The Best Places to Visit in North Macedonia
North Macedonia is a small, landlocked country in Southeast Europe on the Balkan Peninsula, and one of the most overlooked and underrated destinations in the Balkans region. It’s a pretty mountainous country, and also has two of Europe’s deepest lakes (Ohrid and Prespa). Whilst there is no coastline in North Macedonia, that doesn’t mean you cant enjoy the sun. There are some beautiful locations for summer here, and so much outdoor appeal in general. Historically, the area was part of ancient Macedonia (linked to Alexander the Great), and now stands as an independent country with lots to offer.
Capital: Skopje
Currency: Macedonian Dinar
Language: Macedonian, Albanian
When to visit: June to September
1) Ohrid
Ohrid is a historic lakeside town in southwestern North Macedonia, right on the northeastern shore of Lake Ohrid - one of Europe's oldest, deepest, and most biodiverse lakes. It's the country's top tourism spot, with the whole area basically being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ohrid sits on the lakes edge, with the town climbing hilly slopes overlooking the water making it such a serene, peaceful place to be.
Things to do:
Ohrid’s iconic building is the Church of St. John at Kaneo, the beautiful religious site overlooking the crystal clear waters of Lake Ohrid. It is really an amazing place to be at sunset. To get here, you have to either walk through the Old Town, which features cool sites like Church of Hagia Sophia and many more late Ottoman Style buildings, or you can take the scenic lakeside route walking down the Ohrid Boardwalk. Also inside the Old Town is the Ancient Macedonian Theatre of Lychnidos, a Roman-era ampitheatre dating all the way back to 200 BC. A bit further up a hill is Samuel's Fortress, another place where you can climb the 10th-century walls and tower for panoramic views over the old town and Lake Ohrid. Spend your time in Ohrid just relaxing by the water and taking in the views and you’ll have a good time.
How to get there:
The easiest way is to bus from nearby in the Balkans. There are common routes from both Skopje, other cities in the country, and Tirana.
2) Skopje
Skopje is the capital and largest city of North Macedonia, and the hub for all important relations regarding North Macedonia. It sits in the northern part of the country with an estimated population of around 600,000. Skopje has a somewhat quirky reason for most of it’s tourism. In the early 2010’s, the government instigated a project called “Skopje 2014,” which saw hundreds of statues, bridges, and neoclassical buildings built in the city, making Skopje a unique place to visit.
Things to do:
In the city center, Skopje is estimated to have 284 different statues scattered about, so you can look around and spot them all if you like. By far the coolest of them all is the big Alexander the Great Horseback Statue in Macedonia Square. Somewhat nearby is the Memorial House of Mother Teresa, who was born in Skopje too. Walk over the historic Stone Bridge into the Old Bazaar, where you can find the largest preserved Ottoman bazaar in the Balkans. Check out Mustafa Paša Mosque, Cifte Hamam, and all the stalls and shops. Lastly, you could head up Skopje Fortress and head inside to see the ruins and towers from the old Ottoman era. The city itself is big, and feels like a mix of every other capital city in Europe.
How to get there:
Skopje Airport (SKP) is basically the air gateway into North Macedonia. You can find flights from a decent selction of European cities.
Inside the country, you can bus from cities like Ohrid, or arrive internationally from Pristina, Sofia, Thessaloniki, Belgrade, and more.
3) Matka Canyon
Matka Canyon is a stunning natural gorge in North Macedonia, with the area spanning about 5000 hectares. The lake is narrow and deep, with towering rock walls rising on both sides, creating a dramatic, almost fjord-like feel in places. There’s a lot of caves to see, as well as scenic views and trails in the natural park area. Matka Canyon is only about 15km southwest away from Skopje, making it a pretty easy trip for everyone.
Things to do:
Take a boat tour, either with a speedboat or bigger boat through the canyon. Most boats go to Vrelo Cave, one of the highlights of the whole area where you head into a narrow gorge to see the dramatic cave mouth. Otherwise you can do the Canyon Hike, which is straightforward and pretty simple. It starts near Canyon Matka Hotel & Restaurant.
How to get there:
You can very easily take a bus from Skopje dropping you by the main entrance area, so check local bus timetables and routes.
Then you can head to the boat dock and hop on any kind of boat (after you pay) and experience Matka Canyon’s beauty!
4) Kratovo
Kratovo is a small, historic town in northeastern North Macedonia. It's an off-the-beaten-path spot, often called the "town of bridges and towers" for its medieval stone architecture and Ottoman-era features. Most people visiting North Macedonia haven’t heard of it, but if you desire to escape the crowds and step in places most don’t then its a great place to be.
Things to do:
Walk around Kratovo’s town center and cross over all of the historic bridges which date back to the Ottoman era, some of the coolest being Grofski Most and Radin Most. Try heading up the Clock Tower, which is a significant site of the city itself. You can see the Osogovo Mountains which surround the city. Check out the rest of the Orthodox churches and medieval towers in the area, and relax in one of the towns parks too. The town is pretty small, and doesn’t need more than a day.
How to get there:
Take a bus direct from Skopje to the town area.
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