why to visit macedonia

How much to budget for your trip. North Macedonia, like most other countries in the Balkans, is an extremely affordable travel destination by European standards. Budget traveller: 20-30 USD/day (hostel, buses, local meals) Mid-range: 30-50 USD/day (guesthouse or Airbnb, buses & taxis, restaurant meals) All-out: 50-100 USD/day (boutique hotel ...

2. Still Distinctly European. One of the reasons we loved Macedonia was the fact that it still felt distinctly European. For us, the melting pot cities of London, Rome, and Paris have lost their appeal because it feels like we are simply visiting any major city in the United States.

National Park Mavrovo. Fresh air, hiking, quaint villages are just a few reasons why you should explore the national park Mavrovo. The St. Jovan Bigorski Monastery is also a place of interest. Mavroro is huge and stretches 192,000 acres from Lake Mavrovo to the Albanian border.

1. A Cultural Melting Pot. North Macedonia's history is shaped by a fascinating blend of cultures, creating a unique and diverse cultural heritage. From the influence of the ancient Macedonians and Romans to the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, the country carries the echoes of its past.

You can really visit Macedonia at any time. We visited in the dead of winter and aside from a couple of freezing cold rainy days, the country was absolutely stunning at that time of year. Some places shut down in the off-season, but in general you can always find a place to stay and a good restaurant to eat in during the winter months.

Beyond North Macedonia. Skopje. Lake Ohrid. Ohrid. Mavrovo National Park. Explore North Macedonia holidays and discover the best time and places to visit.

The Bay of Bones is a unique experience in Macedonia. This overwater museum on Lake Ohrid is an authentic reproduction of a pile-dwelling settlement, so visitors can see how men and women lived here in the first millennium BC. There's also a reconstructed ancient Roman military fortress up on the hill nearby.

Miriam Risager is the founder of Adventurous Miriam. She has traveled to 62 countries in the past 18 years and has done most of it solo. She helps over 100,000 people per month plan their travel adventures across the world. Get the must-have tips in my Macedonia travel guide, incl. what to see, what to eat and where to stay.

Visit the Painted Mosque. The interior of Tetovo's Painted Mosque is decorated with intricate geometric designs. Gardel Bertrand, Alamy Stock Photo. Every other religious monument in Macedonia ...

Just outside Skopje, the painted mosque in Tetovo is the most beautiful in all of the Balkans. In the centre of the country, North Macedonia's jewel, Lake Ohrid, sparkles. Cruise to the St. Naum Monastery near the border with Albania or hire a bicycle and circumnavigate the entire lake in a day, passing through the two border crossings.

Getting Entry And Visas. Before you visit Macedonia, it is important to know how to enter legally. Macedonia is not part of the EU or the Schengen area but if you come from any European country, you can enter Macedonia only with your passport. If you're coming from outside of Europe, then you might need a visa depending on your nationality.

5 mins. 1. Walk through the ages in Skopje. Statue of Alexander The Great, Macedonia Square (Shutterstock) The North Macedonian capital is a quirky mix old and new. Kale Fortress has been guarding the city since the sixth century AD and is partly built from stones from a nearby Roman city that was destroyed by an earthquake 518 AD.

Pelister National Park. When visiting Bitola don't also miss Pelister National Park, located just outside of the city. This is the oldest national park in North Macedonia, established in 1848, and surrounds the Baba Mountain massif with its highest peak Pelister (2601 m, the third highest mountain in the country).

Smolari, The Highest Waterfall In Macedonia. Also located near Strumica, Smolari is the tallest waterfall in Macedonia, rising above nearly 30 meters. The waterfall is a part of the Lomnica River and if you want to get there, you have to pass a trail that includes 300 stone steps.

So, if you like history this is another reason why you need to visit Macedonia. 8. Monasteries. Churches and monasteries in Macedonia are among the country's most precious treasures, where the spiritual and artistic heritage of the Byzantine Orthodox tradition is magnificently preserved. Macedonian churches share the essential characteristics ...

Below, you'll find some of the best places to visit in North Macedonia from the vibrant capital Skopje to the stunning lakeside town (and my former home) of Ohrid, ancient ruins at Heraclea Lyncestic, mountainous national parks, sprawling vineyards, and hilltops dotted with churches and monasteries. 1. Skopje.

Asia and Europe. Islam and Christianity. Religion is tied to ethnic and national identity here, and North Macedonia is mostly populated by Macedonians who are of Slavic origin and are Orthodox Christians, and by Albanians who are Muslims. Albanians are the largest minority, one-third of the inhabitants.

4. Lake Ohrid, the Pearl of Macedonia. Visit Macedonia and discover its 'Pearl'. UNESCO-listed Lake Ohrid is no-filter-needed perfect and one of the top things to see in Macedonia. In addition to being one of the oldest lakes in the world, it's also the deepest, measuring 287 meters in some parts.

Macedonia is not a part of the E.U. or the Schengen Zone, but you don't need a visa if you are a resident of any European country. However, if you're from a country outside of Europe, you might need a visa, depending on where you come from. To ensure whether you need a visa or not, check out this official government site before you plan ...

4. Galicica National Park [SEE MAP] Located between Lakes Ohrid and Prespa, the stunning Galicica National Park is a wild and wonderful place to visit. Hiking amongst the unspoiled and untouched valleys, forests and mountains will certainly delight nature lovers.

Here are my top 10 reasons to visit North Macedonia. 1. North Macedonia Is One Of Europe's Rising Destinations. North Macedonia is becoming one of Europe's rising destinations for tourism. In fact, 2021 saw a 50% increase in tourists. Even still, the country is relatively unexplored and untouched by mass tourism.

11. The Bay of Bones. The Bay of Bones is a remarkable archaeological complex on Lake Ohrid's shores in North Macedonia, that offers a fascinating glimpse into prehistoric lake dwellings. This reconstructed site represents a Bronze and Iron Age settlement, initially discovered through underwater excavations.

Friday. May 10, 2024. °C. m/s. About us. Macedonia, officially the Republic of Macedonia, is a country in the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in September 1991 under the name Republic of Macedonia. DISCLAIMER: