From crystal clear lakes to snow-capped mountains, this is the perfect itinerary for North Macedonia travel!
A road trip in North Macedonia is full of surprises. For a small, landlocked country that is often overlooked, it sure packs a punch!
The North Macedonia travel industry is quickly growing as more tourists realise how beautiful and affordable the country is. North Macedonia is filled with beautiful lakes, snow-capped mountains, UNESCO sites and some of the quirkiest cities in Europe. Its size means you can easily get from A to B in just a few hours, by rental car or by bus. If you’re looking for reasons to take a North Macedonia trip, read on!
Is it Macedonia or North Macedonia?
North Macedonia is a country of many names. Since declaring independence from the crumbling Yugoslavia in 1991, the country has been known as the Republic of Macedonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and most recently the Republic of North Macedonia.
The excessive name changes come as a result of compromises brokered by different governing and advising bodies in response to a strong opposition from Greece about using the name “Macedonia”.
Greece claims that “Macedonia” has historically been used to describe the Kingdom of Macedon, best known for Alexander the Great and is indeed a Greek word. The northern region of Greece already goes by the name Macedonia. There were fears that by allowing its neighbour to use the name Macedonia, it could potentially lead to territorial disputes.
In 2019, the dispute seems to have been put to rest (for now) and Greece accepted the region as the Republic of North Macedonia. So if you are looking to plan a trip to Macedonia in Greece, unfortunately this post won’t help you!
This Macedonia road trip itinerary is for visiting the Republic of North Macedonia!
When is the best time to visit North Macedonia?
There is no bad time to visit North Macedonia. The best time to visit will depend on your interests.
There are festivals in spring, ski slopes for winter, the wine harvest in autumn and watersports in summer.
There are fewer tourists in the shoulder seasons of autumn and spring, however as one of Europe’s least visited countries, crowds of tourists are rarely a problem year-round.
We visited in April and it was the perfect time of year for a North Macedonia road trip! The weather was flawless, we saw the last of the snow on the mountains, everything was open and it wasn’t too crowded. The only down-side was that the water was too cold to swim in the crystal clear lakes. But it is always good to have a reason to go back!
Where to start your North Macedonia road trip
The easiest place to start your road trip of North Macedonia is in the capital, Skopje. Skopje has an international airport with flight connections to other European cities.
If you’re arriving by bus from other destinations in the Balkans, Skopje is the best place to start!
You can check bus schedules and prices on Busbud.
How to get around
Hiring a car is the best way to travel around North Macedonia.
Having your own transport means you can get to more off-the-beaten-path destinations and explore at your own pace. The good news is that most of the roads are decent and the traffic is generally not too bad, with a few exceptions. If you’re an experienced driver, you should consider hiring a car in North Macedonia!
Compare prices for renting a car for your North Macedonia road trip with Rentalcars.
The other option is to take buses and coaches. The coach network has regular links between major towns and cities. If renting a car is not an option, you can still visit most destinations below using public transport!
The perfect North Macedonia road trip itinerary
Day 1 and 2: Skopje
Skopje is a fascinating city that people tend to love or hate. On first glance, the city is grand and ornate with statues and monuments on every corner. Look a little closer and you’ll notice why Skopje is considered Europe’s capital of kitsch.
Skopje was hit with an earthquake in 1963 which destroyed most of the city’s historical buildings. The neo-classical architecture, grand monuments and countless statues that you will see around Skopje are actually all new!
A controversial project known as Skopje 2014 has reshaped the city in a bid to attract tourists.
Within a few hundred metres you will see monuments reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe, Brandenburg Gate and Prague’s Charles Bridge. While Skopje 2014 has certainly divided opinions, it has made Skopje a city that really needs to be seen to be believed! It might not be what you expect when visiting North Macedonia, but it will certainly keep you entertained.
Top things to do in Skopje
- Visit the Old Bazaar and stroll around the Old Town. This part of Skopje has maintains its historical charm and has many Ottoman era mosques, hammams and shopfronts.
- Climb Kale Fortress for the best view of the city.
- Take a walking tour to get a local’s perspective on Skopje! This was crucial for me to get an understanding of this enigmatic city. Check free walking tours on Guruwalk.
- Sample Macedonian cuisine at one of the great restaurants around the main plaza. My favourite was Pelister Restaurant.
Day 3: Matka canyon, Tetovo mosque and Mavrovo National Park
Pick up the car and leave Skopje early to make the most of the first official day of your North Macedonia road trip!
Millenium Cross viewpoint
First make the drive up to the Millenium Cross for a panoramic view of the city. At the right time of year you will have snow-capped mountains framing your photos.
If you don’t have a car, you can still get to the Millenium Cross by taking the cable car!
Matka Canyon
The next stop is Matka Canyon, about 15km from Skopje. Matka Canyon is a little touristy, but well worth a stop on your North Macedonia road trip. It really is beautiful!
There are a few ways to enjoy the canyon. You can take a walk along the well maintained path around the rockface with areas to stop and picnic. There are boat tours along the canyon to visit the many caves and enjoy the views of the gorge.
We chose to hire kayaks and explore ourselves. Kayaks are available after the entrance to the canyon for 300MKD per hour. If you want to visit the cave, you will need at least 2 hours.
Matka canyon is also accessible on a day trip from Skopje by local bus or organised tour.
Tetovo Mosque
Tetovo Mosque, also known as ‘the painted mosque’ or ‘the colourful mosque’ is one of the most beautiful buildings to visit in North Macedonia. Every inch is ornately painted in vibrant colours and you can easily spend an hour wandering around admiring its beauty.
Tetovo mosque is free to enter but it is an active mosque so be sure to avoid prayer times.
Somewhat surprisingly, we found the traffic in Tetovo to be pretty crazy. It was by far the worst traffic of our time in North Macedonia. We asked our waitress if it was normal and she said, “Yes. Everyday”.
Tetovo has a lovely main street with some great restaurants. Grab some lunch here and then start the drive south.
Mavrovo National Park
The final stop on day 3 of our North Macedonia road trip is Mavrovo National Park. Mavrovo National Park is a short detour from the main road to Ohrid.
In winter, Mavrovo has the best skiing in North Macedonia. In summer and spring when the snow has melted, the park has some spectacular hiking trails to explore.
If you’re short on time or don’t enjoy hiking, the drive through Mavrovo is incredibly scenic! This is your first glimpse at how beautiful some of the roads of North Macedonia are. It really is a perfect road trip destination!
Continue on to spend the night in Ohrid town.
Day 4 and 5: Lake Ohrid
Lake Ohrid is by far the most popular tourist destination in North Macedonia, and it is not hard to see why!
It is one of the only places in the world included on both the Cultural and Natural UNESCO lists. The water in the lake is reminiscent of a Greek island, crystal clear and oh so inviting! My only regret from my North Macedonia road trip is that it was too cold to swim here.
Spending two days at Lake Ohrid allows time to relax and soak up North Macedonia’s most famous views.
Top things to do in Ohrid
- Explore the Old Town. Ohrid has a charming old town, filled with shops and cafes along cobbled streets. Wander through the town, up to the fortress and be sure to stop for a drink along the way to enjoy the view!
- Visit the Church of Saint John at Kaneo. The most iconic view of Lake Ohrid, this orthodox church sits high on the hill with panoramic views across the lake. This is an absolute must do while in Ohrid!
- Take a boat tour. There are a range of different boat tours you can take around Lake Ohrid. The best ones include a visit St Naum’s monestary right near the border with Albania.
- Go for a swim at one of the many beaches! An activity best enjoyed in summer.
- Eat at a waterfront restaurant. There are some great options for waterfront restaurants in Ohrid’s old town. My favourite was Restaurant Kajche.
- Take a drive around the lake. Lake Ohrid is dotted with sleepy, small towns that offer a nice reprieve from Ohrid’s centre. Visit St Naum’s monestary, the Bay of the Bones museum or find a secluded beach to kick back and relax.
For more ideas, read my Lake Ohrid North Macedonia Travel Guide.
Day 6: Bitola
Although leaving spectacular Ohrid is difficult, you will be rewarded with the best views of the lake on your drive out. Rather than take the main road to Bitola, head south from Ohrid town along the lake. Take the P504 road as it weaves and winds up the mountain. There is a viewpoint at the top to stop and soak it all in!
The road continues on through Galičica National Park and towards Lake Prespa, which is Lake Ohrid’s equal in every way.
This is one of the most scenic stretches of this North Macedonia road trip itinerary.
Think snow-capped mountains, cobalt blue lakes and near-empty roads.
When arriving in Bitola, first head to the Ancient City Heraclea Lyncestis just outside of town. These ruins date back to the 4th Century BC and have some incredibly well-preserved mosaics. Entry is only 120MKD and there is a free audio guide.
The ruins are open-air and therefore the mosaics are covered during the winter to protect them. We visited in April and unfortunately the mosaics were still covered. Visiting in late spring or summer is the best time.
In the late afternoon and evening, Bitola comes alive. Locals from all walks of life descend on the main pedestrian mall, Shirok Sokak, for an evening stroll. Join in or have a drink in one of the many cafes and restaurants and do some people watching!
Day 7: The final day of your North Macedonia road trip
Start your day with breakfast at one of Bitola’s many cafes before heading off to the mountain town of Krushevo.
Krushevo is the highest settlement in North Macedonia at 1350m above sea level.
Walk around the stone streets, visit the Old Bazaar and small museums and admire Krushevo’s picture perfect landscapes.
Visit the iconic Ilendin monument, dedicated to those who fought in the Ilendin uprising in WWII. Have lunch in town before heading off on the final stretch of this North Macedonia road trip!
From Krushevo it is 2.5 hours drive back to Skopje. The easy way is to head East along the A1.
We instead decided to head North along the road that bypasses Kozjak Lake. Google Maps showed this a legitimate, alternative option to the A1 but it is not for the faint of heart!
Most of the road is perfectly fine and well maintained, passing through some of the best mountain scenery in the country.
However, there is one 10km stretch where the road is only one way. This was sign-posted but not understanding cyrillic, we carried on until we reached a closed gate.
Initially, we thought we would have to turn back adding hours to our journey. Luckily for us, the man in charge took pity on us and made a call. We were eventually let through but were told we were not allowed to stop.
The next 10km was undoubtedly the most extreme of the whole North Macedonia trip! The road was crumbling at the edges and had incredibly steep inclines and sharp turns. It also had by far the best views of our whole North Macedonia road trip. Mountains on mountains on mountains!
If you’re up for an adventure, and you have time to wait for the road to open, consider taking this crazy route back to Skopje!
Where to stay in North Macedonia
The most common form of accommodation in North Macedonia is the apartment. While there are hostels and hotels, apartments tend to be the best value.
These are the places that I stayed on my North Macedonia road trip in 2024. All have parking available.
Skopje – City Luxe Apartments is located on the main pedestrian street. There is a nice balcony to sit on in the afternoon with a beer or morning with a coffee. The host was super friendly and helped with a lot of suggestions for our road trip.
Ohrid – Ines Apartments this place is all about the views!
Bitola – L&L Luxury Apartments super comfortable with a full kitchen and living area. This is one of the best value places that we stayed in.
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