Macedonia – Travel Guide
Set in the heart of the Balkans, Macedonia offers a rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty. Explore the bustling capital city of Skopje, where ancient history meets modern architecture along the Vardar River. Discover the UNESCO-listed Ohrid, with its stunning lake and well-preserved medieval town. Visit the monasteries of St. Naum and St. Panteleimon, steeped in religious significance and architectural beauty. Trek through the rugged landscapes of Mavrovo National Park or relax in the thermal spas of Bitola. With its blend of ancient charm and scenic landscapes, Macedonia promises an unforgettable journey for travelers seeking exploration and discovery.
All about Macedonia
Macedonia FAQ
What is North Macedonia known for?
North Macedonia, formerly known as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), is known for its long and eventful history, stretching back to the Bronze Age. It is known for its strong religious tradition, and there are hundreds of picturesque Orthodox cathedrals and mosques that are each distinctly beautiful. North Macedonia is known as having an underrated food culture, with an emphasis on farm-to-table cuisine and fresh produce. For as small as North Macedonia is compared to its Balkan neighbors, the geography is surprisingly varied here, home to Europe`s two oldest lakes and over 50 mountains higher than 6,000 feet.
What are the best places to visit in North Macedonia?
The most popular destinations in North Macedonia are the capital, Skopje, and the resort town of Ohrid, situated on the banks of the lake of the same name.
How many days should I spend in North Macedonia?
We recommend approximately 3-8 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in Skopje and Ohrid.
What is the best way to get around North Macedonia?
We recommend seeing North Macedonia by air. Travel between Skopje and Ohrid by air, and utilize taxis or feel free to rent a car while you are in the country if you want to see more of the countryside.
What is the currency of North Macedonia?
The currency of North Macedonia is the Macedonian denar (written in shorthand as den). U.S. dollars are not accepted. Be prepared with the correct currency on hand or exchange your dollars (or Euros if you are arriving from the Eurozone) for denars upon arrival in North Macedonia. There are currency exchanges and ATMs at the airport, most high-end hotels, and in many other locations across the country.
Do people speak English in North Macedonia?
The official languages of North Macedonia are Macedonian and Albanian. English is a common foreign language in Skopje and Ohrid, especially among younger people. Away from these areas it may be more difficult to converse with people in a language that is not Macedonian. Be prepared to learn basic Macedonian phrases like hello/goodbye, please/thank you, how much is it?, where is the bathroom, and the numbers from 1-10 and 50, 100, and 1,000. To say `Do you speak English?`, say `Dali zboruvaš angliski?`
Best time to visit Macedonia
The country of Macedonia features a temporal climate and the temperatures vary drastically, the best time of year to visit the country in June to September.
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There are varied landscapes to explore in Macedonia including soaring mountains, and sparkling lakes along with other intriguing activities. The temperatures can feel cold for at least half the year as well as rain. The hottest months are July, August, and then June with highs averaging into the upper 80s in July, and dropping down to the low 60s at night. The northern region of Macedonia features more of a Mediterranean climate with four distinct seasons, the spring can be short and each season is tempered by the altitude, summers are hot, and the winters can be quite mild. The summers are a great time to be outdoors with hiking and trekking opportunities in the mountains, and the winter months are ideal for winter sports.
December – February – (Winter)
The winter months bring cold weather to the country with average daily temperatures ranging from 39-47 degrees with a fair amount of rain or snow. The winters are typically mild in the low-lying areas of Macedonia such as the River Vardar, however, the mountains will get a decent amount of snow and a great place to go skiing. There are many alpine sporting opportunities offered in Macedonia from January to March, Mavrovo National Park provides respite for skiers.
Events and Festivals
-Christmas Eve – December 24th
-Christmas Day – December 25th
-The Strumica Carnival – The first days of the Great Lent – Held on the streets of Strumica one big party lasting for 3 days including a series of events such as dance, and musical performances, along with parades, and processions. The Sunday of the event is strictly for children who can dress up and come with their parents to enjoy the holiday spirits and atmosphere with music, singing, dancing, and fireworks.
-New Year’s Eve – December 31st (Large parties in the capital city)
-New Year’s Day – January 1st
March – May (Springtime)
Springtime in Macedonia spans from March through May with average temperatures ranging from 46-71 degrees, getting warmer in the later months. It’s a quiet time to visit the country, and in turn, there are some great deals on travel and accommodations. Rain can be common with 5-6 days of precipitation per month. The weather during the springtime is quite pleasant with warm and sunny days that last through November. The rugged countryside and mountains are spectacular for guided walks, especially in the rugged Galicica National Park. The spring rains feed the lush verdant mountainous meadows with blooming flowers such as poppies, and irises.
Events and Festivals
-Orthodox Easter
June – August – (Summer)
The summer months offer comfortable weather and relatively high temperatures, June through August is the busiest season for tourism. The summer months also bring summer storms, especially in the mountainous region. Some of the famed summer retreats are Mavrovo and Pelister National Park, Popova Sapka, Kriva Palanka, Berovo, and Krusevo. The risk of snow begins around late August, making it a great time for skiing. The temperatures during the summer months can reach up to 86 degrees and can soar higher in the capital of Skopje.
Events and Festivals
-Galicnik Wedding Festival – July – Held in the picturesque village of Galicnik, the festival combines tradition, local custom, and heritage. Many engaged couples in Macedonia choose to wed on this day, today locals honor this custom by marrying one couple in traditional Galicnik fashion.
-The Ohrid Summer Festival – July 12 – August 20 – in the city of Ohrid, one of the biggest and most well-attended festivals in the country. A festival of music, theater, and dance.
-The Balkan Folklore Festival – Beginning of July – Held in Ohrid – the festival celebrates the country’s rich cultural and social history with song, dance, and poetry.
September – November – (Autumn)
The fall months in Macedonia average daily temperatures from 48-79 degrees and can feel chilly with humidity and wind. There are 5-7 days of rain or snow per month and tourism is at its highest making some hotels busy or sold out. The weather tends to be warm from March to November and a great time to visit the great outdoors for hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities. The trees and landscapes start to change in October which is also a great time to hike through the ravines of Mavrovo, the Radika, Treska, Babuna, and Malesevo.
Events and Festivals
-Taksirat – end of November – A large music festival held in Skopje with food and drink stalls, workshops, theater performances, films, and lots of great musical performances.
-The Manaki Brothers Film Festival – September – One of the oldest film festivals in the world premiering films from a variety of genres. Set in the beautiful city of Bitola.
-Skopje Jazz Festival – October – Held in Skopje since 1982, the country’s leading music festival drawing in jazz fans from all over the world. The festival features performances by jazz musicians of all genres and exhibits some of the world’s best jazz music. Dance, drink, eat, and socialize with other jazz enthusiasts.
-Independence Day – September 8th – Macedonian Independence Day, a public holiday commemorating the day when the country gained its freedom from Yugoslavia in 1991. Macedonians take to the streets in a patriotic celebration with concerts, themed dance parties, plays, and processions.
Tipping in Macedonia
The questions `when?` and `how much?` that surround tipping can leave some travelers confused, as the practice varies. This guide attempts to cover most situations that you, as a tourist, will encounter.
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Tipping in Macedonia
Hopefully using these `tips` will provide a smooth experience when interacting with locals in restaurants, bars, hotels, tour operators, and taxis.
Currency: Can I pay in U.S. dollars, or should I use the Macedonia Denar?
The currency of Macedonia is the Macedonian Denar (MKD/Den), the euro are not accepted. You will need to exchange your currency for the Denar, which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks of banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus. ATMs can be easily found in big cities and larger towns.
A VAT percentage is a service fee for the state used in Western Europe and American countries, you are obliged to pay the service fee. The fee will be automatically included in your bill and can range from 12-15%.
Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars: When should I tip? How much is customary?
If you find a service charge on your bill at restaurants or bars in Macedonia then there is no need to leave anything additional. A service charge will be more common in the larger cities and popular tourist areas. It is recommended that you tip 10% of your total bill at a restaurant if you received good service, 15% is a maximum. Leaving the change or rounding up your bill in a smaller restaurant environment is also a nice gesture
Hotel Staff: Who should I tip?
Hotel staff do not expect tips, it is not common in Macedonia. You can leave a small tip for the bellhop or maid if you feel obliged, anywhere from 10-20 MKD would be sufficient.
Taxi Drivers: Should I tip?
Tipping the taxi driver in Macedonia is not a common practice, but leaving the change or rounding up your fare is always appreciated. Always remember when travelling abroad that it is good practice to agree on a final fare before the cab driver begins driving.
Tour Guides: Is a tip required?
Tour guides in Macedonia don’t expect a tip, but it is always nice to leave them between 5-10% to show your appreciation. .
Final Thoughts
Remember that it is perfectly okay to abstain, especially if you are not happy with the service provided. Unlike in the U.S., waiters are paid a living wage, and the expectations for tipping are lower in Macedonia than in America. This is also true for hotel staff, though if you encounter a problem with the service within the hotel, we highly recommend speaking with the manager.
When paying for services in cash (which we generally recommend for services other than your hotel) remember to take your receipt. This is important for two reasons; If you leave a tip on a credit card, the person providing the service may not always get it, and if there is a discrepancy it is important to have your receipt to settle it with the manager of the establishment and to prove that you paid for the service.
Driving in Macedonia
The country of Macedonia offers visitors some beautiful idyllic scenery and diverse cultural history.
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They drive on the right-hand side of the road in Macedonia, a valid driver’s license and an International Driving Permit are required in the country. Dipped headlights must be used at all times on all roads in Macedonia, the use of mobile phones while driving is illegal. Wearing a seatbelt is required by law. The major roads in Macedonia are in decent condition, the little streets and country roads are where the real adventures begin. These back roads are where visitors will share the road with horse carriages, pedestrians, livestock, and roadkill. The mountain roads can be narrow and are often unmarked with missing guardrails, they can be quite dangerous at night. Driver’s in the country often speed and ignore red lights and stop signs, when driving around Macedonia practice being a defensive driver.
Road Conditions
All the roads in Macedonia are toll roads, when you enter you collect a ticket, and then give the ticket at the exit and pay the amount depending on the distance. There are winding coastal and mountain roads throughout the country, and many drivers will pass on blind turns and hills. The narrow and twisting road called Moraca Canyon in south Macedonia runs through rocky tunnels and viaducts, it’s a crowded drive during the summertime.
Road Signs
Road signs are good in Macedonia, easy to comprehend and speed limits are posted in km/h.
Speed Limits
The road speed limits vary throughout Macedonia, always check the signs for maximum speeds. In urban areas, towns and cities are the speed limit is 50 km/h, Open roads are 80 km/h, and the motorways are 130 km/h.
Documents and Laws
Seatbelts are required for all passengers in a vehicle and you should carry your passport on you at all times. Be sure to carry a valid driver’s license, passport, registration information, a motor insurance certificate, and proof of insurance when driving.
The pan-European standard number 112 for all emergency calls is working everywhere in Bulgaria since September 2008. If, for some reason, you can not connect to 112, dial 166 for police, 150 for an ambulance, and 160 for the fire department.
The legal drink/drive limits in Macedonia are lower than in many other European countries, the blood alcohol content limit for drivers is 0.05%. There are heavy fines and the possibility of arrest, as there is a zero-tolerance for drunk driving.
Car Rentals
To rent a car in Macedonia, you need to be at least 21 years of age and have held a valid driver’s license for at least two years. Some rental car companies also have restrictions for drivers over 76 years of age. There are many international rental car companies available at the airport and in major cities in Macedonia. These companies include Avis, Hertz, Europcar, and Sixt. You need a valid driver’s license as well as an international Driving Permit, and a major credit card for your deposit. Drivers must be 21 years old.
Gas Stations/Petrol Stations
Petrol stations are easy to find. Carry some cash in the local currency, since all stations do not accept credit cards.
Petrol stations are readily available around cities and villages. On the main highway, the petrol stops are clearly marked and often don’t offer a wide range of services like elsewhere in Europe, where you would have a resting place with a restaurant next to it.
Top cities in Macedonia
What to expect while traveling
