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Travel Guide
Visiting North Macedonia
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Top Attractions in North Macedonia
The most iconic and unmissable experiences this country has to offer.
UNESCO World Heritage
Lake Ohrid and Old Town
Lake Ohrid is one of Europe's deepest and oldest lakes, home to more than 200 endemic species and inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List alongside the surrounding cultural landscape. The hillside old town clusters centuries of Byzantine and medieval architecture together, with the Church of St John at Kaneo perched dramatically above the water providing one of the most photographed views in the Balkans. Wandering the cobblestone lanes between ancient churches, Roman-era ruins at Plaosnik, and the ramparts of Samuil's Fortress gives visitors a layered sense of the town's role as a religious and intellectual centre throughout the medieval period.
Skopje Old Bazaar
The Stara Carsija is one of the largest and best-preserved Ottoman bazaars in the Balkans, tracing its origins to the 12th century when Skopje was a significant trade hub on regional routes. Roughly 30 mosques, three caravanserais, and several hammams are woven through its narrow cobblestone lanes alongside craft workshops, jewellery stalls, and traditional teahouses. The quarter sits immediately north of the Stone Bridge, making it easy to combine with a walk along the Vardar River and the museums that line the southern bank.
Wise
Your bank marks up every USD you spend in North Macedonia. Wise doesn't.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free ATM withdrawals up to your limit
- Pay in local currency at the real rate
4.8 ★ App Store·4.8 ★ Google Play
Airalo eSIM
Your phone plan was built for home. This one was built for North Macedonia.
- No SIM swapping
- No data roaming charges
- Active in minutes
4.7 ★ App Store·4.6 ★ Google Play
Health & Safety
Health & Emergency Info
Before You Travel
Before you travel check that: your destination can provide the healthcare you may need you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. Emergency medical number Dial 194 and ask for an ambulance. Contact your insurance or medical assistance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment. Vaccine recommendations and health risks At least 8 weeks before your trip check: the latest information on vaccinations and health risks in TravelHealthPro’s North M
Full health advice (FCDO) →Emergency Numbers
Police192
Ambulance194
Fire193
Health information sourced from UK FCDO. Always consult a travel health professional before departure.
Practical Info
Travel Essentials
Travel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting North Macedonia
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the North Macedonia page at Yoogo.
North Macedonia uses the Macedonian denar (MKD), which is not widely available outside the country, so it is best to exchange money on arrival. Card payments are accepted in most hotels, larger restaurants, and shops in Skopje and Ohrid, but smaller towns and rural areas still rely heavily on cash.
North Macedonia is generally considered a safe destination, ranking favourably on regional safety indices, with violent crime against tourists being rare. Petty theft such as pickpocketing can occur in busy areas of Skopje, so standard precautions with valuables are sensible.
Buses are the primary form of public transport between cities, with reliable routes connecting Skopje, Ohrid, Bitola, and other towns. Renting a car is the most practical way to explore the national parks and rural areas, as public transport coverage is limited outside the main corridors.
Late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September) offer the most comfortable temperatures for sightseeing, with warm and largely dry conditions across the country. July and August are the busiest and hottest months, particularly around Lake Ohrid, while winter brings skiing opportunities to Mavrovo and Popova Sapka.
Macedonian is the primary official language, written in a Cyrillic script adapted for Macedonian sounds, while Albanian holds co-official status at the national level. English is spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants in Skopje and Ohrid, though knowledge of it is more limited in smaller towns.
No vaccinations are specifically required for entry into North Macedonia, though ensuring routine immunisations are up to date is recommended before any international travel. Tap water in cities is generally safe to drink, though many travellers opt for bottled water in rural areas.
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory; in restaurants it is common to round up the bill or leave around 10 per cent for good service. Tipping taxi drivers is not customary, though rounding up the fare is a friendly gesture.
Local SIM cards from providers such as A1 and Telekom are widely available and affordable, offering good 4G coverage in urban areas and along main roads. eSIM options through providers such as Airalo are a convenient alternative for travellers who prefer not to swap physical cards.