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7 nights
Sights in North Macedonia you've got to see for yourself
The tiny country of North Macedonia blends Balkan culture with Mediterranean vibes, thanks to its position tucked just above Greece. It’s one of Europe’s lesser-known spots, but it’s home to peaceful lakes, national parks filled with wildlife and age old towns packed with history. Whether you want to soak up the far-reaching lake views, tap into local culture or treat your tastebuds with traditional dishes, a trip to North Macedonia is a brilliant way to to see a different side to Europe.
A lake with impressive credentials
North Macedonia's biggest lake is Lake Ohrid, which is also the deepest in the Balkans and the oldest in Europe too, dating back 3-5 million years. And it’s a natural beauty too, smack-bang in the middle of the Galičica mountains with crystal-clear water that you’ll want to jump right into for a swim.
You'll find the town of Ohrid on the shore of the lake. Wander through the cobbles of the Old Town and past distinctive stone buildings with bright terracotta roofs. And to really learn about the city, book on to a guided tour. You’ll see all the important sites and hear stories of Ohrid’s history and culture from a local.
Waterfront cafés and restaurants line the lake shore in Ohrid, and it’s the perfect spot to linger over lunch with a front-row view of the lake. A top contender for the best al fresco dining spot has to be Kaneo Letna Bavcha, where you can tuck into fresh fish and other authentic Macedonian dishes on the terrace overlooking the lake and the Church of St John.
The eastern shore of the lake is backed by the pine trees of the Galičica National Park. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has walking trails right up to the peaks, which reach over 2,000m high.
Age-old sites with stories to tell
Head up to Tsar Samuel’s Fortress to walk along the high stone walls and take in the view over the lake and surrounding mountains. It was the capital of the First Bulgarian Empire in the 11th century, and its position, perched on the hillside 100m above the lake, helped it to protect the city.
Just below the fortress is the 13th century Church of St John at Kaneo, which has one of the best views over the lake. You can walk to it easily from the Old Town, and it’s a real must when you’re in Ohrid. It’s strikingly beautiful all day long, but our favourite time to visit is dusk – there’s something special about the way it lights up against the sky.
The Church of St Sophia is right in the centre of the Old Town, and it’s one of the most important monuments in the whole of the country. Go inside to see painted murals dating back to the Middle Ages, then head back out to stroll around the pretty gardens – look carefully and you might spot tortoises roaming the lawns.
With its rounded turrets, the Church of Saints Clement and Panteleimon almost looks like a castle. Saint Clement is the patron saint of North Macedonia, and he used it as a place to teach his disciples Old Church Slavonic – the first Slavic language – so this is one of the most sacred churches in the country, and you can go inside to see his tomb for yourself.
In Roman times, the Ancient Theatre of Ohrid was the stage for gladiator fights. The lower section is still intact, so you can sit on the steps and imagine the roar of the crowd watching the games. And back in the day, some of the seats would have been reserved for the city’s richest families – look closely and you can still see their names engraved in the stone.
A must-do on a trip to Lake Ohrid is the Bay of Bones Museum – it’s a replica of Bronze Age homes, built on stilts over the water. Inside, there’s a museum where you can see 3,000-year-old artefacts that divers have recovered from the bottom of the lake. Learn all about the prehistoric community, then head outside to wander over the wooden bridge and through the buildings.
Lake lookouts and beach spots
Take a ferry across to the Monastery of St Naum, towards the southern end of Lake Ohrid, near the Albanian border. It’s surrounded by gardens where you’ll see fountains, lookout spots with fab views of the lake and even peacocks roaming around.
And there are some great beaches along the shoreline too. When you’ve explored the monastery, pop down to St Naum’s sandy beach to relax in the sun before hopping back on the ferry at the end of the day. In Ohrid, you’ll find the pebbly Sairaste beach just steps from the Old Town, and Potpesh and Kaneo beaches a few minutes’ walk down the wooden promenade, tucked against the cliff edge.
Find out more about North Macedonia or check out our Lake Ohrid deals to make it your next holiday spot.
Head to our Lakes & Mountains homepage to discover more about our favourite holidays.
Author: Lulu Arnett-Morrice
Last updated: 25/03/2024