Tourism in North macedonia
Macedonia is one of the most unexplored European countries. There are no crowds of tourists in the streets, so the locals welcome every guest. Macedonia is known as one of the cultural centers of the world: on its territory there are many ancient and medieval monuments. However, people also come here for the natural beauty: lakes, forests, mountains - the country has many.
Macedonia is located in southeastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. It is bordered by Kosovo and Serbia to the north, Albania to the west, Greece to the south and Bulgaria to the east. Macedonia is located in two large mountain systems: in the extreme west - the high mountains of Pindus, in the center and east - the lower Rhodope Mountains, separated by the river Vardar. The administrative division of the country includes 84 communities and the city of Skopje, which is an independent unit of local self-government.
The best tourist places in North Macedonia
Macedonia is considered one of the best tourist countries in Europe and the world. It also features many tourist destinations that make it a distinguished tourist country. Before traveling to Macedonia, we will make you familiar with the best tourist destinations there
Skopje
Skopje is the capital of the Republic of Macedonia, the city in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula, at the crossroads of important communications, a city with a 2000 year old tradition. Skopje is a modern city with almost one million inhabitants and is the main political, economic, educational and cultural center of Macedonia. It continues to be a center of interest for new residents, economic development, construction and renovation. The urban area of Skopje extends across the Skopje Valley for approximately 30 kilometers (18.75 mi) in width and includes 10 municipalities. Skopje is also a very attractive tourist destination with its fortress, cultural and historical monuments, archaeological sites, sports halls, caves in the canyon of the Treska River and Lake Matka and a spa in the eastern part of the city.
Skopje is gradually becoming a vital regional route for international flight operators. The city with the beautiful quay of the Macedonian river "Vardar", the narrow streets of the Old Bazaar which is the largest preserved bazaar in the Balkans today, the city is internationally known for being the birthplace of Mother Teresa. It has blossomed into a thriving and stimulating city to explore, defining itself as an exciting tourist destination with the 1500 year old Kale Fortress and St. Pantelejmon Monastery with the fresco "Lamentation of Christ", with the first signs of the Renaissance, the Islamic Hjunkar Mosque monuments of Sultan Murat, Daut Pasha's bath.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Skopje
Ohrid
Ohrid is a city in southwestern Macedonia, on the northeast coast of Lake Ohrid. Ohrid and Lake Ohrid are one of the main tourist destinations in Macedonia. This city is located in the southwestern part of Macedonia, on the northeast coast of Lake Ohrid. In terms of traffic, it is connected to the roads leading to Skopje, Bitola, Debar and the Republic of Albania. The ancient road Via Egnatia, connecting the Adriatic and the White Sea, also passed through its vicinity, which was an important circumstance for the development of Ohrid in the past. Near the city is the Ohrid airport, through which air traffic with some destinations outside the Republic of Macedonia is carried out. The traffic on the waters of the Ohrid lake is of little importance. It is used for fishing and tourism purposes. The only disadvantage is the lack of rail traffic.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Ohrid
Bitola
Bitola (Macedonian: Битола) is a grand old city that still bears the marks of its importance at the turn of the century as a center of diplomacy - while also illustrating the country's centuries-old coffee culture. Bitola is nicknamed "the city of consuls" and is the second largest city in Macedonia, with a population of nearly 100,000. Near the border with Greece, it straddles the Dragor River at the foot of Mount Pelister in the Baba mountain range.
Bitola is quite pleasant and it is the favorite city of Macedonians, because it has the most European atmosphere. It was a seat of consuls in the 19th century and with them they brought the European culture and influenced the local aristocracy, who started to live in the European fashion and build their houses in mixed neoclassical styles. Bitola is a nice place to visit as the Pelister National Park is close by, the old town of Heraklea is there, it has beautiful Ottoman architecture and romantic architecture from the 19th century, so some good examples of everything. Everything can be done in one day, including having a coffee on Shirok Sokak, but you have to book a separate day for Pelister National Park.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Bitola
Mavrovo
Each season has its own magnificence in the Mavrovo National Park. That's why this destination is perfect for both summer and winter periods. Once you visit Mavrovo, it will sink into your heart, just like a story. The picturesque villages in front of you reveal mountain landscapes and the mysticism of the Mijak culture. These are: Mavrovi Anovi, Mavrovo, Leunovo, Nikiforovo, Galicnik, Rostushe, Gari, Jance, Tresonce, Bituse and Lazaropole.
The natural treasures of the Mavrovo National Park call you at every step. Mavrovo has 30 picturesque caves, including the Sharkova dupka cave near Rostushe. Mavrovo also has Lokuv, the lowest glacial lake in Macedonia. The picturesque canyon of the beautiful Radika River gives the park a special beauty. Numerous ravines, steep slopes, rocks of different shapes and waterfalls create the diverse and specific landscape of Mavrovo. Within the boundaries of the Mavrovo National Park there are more than 52 mountain peaks with an altitude of over 2000 meters, of which the Medenica peak of the Bistra mountain, Velivar, Sandaktas and others are more famous. Of particular importance for the Mavrovo National Park is the peak Golem Korab (2764 meters above sea level) which is at the same time the highest peak in the Republic of Macedonia and thus the highest point of the park. The lowest point of Mavrovo National Park is 600 meters above sea level and is located at the very spot where Mala Reka flows into the Radika River.
The trademark of the region is the submerged church "St. Nikola" in the artificial lake of Mavrovo, which hides it up to the roof with every rise of the water. Nearby is the archaeological site St. Nikola. The site is a necropolis from the late Middle Ages. During the summer period, when the water level of Lake Mavrovo is lower, you can see the stone slabs of the tombs and the archaic crosses of the limestone. Lake Mavrovo, on the other hand, is suitable for visitors all year round - in summer for swimming and in winter, when it freezes, for skating.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Mavrovo
Prefecture of Struga
Struga is a beautiful city with a high culture and a developed tourism which is located in the southwestern part of North Macedonia. This city is characterized by its lake and the passage of a beautiful river that emanates from the lake called Drini i Zi. The town is known as an attractive place for tourists with a beautiful lake and good for vacationers, as well as quiet, with good restaurant conditions and with good traditional dishes. The town of Struga is known as an ancient and historical town inhabited by Illyrians with many contents from their past. In some houses and cultural buildings as well as along the river Drini i Zi, artistic figures of the way and virtues of the foretaste of life have been discovered, which proves that since the Neolithic period, the city was inhabited by Illyrians. In this city is characterized by the fishing that has developed in the Drini i Zi. Struga has always been in the shadow of Ohrid, because Ohrid has more monuments and better preserved houses. But Struga can still be a fun day trip from Ohrid if you combine it with a trip to the villages on the west coast of Lake Ohrid where the main sight, apart from the beautiful quiet beaches, are the rock churches. Unlike Ohrid which is situated on hills, Struga is flat, spread around the river Drim. It is an ideal place to relax with a cup of coffee by the river.
The city was known in ancient times as Enchalon, which means eel (eel fishing in the river Drim was very popular in Struga until recently). The Via Egnatia connecting Rome to Thessaloniki and Constantinople passed through Struga. The name Struga was first used in a document of the 11th century, but it originates from the 7th century AD. The Byzantine travel writer Anna Comnena visited Struga in the 11th century and called it "the city of 100 bridges". While Ohrid has always been a cultural and religious center, Struga played the role of a commercial center in the region. This is still the case and a visit on market day can be fun. In the 19th century, Struga played an important role in the national revival as it was the birthplace of Constantine and Dimitar Mladenovyi, two brothers who compiled and published a collection of folk songs (called "Folk Songs from Macedonia". Sorrow for the South" While he was studying in Moscow, today, in his honor, the largest poetry festivals in the world are held annually in Struga.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Prefecture of Struga
Tétovo
Tetovo is a city in northwest Macedonia, built on the slopes of Mount Shar and divided by the river Bena. The city covers a vast area of 1 068 km2 and has 52 915 inhabitants. The city is located in the municipality of Tetovo.
The historical quarters and their old buildings are an important attraction for tourists in the city.Sarina Zameca Mosque is one of the most important cultural and historical buildings that represent the Ottoman architecture style, which is located near the Bina River in the old part of the city. It was built in 1438 and rebuilt by Abd al-Rahman Pasha in 1833. It is considered a tourist attraction for foreigners.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Tétovo
Krushevo
Kruševo ( Macedonian: Крушево , Aromanian: Crushuva ) is a town in western North Macedonia . Its location at an altitude of 1,350 m (4,430 ft), among the highest in the Balkans, gives it a degree of isolation. The historic Kruševo was in 1903 the center of the Ilinden uprising against the Ottoman Empire which led to the formation of a republic that lasted only 10 days but is considered the prelude to the modern Macedonian republic. Today, the main celebrations of the Ilinden national holiday, August 2, are held in Kruševo to commemorate this struggle for independence.
Kruševo is also known as the center of the Vlach (Aromanian) minority in North Macedonia, although they make up only about 20% of the city's 5,330 inhabitants at the last census. The Vlachs and the Mijak group of Macedonians who inhabit the city are historically known for their building skills, giving Kruševo a unique collection of architecture. Hidden in the mountains between the woods, Kruševo has managed to preserve this authentic appeal. The town has the same layout as it did a century ago and many traditional houses and buildings are preserved, so it is a good place to admire and experience traditional architecture. The town is also a winter ski destination, with a ski lift that passes right over the town.
The city is small and pleasant to walk around and a walk through the woods to reach the monuments is recommended. However, bring comfortable shoes as you will be walking uphill or downhill most of the time, no matter where you go in town. The main road in Kruševo is called Toše Proeski Street (formerly Maršal Tito Street). It starts from the R1306 road in the south and becomes the 517 road when crossing the town in the north.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Krushevo
Prilep
Prilep is the fourth largest city in the Republic of Macedonia. It has a population of 66,246 and is known as the "City under the Marko Towers" due to its proximity to the Prince Marko Towers. The name of the city comes from Πρίλαπος, and in other related languages: Прилеп, Prilep Serbo-Croatian: Prilep or Pirрилеп Pirlepe or Perlepe PërlepEconomyPrilep is a center of tobacco, cigarette, metal processing, electronics, wood, textile, and high quality food industries. The city also produces a large amount of Macedonian Bianco Civic (pure white marble), tobacco being one of Prilep's traditional cash crops and superior to the Macedonian climate. Many of the world's largest cigarette manufacturers, such as Marlboro, West and Camel, use Prilep tobacco in their cigarettes after it has been processed in local factories such as the Tutunski kombinat Prilep. A tobacco institute was established in the city to produce new types of tobacco and was the first example of the application of genetics to agriculture in the Balkans.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Prilep
Galičica
From the Galicica National Park there are breathtaking views of Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa. It is particularly interesting for visitors to observe the two beautiful lakes at the same time. The attractive, aesthetic and rare values of the landscape also apply to the mountainous features of Galicica.
In the southwestern part of Macedonia, as a divider that divides Ohrid and Lake Prespa, lies the beautiful mountain Galicica. The National Park Galicica is part of the mountain and, together with the city of Ohrid and the lake, it has been placed under the protection of UNESCO. It is interesting to note that Galicica is a karst mountain, striking in the geographical environment with its magnificent size. The highest peak Magaro is located at an altitude of 2 254 meters. The terrain has a large presence of relict plants, with 11 plant species that can only be found on this site, and 26 endemic animal species are recorded. This is due to the large amount of rainfall during the year. The number of butterflies is particularly striking - 1644 species in such a small area.
The flora and fauna are important values of the Galicica National Park. Representatives of various floristic types exist in this area. They are located on steep and vertical rocks, stony areas and slopes, or on shallow or deeper soils. Such a variety of relief and soil substrate, as well as other environmental factors, have caused the appearance of various floral forms very rare or specific to this area. The flora is represented by more than 600 floristic species, of which more than 170 are woody vegetation. Such diversity cannot be observed on other mountains in the Republic of Macedonia. This applies not only to the Republic of Macedonia, but also to a much wider area. In the area of Galicica National Park, the variety of plant species and the environmental conditions have created a large number of floristic communities.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Galičica
Strumica
Strumica ( Macedonian Cyrillic: Струмица ) is a city in eastern North Macedonia , located near the tripoint with Bulgaria and Greece . Strumica is a small and well-developed town with about 40,000 inhabitants and is the seat of its own municipality. It is a great place to stop and, depending on your time, you have many things to do. You can go shopping, walk around the city center and enjoy the cafes and restaurants, which are quite numerous, or you can surprise yourself with the historical and natural wealth that this area offers.
Strumica and the surrounding villages are full of archaeological sites that bear witness to the long history of settlement in the area. A site called Stranata, near the village of Angelci, reveals evidence of a Neolithic settlement dating from the 6th millennium BC. In 1014, Strumica was the site of an important battle between the Bulgarian Empire of Tsar Samuel and the Byzantine Empire. The Bulgarians were victorious; in order to break their spirit, the Byzantine Emperor Basil II blinded thousands of Bulgarian soldiers captured in the previous battle of Kleidion and sent them to Samuel. The village of Kosturino, in the Strumica region, was the site of an important World War I battle in December 1915. It was a decisive victory for Bulgaria and the Central Powers, allowing them to build a Berlin-Constantinople railway line.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Strumica
Valley of Matka
Matka ( Macedonian: Матка , meaning "womb", Albanian: Matkë , Kanioni i Matkës ) is a valley located west of the center of Skopje , in Northern Macedonia . Covering nearly 5,000 hectares, Matka is one of the most popular outdoor destinations in Macedonia and home to several medieval monasteries. Matka Lake, located in the Matka Valley, is the oldest artificial lake in the country.
There are ten caves in Matka Canyon, the shortest being 20 meters (65.6 feet) and the longest 176 meters (577.4 feet). The canyon also has two vertical craters, both of which extend about 35 meters (114.8 feet) deep.
Matka Canyon is home to a variety of plants and animals, some of which are unique to the region. About 20% of the plant life found in Matka is endemic and found only here. The valley is also home to 77 native butterfly species. The valley is also home to the most venomous snake in southern Europe, the horned viper. The caves in the valley are home to a large number of bats.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Matka
Radožda
This peaceful fishing village is one of the hidden gems of Lake Ohrid. Located at the closest point in Macedonia to Albania, visitors can enjoy a culture here rich with influences from both countries, and can even cross the border for a diverse travel experience. Quiet, peaceful and picturesque, Radožda offers a taste of real rural life and Macedonian history, as the town was first mentioned in historical documents between 1342 and 1345. The foot of the mountain was above the village centuries ago. A true piece of unspoiled lakeside paradise, visitors should be sure to put this town on their list and experience the authentic lifestyle, food and culture of its indigenous people.
