15 Fabulous Things To Do In North Macedonia: Skopje, Bitola, & Lake Ohrid!

This maybe a lesser known destination in Europe but don’t let that put you off. With stunning scenery, and one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe, a quirky fun capital and UNESCO heritage Ohrid town, There’s a surprising mix of fun things to do in North Macedonia.

Huge historical sites sit adjacent to those that have emerged in the 21st century. A perfect example of this mix is Skopje’s many, and we mean many, massive monuments smack in the city’s main square – Wow!!

A bonus is there are far less tourists here than in neighbouring Greece. We’ve travelled around most of the Balkans and absolutely love this part of Europe!!

This post is designed to help you plan a first time visit to North Macedonia with exciting suggestions of things to do in Skopje, Stobi, Bitola and Lake Ohrid. You can easily combine these into an unforgettable 8-10 day trip in this European hidden gem.

How to Plan to Your Visit

If you are planning your trip to North Macedonia in spring, summer or early autumn you will find many outdoor activities to enjoy.

Chill at music festivals in Skopje, go biking in the forests near Bitola. Swim and fish in Lake Ohrid! If you love history, you will be stunned by the roman remains at Stobi.

• You can easily travel to 3-4 places across the country in a week.
• Macedonians are super helpful and want you to enjoy their country.
• Food and wine is as good as any other Balkan country.
• Generally, things are much more affordable than other European cities.

Top Things To Do in North Macedonia

You’re going to be surprised by the range of activities in North Macedonia, a small but fiercely independent country, next door to Greece, but with far less crowds (for the moment!).

1. Stroll Skopje’s Ancient Ottoman Bazaar Streets

Stroll the ancient Ottoman Bazaar with its rows of streets dedicated to specific goods like ‘golden street’ ie. gold.

When you’re here, don’t miss the sprawling city market for a taste of the best seasonal produce. You will find fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, cakes, nuts, high quality spices- everything you need for life!

These narrows streets are also home for numerous cafes and restaurants. As this area is culturally conservative, no alcohol will be served at some of these. Rather enjoy aromatic coffees, fresh fruit juices and local grilled food.

A couple of streets away you will find what is called the ‘tourist’ area which really means cafes and restaurants that serve wine, beer etc.

Try both – you’re more likely to meet Macedonians in the local cafes and fellow travelers elsewhere.

2. Hike Up Kale Fortress, Skopje

Don’t miss a walk up to Kale Fortress, visible from across town and a lasting legacy from Byzantine and Ottoman days. Kale (the Turkish word for fortress) dates back to the 6th century AD.

Despite having been ravaged over the years from earthquakes and wars, it’s still standing!! Now reflected in the city’s coat of arms, it’s a testimony to the rich history and adaptability of Skopje.

Some areas of the wall have been renovated slightly but the main reason for climbing up is really to enjoy the city views and to marvel at the scale of the structure.

Follow the pathway from the ottoman bazaar area up to the ramparts. It’s well signposted – or just ask someone to point you in the right direction! Bring your binoculars and camera to capture those amazing views over the river and up to Mount Vodno and Skopje’s Millennium Cross (lit up at night).

The pathway here is a little rough but it’s not a difficult walk. Plan for a couple of hours for this activity.

3. Book a Skopje City Walking Tour

One of the great things to do in North Macedonia is to take a walking tour in Skopje. This is a brilliant way to hear more local stories and gain more perspective on local life across the country. Specifically: why were so many massive monuments built in Skopje as part of what is known as Project 2014?

🔍 Check Skopje Walking Tour Availability

During a 2-3 hour morning tour, you will walk through old and new parts of the city. Look out for Mother Teresa’s Museum, Macedonia Gate, an arch that is similar to the Arc de Triumphe in Paris, quirky monuments (of course) and numerous impressive larger than life structures! It’s very cool 🙂

Also see the tributes to brothers Cyril and Methodius who invented the Cyrillic Slavic alphabet. We saw celebrations of them in Sofia, Bulgaria and both countries share a national holiday in May celebrating their unique alphabet.

4. Taste Local Foods, Freshly Made & Delicious

Wow!!! The food here is fantastic, fresh, local and varied. Whether vegetarian or a meat lover you’ll find mouth watering choices from street food to top end. Here’s our suggestions on Macedonian foods we totally love:

• Fresh savoury pastries (like a cheese borek) served warm.
• Shopska salad (Greek salad with a grated white local cheese on top).
• Freshly baked breads served with ajvar (sweet red pepper dip).
• Beans baked in a ceramic dish with tomatoes – called tavce gravce.
• Skara – grilled meats and vegetables.

When in Skopje, also head over to Debar Maalo district for dinner on evening. This is a nice contrast to ‘larger than life’ downtown architecture or the old city. Leafy avenues, home for many residents, boast some of the best restaurants in town like It’s a 20 minute walk from the main Skopje square along the river.

5. Boat Trip In Matka Canyon

Grab a coffee in the Ottoman Bazaar in the morning sunshine. We love Oud Coffee, a recent addition in yes, you guessed it, coffee street.

Next, catch the #60 bus or a taxi out to stunning Matka Canyon. By car it’s about a 20 minute drive and a little longer by public bus. Scroll down for contact details for a local reliable taxi service.

There are tours to the canyon advertised all over town and if you prefer to take one of these we recommend this awesome Matka Canyon Tour.

Whichever method you take to get here, once you’re in the car park, you have to walk up to the actual canyon. This is a 15 minutes easy stroll where boats are lined up and you will see a small ticket office. Set off on your boat ride and then if you like continue your hike around the gorge edge.

There are a number of different hikes, and well marked with different colors. One of the most popular is the green or yellow trail that leads to Saint Nikola. Ask at the entrance for guidance as the trails can be tricky in parts.

If you decide to make your own way here, it’s very cheap to buy a ticket for the boat trip through part of the canyon – less than $5USD.

Or, rent a kayak and follow the same route as your own pace.

6. Descend into Vrelo Caves

For less than $10 USD you can buy a ticket for the boat trip that stops at the Vrelo Caves. You have an option to descend pretty steep & slippery steps into the cave system. The area is magically lit into a rainbow of colour and an awesome sight. Avoid flip flops 🙂

On return, check out the check out the little St Andrew’s monastery. Have lunch or a refreshment at the Canyon restaurant when you’re back from your boat trip. The views of the water are stunning and the food is pretty good.

There are excellent toilet facilities here for a small fee. You can even stay overnight at the Matka Canyon Hotel!

7. Be Amazed At Stobi Roman Ruins

Stobi is fascinating and is the largest archeological site in North Macedonia! With incredible mosaics and ruins that date back to 2nd and 3rd centuries, it’s worth seeing for yourself. The site has a great self-guided tour to buy on arrival which you then download on your phone!

If you’re getting a taxi here from Skopje, negotiate with your driver for a stop in Stobi for an hour on your way to Bitola or Ohrid. They will be happy to do this for a little more cash. Scroll down for the name of reliable taxi service from Skopje to Stobi.

Once the capital of this Roman province, Stobi is massive and still being excavated by archeologists who were busy at work when we were here in 2024. Many view it as better than the Heraclea Lyncestis ruins nearer Bitola.

Walk around the terraces, pausing at points of interest which your audio (on your own phone) explain. Baths, temples, and an ancient theatre are all here.

8. Stroll Around Bitola’s Shirok Sakak Avenue

From Stobi, it’s only 60 miles (1 hour) to Bitola – a wonderful mix of outdoor activities and a compact city to explore. If you get here early enough, have a short hike around the foothills of Pelister National Park.

We love the small family run Sumski Feneri Hotel. Grab a taxi (5-10 mins) from your foothills hotel into town to explore Bitola. The main taxi stand is adjacent to the 32 meter high town clock so start here!

Walk down the fully pedestrianized ‘Shirok Sakak’ and mingle with residents going about their daily lives. It’s a super spot to pause for an hour.

Sip your cappuccino at one the inviting outdoor cafes that line the long street. Locals call this avenue the ‘street of fashion’ because it’s full of shoppers!

9. Bitola City Museum

Keep going down this avenue and you will arrive at the Bitola City Museum. Originally this was a military school where Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (known as the father of modern Turkey) studied. One of the permanent exhibitions is dedicated to Ataturk but many others reflect the history of North Macedonia.

Opening hours appear to be a little random but on their website are listed as 8am to 4pm. No tours on Mondays. Beyond this is the city park which residents love to stroll around especially in summer evenings.

Returning back towards the clock tower walk by a number of mosques and churches clustered together. Stop in the courtyard of the Church of St Dimitrie dating back to 1800s. What’s special about this church is that it was built during Turkish rule by volunteers and local donations from Bitola.

10. Old Bazaar of Bitola

Lastly head to the Old Bazaar of Bitola. In its hey day there were 900+ wooden narrow shops here. Sadly the combination of a lack of investment and the broader appeal of Shirok Sokak avenue has resulted in far less stores today.

Still, go walk around the remaining market and you see how it was organized by crafts, similar to the bazaar in Skopje. Look out for ancient drinking fountains here. They were built to pipe water from natural springs across town. Many were ornately decorated, made of marble and remain operational.

11. Go wine tasting at Tikves Winery

With over 10% of its agriculture land growing vineyards, the wine scene in North Macedonia is going from strength to strength. Tikves Winery is one of our favourites and there are a couple of options to visit here.

We suggest you visit the winery after Stobi as it’s close by. Maybe book a tour and lunch. The winery is well sign-posted from the main road from Skope.

Alternatively, there are wine tasting day trips from Skopje and Bitola where you can totally relax and let someone else do the driving!

12. Discover The Coastal Town Of Ohrid

An hour or so drive west of Bitola, you’ll find yourself in Ohrid with its stunning old town. This region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – the only one of two currently in North Macedonia.

Once you arrive here, it’s easy to see why this is a special place on and off the water.

Head down the narrow cobbled streets, passing by the ancient theatre which still hosts summer events centuries after the gladiators left!

The lake views are stunning so take your time and enjoy every step. A paper making museum is fascinating to pop into. Artisans use traditional methods to print on hand-made paper. This area is perfect fora break as street cafes and casual restaurants fill up small squares and flower filled streets.

There is a bazaar area in Ohrid too but it doesn’t feel as atmospheric as those elsewhere in North Macedonia. You will walk through this as you head up to the fortress and old town and there is a nice fountain area here. The climb up to the fortress and into the old town is pretty steep with quite a few steps.

13. Relax On Lake Ohrid Shore

After filling the days with so many of the unique things to do in North Macedonia, take a day to simply relax in the sunshine. If you’re staying at a lake side resort (which we recommend), spend a day around the pool, soaking in lake life.

Fishing for trout is popular as is swimming in the 300 m deep lake in summer! Or maybe try paddle-boarding or kayaking. It gets busiest here when schools are out so avoid June/July and August if you want a quieter experience at your resort/hotel.

If you prefer to be able to wander around the town in the evenings without having to get a taxi there, you might prefer to stay in Ohrid vs Lake Ohrid. However, we loved being able to leave the city at night and relax in a peaceful spot overlooking this stunning azure blue lake.

14. Sail To The Bay of Bones Museum

Take a cruise on the ‘Alexandria’ boat from Ohrid Old Town Harbour. Sail down the coastline, passing by Tito’s home (one of them!) stopping off at the Bay of Bones.

For a few dollars, visit the over the water museum here. It’s fairly basic but intriguing to see how people lived centuries before here.

15. Explore St Naum Island

Continue on the boat to St Naum just under 30km south of Ohrid. This is a small island with a monastery dating back to the Middle Ages.

As well as visiting the monastery itself, take a rowing boat ride through the island or just find a waterside restaurant and enjoy a relaxing lunch! That’s what we did 🙂

It’s a little touristy in spots on the island but a lovely day out on the water and you return to Ohrid just as the sun is setting. Find another local restaurant in town and enjoy views over the water as you dine.

North Macedonia Top Festivals

Ohrid Summer Festival has been running for over 50 years and between mid June and late August showcases many arts from music to poetry and plays.

If you’re in Skopje in October, check out the Skopje Jazz Festival performers and how to get your tickets ahead of time.

Accommodation In North Macedonia

As we traveled through North Macedonia we stayed in a range of very different hotels and details of each are below:

What to Pack for North Macedonia

No surprise for us to say that hand luggage is all we recommend for a week exploring North Macedonia. Dress overall is casual but quite conservative especially when visiting inside religious sites like mosques and churches.

You will find a very pleasant climate most of the year with temperatures in the 70s in summer and touching freezing in the colder month of January.

How To Get Around North Macedonia

We’re all about finding affordable travel but we also value our time. So with only 8 days to explore North Macedonia we suggest that you use local taxis or rent a car to get around.

Taxi Services In North Macedonia We Used

Here are tried and tested taxi services we used ourselves:

• In & Around Skopje: Nedim- WApp +38971774236
• Skopje to Bitola: Lion Travel – WApp +38971824681
• Bitola to Ohrid: Kira Taxi – WApp +38972278970 or david@newmedia.mk
• Ohrid to Tirana Airport (Albania): – Kira Taxi (number as above)

If you are traveling solo, buses will be better for your budget but will take longer so plan accordingly or push your trip to 10 days to avoid being rushed.

Carry on luggage uses less space and is easy on your back when moving from place to place. We have successfully packed light for thousands of miles now and here’s our 10Kg Hand Luggage Only Guide so you can do the same!

How to Get to North Macedonia

The main airport in Skopje is around 20km from the city. From arrivals, you can pick up a shuttle bus that runs to/from the city center.

If you plan to come from further afield, Turkish Airlines, LOT – Polish, Austrian and Lufthansa all offer good connections from their national hubs. Many of these also fly routes from around the globe, but do shop around.

🔍 Find Best Flights to Skopje (From USA/Canada)

However, from the UK, the only direct flight to Skopje, in 2025, is currently from London Luton with Wizz Air.

🔍 Flights to Skopje (From UK)

In fact, it’s for this reason that we decided to head to Sofia, Bulgaria and then drive across the border to Skopje. This trip takes around 3 hours directly and buses leave several times a day.

Another suggestion is that if you’re planning to head to Greece, there are flights from Athens and Thessaloniki to Skopje. Or add on a short stay in Halkidiki.

Also when you’re down further south in Bitola or Ohrid, you’re not far at all from the Greek border. You can also fly direct to Ohrid from the UK but only from Manchester with TUI airlines.

FAQs

Is North Macedonia Safe?

We felt safe throughout our stay in North Macedonia. We would suggest caution in walking around Skopje at night just as you would for any city. Pick pocketing has been reported by some visitors so limit what you carry with you when out and about.

Natural disasters occur (like the earthquake in 1963 that destroyed most of Skopje) but you’re more likely just to experience a minor tremor, if at all. In the summer months, there is a forest fire risk so if you’re going hiking, check the risk levels before you set off.

Is it Expensive to Visit North Macedonia?

North Macedonia is a great value destination on the whole. Hotels we stayed at ranged from $40-50 per night. We paid no more than $2 for a coffee or $3 for a glass of excellent local wine. Dinner ranged from $15.

Our Ohrid boat trip (5 hours) cost around $10 each buying our tickets directly at the dockside.

The denar is the national currency. It’s straightforward to exchange cash. We brought £ and $USD in cash and used the money changing offices (shops) in Skopje, Bitola and Ohrid. ATMs are also around but banks may charge commission so check this out before using them.

If you’re coming from UK, bring English notes to exchange. As Scots, we know it’s frustrating but according to government travel sites, many places won’t accept Scottish or Northern Ireland currency!

Why Not Explore The Balkans Further

With a rich mix of history, natural mountainous beauty and delicious cuisine, it’s a delight to get off the beaten track.

We’ve traveled extensively in the Balkans and highly recommend a road trip through Montenegro/Northern Albania, or 3 or so days in Sarajevo, Bosnia as other less travelled, beautiful experiences.