Skopje
Straddling the Vardar River, the picturesque city of Skopje offers a number of places to visit, including Macedonia Square, the Stone Bridge, the Old Bazaar, the Memorial House of Mother Theresa, and the Church of St. Clement of Ohrid. The latter, also known as Soborna Crkva, is the largest cathedral of the Macedonian Orthodox Church. The views of the city and river are lovely from the Skopje Castle in the Old Bazaar, particularly during the sunset. The beautiful Matka Canyon, near Skopje, is easily accessible for day trips.
Ohrid
The quaint, cozy town of Ohrid is built on the shore of Lake Ohrid. Ohrid is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is considered a Macedonian treasure. The Church of Sveti Jovan Kaneo (St. John at Kaneo), Samuel Castle, Saint Naum Monastery, the Church of Saint Kaneo, the Church of Saint Sophia, and the Church of Saint Clement Ohridski are sites worth visiting; Clement, by the way, is the patron saint of the city. Ohrid’s historic streets are perfect for a leisurely stroll. Visitors can enjoy views of the lake from one of the cafes along the shore or walk up the city’s hills for magnificent sunset views.
Struga
The city of Struga is also built on the shore of Lake Ohrid. With its calm atmosphere, beaches, mosques, and cave churches, Struga is the country’s new shining star. With history dating from around the 6th-7th centuries, Struga today remains culturally active. In August, annual events are held at the Poetry Bridge, drawing world-renowned poets, writers and artists. Other activities around the city include mountain climbing or diving in Ohrid Lake.
Bitola (Monastery)
Bitola, also known as Manastır, is the second largest city in Macedonia, although it looks like a town. As a well-established city with a history of thousands of years, Bitola is home to artifacts from the Middle Ages and the Byzantine, and Ottoman periods. The Gazi Haydar Kadi Mosque, the Ishak Çelebi Mosque, St. Demetrius Church, Pelister National Park, the Auto and Ethno Museum, Heraklea Ancient City, the Bitola Museum, the Bitola Clock Tower, the Bezisten (Covered Bazaar) and the Širok Sokak (Wide Alley), are among the sites worth visiting in Bitola. As the Dragor River flows through Bitola, which is located at the skirts of Baba Mountain, the city also offers natural beauty in abundance. The founder of modern Türkiye, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, attended military high school in Bitola.
Tetovo (Kalkandelen)
Established on the foothills of Šar Mountain, Tetova is divided by the Pena River. This historical locale offers both culture and sport. Among the site worth visiting are the Painted Mosque (also known as Šarena Džamija or the Pasha’s Mosque), the Arabati Baba Dervish House, Tetovo Castle, Beg’s Hamam, and the Church of St. Cyril and Methodius. Popova Sapka, one of Macedonia’s leading ski and snowboard centers, is easily accessible for winter holidays, as is Mavrovo, a popular ski resort that is a 90-minute drive from Skopje.
Kumanovo
Kumanovo has been ruled by the Ottomans, Serbians, the Slovenian Kingdom and the Croatians. Thus, the city is considered an ideal destination for cultural tourism. There are numerous dervish lodges, madrasahs, hammams and mills in Kumanovo, along with the Josip Broz Tito Monument, the Church of St. Nicholas, the Church of St. George, and the Chetiri Bandere (Four Pools) Monument. As well, Kokino is an archaeo-astronomical site featuring a megalithic observatory; it is on the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Prilep
Prilep, in the south of Macedonia, attracts visitors due to its lush nature. The Treskavec Monastery, and Marko’s Towers are notable places to visit in Prilep. The marble quarries around the city are prominent, and visitors can easily buy marble items as souvenirs.
When to go to North Macedonia?
Macedonia has a typical central European climate, with cold and snowy winters and cool and rainy summers. June and October are the best times to visit Macedonia.
What to eat in North Macedonia?
The influence of Mediterranean and Western Asian culinary traditions is evident in Macedonian cuisine, which features the flavors found in the Balkan geography. Vegetables, leafy greens and fruits are used in abundance, along with mutton. Pastrmalija is a pide topped with salted mutton cubes, while tavče-gravče is prepared with dried beans, onion, and pepper. Other dishes to sample in Macedonia include kompir mandza (potato stew), kachamak (cornmeal porridge), and popara, a rustic dish made with bread cubes and honey or cheese.
