish in Europe. The ancient way of fishing with the assistance of birds (kormorans) and gratings practiced here is very interesting. A similar method of fishing exist only in distant China, and is carried out during the winter. Here on Dojran lake, the notorious Dojran fishermen still fish in a very special traditional way – by the help of birds, a special type of birds called Cormorants. Lake Dojran is also rich in vegetation. The algae that generate and emit iodine must be mentioned, as they make the water suitable for balneal therapy. 3.37 km NNE from Dojran center
• SAINT ILIJA CHURCH The church of St. Ilija was built in 1874 and unfortunately bombed during the First World War, because of the Macedonian Front (1916-1918). The remains of this church are visible in the north part of Star Dojran. Judging by the remaining walls and the big altar inside, the church was an impressive building. Some of the walls, retain fragments of paintings, which suggests that the church walls were originally covered with frescoes. The church is currently in reconstruction. 0.38 km NNW from main square / Dojran
• TURKISH AMAM The bath is located in the upper part of Dojran, inhabited by the Turkish population, in the past. The time of construction is not known. 0.2 km W from main square / Dojran