Must See in North Macedonia
- 8 hours ago
- 4 min read
In my opinion, the most underrated country in Europe! Macedonia is such a beautiful country with so much to see and do!
Despite its relatively small size, the country is packed with places that feel completely different from one another - from peaceful lakeside monasteries to dramatic canyons and Ottoman-style old town streets.
One of the best things about traveling in North Macedonia is how easy it is to combine several destinations into one trip. Distances are short, road trips are scenic, and many of the country’s highlights can be visited within just a week.
Here are some of the absolute must-visit places in North Macedonia.
Lake Ohrid
National Park Galicica & Saint Naum Monastery
Matka Canyon
The Capital - Skopje
Pelister National Park & Bitola
Mavrovo National Park
Lake Ohrid
Lake Ohrid is the country’s most famous destination and easily one of the most beautiful places in the Balkans.
Shared between North Macedonia and Albania, Lake Ohrid is considered one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe, estimated to be more than one million years old. Because of its unique ecosystem and cultural significance, both the lake and the city of Ohrid are protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The town of Ohrid itself is known for historic churches, lakeside restaurants, and boat trips. One of the most iconic spots is the Church of Saint John at Kaneo, dramatically positioned on a cliff overlooking the lake. Other highlights include Samuel’s Fortress, the Ancient Theatre, and the lake promenade. Find out everything you need to know in my Ohrid Travel Guide!
Summer is the most popular season to visit, but late spring and early autumn offer fewer crowds and pleasant weather. I went there at the beginning of May and although it was too cold to go for a swim, I still really enjoyed my weekend there.
Galicica National Park & Saint Naum Monastery
Located between Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa, Galicica National Park is one of the country’s most scenic natural areas. The park is famous for panoramic mountain viewpoints, hiking trails, forests, and the rare opportunity to see two lakes at the same time from higher elevations. One of the best-known viewpoints is the “Two Lakes” viewpoint, where visitors can simultaneously see Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa stretching across the landscape.
The park is located only a short drive (~40min) from Ohrid, making it a perfect day trip. While on the route to Galicica National Park, make sure to stop by the Saint Naum Monastery which sits on the southern shore of Lake Ohrid, near the Albanian border. Surrounded by nature and famous for its crystal-clear springs, the monastery is one of the most peaceful places around the lake. Many visitors combine it with a boat ride from Ohrid or a scenic drive along the lakeshore. The monastery dates back more than a thousand years and remains one of North Macedonia’s most important religious and historical sites.
There is usually a small entrance fee (~5 Euros) for vehicles entering Galicica National Park, while access to the monastery grounds itself is generally free.
Matka Canyon
Located just outside Skopje, Matka Canyon is one of North Macedonia’s most visited natural attractions. The canyon is known for dramatic cliffs, emerald-green water, caves, hiking trails, and peaceful scenery. It feels completely different from the busy capital city despite being only around 30 minutes away.
One of the most famous caves is Vrelo Cave, which is believed to be among the deepest underwater caves in Europe.
While exploring the hike along the canyon, you can also take boat rides through the canyon or kayak on the water. There are also several cafes alongside the canyon so you can enjoy more chill time by the canyon.
Entrance to Matka Canyon itself is free. Boat rides and cave tours are available for an additional cost.
Skopje
Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, is one of the Balkans’ most unusual and interesting cities. The city combines Ottoman history, brutalist architecture, enormous statues, lively nightlife, mountain views, and modern city life all in one place.
Some of the top attractions include:
Macedonia Square
Stone Bridge
Old Bazaar
Kale Fortress
Mother Teresa Memorial House
Museum of the City of Skopje
I go into more detail about each site on my Skopje Travel Guide!
The Old Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest bazaars in the Balkans and remains one of the city’s highlights thanks to its cafés, mosques, traditional restaurants, and historic atmosphere.
Pelister National Park & Bitola
Pelister National Park is one of North Macedonia’s oldest national parks and one of the country’s best mountain destinations. Located near the city of Bitola in the southwest, the park is known for alpine scenery, hiking trails, mountain lakes, pine forests and even winter sports. The park sits within the Baba Mountain range and is home to the rare Molika pine, a unique species native to the Balkans.
Pelister National Park may charge a small vehicle or park entrance fee depending on the access area and season.
Many visitors combine Pelister National Park with nearby Bitola, one of North Macedonia’s most charming cities. Bitola is known for elegant architecture, Ottoman history and café culture. The city’s main pedestrian boulevard, Širok Sokak, is lined with cafés, restaurants, and historic buildings, making it one of the most pleasant city walks in the country.
Mavrovo National Park
Mavrovo National Park is the largest national park in North Macedonia and one of the country’s top destinations for outdoor activities. Located in the western part of the country, Mavrovo is famous for skiing, hiking, traditional villages and scenic road trips.
One of the park’s most photographed landmarks is the partially submerged church standing inside Mavrovo Lake, which becomes especially dramatic depending on water levels.
During winter, Mavrovo transforms into one of North Macedonia’s main ski destinations, while summer attracts hikers, bikers, and nature lovers.
Some areas of the park may require a small entrance or parking fee, particularly near ski and recreational zones.
Mavrovo National Park is home to some of the Balkans’ most important wildlife species, including lynx, wolves, and bears.
