When we decided to visit North Macedonia, we didn’t know much about the country and what it offers. But after our almost two-week trip through the country, I must say that I was so surprised by how fascinating the country is, what an interesting culture it has, amazing food and nature that leaves you amazed. We loved our time there so much so let’s dive into the places to visit in North Macedonia!
Skopje
Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia is one of a kind – it has a colorful mix of cultures, impressive architecture, delicious food, important history, and lots of statues. Yes, you read it right. You can even play a game counting the statues that are everywhere around the city, which makes it so unique.
In the middle of Skopje runs the Vardar River, creating two sides of the city. Some of the most popular places to visit in Skopje are Macedonia Square, Stone Bridge, Old Bazaar, Mount Vodno and so much more. I would also recommend enjoying traditional foods at a local restaurant. We loved the food there but the most delicious were the desserts – in Skopje, I had the best baklava and in a local bakery the best chocolate candies and pistachio cake.
Matka Canyon
Matka Canyon is one of the most popular tourist destinations in North Macedonia, located only 30 minutes drive from Skopje. The Matka Lake is artificially created but the views are still so unbelievably beautiful. The entrance is free of cost and there’s a path that leads you along the hill where you can walk and enjoy the views. There are also water activities such as boat riding, kayaking, fishing, and swimming as well as hiking and exploring caves, the most famous one being the Vrelo Cave which possibly is the deepest underwater cave in the world. In the canyon, there are also several monasteries, one of them along the way being the St. Andrews monastery.
We visited Matka Canyon in February when it was still cold outside, therefore the path along the canyon was at times a bit slippery but we still enjoyed this spectacular place.
The Painted Mosque
Šarena Džamija or the Painted Mosque, located in the town of Tetovo, is one of the most interesting mosques I have ever seen. The mosque was originally built in 1438 but rebuilt in 1833. By the Painted Mosque, there’s a beautiful garden with a fountain where you can enjoy a calm stroll. You can enter the mosque to admire the interior except for when the service is active.
Lake Ohrid
Lake Ohrid is one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe, the deepest lake in the Balkans region, and also one of our favorite attraction points in North Macedonia. It is located in the Southwestern part of North Macedonia, about a 2.5-hour drive from Skopje by car. The lake also stretches a part of Albanian territory. In 2014 Lake Ohrid in Macedonia was added to UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves and in 2019 Albania’s side of the lake was granted UNESCO World Heritage status. Lake Ohrid earns its beauty also from the mountains that surround it, making the place truly a magical spot for holidays at the beach or exploring the nearby area.
Ohrid
Ohrid is the largest city on Lake Ohrid and is absolutely gorgeous. The city is often chosen for tourism therefore there are a lot of places to stay for the night as well as a lot of restaurant and cafe options. Ohrid has a lovely old town with picturesque streets where you will meet lots of cute cats. The promenade along Lake Ohrid is worth visiting not only during the day but also in the evening when the sun is setting and the views are breathtaking.
Ohrid has the beauty from the city’s architecture but also from the surrounding hills and mountains, therefore creating Ohrid the perfect destination for every kind of relaxation – enjoying the beach, going for a hike, or exploring the city scene with all of the amazing food options.
Popular spots to visit are the Church of St. John at Kaneo, Samuel’s Fortress, the promenade, and of course, the stunning old town.
The Bay of Bones
The Bay of Bones was the most unique spot in our trip through North Macedonia. Located about 25 minutes drive from Ohrid, it is a reconstructed village dating back to Bronze and Iron Age artifacts recovered from Lake Ohrid.
The cost to visit the museum on the water is 150 MKD per person and you can pay by cash or credit card on the spot. There’s also a free-of-cost parking lot.
This is a fantastic place to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding hills, the uniqueness of the archaeological site, and the crystal clear water of Lake Ohrid.
Bonus places
Since we needed to pay for a Green Card to enter North Macedonia which lasts for 15 days, we couldn’t explore all the places we wanted to travel to. So here is a list of some places that we will make sure to add to our itinerary the next time we travel to North Macedonia.
- The Monastery of Saint Naum, located just 14 kilometers from the Bay of Bones, overlooking Lake Ohrid and by the Albanian border, is one of the most popular destinations in North Macedonia. The monastery is a magnificent place to experience the religious heritage and enjoy the nature around it.
- Krusevo, the highest town in North Macedonia, located about a 2-hour drive from Ohrid or 3 hour drive from Skopje, is a picturesque town with stunning views of the mountains and so much history and culture to soak in.
- Mavrovo national park is the largest national park in North Macedonia, perfect on the way to visit Lake Ohrid from Skopje. You can enjoy nature, stunning waterfalls, lakes and so much more there. An interesting spot to visit is the Old Mavrovo Church, an abandoned church in Mavrovo Lake.
- Smolare Waterfall is the tallest waterfall in North Macedonia, located by the Greek and Bulgarian borders. The waterfall is in Belasica Mountain, surrounded by deep and beautiful forest, therefore visiting Smolare Waterfall can be a perfect exploration and refreshment in nature.
- Pelister National Park, not far from Lake Prespa and Bitola city, is the oldest and second-largest national park in North Macedonia. The park is famous for its diversity and richness of flora and fauna. In the Pelister National Park, you can go biking, skiing, hiking and just resting with the stunning views all around. The most famous spots in the national park are the two mountain lakes, called Pelister’s Eyes.
Needless to say that North Macedonia is such a diverse country both in culture and nature. In North Macedonia everyone can find something that would suit their preference for holidays – from museums and city exploring, to a beach holiday, hiking through mountains, or skiing in the wintertime. This country offers so much and is the perfect place for budget traveling, and without a doubt, we will be coming back to explore more.
Check out my other blog posts about 8 things to know before traveling to North Macedonia and 9 places to visit in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia!
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