North Macedonia is (still) an insider tip and, in my opinion, the most underrated country in the Balkans. It's home to beautiful national parks, high mountains, stunning lakes, well-protected climbing areas, wild horses, and ancient monasteries. Here are my tips for what you absolutely must see in this country.
Tip 1: Horseback riding through the spectacular Mavrovo National Park
All the happiness in the world lies on the back of a horse
At the end of the world lies Mavrovo National Park. A lonely road leads up into the mountains. Here, there is nothing but hills, juniper bushes, sheep, and horses. The area is wild, as evidenced by the high population of brown bears. The ride we take with Sherpa Horse Riding is also wild . After a brief test of our skills and the comment "Anything that works is allowed," we set off. Fortunately, the horses are extremely sure-footed. At a gallop, we fly over the rough terrain. We rest at a small sheep farm and have coffee. Then we continue uphill, along a steep slope to the highest peak of Mavrovo National Park, Medenica (2,163 m). The view is breathtaking: We can see all the way to Lake Mavrovo. The descent is steep and rocky. To protect the horses, we dismount. I bribe my horse Hektor with rose hips to trot obediently behind me. Which he does without complaint. What an adventure!
Depending on your riding experience, you can book a suitable ride. Ours was called "adrenaline experience."
North Macedonia tip
Tip No. 2: City tour in the most beautiful city in North Macedonia: Ohrid
The pretty town of Ohrid lies on the lake of the same name and is definitely worth exploring. A wooden walkway leads along the shore, past restaurants and small coves.
The 13th-century Church of St. John in Kaneo is probably the most photographed church in North Macedonia.
It stands on a rock above the lake. The city's other churches and old buildings are also worth seeing. For example, there's the 5th-century Basilica of Saint Clement, with its wall paintings of animals and plants. But the city's history goes back even further. To the north, there's a Greek amphitheater that was expanded by the Romans. The old town houses , which served as models for the design of the street lamps, are also beautiful .
Tip No. 3: Circular hike from Elshani above Lake Ohrid
Steep mountains, colorful flowers, glittering lake and dark cave
This almost 16-kilometer hike has everything that makes a top tour.
This circular hike in northern Macedonia above Lake Ohrid leads through a very diverse landscape. It begins in a lively village, climbs gently through the forest, through juniper bushes, up into the mountains, from where you have a magnificent view of Lake Ohrid, and then returns through a flower-filled valley. The highlight is the dark karst cave, which you can explore—if you're feeling brave enough.
A must-see is the Samot Ka Dupka cave, for which you will need a flashlight or a sufficiently charged mobile phone.
Click on the first image to start the photo gallery:
Tip No. 4: Climbing in North Macedonia
Macedonia is a paradise for climbers and offers a variety of very well-secured climbing areas in beautiful scenery - many of them directly on the lake.
My favorite rocks were Prespa directly above Lake Prespa and Sector Zli Dol at Lake Ohrid.
From challenging multi-pitch routes to beginner-friendly bouldering spots, there's something for everyone in Macedonia. Whether you're an experienced climber or a beginner, there's something for everyone.
You can find all the information about the climbing areas on the Climbing Macedonia website . You can also hire a guide there. You can also find the exact topos on The Crag .
Tip No. 5: The Monastery of Sveti Naum
From the jetty, we catch our first glimpse: Before us, perched on a rock, is perhaps North Macedonia's most famous postcard image – the St. Naum Monastery. Built like a fortress, with thick walls protecting its interior, the monastery complex lies on the shores of Lake Ohrid and, along with Lake Ohrid and the city of Ohrid, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. We pause briefly at the wooden sculpture of St. Naum of Preslav, a disciple of St. Cyril (who designed the forerunner of the Cyrillic alphabet). The builder of the church looks somewhat unhappy – perhaps because not much remains of the original 10th-century building due to fires and destruction. We enter the complex through the large gate.
Where during the day hundreds of day tourists visit the various churches, go boating on the water, swim in the lake or visit the restaurants, in the evening it is quiet.
If you want some peace and quiet, it's best to visit the church late in the evening.
The church, dedicated to the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, is decorated with beautiful frescoes and scenes from the life and miracles of its builder. We walk alone through the various rooms of the three-aisled, cross-domed church, admiring the colorful frescoes. A deep silence spreads, and we gaze almost reverently at the gilded icons.
Info:
General information on holiday regions, accommodation and activities, also in German, can be found on the website https://macedonia-timeless.com/ger .
A valid identity card is sufficient for entry.
Arrival:
There are direct flights from Frankfurt to Skopje with Lufthansa or from Frankfurt Hahn with Wizz Air .
The journey by car takes you via Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro and Albania.
Sleeping and eating:
The region around Ohrid is well-developed for tourism. There are numerous accommodations and restaurants, which can be booked through booking.com , for example.
Those who wish can stay overnight from the beginning of May to the end of September directly in the Sveti Naum Monastery with a view of the church and the lake.
The monastery is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. from June to August and until dusk from September to May.