North Macedonia is a tiny landlocked nation in japanese Europe and one of the best unspoiled vacation spot within the Balkan. In this North Macedonia itinerary, I take you to crucial place of curiosity. It even features a day journey to the Albanian facet of lake Ohrid. This North Macedonia itinerary consists of all UNESCO World Heritage Site, historical prehistoric websites, monasteries, the nation’s finest nature and extra. First, I give just a few North Macedonia journey ideas after which I take you on a day-by-day street journey. I’m certain this street journey suggestion will enable you plan your North Macedonian journey.
Planning a North Macedonia street journey itinerary
North Macedonia is a small nation and may simply be explored by staying just a few nights within the capital Skopje and some at Lake Ohrid. I moderately drive barely greater than to examine out and in inns day by day. You can break up the journeys from Ohrid and Skopje as you want. I made a decision to do 2 nights Skopje, 4 nights Ohrid and once more 3 nights in Skopje. I’ll give some choices to shorten the journey to every week. This ought to be sufficient for the foremost sights however first some North Macedonia journey planning ideas.
North Macedonia visa and entry
As I’m from the Netherlands, I didn’t want any visa. Europeans solely want their nationwide ID card which is enough to enter. If you aren’t from Europe, please examine with the embassy for the present North Macedonia entry requirement. A visa ought to be simply obtained if required for many nationalities.
Flights to Macedonia
The important airport of Macedonia is in Skopje, however a second airport is close to Ohrid. To Ohrid fly principally low-cost carriers from inside Europe and is an efficient selection in case you’re flying from Europe and may discover a appropriate flight. Otherwise, Skopje can be your home of arrival with flights from a number of European hubs. A the time of writing nonetheless it’s solely Star Alliance flights and airways that aren’t member of the large three alliances. Flights are low cost in off-season however may be steep in excessive season. I select Austrian Airlines from Amsterdam in enterprise class which was simply over 350 euro. You may additionally examine flights to Thessaloniki in Greece as it’s only a few hours’ drive!
Skopje Hotels and Lake Ohrid Hotels
There are loads of inns to select from in each areas. As I’m a Marriott Titanium member one among their inns is all the time my first selection. Thus, in Skopje I stayed on the Marriott resort. It has an amazing location downtown. At Lake Ohrid I needed to remain close to the outdated city but additionally be capable of get out of city simply. Hotel Villa Kotlar in Ohrid was my selection and I loved it rather a lot. The location is only a brief stroll to downtown Ohrid, 200 meters from Ohrid Beach and there may be straightforward and free parking. The excellent place to remain whereas on a North Macedonia street journey.
North Macedonia automobile rental
Where doable I attempt to hire automobiles from native firms moderately as the large manufacturers. In Skopje I can extremely advocate Relax Rent A Car Skopje. Check their web site for charges and reserving. Their service is nice, and the automobile was excellent and really reasonably priced. Make certain so as to add the inexperienced card to your rental in case you plan to journey to Albania. This North Macedonia itinerary does embrace a day journey there.
Other issues to remember whereas travelling in North Macedonia
- Macedonia makes use of the Denar. Change cash in Skopje. For instance, on the on line casino on the primary sq.. Their alternate fee is superb. Exchange charges on the airports are horrible. If you actually need to then change only a bit.
- If you determine to not have a rental the 2 days in Skopje, then it’s straightforward to take a taxi to or from the airport. It takes about 20 minutes. You can hire a automobile from Skopje in addition to Relax Rent A Car Skopje as an workplace downtown.
- While driving in North Macedonia take care on two lane roads within the mountains. Locals drive quick and typically not respecting all the protection guidelines. If you are taking care, will probably be completely secure.
- When visiting monasteries consider to decorate modest.
- Eat good native meals! It is affordable and scrumptious. I gives you some recommendations within the day-by-day clarification of this North Macedonia itinerary beneath.
Day 1: North Macedonia itinerary: Arrival & Skopje orientation
The arrival of my flight was within the afternoon. I used the rest of the afternoon to get the rental automobile, alternate cash and to select up some craft beer at Pivoteka Beer store. I additionally finetuned this North Macedonia itinerary final minute. Although it was a brief flight I did get drained. I went for an early superb genuine Macedonian dinner on the Old City House. The Old City House restaurant I can extremely advocate because the meals was superb. I went to mattress early as I didn’t know the period of time; I might require the subsequent day to see Skopje.
Day 2: Skopje metropolis journey
Skopje, particularly the outdated city, is a small capital metropolis. A Skopje metropolis journey may be executed in a day if not much less is my expertise. Skopje was based again within the 3rd century BC and was of nice significance by way of the ages. Current Skopje is only a few a long time outdated attributable to an earthquake within the sixties that levelled a lot of the metropolis. Most buildings now are new however few older stay. All the locations of curiosity are inside a brief stroll of Square Macedonia. I’ll listing all Skopje sights in probably the most environment friendly strolling order beginning at Square Macedonia.
- Square Macedonia and the statue of Alexander the Great. It was constructed in 2011 for the 20th anniversary of the Macedonian Independence.
- Mother Teresa House. Located at her beginning home the place she lived till right here 18th birthday. A small museum price visiting.
- Porta Macedonia (Arc of Triumph) with stunning carvings of Macedonian historical past.
- Stone Bridge. As the title says a stone bridge which dates to the 6th century when Macedonia was beneath Byzantine rule.
- Museum of Archaeology and Museum of Macedonian Struggle. Located on the banks of the Vadar river and a should see.
- Daut Pasha Hamam which now homes an artwork gallery.
- Now stroll into the outdated bazaar and simply wander the streets in the direction of the National Museum of Macedonia. You will come throughout varied mosques, Ottoman Inns (Kapan Han, Suli Han), Clock Tower, the Bedesten (a bazaar inside a bazaar for probably the most treasured objects).
If you go to all of the museums the above will take about 4-5 hours. I made a decision to name it a day and go to the St. Saviour Church, Kale Fortress and Museum of Contemporary Art the subsequent day after the Kokino half day journey. If you aren’t focused on visiting all of the museums, you may see all locations of curiosity after or earlier than the Kokino day journey. It would secure 1 day on this North Macedonia itinerary. Personally, nonetheless I all the time go to the National Museum and Archaeological Museum of a rustic to know extra of its historical past. I loved Skopje as it’s small and nice.
SHORTEN THIS NORTH MACEDONIA ITINERARY: Do day 2 and three on the identical day which is well doable. You can go to the fortress direct after arrival to secure a while as nicely.
Day 3: Kokino day journey & extra of Skopje
The Archaeo-astronomical Site Kokino is an historical astronomical platform from the Bronze Age only recently found in 2001. It is simply over an hour drive from Skopje in the direction of the Serbian border. The Archaeo-astronomical Site Kokino is, actually, over marketed as a vacationer attraction in Macedonia as “the Stonehenge of Macedonia”. Yes, it can be crucial and don’t get me mistaken, it’s price going! I merely needed to go as it’s a tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site. If the guard is there, you’ll have to pay a small entrance charge of about 2 euro. He arrived simply after I departed. It takes about an hour to discover the location.
The Archaeo-astronomical Site Kokino is believed to be from the threerd century BC as varied artifacts had been discovered and dated to that point. There are a number of thrones and ceremonial platforms to discover. Make certain to stroll the total circle as you in any other case would possibly miss the ceremonial wall!
It is an attention-grabbing web site and for certain price including to a North Macedonia itinerary. I returned in time for late lunch in Skopje which I had on the Old Town Brewery. The shaslik is scrumptious as is their beer. On day 2 I skipped Skopje Fortress & the Ascension of Jesus church which I visited at the present time. Skopje is small so it’s straightforward to combine day 2 and three of this North Macedonia itinerary.
Day 4: North Macedonia itinerary continued: Skopje to Ohrid through Prilep
There are two routes from Skopje to Ohrid which, till the northern freeway is accomplished nearly take the identical time. I like to recommend going by way of Prilep no less than as soon as. Either going to Ohrid or going again to Skopje. It’s not in regards to the metropolis Prilep however the rocky mass known as Markovi Kuli in the midst of the valley. This pure phenomenon is of specific curiosity because it’s not discovered elsewhere and subsequently inscribed as a tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site.
To get there simply put your GPS to Markovi Kuli and it’ll take you there. At the doorway signal simply proceed the street till it will get to slender and inaccessible by automobile. Walk the rest to the as soon as largest tower of the Balkans. You have stunning views right here of the massif and when executed return and go to the Holy Mother of God (Treskavec Monastery) within the northern half. It has stunning fresco’s inside. It can also be doable to hike between the 2 locations however you would wish somebody to drive the automobile or stroll each methods which is simply too time consuming for this North Macedonia itinerary. From Prilep proceed to Ohrid.
ADDITIONAL STOP: If you’re like me and don’t thoughts lengthy days then go to Saint George Church in Kurbinovo. It’s additionally a tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site simply close to Lake Prespa. It will add about 1:15 hours to the journey together with the extra driving.
North Macedonia Itinerary Day 5: Ohrid outdated city day journey
Ohrid is a gorgeous city on the shores of Lake Ohrid and a should place to incorporate on a North Macedonia itinerary. I stayed a 10-minute stroll north of downtown in Hotel Villa Kotlar. It’s ideally positioned close to Ohrid Beach, and also you stroll very quickly to the outdated metropolis. Parking can also be obtainable free of charge which is ideal in case you comply with this North Macedonia street journey itinerary as a result of within the outdated city no automobiles are allowed.
An Ohrid outdated city day journey doesn’t take a full day, so I made a decision to begin round 10 AM and end round 4 PM. From the resort I walked alongside the shores as much as the fort first after which continued by way of the outdated city to the decrease half. The following locations of curiosity are a must-see. I’ll listing them in finest order to keep away from strolling up and down the hilly Ohrid outdated city.
- Church of Saint John the Theologian
- Old City Park with the Church of Saints Clement and Panteleimon
- Samoil’s Fortress
- Antique Theater of Ohrid
- Upper Old Gate with partitions
- Church of Holy Mary Perybleptos and the Icon Gallery
- Church of St. Sophia (lunch tip: Sveta Sofija Restaurant)
- Museums Robev Family House (Ohrid Museum) and Hristo Uzunov House
- City Square and from there stroll the buying road
You will move different attention-grabbing buildings and extra church buildings. There is sufficient time to get pleasure from all of the streets of Ohrid! For dinner, I extremely advocate Belvedere for a tremendous BBQ!
Day 6: North Macedonia itinerary into nature: Mavrovo Hike
National Park Mavrovo is a big nature reserve in northeast North Macedonia. It is actual wilderness which crosses into Albania and Kosovo as nicely. North Macedonia’s tallest mountain, Mount Korab is positioned there as nicely. At the foot of the mountain, deep into the park, is an historical beech forest which is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This Primeval Beech Forest web site is a transborder web site and since I “hunt” UNESCO websites I merely needed to go to. If you intend mountaineering it is a hike you need to do!
There is only one hike that goes by way of the forest which begins at Ribnica to Mount Kabash summit. It is roughly 8-9 kilometers a technique. The terrain just isn’t that troublesome however its wilderness, the trail not all the time absolutely clear and there are wild bears! Go with a neighborhood information (contact Misko by electronic mail, finest licensed information!) in case you are like me not an skilled mountaineer. I drove 2 hours from Ohrid and hiked the primary 7 kilometers (and again) solely as rain was coming so I skipped the summit. I did make it to the primeval beech forest which is historical and pristine. So stunning! On the way in which again I made a fast cease at St. Joseph Monastery which is a pilgrim’s place. I used to be again in Ohrid in time for once more a big BBQ dinner at Belvedere restaurant. Yes I really like meat.
Day 7: Road journey to Albanian facet of Lake Ohrid
Lake Ohrid borders North Macedonia and Albania. If you make a North Macedonia street journey, I extremely advocate together with the Albanian facet of Lake Ohrid as nicely. Why do that Albania Lake Ohrid day journey? Because the sights in japanese Albania are all positioned there. All others are close to the coast and thus this protects time. Start on the Illyrian Tombs of Selca e Poshtme (take the northern border crossing) that are the stays of a settlement relationship to the 5-2nd century BC. One it was dwelling to the Illyrian kings and now a Tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site. I then advocate driving to Lin to see the outdated basis of the cathedral. It has stunning mosaics and are a part of the Albanian UNESCO Site Lake Ohrid.
From Lin proceed alongside the coast to Pogradec for lunch and time at one of the best seaside of Lake Ohrid. It is a small metropolis however for locals a vacationer vacation spot. This doesn’t imply it’s costly because the meals is even cheaper as in North Macedonia. I had lunch for 2 folks for simply twenty euro. This included a big T-Bone, salad, bread, and beers. As I’m not that a lot into seashores and the climate was not good both I made a decision to already go to Sveti Naum which is a monastery simply throughout the border (southern crossing) into North Macedonia. This is together with on day 8 of this North Macedonia itinerary because it makes extra sense on that day. If you do keep in Pogradec I do advocate staying till dinner as meals is simply so low cost there.
Day 8: Lake Ohrid day journey & National Park Galicica hike
There are some websites round Lake Ohrid left for this North Macedonia itinerary. Two of that are included within the UNESCO World Heritage web site Lake Ohrid as nicely: Sveti Naum and the Natural Park Galicica. Select in Google maps “Lipova – Vrv Magaro Starting point” which is the place to begin of the hike into Natural Park Galicica. Unlike the Mavrovo Hike I included on this North Macedonia itinerary you don’t per se want a information right here. The hike takes approximate 4 hours, however I solely made it midway to the highest when thunder and rain got here. It was not secure to proceed. The first a part of the hike goes by way of pine forest after which you’ll stroll within the open. Make certain to hike the circle to the highest counterclockwise as it’s simpler. For lunch head over to Sveti Naum, which is a monastery but additionally a seaside with lots meals choices.
Sveti Naum or Saint Naum monastery is a gorgeous monastery on the coast of Lake Ohrid. He lived in within the 8th century and is related to the founders of the Cyrillic writing. He based the Pliska Literary School (you may go to the stays in Bulgaria) and worded the rest of his reside on the Ohrid Literary School. His resting place is on the Saint Naum monastery which he himself based. Today, the monastery is partly a resort, and the seaside is filled with eateries and place to drink. You can also have a boat journey on the small lakes. Quite touristic however it’s a should go to on Lake Ohrid shores.
If you begin early, you can also make a cease on the Bay of Bones Museum to learn the way pile dwellers lived centuries in the past. It is an attention-grabbing museum however if in case you have seen related museums up to now, it’s not price going. Altogether an extended day filled with nature and tradition. One that it’s essential to do in case you comply with this North Macedonia itinerary.
Day 9: Day journeys from Skopje
I didn’t plan any of those day journeys from Skopje as I deliberate at the present time to get a PCR Test to journey dwelling due to the pandemic (summer time 2021). The Netherlands nonetheless modified the foundations, and I didn’t require this take a look at anymore, so I immediately had an extra day in Skopje. If you could have time, I can advocate them. They may even be executed as half day journeys on in the future as I did.
- Climb as much as mount Vodno to the millennial cross. The largest millennial cross on the earth which you may as well climb. The climb up the mountain takes about 90 minutes and provides nice views over Skopje. After the climb make certain to go to the St. Panteleimon monastery close by. It has a gorgeous painted inside.
- A 40-minute drive away from Skopje is the Matka canyon the place you can also make a hike or take a ship journey to a cave. There is a monastery as nicely and loads of eating places to have lunch. If you could have time, it’s price going.
SHORTEN THIS NORTH MACEDONIA ITINERARY: Simply skip at the present time!
Day 10: North Macedonia itinerary: departure
My Austrian Airlines flight was early afternoon, so I had a great night time of sleep. An excellent breakfast on the Marriott Skopje earlier than heading to the airport. I had dropped the automobile already the night time earlier than to avoid wasting time on departure. One factor: don’t come early on the airport. It is small and there may be nothing to do at Skopje airport.
When I began planning this North Macedonia street journey itinerary, I assumed it will be a mean journey. Now, after driving across the nation, taking in all its magnificence I can say that it’s actually an amazing vacation spot within the Balkan. It is unspoiled with stunning nature and tradition and since it’s small every part is well in attain. Then there are a budget costs for meals which is scrumptious. Altogether North Macedonia is a superb vacation spot to get away from over tourism. I hope to return in the future to journey into Kosovo and southern Serbia.
Stay tuned for extra tales and subscribe to the publication or comply with CTB on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram together with Instagram tales; on all social media yow will discover CTB @christravelblog) to get up to date info.
Did you go to North Macedonia too or do you could have questions? Please depart a remark on the backside of the web page. Love to listen to from you!