Macedonia is one of my favorite countries in the Balkans. This is a small country with a population of 2 million 100 thousand, stuck between Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece. It was one of the former Republics of Yugoslavia. It is an incredibly beautiful and untouched country. Like many other countries, mass tourism has not yet spoiled this country and its hospitality.
There are some countries, even if you haven’t heard of them much, when you step there for the first time you realize that they are different and they begin to attract you. One of them, for me, is definitely North Macedonia. The difference of this place was that we were similar in terms of its historical and cultural characteristics. Macedonia is like one of us.
Macedonia
St. Jovan Kaneo, Ohrid, Macedonia
Macedonia is a country that attracts attention among Balkan Tours. It is also quite cheaper compared to Turkey. With a modest budget, I ate at the most luxurious restaurant and drank my tea, coffee and drinks in the most central place. Prices are quite reasonable. If you have a low budget and want to go to a nearby country without a visa, Macedonia would be a great choice.
It is much richer than expected with its nature, history and unique culture. While wandering around their cities, I felt like I was among people I had known before. A friendly land that I discovered without feeling like a stranger!
There are many places to visit: cities, historical points, churches, valleys, canyons… I went to many places by public transportation without renting a car. It is not a very developed country, but it is quite good in terms of public transportation. Transportation fees are also low and do not shake the budget too much.
This landlocked country has a magnificent nature. Macedonia is a land of landscapes; It has created a wonderful riot of colors with more than fifty lakes, dozens of streams, majestic mountains and dense forest cover. Mavrova, Yasen, Galichica national parks are just a few of the many exquisite parks.
Macedonia Travel Guide 🇲🇰
CONTENTS GUIDE ▽ hide
Macedonia Travel Guide 🇲🇰
Places to Visit in Macedonia 📌
- Skopje
- Bitola
- Ohrid
4.Struga - Mavrovo
- Tetova
- Gostivar
- Galichnik
- Resne
Macedonia was one of the Republics of Former Yugoslavia. Macedonia, with its fertile plains and mild climate, has hosted many great civilizations throughout history. Many civilizations, from the Macedonian King Alexander the Great to the Roman Empire, from the Eastern Roman Empire to the Ottoman Empire, have shaped Macedonia.
Macedonia, separated from the Ottoman Empire by the Balkan War, joined socialist Yugoslavia in 1944. Five nations, Serbs, Bosnians, Croats, Slovenians and Macedonians, three different faiths (Muslims, Catholics and Orthodox) and eight ethnic groups (Turks, Bulgarians, Albanians, Hungarians, Czechs, Romanians, Ukrainians and Roma) lived together.
Malta
Macedonia, which became an autonomous republic in 1974, declared its sovereignty and became independent on September 8, 1991, following the disintegration of Yugoslavia. When it declared its independence as a state, Türkiye became the first state to recognize it. The country’s own name was an almost irreconcilable issue with Greece .
Recognized by the United Nations in 1993, the country took the name FYROM , meaning ‘Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’, due to the objection of Greece. Now it is called the Republic of North Macedonia . Since Greece is the heir of Alexander the Great and claims the right to use the name Macedonian, it seems difficult for the country to enter the European Union.
Despite its multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-cultural structure, Macedonia is one of the countries that tries to maintain ethnic peace and political integrity. 67% of the population is Orthodox Christian, 30% is Muslim and 3% belongs to other religions. The only census was carried out by international organizations in the nineties. Muslims are said to be close to 50%.
Macedonian is the official language of the country. Apart from this, Albanian, Croatian, Serbian and Turkish are also used. Although they are of Albanian origin, the number of people who speak Turkish is quite high. Today, there are more than 3 thousand Turkish words in the Macedonian language of Slavic origin. Dinar is used as currency, Euro is also sometimes accepted.
The country is 1 hour behind Turkey. New Year is celebrated on January 12, Orthodox Christmas is celebrated on January 7-8, and the country goes on holiday on these dates.
Macedonian cities : Skopje, Ohrid, Bitola, Prilep, Berovo, Struga, Dojran, Krushevo, Kavadarci, Gevgelija, Gostivar, Strumica, Kochani, Debar, Tetovo, Shtip, Negotino, Prilep, Veles, Kumanovo, Demir, Kapija, Kratovo and Kicevo .
Malta
WHAT IS REQUIRED TO GO TO MACEDONIA
ⓘ You do not need a visa to go to Macedonia. If you plan to go from Turkey by car, you need to have a Green Passport or a Schengen visa since you will be going through Greece . Check out my blog posts on How to Get a Schengen Visa , How to Get a Visa and How Much Are the Visa Fees?
ⓘ A passport is required to go to Macedonia. If you do not have a passport, read my articles on Passport Types and How to Apply for a Passport . When going abroad, you have to pay an international exit fee . You can prepare your route with the articles Visa-Free Balkan Tour and Visa-Free Balkan Countries . Take a look at my detailed blog post , List of Visa-Free Countries . Click on the Macedonia
category to read all the information about Macedonia and my blog posts . You can also get information about Skopje in my Skopje Travel Guide blog post. To help you have a more convenient and productive Skopje holiday, take a look at the blog posts on how to find a suitable hotel , visa/passport , life-saving smartphone applications in the Travel Guide category .
WHEN TO GO TO MACEDONIA
☀️ In the country with a typical Central European continental climate, winters are cold and snowy and summers are cool and rainy. Like most places in the Balkans, the best weather in Macedonia is generally from June to mid-September. Macedonia is cold in winter. My first visit was before New Year’s Eve and it was cold but the sun was still there.
I visited Macedonia for the second time in April. The weather was warm and suitable for walking. During my 1-week trip, I encountered rain only once. I think spring and summer are the best times to visit the country. It is said that it is not very hot in the summer.
The Republic of North Macedonia is located on the European continent , in the Balkan Peninsula, and borders Greece to the south, Bulgaria to the east, Albania to the west, and Serbia and Kosovo to the north. Macedonia is also a Balkan country.
How to get to Macedonia by air : Turkish Airlines has direct flights from Istanbul Airport to Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, and Pegasus Airlines has direct flights from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, 7 days a week. The Istanbul-Skopje flight takes 1 hour and 40 minutes.
How to get to the city center from Alexander the Great Airport : Skopje Alexander the Great Airport is 23 kilometers away from the city center. There are bus services from the airport to the city center. You can go to Skopje in 30 minutes with these buses. Taxi, car rental and transfer vehicles are among other options.
How to get to Macedonia by land : It is possible to go to Macedonia from Turkey by private vehicle. Using the Edirne Kapıkule Border Gate, you can reach Skopje via Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Since Bulgaria requires a visa from Turkish citizens, it is necessary to obtain a Bulgarian or Schengen visa.
The distance between Istanbul and Skopje is 802 km. When waiting at border gates and passport and customs controls are not taken into account, you can go from Istanbul to Skopje in 9 hours.
How to get to Macedonia by bus : There are bus services to and from Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, from Istanbul Bayrampaşa Bus Terminal. Alpar Turizm has a direct flight from Istanbul every day at 19.00. Macedonia bus ticket costs 40 euros one way and 60 euros round trip. The bus departs from Istanbul at 19.00 and arrives in Skopje at 06.00 the next day and in Ohrid at 10.00.
Macedonia is the cheapest country I’ve been to in Europe. Many guides say Bulgaria is the cheapest, but I found Macedonia even cheaper than Bulgaria! The cheapest hostels start at around $7; nicer lodgings were $10; You can get private rooms for $15-25. A multi-course dinner with wine never exceeded $10; Most of my meals were $3-$5.
You do not need a visa to go to Macedonia. Perhaps the fact that it is one of the few countries in the European continent that we can visit without a visa makes this place a little more attractive in my opinion. It is not as well-groomed as Croatia, Slovenia or Montenegro, but I loved every corner I visited. If you are not too picky, I am sure you will enjoy this country immensely.
Throwing your passport in your bag and hitting the road is a real freedom, I understood this much better during my trip to Macedonia. If you don’t have any plans and don’t have the patience to deal with visa issues, I think you should buy a ticket to Macedonia immediately. Is it bad to see a new country and new people?
Another plus is meeting many people who speak Turkish. Yes, even if you don’t know a foreign language in Macedonia, you won’t have any problems, there is always someone around who speaks Turkish. I must admit that this made me feel good. Especially in the Skopje market, a couple in their 70s who learned that we were from Turkey insisted on buying me dinner so much that we agreed to have tea and make peace.
Music is an integral part of Macedonia’s rich culture, with a strong influence from the country’s large Roma communities. If you come in the summer, you have a high chance of coming across incredibly entertaining weddings on the streets. The warmth, hospitality and happy attitude of the people towards those who visit the country suddenly become the best feature of Macedonia.
Let’s talk about transportation. Renting a car gives great freedom here, as everywhere else. If you want to travel around the mountains, rent a car as soon as you land in Skopje. Distances between cities are not too far from each other, and the roads are just fine. Don’t expect the pristine asphalt in Europe.
Before you go, be sure to draw your route and make your hotel reservations. There are many options in Skopje and Ohrid, but finding a hotel at the last minute in other cities may be a bit difficult. If you have a long travel plan, you can add Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro to your route while you are here, because they are very close to each other.
Places to Visit in Macedonia 📌
Located between Bulgaria, Serbia and Kosovo to the north, Albania to the west and Greece to the south, this small mountainous country has a lot to offer travelers.
Places to visit in Macedonia include the cities of Skopje, Ohrid, Struga, Tetova (Tetovo), Veles (Köprülü), Ştip (Ştip), Gostıvar and Kumanovo.
During my trip to Macedonia, I followed the route Bitola (1 day) > Ohrid > Mavrovo (1 day) > Skopje (1 day) > Ohrid (3 days) >…Other Balkan Countries… > Skopje (2 days) > Istanbul . In the 25 enjoyable days of my Balkan tour, I visited 6 countries and 21 cities/towns for the first time and I accumulated very pleasant memories.
- Skopje
Macedonia SkopjeMacedonia Square
Places to Visit in MacedoniaSkopje Old bazaar
Macedonia Kemal KayaVodno Mountain
With the project called Skopje 2014, the Macedonian Government scattered bridges, pools and sculptures that do not match its texture throughout the city.
Skopje is built on both banks of the Vardar River and is called Skopje in the Macedonian language. Its history dates back to two thousand years ago and its name comes from ‘Skupi’, where an Ilir tribe settled. With a population exceeding five hundred thousand, one quarter of the country lives here. The city, which joined the Ottoman lands in 1392, remained under Ottoman rule for more than 500 years.
Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, one of the oldest cities and cultural centers in the Balkans, was included in the Ottoman geography by Yıldırım Bayezid in 1392, 61 years before the conquest of Istanbul. Great personalities such as Yahya Kemal, Mehmet Akif Ersoy, Hoca Tahsin, Arnavut Abdi Pasha and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s grandfather Hakkı Efendi were born in this city.
It experienced a major earthquake in 1963, during which it lost most of its buildings that formed its historical texture. The rebuilt city has a reinforced concrete appearance with a landscape resembling the architecture of former communist countries. Nevertheless, Skopje maintained its position among the important cultural centers in the Rumelian geography for years.
Malta
Macedonia Square is the heart of Skopje. The numerous and somewhat exaggerated new statues erected to reinforce the Macedonian Identity overshadow the old texture of the city. The Statue of Alexander the Great, built in Florence, Italy, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the founding of Macedonia, is one of them.
Stone Bridge is another architectural structure that is the symbol of the city, with 13 eyes, built during the reign of Sultan Murad I. Albanian and Turkish minorities live on one side of the city divided by the Stone Bridge, while Macedonians live on the other side. When you walk from Macedonia Square to the Stone Bridge and cross to the other side of the river, you start to feel like you are in Anatolia.
Skopje Old Bazaar looks like a slice of Anatolia. The Old Bazaar, extending from the Stone Bridge to the castle, was one of the largest trade centers in Europe during the Ottoman period. It promises a pleasant trip with its cobblestone streets and pastel-coloured shops. Beautiful examples of Turkish culture and architecture such as Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Kurşunlu Inn, Sulu Inn and Davut Pasha Bath located in the bazaar.
Skopje Castle is a 10th century castle that dominates the silhouette of the bazaar. This is also the place where you can get the best view of Skopje and the Vardar River. There are many restaurants in this bazaar area that serve Turkish dishes that will make you very happy.
WHERE TO STAY IN SKOPJE
🏨 Park Hotel is simply amazing with its design and unique design! Hi Skopje Hostel and Hotel London B&B, where I have stayed before, are suitable for those who want cheap accommodation. Osten Art Hotel and Ibis Skopje City Center are also very good options ✔︎
- Bitola
Monastery, Macedonia
Bitola
Bitola , or Bitola as we know it , is the second largest city in Macedonia. I met Macedonia for the first time with a special Balkans trip that started in Istanbul and included Thessaloniki, Greece, by bus. After Thessaloniki, the beautiful city of Greece, the first place I stayed in Macedonia was the small, charming city Bitola.
Standing out with its multicultural structure, Monastir looks like a large town with a population of nearly one hundred thousand. One of the livable cities of Macedonia. It is a very calm, cute and clean city, far from the chaos of urbanization. This is also where Atatürk came to study at the military high school in 1896.
Since the monastery was the center of the 3rd Army during the Ottoman period, it was quite developed compared to other Macedonian cities. After his Thessaloniki Military Junior High School education, M. Kemal took the exams of the Monastir Military Preparatory School and was successful. Thus, the first city he lived in after Thessaloniki was Monastir.
My favorite place was Sirok Sokak. It is a long street full of endless cafes and venues. Another beautiful aspect of Manastır is its old bazaar. The shops are lined up side by side instead of being enclosed in a building like the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. Some of its streets have been locations for Turkish TV series for a long time.
WHERE TO STAY IN BITOLA
🏨 Accommodation fees in Bitola are reasonable. I stayed at Epinal Hotel . Close to Şirok Street, centrally located and affordable, Hotel Korzo , Bela Kuka Hotel , Inbox Apartments , Jackman Apartments and N95 are very good choices. If you want to stay in a hostel, Goldy Hostel and Hostel Domestika can be very good choices.
- Ohrid
Ohrid, MacedoniaOhrid
Ohrid Kemal KayaMay 2017
Ohrid, MacedoniaSt. Kaneo Church
Ohrid is the most touristic city in Macedonia.During my nearly month-long trip that includedGreece, Macedonia, Albania , Montenegro and Serbia , Ohrid was one of the cities I fell in love with. So much so that although my 3-day Balkan Tour ended in Skopje, I did not return to Turkey, but returned to the beautiful city of Ohrid after a long journey.
Ohrid, a small, charming and peaceful city built on the edge of Lake Ohrid, is undoubtedly the most popular place in Macedonia. As the country’s premier resort, there is something for everyone. About 3.5 hours away from Skopje, in the south, the city on the UNESCO World Heritage List is the apple of Macedonia’s eye.
Ohrid town itself is extremely charming. I have always loved cities that can be explored on foot. Ohrid’s historic streets, where geraniums adorn the balconies, are a pleasure to walk around. There is a pleasant peace in the city. Perhaps after wandering around the crowded cities of Asia for so long, this peace has been good for me. It is a place to explore with its bazaar, markets, narrow streets, castle surroundings, and churches.
Lake Ohrid is unlike any lake I have ever seen. In summer, winter, during the day or at sunset, it takes on a different state and color, as if it were a living being. Crossing in a boat felt like I was floating on an endless cloud of water.
The cafes scattered throughout the city are inviting. Whether it’s the thousand-year-old church, the UNESCO Heritage Ohrid Lake, or the cafes overlooking the street where you can watch everyone passing by, all are enjoyable. One day, I want to go to this charming city just to taste the peace and serenity in its cafes again and of course to photograph those legendary sunsets again.
St. Sophia Church, which stands out with its Byzantine frescoes in Ohrid, the birthplace of the Cyrillic alphabet, is one of the important places of Ohrid. Saint Naum Monastery , St. Kaneo and Sveti Kliment Ohridski Church and Tsar Samuel’s Castle are among the places to visit in Ohrid.
WHERE TO STAY IN OHRID
🏨 Ohrid hotels are a little more expensive than other cities of Macedonia. Make a reservation before going during the summer. The places I stayed were Di Angolo Guesthouse in the old city of Ohrid and Inex Olgica Hotel & SPA, a 5-star hotel outside the city on the shores of Lake Ohrid .
Villa & Winery Mal Sveti Kliment has a wonderful central location. Villa Malezan and Apartments Villa Saraj are your options with a wonderful central location. If you want to stay on the shores of Lake Ohrid, Vila Bisera and Villa Dea are delicious ✔︎
4.Struga
Struga, Macedonia
Struga, Macedonia
Struga is a new and touristic city built on the shores of Lake Ohrid. Struga hosts one of the largest annual poets’ gatherings in the world. The bridge made of wood on the point where the Dirim River originates on the Ohrid coast and the two banks connected by the bridge are used as the poetry festival center.
Struga Poetry Evenings have been held since 1961, and the Golden Wreath awarded at this festival is one of the most prestigious awards a poet can receive. Some previous Golden Wreath winners include WH Auden, Allen Ginsberg and Ted Hughes. You see many anchored boats on opposite sides of the bridge.
The cafes by Lake Ohrid are peaceful. Even though the city part is small, it has a clean market and streets. Since Struga is a university city, you often see young people on the streets and in cafes. There are bus services between Struga and Ohrid and the journey takes approximately 20 minutes.
- Mavrovo
Macedonia, Mavrovo
Mavrovo, Macedonia
Mavrovo is a region located only 1.5 hours away from Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, and has attracted many ski lovers from our country in recent years. Mavrovo Region dazzles with its impressive nature. Forests, mountains and lake under the snow… A truly delicious ambiance!
The town, built in a valley on the edge of Lake Mavrovo, which was created by collecting rainwater in the Mavrovo Valley, consists of small villages and houses spread around the lake. The small town has everything to meet tourist expectations. Guests go here to ski in winter and in summer to see the beautiful Mavrovo Lake and nature.
Macedonia’s Mavrovo Town has become a standout destination for a ski holiday in recent years. Located in Mavrovo National Park, the largest national park in the country, Zare Lazareski Ski Center is one of the favorite ski resorts in the Balkans with its magnificent view and nature, hospitable and friendly people, and advanced skiing facilities.
The Ski Resort is located within the Mavrovo National Park area, the largest national park in the country, extending along the Western borders of Macedonia. There are 52 peaks above 2000 meters in the national park area, where Şara Mountain and Pind Mountains, covered with pine forests, stand out. It’s a wonderful nature, you see. I would like to go to this region just for trekking in the national park.
Macedonia Mavrovo Ski Resort, the favorite address of those looking for visa-free economical skiing opportunities, provides service throughout the winter season with a team including Turkish-speaking assistants. If you are visiting Macedonia in winter, you will have the pleasure of seeing Mavrovo in all its beauty.
WHERE TO STAY IN MAVROVO
🏨 I had the opportunity to visit three hotels in Mavrovo Ski Resort. Bistra Hotel (4), Mavrovo LakeView Hotel and Mia’s Favorite Hotel (4). The jacuzzi room of the Bistra Hotel where I stayed was very nice. Also, the food and breakfast were delicious.
- Tetova
Alaca Mosque, Tetovo
Alaca Mosque, TetovaAlaca Mosque, Tetova
Tetova , the third largest city in Macedonia, is located in the northwest of the country. It is located at the foothills of the Sharr Mountains in Macedonia, on the banks of the Pena River. Known as Tetovo, the city was one of the important centers in the Balkans during the Ottoman period. If you have more time to explore the rich history of Macedonia, it is one of the cities you can visit in the south.
There is Alaca Mosque , one of the most beautiful examples of Islamic architecture . It has a special position among the religious buildings in Macedonia in terms of both its architectural and decorative features. The holy place, also known as İsa Bey Mosque, is also called the Colorful Mosque with its colorful decorations on the outside.
The work, which has baroque and neoclassical Ottoman style architecture, is quite impressive and colorful with its colorful decorations on its walls and ceilings. Another of the works remaining from the Ottoman period in Tetova, where a significant part of the population is Muslim, is the Harabati Baba Lodge, which was built in the 16th century . It is quiet and has a big garden. It is a lodge named after Sersem Ali Baba, founded in 1526.
Popova ski resort is one of the highlights of the city. The ski resort, 18 km away from the center, has tracks for both amateurs and professionals. Tetova, which is half an hour away from Skopje, should be included in your list of places to visit in Macedonia.
- Gostivar
Gostivar is located in Upper Polog in Western Macedonia. It lies on the left side of the Vardar river and is close to the Skopje-Tetovo-Gostivar-Ohrid road. It is connected to Skopje, Tetovo and Kircova by the railway passing through the city. The Vardar river, which adds activity and abundance to the country, originates from the Vrutok village near Gostivar.
Located approximately 5 kilometers from Gostivar and at an altitude of 683 meters , the village of Vrutok is also known for its magnificent nature. Gönovitsa Cave (Güzeli) is among the places to visit. Also worth seeing is the small bronze statue Menada (Bactus Fairy).
Monastery St. Jovan Bigorski is located near the village of Rostusa, on the main road from Gostivar to Debar. The majority of its population is Albanian, and the city borders Albania and Kosovo. Skopje, Tetovo and Kircova are connected by the railway passing through the city centre.
- Galichnik
Galichnik
Galichnik Wedding
Galičnik (Galičnik) is a village located in the heart of the Miyak region, on the outskirts of Bistra, 17 km from Mavrovo. Galichnik, at an altitude of 1400 meters with preserved historical village architecture, is known for its weddings held in traditional clothes and according to traditional customs. The traditional Galicnik Wedding , held every year in mid-July , may attract the attention of those who want to get to know the local culture closely.
Every year, a couple from the village or the surrounding area is married by singing, dancing and completely adhering to their cultural roots. For two days Galichnik becomes an important cultural and tourist attraction. If you happen to be in the rest of the year, you can visit St. Peter’s Church and the small museum in Galichnik.
- Resne
Resne is a Macedonian city famous for its apples. I bought some delicious apples while passing by. It was part of the Ottoman Empire in the 14th century, between 1385 and 1913. Resne bazaar in Kurbinovo, built in the 12th century by Sv. George Monastery and Ahmet Niyazi Bey Palace are some of the places to see.
The gallery of works of Resne Ceramic Colony, one of the 10 largest ceramic colonies in the world under the auspices of UNESCO, should be seen. The Tirana-Ohrid-Monastery-Gradsko road passes through Resne, which is located in the southwest of Macedonia.
WHAT TO EAT IN MACEDONIA
🥘 Macedonian cuisine is literally a synthesis of Balkan, Mediterranean and Ottoman. Food, which is an important part of Macedonian culture, is actually similar to Turkish cuisine in many places. For this reason, I can note here with peace of mind that you will not have any problems with eating and drinking.
Fertile lands and different cultures have made Macedonia a rich cuisine. Meat is the leading role in Macedonian cuisine. Meat is the main product of many dishes, from meatballs to boiled dishes. Pastry, meatballs and dessert varieties attract attention with their similarities to Turkish cuisine. Natural fruits and vegetables, delicious meats, and different fish varieties are among the indispensable flavors of Macedonian cuisine.
If you are going to visit Skopje, stop by the meatball shops while wandering around the Turkish Bazaar. The portions are not very large, but they are filling and very delicious. Destan is the most popular among the meatball restaurants, but when we saw that the tables were full, we sat in a restaurant right across from it and we were very pleased. I guess there is no chance of eating bad meatballs in this city!
Cevabi is one of the most popular dishes of Macedonians and is similar to our kebabs in terms of presentation and taste. It is made from minced lamb or beef. It is served with yoghurt, spicy paste and lavash bread. My favorite among the traditional dishes in Kachamak. Its name is also sympathetic and catchy. It is made from corn flour and butter.
Ajvar, which is made from roasted red pepper, onion, spices and garlic, and Pindzur, which is the eggplant version of Ajvar, is a delicious delicacy that I bought a few boxes of and brought to Istanbul. A taste to be consumed at every meal. You can also find ajvar in Turkey; Balkan immigrant families make it at home.
Although Macedonia is one of the smallest, poorest and unfairly least visited countries in Europe, it is a cheap, safe, small Balkan country that surprises with the warmth of its people. Make a travel plan to visit this stunningly beautiful country, which is among the visa-free countries. Worth it.
