Hidden Gems in Europe: Guide to Traveling Macedonia

Now known as North Macedonia, this small Balkan country has a number of wonders. Check out this guide to traveling Macedonia, one of Europe’s hidden gems!

Quick facts about Macedonia

Where is Northern Macedonia?

Macedonia is a former Yugoslavian country that not many people think of to visit! It’s landlocked between other Balkan countries, but has such interesting history!

Is Macedonia good for tourists?

Is it safe to travel Macedonia?

You may need to exercise a bit more caution in the outskirts of cities, but for the most part, I traveled solo in Macedonia and felt absolutely safe! Many of the countries in the Balkans are very safe, and the locals are just happy to see foreigners visiting their country. The Balkans are perfect for solo travelers and backpackers, or groups!

Is Macedonia cheap to travel?

Macedonia is amazingly cheap! Hotels/hostels as well as food come at a pretty cheap price. I bought a SIM card for a month for $5 and cocktails usually run about $1. Most of the Balkan countries are very cheap, considering that they haven’t really been hit by tourism yet.

Do people in Macedonia speak English?

Although it’s starting to become more common, most people do not speak English. Be prepared to use your translator any time you buy a bus ticket! You’ll really discover that it’s possible to have a conversation with a local using only hand gestures!

What is the best time of year to visit Macedonia?

Macedonia is great to visit at any time, although to enjoy the amazing lake in the middle of the country, you’ll have to visit in the warmer months! There are also many cool hiking trails around the area.

Macedonia isn’t very touristy, so you don’t have to worry about crazy crowds at any time!

Is Macedonia easy to travel around?

Public transport in the Balkans can be difficult, but still functional!

Buses are common and widely used, and are easy to find based on the bus stations. Trains exist as well, although the majority of them tend to be slower than the bus. Probably the most common type of transport in the Balkans though, is the furgon.

Furgons are usually vans (or just someone’s car if there aren’t enough people!) that pick up locals from city to city, as well as anything else they need to transport. I’ve seen people transport anything from a gift for their niece to an air conditioning unit. Furgons don’t really have a bus station, and sometimes don’t even have a schedule! Hotels don’t always know where the furgons pick up, so the best way to find one is by asking a taxi driver to take you to one.

Uniquely in Macedonia though, you’ll find locals still driving horses with carriages! Don’t be alarmed to see a horse and a wagon on the shoulder of a highway, it’s still a local way of doing things.

Traveling Macedonia

The biggest airport is in the capital of Skopje, and it’s relatively easy to visit other destinations from there. The bus station in Skopje has transport to all parts of this very small country.

Key destinations to visit in Macedonia

Skopje

The capital city, Skopje, definitely has some character. The mayor of the city has what the people call “copy-and-paste syndrome.” The town is filled with replicas of statues that he has taken from all different parts of Europe. The town has historic buildings and old world charm. There’s even a bazaar in the oldest part of the city! It’s beautiful to walk around and there are a few museums to see.

Outside of Skopje, as you’ll see outside many cities in the Balkans, is a huge cross on a mountain. The one near Skopje is called “Millennium Cross.” The view is worth a hike to the top or a trip with a cable car. At the top there’s a cafe that sells ice cream and drinks, and a 360 degree of Skopje.

To get to the start of the hike/cable car point, take bus 25 from the central bus station (on weekends you can take 25A or 25B but they leave from different points). Definitely worth it to see!

Kosovo

From Skopje, you can also easily take a day trip to Kosovo, this small partially-recognized state full of history.

Kosovo was recognized by the US and many members from the EU in 2008 as an independent country. However, some countries do not accept this, most notably Serbia and Russia.

Keep in mind that you cannot enter Kosovo from Serbia, and sometimes the Serbian government won’t let you in if they know that you went to Kosovo. Politics right?

Prishtina is the capital and has a fairly well equipped (for the Balkans) bus station. If you want to explore other parts of this tiny ‘country,’ you will need a car.

Lake Ohrid

Macedonia is also home to Lake Ohrid (pronounced Oke-rid). There are several buses headed to Ohrid stattion, or you can always split a taxi with friends.

This lake on the border of North Macedonia and Albania is like the Lake Como of the Balkans, but much cheaper. There are hikes around the lake, restaurants on the water, hidden beaches to explore, and boat rides. I stayed at Sunny Lake Hostel and I highly recommend it!

I met fellow travelers in my hostel and we spent the days exploring the cathedral, navigating through caves, and swimming in the freshwater. One thing I love about traveling the Balkans is that everyone is either going east or west and soon you have a whole group of friends going to the same destination.

Seriously, just look at how beautiful this place is!

From Ohrid, you can easily head over to Albania for your next connection.

This country has a special place in my heart, and I think other travelers should discover Macedonia before it’s overrun.

While in Macedonia, be sure to check out some of the other Hidden Gems!