It is fascinating how little is known about North Macedonia by most people considering how rich its history is. Located in the Balkans, North Macedonia is surrounded by the neighboring Southeastern European countries of Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, Albania, and Kosovo. As a former Yugoslavian state and one of the poorest European countries today, there is a lot of work to be done in North Macedonia if it hopes to join the EU someday. Until then, there are several great destinations to explore within the country that encompass Macedonian culture. Shedding light on the complicated history and strained relations it has still today with its neighboring countries, visiting North Macedonia is nothing short of eye-opening and certainly one of the most off the beaten path destinations in Europe.
The capital of North Macedonia, Skopje, is the county’s most visited destination. There are lots of flights in and out of Skopje, making it easy to travel to North Macedonia if you are already in Europe. The city of Ohrid is next up on the list of places to visit. Located on Lake Ohrid, this charming town is a beautiful (and affordable!) escape from the more buzzing city life you will find in Skopje. Known as the gem of the Balkans, Ohrid is not to be missed when visiting North Macedonia!
While it is relatively simple to and from Skopje, getting around in rural North Macedonia has its challenges. Luckily, there aren’t really many places a tourist could go in the country if it’s not Skopje, Ohrid, or other larger cities such as Bitola. While many people in the country speak English and will be happy to help you, try to do your research ahead of time on what transportation you will be taking if you are venturing out of Skopje (likely a public bus or hired private driver).
