The miraculous beauty of North Macedonia by its examples of culinary, inspired by Mediterranean and Balkan cuisines is worth its admiration. The colorful beat of the country is centralized in Skopje, the capital and biggest city, where the ancient and contemporary worlds collide. Despite being located in Macedonia, the lake of Ohrid is old and well-founded for its depth and the peace one is bound to get when at the lakeside.
Begin this adventure through this guide to discover 9 beautiful sites in North Macedonia for their history, beauty, and more. For instance, some are historical centers while others are natural wonders of the country, and all in all, they promise a different touch of the country’s history and culture. Also, see how airssist’s airport concierge services in Macedonia can improve your ground handling and as well accompany you through an effective transition.
Where to Visit in North Macedonia?
Skopje
Skopje is the capital of North Macedonia, which is one of the most ancient cities in Europe that is filled with history and, at the same time, is filled with energy and a modern feel. Throughout history, it belonged to many empires, such as the Romans, Byzantines, Ottoman, and Yugoslav empires.
Today, Skopje is a rather developed modern city that provides a number of possibilities and facilities. It consists of many shopping malls, eating places, and active automotive nightlife. Nowadays, Skopje is a rather young city. However, the city still has preserved its historical look with Ottoman mosques and active bazaars.
Among all the architectural structures in the city, the most famous and recognized is the Stone Bridge, a sparkling arched bridge over the Vardar River that gives an idea of the city.
Thus, the Old Bazaar should be listed amongst other favorite spots in the city. This is a busy district that feels alive with history and traditions; here it is almost impossible to get lost while meandering through the narrow streets. With airssist’s private tours in various destinations including Macedonia guides with local expertise where you can walk around shops and stands that sell everything from local handicrafts to the local farm produce with safety in mind.
Vodno Mountain
On top of Vodno Mountain, you will find the Millennium Cross, which has lately evolved into the symbol of Skopje, the 66-meter (216-foot) tall construction. Regardless of whether you choose to take the cable car or if you have chosen to hike up the Vodno Mountain, allow for several hours so that you can fully explore what Vodno Mountain has to offer.
At the top, once you are out of the fence, you will be amazed with great views of the surrounding city and immediate environment. It is also advisable to savor a meal at the mountaintop restaurant, take a hike on some of the available trails, which range from the easy to the difficult, or even paraglide.
Ohrid
Located on the beautiful bank of Lake Ohrid, Ohrid City is one of the most important cities in North Macedonia. This is one of several stunning places that will be focused on in this blog post on the areas around the lake.
One of the city’s special attractions is the old part of Ohrid. Here one can walk along narrow
cobbled streets, look at the facades of the houses to get an idea of what was in the past. One can easily state that Ohrid combines historical and scenic attractions that are definitely interesting to visit.
Trpejca
Trpejca is situated by the calm Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia; the buildings are made of stones, and its ambiance, free from the rush of everyday life, might feel like a fairy tale. This is managed by the fact that the village boasts a natural pebble beach where guests can take a walking exercise along the shoreline while perceiving beautiful scenes of the lake and the mountainous backgrounds.
For those willing to have some fun and adventure, Trpejca is the best place to stay as it is located on the hills and there is a chance to have a wonderful trek through mountains and valleys. If you want to rest near the lake or have an active vacation, Trpejca gives you the opportunity to have a calm and appropriate vacation in the middle of Macedonia.
Galicia National Park
Lying between Ohrid Lake and Prespa Lake, Galicia National Park offers true natural excitement to travelers in North Macedonia. There are trails with clear signs for the beginners, intermediates, and hard core hikers, and towards the top there is a breathtaking view of both lakes.
During your hiking through the woods and the meadows, do not miss the chance to spot the wildlife that inhabits the park, such as the deer, the wolves, or the Balkan lynx, an endangered species. When it comes to the attractions North Macedonia has to offer, the Galicia National Park, featuring mountain views and a variety of hiking trails, has to be among the most recommended ones.
Bay of Bones
The Bay of Bones is an archeological site and museum on the shore of Lake Ohrid that gives a living and interactive view of how people of the Bronze and Iron Ages lived. This realistic recreation of a settlement of pile dwellings is a collection of wooden buildings erected on supports on the water of the lake and explores the culture of the populations of that period in this area.
Found by an underwater archaeological team on October 5, 1997, the site has been restored and brilliantly turned into an open-air museum. The archeological site also lets the visitors into the reconstructed houses understand how people once lived and learn about the culture and the customs of the prehistoric people. Without any doubt, the first place that is worth visiting in North Macedonia is the small but charming Bay of Bones.
Bitola
Bitola is the second-largest city in North Macedonia, located at the foothills of Mount Pelister. Bitola used to be called Monastir, which testifies to the rich history of culture and architecture associated with the Ottoman period.
A place that is worth visiting in Bitola is the old bazaar, which indeed is occupied with powerful energy, fascinating narrow streets with mazy stalls and shops that sell everything, starting from hand made products to spices. It is quite possible to get lost in the web of meandering streets and enjoy the architecture of the buildings erected in the Ottoman style and the spirit of the place.
Definitely take a walk down Shirok Sokak, which is the pedestrian zone that has many small, quaint cafes and shops. Bitola is one of those cities that tourists don’t pay much attention to when planning their visit, but it is a city that deserves attention. It has a character of its own and adds location advantage, making it the perfect place to start exploring the gorgeous countryside.
Pelister National Park
Situated only a few kilometers away from Bitola, the park is home to snowy mountains, crystal-clear mountain lakes, and forests.
Much like Galicia National Park, one can find a range of hiking trails that are easy to difficult in Pelister. However, do not fear, for during the summer, you can even go for a trek and climb up Mount Pelister, the highest point in the park. During the winter seasons, the area of Pelister changes its face and becomes the perfect place for skiing, snowboarding, and all other winter activities.
This park, situated in Macedonia, is an attraction center for tourists throughout the year because of the natural attractions and possibility of carrying out different activities in every season.
Prespa Lake
While at the Pelister National Park, there are numerous things that you can and can’t do, ranging from visiting the Lake Prespa. This is a very calm lake that falls on the border of the Republic of Macedonia, Albania, and Greece and is characterized by its clear waters and scenic gorges.
You can simply go for a swim or for a boat ride to explore some small islands around the lake that are rather cute, such as Snake Island. Natural conditions, together with stunning views and quietude, surely place Lake Prespa among the top sights to see in North Macedonia.
Choose airssist as Your Travel Companion in Northern Macedonia.
Travel to North Macedonia with airssist, a personalized travel companion to make sure you have an amazing and comfortable trip. Any time you are planning to visit Macedonian and particularly if you are arriving through Skopje Internat Our meet and greet that can be personalized to suit your requirements with special sign boards to flowers will be a game changer. We will also help you go through the airport formalities, whereas the VIP terminal services and limo transfers will help you have a comfortable travel from the airport to your hotel and back. This is especially true because airssist also does provide private tours throughout Skopje, Ohrid, and other beautiful places, including the crucial points to visit. You can also expect us to help in you cross language barriers.