Things to do in North Macedonia

25 things to do in North Macedonia

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Explore the labyrinthine Old Bazaar of Skopje

  Wander through narrow cobbled alleys lined with Ottoman-era shops, mosques, and artisan workshops in the heart of Macedonia's capital.

  Skopje

• Capture the iconic view of the Church of St. John at Kaneo

  Perched on a cliff overlooking Lake Ohrid, this 13th-century church offers a postcard-perfect panorama of the lake and mountains.

  Ohrid

• Hike to the summit of Mount Ljuboten

  Trek through alpine meadows and scree slopes to the roof of the Šar Mountains for sweeping views of the Sharri massif.

  Tetovo

• Feast on ajvar and selsko meso at a traditional Skopje kafana

  Savour slow-cooked meat and roasted red-pepper relish in a rustic tavern that embodies Macedonian hospitality.

  Skopje

• Glide by boat from Ohrid to the Monastery of Saint Naum

  Cruise across Lake Ohrid's emerald waters to a cliff-side monastery where springs feed the Black Drin River.

  Ohrid

• Kayak through the sheer cliffs of Matka Canyon

  Paddle on the Treska River past medieval monasteries and explore one of Europe's deepest underwater caves, Vrelo.

  Skopje

• Walk the colonnaded streets of ancient Stobi

  Roam the remarkably preserved Roman city with its theatre, mosaics, and early Christian basilicas in the Vardar Valley.

  Gradsko

• Experience the Ohrid Summer Festival in the ancient theatre

  Watch opera, ballet, or classical concerts under the stars in a 2nd-century BC Hellenistic amphitheatre.

  Ohrid

• Visit the Memorial House of Mother Teresa in Skopje

  Pay homage to the Nobel laureate at a contemporary chapel built on the site of the church where she was baptized.

  Skopje

• Hike to the Pelister Eyes glacial lakes

  Ascend through ancient pine forests in Pelister National Park to two sky-blue lakes known as the mountain's eyes.

  Bitola

• Stand at the Bronze Age observatory of Kokino

  Marvel at the 3,800-year-old stone markers used to track celestial movements atop a volcanic hill.

  Kumanovo

• Stroll the cobbled lanes of Ohrid's old town

  Discover medieval churches, Ottoman houses, and artisan shops in a UNESCO-listed lakeside settlement.

  Ohrid

• Admire the Byzantine frescoes at the Church of St. Clement and Panteleimon

  Peer at 5th-century mosaic floors and vibrant 13th-century frescoes at the spiritual heart of Ohrid’s Plaošnik.

  Ohrid

• Savour fresh Ohrid trout at a waterfront restaurant

  Dine on the famed endemic fish grilled or baked, paired with a crisp Macedonian white wine, while gazing at the lake.

  Ohrid

• Raft the rapids of the Treska River through Matka Canyon

  Bounce through class II–III whitewater beneath towering limestone walls, passing hidden grottoes and hermitages.

  Skopje

• People-watch along Shirok Sokak, Bitola’s chic pedestrian boulevard

  Lined with Neoclassical buildings, cafés, and bars, this vibrant strip forms the soul of the 'City of Consuls'.

  Bitola

• Ski and snowboard in the Mavrovo National Park

  Carve down slopes framed by dense beech forests and the submerged church of Mavrovo Lake in winter.

  Mavrovo

• Explore the reconstructed pile-dwelling settlement at the Bay of Bones

  Walk the wooden platforms over Lake Ohrid to see a prehistoric village exactly as it stood 1200 BC.

  Ohrid

• Climb the ramparts of Samoil’s Fortress for panoramic views

  Scale the 10th-century citadel walls above Ohrid for a breathtaking vantage over the lake and Old Town.

  Ohrid

• Taste full-bodied reds in the Tikveš wine region

  Tour cellars in the sun-drenched heart of North Macedonia’s vineyards, sampling Vranec and Kratosija varietals.

  Kavadarci

• Chase the mist of Smolare Waterfall

  Hike through a beech forest to North Macedonia’s highest waterfall, where a 39-metre cascade thunders into a rocky pool.

  Novo Selo

• Cross the medieval stone bridges of Kratovo

  Step back in time in a town built inside a volcanic crater, connected by six arched bridges and dotted with Ottoman towers.

  Kratovo

• Explore Skopje Fortress Kale overlooking the city

  Climb the 6th-century bastions guarding the Vardar River for sweeping views of the modern capital.

  Skopje

• Witness the colourful Galicnik Wedding Festival

  Join the two-day celebration of traditional music, costumes, and rituals held each July in a highland village.

  Galičnik

• Paraglide over Matka Canyon

  Soar tandem from a launch site above the canyon, taking in the serpentine river, cliffs, and Skopje in the distance.

  Skopje