Travel to North Macedonia: A Guide to A Balkan Secret

The Balkans best-kept secret is slowly starting to appear from the shadows after years of keeping quiet. Honestly, we don’t know why. North Macedonia is as historically important, naturally beautiful and welcoming as its neighbours. To travel to North Macedonia is to walk a path less travelled, and what you’ll find will blow you away. 

With historical merit earned by none other than Alexander the Great; North Macedonia’s cities and towns are heavily peppered with Ottoman architecture that can be seen everywhere you go, only to be interspersed by flashes of the country’s brief Byzantine rule. 

This irresistible country becomes even more captivating when you step out into nature where national parks like Matka Canyon sit on Skopje, the capital city’s, doorstep with promises to dazzle you with its natural bounty. While in Ohrid, you’ll never lose sight of its lake, one of the oldest in Europe that can be explored further on nature trails that take you around its shore. 

Throw some delicious food and friendly locals into the mix, and you have a country that should make its neighbours quiver in their boots! 

When to Go to North Macedonia

North Macedonia enjoys a Mediterranean climate although it is often humid and dry, you’ll still find four seasons in the country. 

The best time for North Macedonia travel is either in spring or autumn when the temperatures are comfortable and there are fewer travellers. The summer can be incredibly hot with temperatures hitting as high as 40 degrees Celcius in some parts of the country so activities are limited in this landlocked country.

Best Places to Travel to in North Macedonia

Lake Ohrid and It’s Old Town

If you are looking to feel the Mediterranean atmosphere when visiting North Macedonia, Lake Ohrid is about as good as it gets. This dreamy destination is centred around Ohrid, a town that lends its name from the azure waters it sits beside. 

The cobblestone streets of Ohrid will take you from church to church, of which there are over 300, which illustrates the town’s firm roots as one of Europe’s earliest settlements with both traces of Byzantine rule and early Christianity. Outside of the town, you’ll find yourself exploring Lake Ohrid further, where you’ll enjoy the views of both the town and the lake from rocky outcrops of the cliffs following nature trails that you will more or less have to yourself. 

Matka Canyon

Introductions to nature don’t get much better than this. Just moments from Skopje, North Macedonia’s bustling capital, is Matka Canyon where a winding river cuts into the landscape, providing opportunities for kayaking, boat trips, swimming and even cliff diving if you are feeling adventurous. 

The canyon has several well-marked hiking trails that lead you to viewpoints, monasteries, the Vrelo Cave complex, thought to be one of the deepest in Europe, and many restaurants that focus on the seafood available around the canyon. All in all, Matka Canyon is a must for nature lovers looking for a day trip from Skopje. 

Skopje City

Skopje is a city that will stop historians in their tracks. Having been settled in since the Neolithic era, the city has a stunning Ottoman old town and 12th-century bazaar. Following its cobbled stone streets, you’ll be tempted by old teahouses that encourage you to stop to take it all in.

The architecture and sculptures of the city will guide you from the Byzantine era through to the Skopje kitsch phase, a bold yet bizarre attempt to get people into the city that will leave you with more questions than answers, as you’ll see on this 15-day best of Balkans tour. 

Skopje is North Macedonia’s largest city, an unrivalled status that draws in youth from across the country, and with it, a lively nightlife with bustling restaurants and bars that keep the city afloat. 

Mavrovo National Park

Home to North Macedonia’s highest peak, Mavrovo National Park is a snow-lovers dream in winter and the setting for an unforgettable hiking adventure in summer. Starting from the national park’s base, Mavrovo town, the hiking trail will take you past gorges, waterfalls and even karst fields on what promises to be one of the best Balkan nature tours you can find. 

When you are not getting lost in the beauty of Mavrovo National Park, charming villages and monasteries will bring you out of the wilderness and into a world of the finest cheese in the country with little snippets of North Macedonian traditions. 

Tetovo and Its Mosque

Famed for its Ottoman architecture, Tetovo is a picturesque city nestled in the west of North Macedonia. The city is known for its overwhelming Albanian majority, to the point where the city is often considered, although not without contention, an extension of Albania by its inhabitants.

In the 15th century, the Ottoman Empire took over the city, converting many of its people to Islam. The famed Ottoman structures that you see in Tetovo started popping up across the city after their takeover, including Šarena Džamija – the decorated mosque. A beautiful structure famed for its vibrant paintings.

Šarena Džamija is unique for many reasons, however, what stands out the most is that two sisters from Tetovo funded it instead of a Sultan or Pasha, both of whom have been enshrined in the mosque. The mosque was reconstructed by a Pasha at a later date, and the intricate, bright floral paintings inside the mosque were preserved.

How to Get Around North Macedonia

Taxi

You can use the taxi services to go around the cities. If there is a large group, it is also possible to arrange transport between North Macedonia’s cities. As North Macedonia is a small country, taxi drivers will be more than willing to do this.

Buses

There is a reliable network of bus services that will take you between North Macedonia’s major towns and cities that you can use to navigate your way through the country. The country’s capital, Skopje is the main base to explore from, with all routes directing to the city. 

Bicycle

If you don’t care for walking too much, North Macedonia’s national parks present the perfect opportunity to cycle around to explore the areas. The national parks have a mix of well-paved and off-roading experiences, some of which are more challenging than others.

Self-Drive and Private Driver

It’s worth noting that North Macedonia is known for having a variety of standards of roads navigating the country. If you do choose to drive by yourself, some caution should be taken with less-favourable road conditions. Should you choose to hire a private driver, you could be in for a bumpy ride at any minute!

Train

There are several train lines that operate across the country. While the trains are reliable, the service is dated and therefore slow, so make sure you leave enough time in your schedule. 

Where to Stay in North Macedonia

Skopje

Skopje has accommodation options all over the city. However, if you are looking to make the most of this historic city, it’s highly recommended that you stay in the centre where you’ll be within reaching distance of all of the main attractions. 

Lake Ohrid

This scenic location has a huge variety of accommodation options that are incredibly reasonably priced. In the old town, there are some more luxurious options sitting on Lake Ohrid’s most picturesque locations on the lakeside. 

Tetovo

Nestled at the foothills of the Sar mountains, Tetovo is a picturesque city with a handful of accommodation options that will suit everyone. Here, you’ll be surprised what facilities are on offer, providing a comfortable base to explore this historical city. 

What to Eat When Travelling in North Macedonia

Borek

This essential snack is a traditional Balkan pastry that you can find in neighbouring countries too. In North Macedonia, you can expect borek’s flakey pastry to contain mincemeat, onions and peppers, however, you’ll also find cheese and spinach. You can get your fix of borek from any bakery in North Macedonia. 

Tavce Gravce

A hearty dish that delivers all the Balkan flavour you are looking for, tavce gravce is a bean-based stew flavoured with Balkan chillies, paprika and an additional hint of mint for freshness that is enhanced further by feta or sheep’s milk cheese. 

The dish is best enjoyed with fresh crusty bread and a side salad.

Tulumba

Tiny fried pieces of joy. Tulumba is the perfect snack if you are looking for a sweet pick-me-up. The tiny pieces of dough are deep-fried and soaked in syrup to create the perfect sugar-filled accompaniment to an afternoon coffee. 

Pastrmajlija

This rustic open sandwich is North Macedonia’s answer to a pizza. Thin slices of meat, typically mutton or pork, are accompanied by eggs and baked to create a delicious snack that is best eaten along with pickled peppers. 

Festivals in North Macedonia

Skopje Jazz Festival

Since its inception, the Skopje Jazz Festival has become one of the most anticipated events on the North Macedonian calendar, perking up the ears of jazz lovers across Europe. 

The jazz festival comes to the city in October with the sole purpose of delivering great jazz to its attendees. With that, comes artists that range from the experimental to some of the biggest names in the industry. Mark your calendar for this one!

Manaki Brothers Grimm Film Festival

One of the oldest film festivals in the world celebrates North Macedonia’s answer to the Brothers Grimm, the Manaki brothers, who championed the film industry in the country in the early 20th century. 

Today, the film festival is a celebration of all things cinematography with a fine selection of films from across the world. Taking place in Bitola, the films are shown in the town’s central hall. 

Ohrid Summer Festival

Making the most of North Macedonia’s warm summer days, Ohrid bustles with festivity as locals and people from surrounding Baklan countries descend on the city for four weeks to enjoy music, theatre and dance in the city. 

The festival welcomes a mix of professional and amateur performers to occupy the most unexpected venues, creating an exciting atmosphere in the city that is often heightened by the odd familiar celebrity face. 

Independence Day

This vital public holiday commemorates the day North Macedonia became independent from Yugoslavia on the 8th of September 1991. The day is particularly big in Skopje, when the streets are filled with happy locals and concerts echo from the centre before the Prime Minister gives the annual speech. This is a fun day for all the family!

Things to Know Before You Go to North Macedonia

Visa: North Macedonia is not part of the EU. While most European nationals can enter for free, it’s best to check before you go. 

Currency: The currency for North Macedonia is the Macedonian denar. At the time of writing, April 2021, 1 USD is equal to 51.78 denars.

Language: In North Macedonia, people speak Macedonian, a Slavic language that uses the Cyrillic alphabet, this can be quite difficult to read. The official minority language is Albanian, there are also large populations of Turkish and Roma speakers. There may be a few people in tourist spots such as hotels and restaurants who speak English. 

Name: You may associate Macedonia with the Greek region, the country is well aware of it and has been pressured by Greece to rename itself the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). This is a point of contention among locals.

Budget: North Macedonia is one of the cheapest countries in Europe with most meals costing between 3-5 US dollars. 

Looking to Travel to North Macedonia?

Planning a trip to North Macedonia can be stressful with so little information out there. Our Local Designers in North Macedonia will lighten the load by organising a custom trip for you. 

Browse our range of trips to North Macedonia and across the Balkans to see what could be waiting for you in this beautiful corner of Europe. If you can’t find what you are looking for, select ‘design your own trip’ and answer some simple questions that tell us a bit more about your travel style. Then, our Local Designers will get to work doing what they do best – creating the trip of your dreams!