25 Top Places You Should Visit in Macedonia

After 3 weeks of exploring beautiful country Macedonia, I can attest to it being one of the most underrated countries in Europe. Overall, Macedonia is a country of rich history and culture, amazing nature and very friendly people. That is why I have decided to share with you this list of favorite places you should visit in Macedonia.

After you read my list of must-see places in Macedonia, you will not have a doubt about where your next trip is going to be!

1. Skopje city center

City center of Skopje was recently completely rebuilt and has some new fountains, city lighting and statues. You should visit bridges over the Vardar River, Mother Teresa Memorial House, Macedonia gate and square and old bazaar.

 

2. Skopje Fortness Kale

The Skopje Fortress also known as Kale Fortress is a historic fortress located in the old town of Skopje. It is situated on the highest point in the city with beautiful view of Skopje and Vardar River.

 

3. Matka Canyon

Matka canyon is artificial lake in Matka Valley, which is located only 12km far from Skopje. It is beautiful natural reserve. There is also Vrelo cave that could be the deepest underwater cave in the world.

 

4. Vodno mountain

Vodno Mountain is located southwest of the capital city Skopje and it is famous for local people. There are some hiking trails which lead to the top of the mountain, where Millennium cross is situated.

 

5. Millennium cross

The Millennium Cross is tall 66-metre and is situated on the top of the Vodno Mountain near Skopje. It was built to serve as a memorial of 2,000 years of Christianity in Macedonia. You can take cable car to the cross from middle Vodno.

 

6. Ohrid ancient theater

Ancient theater in Ohrid was build in 200BC and since 1980s is again a site of public performances. It is located in city center of Ohrid near Ohrid upper gate.

 

7. King Samoil Fortress in Ohrid

Samuel’s Fortress  is a fortress in the old town of Ohrid. This historical monument is a major tourist attraction in Ohrid. From the top of fortness is amazing view of city Ohrid, Lake Ohrid and mountains around.

 

8. Church St. Pantelejmon

This church in Ohrid is also known as Plaoshnik and it is famous because Cyrillic alphabet was created here and it is the site of the 1st university in Europe, which was opened in the 10th century.

 

9. St. Kaneo Church

Saint John at Kaneo is a magnificent Orthodox church, which is situated on the cliff overlooking Lake Ohrid in Ohrid.

 

10. Natural laundry in Recica

Recica is small village in municipality of Ohrid. It is only 17km far from Ohrid and it is famous for its natural laundry.

 

11. Snake Island

Snake island or Golem Grad is only one island in Macedonia in Prespa lake. It has rich fauna and flora. You can see many pelicans, snakes, turtles and black cormorants as well as some endemic species of tress there.

 

12. Saint Naum Monastery

Saint Naum Monastery was built on a high cliff above the Ohrid lake, in its southernmost point, 30 km far from Ohrid in very beautiful environment. It is possible to get there by boat trip which starts in port of Ohrid city.

 

13. Galicia National Park

Galicia National Park is situated between Lake Ohrid and Prespa Lake. There is one very famous hiking trail which leads to the top of the hill from where is beautiful view of 2 lakes on the same time.

 

14. Bitola city center

Bitola is second largest city in Macedonia and is one of the oldest cities in the country. Interesting sites in Bitola are Christian church, Towersclock, Orthodox Church of St. Demetrius and Ishak Chelebi mosque, which are very close to the the main street Shirok Sokak Street with plenty of restaurants and bars.

 

15. Ancient city of Heraclea

Ancient city Heraclea is for many people highlight in Bitola. It is only 3 km far from city center. It was important and prosperous center of commerce until a earthquake which led to its abandonment in the 6th century AD.

 

16. City Prilep

Prilep is the 4th largest city in Macedonia. It is known as “the city under Marko’s Towers” because of its proximity to the towers of Prince Marko. Interesting sites in city Prilep are 40 meters high Clock tower consider as the most beautiful one in Macedonia, Carshi Mosque and Church of Saint Blagoveshtenie.

 

17. Varosh

Varos is now suburb of Prilep, but in the Middle Ages Varos was the city and Prilep was a suburb attached to the city. In Varos you can visit Church of Saint Dimitrij and Saint Nicola church. Above Varosh is located Holy Archangel Monastery and it is also starting point for hiking to Markovi Kuli.

 

18. Holy Archangels Monastery

Holy Archangel Monastery, which is located on the rocks above Varos , is one of the most beautiful and significant cultural monuments in Macedonia. The complex consists of a church dedicated to Holy Archangel and of the dormitory. It was built in 12 century and renovated in the 19th century.

 

19. Markovi Kuli

Marko’s Towers or Markovi Kuli are situated to the northwest of Prilep above the village Varosh. The towers of Prince Marko Mrnjavčević are located on a 120-180 m high hill resemble Machu Picchu, because there are surrounded by steep slopes covered with granite stones.

 

20. Pelister national park

Pelister National Park covers an area is at altitude of 927 to 2601meters and it is located near city Bitola. There are numerous hiking trails: for children, Historical trail, Stone Trail, hiking to Pelisterski oci and Pelister peak.

 

21. Ancient city Stobi

Ancient town Stobi is most famous site in Macedonia. It is located near Gradsko on the main road heading to Thessaloniki. Stobi was strategically important as a center for both trade and warfare.

 

22. Mavrovo National Park

Mavrovo national park is the largest national park in Macedonia and is famous skiing resort. It is located near Mavrovo Lake. National Park offer hiking trails through beautiful meadows.

 

23. Sunken ancient church in Mavrovo lake

This interesting ancient church of St. Nicholas in Mavrovo Lake was the victim of an artificial lake created to supply water to a local power plant. It was built in 1850 and submerged in 1953.

 

24. Stone dolls Kuklica

This stone town resembling wedding is located 8 km northwest of Kratovo. Kuklica was formed as a result of natural erosion processes and there are 2 main legends surrounding this strange stone pillars.

 

25. Observatory Kokino

Ancient observatory Kokino in Macedonia and archaeological site is the 4^th oldest observatory in the world. It is located in altitude around 1020meters, 30 km far from city Kumanovo.