By Liam North Macedonia is not on most tourists’ radars but there is plenty to see and do in the small Balkan nation. Despite being one of the least visited countries in Europe, there are plenty of beautiful places in North Macedonia. You can fit a lot into one week in North Macedonia, including most of the country’s highlights. So, it’s definitely worth considering for your next trip to Eastern Europe.
I caught a $50 flight from London to Ohrid, North Macedonia in 2022 not expecting much of anything. I ended up having a great time and that flight kicked off a two-and-a-half month Balkans trip. While Ohrid doesn’t have many flights, there are plenty of intra-European flights to Skopje, North Macedonia’s capital.
It is definitely possible to travel through North Macedonia by bus but you’ll have to be patient. Bus schedules are not always readily available. So, you may have to go in person to the station to buy tickets for the next bus, which might end up being for the next day. With that in mind, here’s how to spend one week in North Macedonia:
One Week in North Macedonia: Skopje – Two Days
North Macedonia’s wacky but worthwhile capital Skopje is the most convenient place to start a trip. There are flights to Skopje from big European cities like London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Istanbul.
Because the 1963 earthquake destroyed most of the city’s old buildings, Skopje is a mostly modern city. In the 2010s, the government commissioned a bunch of kitschy nationalist statues that are very hard to miss in the city center. There are a bunch on the Bridge of Civilizations in Macedonia. There’s also a hotel boat/restaurant called the Senigallia, which adds to the weirdness.
These statues certainly divide opinion but they make Skopje a very unique tourist destination. The larger than life statue of Alexander the Great in Macedonia Square is a perfect example. The statues also exist among beautiful and authentic monuments like the Stone Bridge and Old Bazaar. The Ottoman Stone Bridge, over the Vardar River, dates back to the 15th century.
Going north across it will take you to the Old Bazaar, which is Skopje’s Old Town. It is full of shops, restaurants and mosques. Plus, there’s the nearby Skopje Fortress which is from the 6th Century and has panoramic views of the city.
City Park, west of the fortress, is a big city oasis and one of the biggest parks in the city. One of the best outdoor activities in the area is hiking up to Krstovar Mountain’s Millennium Cross, on the south side of the city. There are excellent views of the city from the peak.
You can also take a day trip to Mavrovo National Park, which is about 90 minutes from Skopje and centered around Mavrovo Lake.
Some of my favorite restaurants in Skopje were Matto Napoletano and local spots Gostlinica Fontana and Kalabalak.
Krushevo – One Day
Krushevo is located in between Skopje and Ohrid and is the highest altitude town in North Macedonia. Even though it requires some planning, it is worth a visit during one week in North Macedonia. Going by bus from Skopje, you may have to make a pit stop in Prilep to reach it.
Krushevo is very small but has a pleasant city center and one of the most unique monuments I’ve ever seen. The spherical Ilinden Monument, with protruding oval windows, commemorates the 1903 Ilinden Uprising against the Ottoman Empire.
I was also greeted by horses while running around the small but pleasant Krushevo Lake. Notably, Krushevo is a world class paragliding destination. While I was hiking up to the Mechkin Kamen momument, I noticed a big paragliding event going on, which was incredible to see.
There are plenty of hiking opportunities around the area and the town is worth a day trip at the very least. I had a memorable meal at Krushevska Odaja, which is near the Illinden Monument. The spinach pie was delicious!
Bitola – One Day
Bitola is the third-largest city in North Macedonia and it’s worth spending a day in. It’s about an hour from Krushevo and has Greek and Roman ruins at Heraclea Lyncestis, which is about a 40 minute walk from the city center.
I was the only one in the archaeological park when I went and it made for a surreal experience.
On the way back from Heraclea, make a detour at Bitola City Park. Then, head towards the city center on the Shirok Sokak pedestrian street. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars which line the street and it has a very lively atmosphere.
Follow Shirok Sokak all the way up to Magnolia Square, where there’s a clock tower and views of the Isak Chelebi Mosque across the Dragor River. Cross the Dragor, head northeast to Bitola’s Bazaar and get lost in the crowds. The market itself has everything you would need. However, if you’re looking for a sit down restaurant, head back across the river to Meze Bar Dionis.
One Week in North Macedonia: Ohrid – Three Days
Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is about a 75 minute drive from Bitola. It was the highlight of my trip to North Macedonia and I ended up spending a whole week there. I really enjoyed the relaxed pace of life and its picturesque Old Town with lake views.
While Sarajevo is called the Jerusalem of the Balkans, Ohrid has plenty of religious sites to go around. The city once boasted 365 churches, one for each day of the year. There are still plenty worth visiting. One of those is the dramatic waterfront Church of Saint John Theologian at Kaneo. Plus, don’t miss the Church of Saints Clement of Ohrid and Panteleimon at the Plaoshnik Archaeological Park.
Two others worth a stop are the Church of the Virgin Mary Peribleptos and Church of Hagia Sophia. Near the former, you’ll find the Ancient Theater of Ohrid, the only Hellenistic-era theater in the entire country.
Further west, definitely head to Samuel’s Fortress, which has excellent views of Lake Ohrid. From the fortress, you can walk down to Labino Beach, which doesn’t get very crowded.
South of the Church of Hagia Sophia, you’ll also find the Ohrid Boardwalk. I really enjoyed running south along the promenade that starts at Ohrid City Park, as the views were great for miles.
Once you’ve gotten your fill of the city, take a boat trip to the Saint Naum Monastery, which dates back to 905 AD. On the way, boats stop at the Bay of Bones Museum, a reconstructed village of stilt houses on Lake Ohrid.
There are plenty of places to eat on Ohrid’s Old Bazaar Street. However, my favorite restaurants were Pizza Via Sacra and Valentino. Drop has good sandwiches and Wake & Bake serves delicious burek.
What’s Next?
After spending one week in North Macedonia, consider continuing your Balkans trip. From Ohrid, you can take a bus into Tirana. You could also make Bitola the last stop of your North Macedonia trip instead of Ohrid and head across the nearby Greek border.
If you finish up your week in North Macedonia in Skopje, you have more options by bus, including Kosovo, Serbia, Albania and Bulgaria. Regardless, the Balkans are a great place to travel, so don’t overthink your next stop!