We travel North Macedonia seeking out local food, wine, the best things to do in North Macedonia, & the best accommodation for you.
North Macedonia Official Language: Macedonian. Though Albanian, Bulgarian, Croatian and Serbian dialects are also spoken by some.
Currency Of North Macedonia: Macedonian Denar (MKD)
North Macedonian Population: 2,086,456
Capital City: Skopje
National Day: 8th September
Timezone: UTC +1 (UTC +2 during summer)
Things To Do In North Macedonia: So many! Start here for a few ideas
Fun Facts About North Macedonia: Fun facts coming soon
North Macedonia UNESCO Sites: There is one site. Read about it here
Driving: Some complications.
Macedonia, officially known as the Republic of Macedonia is a land in the Balkans that is rich in history and culture. Inhabited since 4000 BC, the land has been home to many tribes and communities.
Macedonians are South Slavic people, but Albanians, Serbs, Romani, Turks, Bosniaks, Bulgarians, and Aromanians also make their home in Macedonia.
Skopje, the capital is a city of contrasts where old and new blend into one. Cross the infamous Stone Bridge here and you’ll feel like you’ve been transplanted to another country. The city of Ohrid, also called the “Jerusalem of the Balkans” once had 365 churches.
Boasting natural wonders like the deep Vrelo Cave, the Matka Canyon, Lake Ohrid, ancient Roman ruins, and a number of stunning national parks, Macedonia is definitely worth a visit.
Add to that the fact that it’s relatively cheaper than countries in Western Europe, and easily accessible via 2 international airports, and it’s easy to add to your must-visit list.
International Airports In Macedonia: Ohrid “St. Paul the Apostle” Airport and Skopje International Airport
Macedonian Traditional Food:
Sarmi, cabbage leaves stuffed with meat, rice, and onions
Polneti Piperki, red peppers stuffed with cheese or meat
Ajvar, roasted red pepper relish
Selsko Meso, slow-cooked meat chops
Burek, flaky pies stuffed with meat
Turli Tava, meat and vegetable stew
Shopska Salad, made with cheese, tomatoes, and cucumbers
Pastrmajlija, the Macedonian version of a very meaty pizza
Mekici, fried sweet dough eaten with sugar or jam
Zelnik, a filo pastry stuffed with feta cheese, spinach, and egg
Pogacha bread
Tulumba, sweet deep-fried dumplings soaked in honey or sugar syrup
Top Things To Do In Macedonia:
Take a day trip to Matka Lake, Matka Canyon, and Vrelo Cave
Visit the ruins of Heraclea Lyncestis
Visit the towering 6th century Kale Fortress
Go fishing at Lake Dojran
Trek in Cave Peshna and see the ruins of an old fortress at the entrance
See the Kokino Observatory, the 4th oldest in the world
Visit the cliff-top monastery of St. Naum called Sveti Naum
Visit the Memorial House of Mother Teresa, where she was baptized
Cross the Vardar River to see a still functioning 12th century market in Skopje, the Old Bazaar
See the well preserved 2nd century Roman Baths in Bansko
Learn about Macedonian wine at wineries in the Povardarie Region
See reconstructions of Roman fortifications at the Bay of Bones
Tour the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle for Statehood and Independence
Hike up 300 stone steps to see Macedonia’s tallest waterfall, Smolare
Ride a boat on the Kozjak Lake
Major Places Not To Skip:
A town that blends old and new, Skopje
Ski-destination Mavrovo National Park
Cultural Bitola
Lake-town Ohrid
Ancient ruins of trading hub Stobi
Stunning Pelister National Park
Ancient ruins of Paeonia or Stobi
The village inside an extinct volcano, Kratovo
Fishing village Radozda
Ezeni Bird Sanctuary
The “City under Marko’s towers”, Prilep
Macedonia’s highest town, Krusevo
