Discovering Macedonia on a Map & Best Travel Guide 2023

May 21, 2021 0 Comment OanaAlexandra

Spread the love

Discovering Macedonia on a Map & Best Travel Guide 2023

Southeast Europe contains the nation of North Macedonia. It became independent in 1991 as one of Yugoslavia’s successor states. Twenty percent of the two million people that make up the country live in Skopje, the capital and largest city. South Slavic ethnic Macedonians make up the bulk of the population.

Photo Source : traveldreamdiary.com

North Macedonia on a Map

Photo Source : OanaAlexandra on canva.com

Informations

Temperature:The best time to visit this country is in summer from Mai until September

Language:The official languages are Macedonian and Albanian.

Currency: Macedonian denar

Food Prices:

Meal in a cheap restaurant=5 EUR,Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant=25 EUR

You can find more information about the visa here.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning that at no additional cost to you, I will receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Read our full affiliate disclosure here.

Things to do

Matka Canyon

West of Skopje’s downtown is the canyon known as Matka in North Macedonia. Matka, which spans around 5,000 hectares, is home to multiple medieval monasteries and is one of North Macedonia’s most popular outdoor destinations. The nation’s oldest artificial lake is Matka Lake, located inside Matka Canyon.Matka Canyon has 10 caverns, the least of which is 20 meters (65.6 feet) long and the longest of which is 176 meters (577.4 feet). Two vertical pits, with a combined depth of around 35 meters (114.8 feet), are another characteristic of the canyon.

Photo Source : Trip & Travel Blog on Facebook

Church of St. John of Kaneo

In the city of Ohrid, North Macedonia, Saint John the Theologian, Kaneo, or simply Saint John at Kaneo, is a Macedonian Orthodox church perched on a cliff above Kaneo Beach with a view of Lake Ohrid. The writer of Revelation, John of Patmos, is honored in the church. Some people believe that he is the same as John the Apostle. Although the church’s exact construction date is unknown, records describing its grounds indicate that it was constructed before to 1447. The church was most likely built in the 13th century, according to archaeologists, some time before the Ottoman Empire rose to power. In 1964, restoration efforts revealed frescoes within the dome.

Photo Source : OanaAlexandra on canva.com

Old bazaar

One of the most well-known landmarks in Skopje is the Old Bazaar, an ancient market and commerce sector that is also a significant cultural and historical site. It is situated between the modern Bit-Pazar market in the northwest and the stone bridge in the southwest. The Vardar and the Seravas rivers round the quarter. The bazaar lies within the boundaries of the towns of Čair and Centar, as per the city’s administrative division.

Photo Source : North Macedonia on Facebook

Sveti Naum Monastery

Saint Naum established the Sveti Naum Monastery in North Macedonia, close to Ohrid, toward the end of the ninth century. Naum rests in the monastery’s grave. The monastery is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, together with the city of Ohrid, Lake Ohrid, and the surrounding area. Because of its stunning setting and historical significance, it is one of Macedonia’s most well-liked tourist attractions.

Photo Source : Gary Chan on Facebook

Stone bridge

The Republic of North Macedonia’s capital city of Skopje has a bridge called the Stone Bridge that spans the Vardar River. Less commonly, the bridge is referred to as the Dušan Bridge, named for Serbian Emperor Stephen Dušan. The bridge is regarded as a symbol of Skopje and serves as the centerpiece of the city’s coat of arms, which is then included in the flag of the city.This link links Macedonia Square and the Old Bazaar and is situated in the Centar municipality.

Photo Source : Tours To Balkans on Facebook

Millennium cross

Situated atop Vodno Mountain in the Republic of North Macedonia, above the capital city of Skopje, stands the 66-meter (217-foot) tall Millennium Cross.Constructed in 2002, it stands as one of the world’s tallest crosses.It was built to commemorate two thousand years of Christianity in Macedonia and to honor biblical verses that mention St. Paul’s evangelizing efforts in the area.The monument is now used to symbolize or be connected to Skopje.As a landmark, the cross has evolved into a popular tourist attraction offering the ideal vantage point for taking in the expansive view of the nation’s capital.

Photo Source : Skopjeinfo on Facebook

Skopje Fortress

The Skopje Fortress, sometimes called Kale (from the Turkish word kale, which means “fortress”), is a historic fortification situated in North Macedonia’s capital city’s old town. Situated atop the city’s highest point, with a view of the Vardar River, it is part of the Centar municipality. The fortress is featured on Skopje’s coat of arms, which is then used in the flag of the city.

Photo Source : The Jansen Journal on Facebook

Macedonia Square

North Macedonia’s capital city of Skopje features Macedonia Square as its central plaza. With a total area of 18,500 m2, the square is the largest in North Macedonia.It crosses the Vardar River and is situated in the city’s center. It frequently hosts political, cultural, and other events in addition to the annual Christmas celebrations. The first president of Macedonia, Kiro Gligorov, announced the country’s independence from Yugoslavia here. The square is a component of the 2014 Skopje project.

Photo Source : OanaAlexandra on canva.com

Mavrovo National Park

Of North Macedonia’s four national parks, Mavrovo National Park is the biggest. It is situated in the country’s west and covers an area of roughly 780 km2 (300 square miles). It is distinguished by lakes, deep gorges, and dense woods that are home to a wide variety of species. The National Assembly of Macedonia approved a law creating it in 1949. Later, the law was amended to impose a far more stringent protection regime, separating the park into three areas: controlled reserves, strict nature reserves, and a tourist zone.

Photo Source : Jelena Anusic on Facebook

Sveti Jovan Bigorski Monastery

Located in the western region of the Republic of North Macedonia, Sveti Jovan Bigorski Monastery is an Orthodox monastery that dates back to 1020. One of the most significant cultural landmarks in the nation, it is distinguished by its excellent structural condition, a sizable six-row wooden-framed iconostasis, and a three-row gallery of Orthodox saints and biblical motifs on the outside wall of the monastery church.

Photo Source : Andy Plukov on Facebook

Ancient theatre of Ohrid

Ohrid, in North Macedonia, is home to the Hellenistic-era Ancient Theatre. The three other Hellenistic-style theaters in the nation, located in Scupi, Stobi, and Heraklea Lynkestis, date back to the Roman era. This one was constructed in 200 BC. Since only the lowest section of the original theater remains, it is unknown how many people it could have held. The two hills that around the open theater provide ideal protection from winds that may otherwise compromise the acoustics during performances.The theater has been the venue for public performances of plays, concerts, operas, and ballets since the late 1980s.Lately, prominent cultural events like those by José Carreras and the Bolshoi are held every summer.

Photo Source : Travel the Balkans on Facebook

Bay of Bones Museum

The Bay of Bones, also called the “museum on water,” is an archaeological complex situated at the Ploca Micov Kamen excavation site, close to Gradishte and Pestani on the Ohrid coast. Authentically recreated as a pile dwelling hamlet, Bay of Bones is a well-liked day trip destination and among Ohrid’s most striking sights in Macedonia.

Photo Source : Celia Wu on Facebook

Galičica National Park

The peak known as Galičica is located where North Macedonia and Albania meet. On the mountainside of North Macedonia, between Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa, the largest lakes in the republic, is a national park. It covers 227 square kilometers, or 88 square miles.More than 1600 kinds of flowers may be found in the Galičica National Park, with many endems and remnants having their range’s last boundary on the Galičica mountain.

Photo Source : OanaAlexandra on canva.com

Archaeological Museum of Macedonia

One of the oldest museums in the nation, the Museum of the Republic of North Macedonia was once and is still colloquially referred to as the Museum of Macedonia. It is a national institution in that country. It is situated next to the Skopje Fortress in the Old Bazaar of Skopje. Three museums were combined to form the Museum of the Republic of North Macedonia. The historical, anthropological, and archaeological museums were the three that were combined. The archaeological museum was the earliest to open, having done so in 1924, which is regarded as the founding year of the national museum. The museum was called the People’s Museum of Macedonia when the Socialist Republic of Macedonia was in power.

Photo Source : OanaAlexandra on canva.com

Monastery of Sv. Joakim Osogovski

The monastery known as Sveti Joakim Osogovski Monastery is located three kilometers northeast of Kriva Palanka. It is a part of the Kriva Palanka Province and is situated 825 meters above sea level in the Osogowo Mountains.The bigger “Saint Joachim of Osogovo” and the smaller “Holy Mother of God” are the two churches that make up the monastery. In addition, there is a guardhouse, dormitories, a bell tower, and a residence for the Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church on the monastery grounds.

Photo Source : OanaAlexandra on canva.com

Popova Šapka

North Macedonia has a summit called Popova Šapka lly. It is a ski resort in North Macedonia, situated at an elevation of more than 1,780 meters (5,840 feet) above sea level.Situated on the slopes of Shar Mountain, one of Macedonia’s tallest mountains, Popova Sapka is one of the country’s oldest and biggest ski resorts, having opened its doors in 1947. At 1,800 meters above sea level, it offers plenty of bright days and snow cover that makes for good freeride skiing from late November to April.

Photo Source : МАКЕДОНИЈА – MACEDONIA on Facebook

Church of Saint Kliment

The largest Macedonian Orthodox church, dedicated to Saint Kliment of Ohrid, is located in Skopje and is called the Church of Saint Kliment of Ohrid. One of Skopje’s main thoroughfares, Partizanski Odredi, is where the church is situated.Many archaeologists think that the church was designed and built by Clement himself. Clement and Naum of Preslav would turn the church into a university by using it as a foundation for teaching Christianized Bulgarian Slavs the Glagolitic and Cyrillic alphabets.

Photo Source : OanaAlexandra on canva.com

Book your perfect vacation!

Vacations: We are happy that we have the opportunity to work with the most famous companies in the world, we always order our vacations from these companies and we have never been disappointed: Check 24, Trivago, Trafalgar, TravelUp, Insight Vacations, Explorer Fernreisen.

Where to stay

Hotels, bed & breakfasts, and guesthouses, regardless of location—in the center of town, close to a lake, or amid natural surroundings. We were able to identify the top companies providing the best hotels: Booking.com, Trip.com, TravelUp, esky, Hoteltopia, Millennium Hotels and Explorer Fernreisen.

Traditional food

Rolls with Stuffed Cabbage (Sarma) Turlitava: A Meat and Vegetable Stew Kebapi: Sausages made with Grilled Minced Meat Selsko Meso: Mushroom and Pork Stew North Macedonia’s national cuisine, tavavče gravče, is made of stewed beans, onions, oil, dried pepper flakes, and seasonings such black pepper, parsley, and salt.

Photo Source : traveldreamdiary.com

Baked beans – Tavce Gravce Pastrmajlija, or Pizza from Macedonia Stuffed bell peppers, known as polneti piperki A typical stew from North Macedonia is called chomlek. Zelnik is a classic North Macedonian pie that can have cheese, spinach, eggs, beef, cabbage, leeks, or any combination of these fillings inside.

Photo Source : traveldreamdiary.com

Celufki (Meringue Cookies)
Ohridska Torta (Walnut Cake)
Vasina Torta (Almond Orange Cake)
Tikvarnik (Pumpkin Cake)
Bajadera (Chocolate Tea Cake)

Photo Source : traveldreamdiary.com

Restaurants

One of the best local food restaurants in Skopje is Pivnica An. They serve turli tava, a hearty traditional dish prepared with potatoes, rice, okra, aubergines, carrots, peppers, and pig, beef, or lamb. You can also try the mućkalica, a barbecued meat stew, and sarma, which is packed cabbage leaves. Forza Wine Bar and Restaurant is the ideal spot for romantic dinners, business lunches, or coffee dates. Forza Wine Bar and Restaurant is the ideal spot for romantic dinners, business lunches, or coffee dates. Gostilnica Dukat serves delicious riblja đorba, which is the quintessential comfort dish of North Macedonia. This filling dish, which is prepared in a traditional pot on a wood-burning stove, goes best with
P

Photo Source : OanaAlexandra on canva.com

In the catering business, one of the most true depictions of the Macedonian spirit and customs is the National Restaurant “Makedonska Kuka.” Kolektiv: Known for its house special, which consists of a platter of ribs, sausages, and chicken, and for its excellent ratatouille, this establishment serves classic bar fare. Classy lakefront restaurant Čun is housed in a classic Ohrid home on Kosta Abrash Street.

Saving Tips

The winter months of December through February are the least expensive for travel to Skopje. Before making a reservation, thoroughly read the reviews and examine the images. Using the public transit system is considerably more affordable and dependable than hailing a cab. Students who present a valid ID at several museums and sites can receive discounted admission.

Photo Source : OanaAlexandra on canva.com

Avoid the many souvenir shops in the city. Souvenirs elsewhere can be had for less money. Refrain from buying bottled water. Drinking Skopje’s tap water is both safer and less expensive than purchasing bottled water.

Book your tours!

Tours: If you do not go by car and need to know more information about the tours, and things to see, we recommend these companies that are offering tours for any kind of activity you want to do and where you can buy trips much cheaper than if you buy them when you arrive at your destination. It is always good to be able to save some money!

Viator, Get Your Guide, Tiqets, City Sightseeing, Sesame, Sightseeing Pass, Contiki, Riviera Travel, CityPass: the best activities in town!

Shopping

Every year, visitors from all over the world enjoy shopping in Macedonia because to the wide selection of goods and affordable markups on items from well recognized brands. Shopping malls and small stores across the nation offer high-quality products at competitive costs. Super Vero Center is a freshly constructed American-style shopping center owned by the VERO Group. The most well-known shopping center in Tetovo is Palma Mall, located in Capitol Mall. The Ohrid Bazaar

The Old Skopje Bazaar is one of the biggest marketplaces in the Balkans. Despite centuries of development and transformation, it never lost its basic purpose as a shopping destination. The biggest green markets in Skopje are located in Bit Pazar, Zelen Pazar, and Bunjakovec. The best mall/shopping center in Skopje is called Skopje City Mall, and it houses all worldwide brands. Ramstore Mall is an American-style shopping center featuring a movie theater, lovely stores, eateries, and cafes. GTC: City Shopping Center the city’s biggest retail center.

Photo Source : OanaAlexandra on canva.com

Religious objects and iconography, modern artwork, jewelry, Ohrid pearls, ceramics, embroidery, traditional Macedonian costumes and textile items, felts, dolls dressed in traditional costumes, mugs, dishes made of copper and clay, vases, real candlestick holders, wall décor items, and the renowned Macedonian woven carpets are examples of traditional souvenirs.

Getting Around

By bus is the best way to go about Macedonia. Although it costs a little more than using the train, the route is completed much faster. However, renting a car or hiring a driver from a local tour operator is the ideal option if you want to venture off the usual path and explore locations in uninhabited areas. Given how small Macedonia is and how quickly you can travel across the nation in three hours, neither choice should be too expensive.

Photo Source : OanaAlexandra on canva.com

Book your transport!

when it comes to buses, Busbud is the best choice.

when I want to travel by train, I choose Omio.

Rent a car!

Here you can find the best offers to rent the right car for you, as well as parking right in the airport: esky, Explorer, Centauro and intui.travel.

Getting Here

The capital city of Skopje and the popular tourist destination of Ohrid are home to Macedonia’s two airports. The cheapest option if you’re traveling from Europe would be to purchase a ticket with Wizz Air. If you’re traveling from outside of Europe, think about arriving in a larger European city and using that airport to connect to a Wizz Air trip.

Photo Source : OanaAlexandra on canva.com

Book tour Flights!

If you have not found your desired flight, or you simply want more flight options to find the best and cheapest, we will help you with the best flight plans, where you will definitely find what you are looking for. With just one click you will find the cheapest flights to a wonderful destination!