Once part of Yugoslavia, the small landlocked country of North Macedonia, is often forgotten when people think of ‘the Balkans’. It tends to lose out to its large neighbours and so remains relatively unvisited. Take the time to visit though, and you’ll discover a charming and understated land, rich with history and culture. It is also the birthplace of Alexander the Great.
Our North Macedonia holidays and tours take you back through history. You’ll discover remnants of the Roman Empire dotted around the country, and see the legacy of the Ottomans. Hillside villages hold ancient monasteries, decorated with beautiful frescoes. And the old Turkish quarters of cities like Skopje are reminiscent of the mystique of the Orient, with their covered bazaars and muezzin calling from the minarets. A wander through the towns can take you from a Roman amphitheatre to an Orthodox cathedral, to a Turkish fort, in just a few minutes.
North Macedonia’s landscape is equally diverse. Its great mountains and thick forests are home to bears and wolves, and Europe’s oldest lake, Ohrid. The plains are dotted with vineyards, producing some excellent wines – well worth sampling in an outdoor café with a shashlik or two.
Top highlights on North Macedonia holidays and tours
- Wander the streets of UNESCO listed Ohrid
- Discover ancient monasteries
- Explore the old Turkish quarter of Skopje
- Meet the locals in Vevcani
A journey through Macedonia shows a hidden side of Europe, buttressed between powerful cultural influences yet with a gentle identity of its own.
Culture
One size definitely does not fit all in North Macedonia. Occupation by the Ottoman Empire means there is a substantial Muslim community. And the country’s position at the crossroads of trade routes, as well as having been part of Yugoslavia, means there are sizeable minorities of different groups. Albanians make up the largest minority here, but most of the population consider themselves to be Macedonian. Many follow Orthodox Christianity as evidenced in the huge amount of churches and monasteries here. As well as this there are communities of Roma, Turks, Serbs and others.
North Macedonia has two official languages – Macedonian, a Slavic language using the Cyrillic alphabet, and Albanian.
When to go on holiday to North Macedonia
North Macedonia has a Mediterranean climate. The hottest months are June to August, with temperatures stretching into the high thirties in the peak months of July and August. This is also when Ohrid – perhaps the country’s most popular ‘tourist’ spot – receives most of its visitors. So if you prefer the streets to be a little less busy, it’s better to schedule your trip outside of these months. The temperature is of course different in the mountains, and this is the best time for hiking here.
The winters are generally quite mild. However, the higher the altitude, the cooler the temperature, with the mountains receiving regular snow in the winter months. Spring and autumn are generally a great time to visit the country, avoiding the often fierce summer heat, and the fog and rain of winter.
Start planning your North Macedonia holiday or tour
Check out our small group tour to North Macedonia: Albania, Kosova and Macedonia. Many of our trips are small group adventures with set departures. However, as a bespoke operator, we can design and create trips to suit any traveller, from solos to larger groups. If you would like to find out more about tailor-made holidays to North Macedonia or our group tours, call us on 01473 328546 or email us via our contact page. We’d love to hear from you.
