Backpacking through North Macedonia

Although my goal is to travel to each country on earth, I never could’ve imagined I’d be in North Macedonia this early in my journey. So, how did I end up here? Well, due to Covid, American citizens are severely limited from visiting much of the world, except North Macedonia and a few other countries. It didn’t take much to convince me to head over to the Balkans again, especially since my first experience in Bulgaria wasn’t too great. I decided to give the region another shot. 

You may be wondering, “What is there to even see or do in North Macedonia?” It obviously isn’t as jam packed as its western European counterparts, but North Macedonia has a unique history being a part of the former Yugoslavia.

How much do you need in North Macedonia?

You’ll be happy to know that this is one of, if not, the cheapest country in Europe. You can easily live off $50 a day. A nice apartment or hotel will go for under $35, while local meals average under $5. Bus rides through the city are extremely cheap; however, you can walk pretty much anywhere.

What to do and see in North Macedonia?

1) Skopje

The capital is a must-see. You can easily spend 2 days here just getting lost in the city. There are a number of museums in town and even a free walking tour, which I took advantage of. I highly recommend it, as you’ll be well versed in Macedonian history after just 3 hours. 

The bazaar is a neat place to shop and eat at. It’s been Skopje’s center for trade and commerce since the 12th century.

2) Try Shopska Salad & Tavče-gravče

• North Macedonia is known for having some of the world’s best tomatoes, so a traditional salad is a must have. 
• Tavče-gravče is the country’s national dish. It consists of butter beans, peppers, oil, salt, and other spices. While it doesn’t look too appetizing, it’s actually quite good! Tavče-gravče with fresh bread and a shopska salad is the best way to experience the culture. 

3) Visit Ohrid!

This is the grand finale of any Macedonian adventure. Known as the “Jerusalem of the Balkans”, Ohrid is a small town with a lot to offer. It’s no wonder why it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll need at least two solid days here.

To get to Ohrid from Skopje, head to the main bus station near the city center and purchase a ticket to Ohrid. The ticket will cost 520 Macedonia dinars or $10 and takes about 3 hours. From the bus station in Ohrid, you can take a short ride into the city center, which is about $5.

Get lost in the old city, have coffee by Lake Ohrid, and try to see most of the churches. The most iconic one is Church of St. John at Kaneo, which makes for a pretty neat photo as well. If you can, stay in a hotel overlooking the lake! It will be more pricey, but worth every penny. 

From Ohrid you’re only 2.5 hours from Tirana, Albania, which is where I went after. To get here you can take a taxi for $100 or you can take a bus from a nearby city (Struga), which departs at 4:30 AM, but takes significantly longer. The ride is about 10 euros.

I highly recommend crossing the border into Albania if you have time. Read about my journey here.

Overall thoughts on North Macedonia?

North Macedonia is a solid place to visit, but what makes the country so special are the locals. The average Macedonian is extremely friendly and welcoming to foreign guests. Here, you don’t have to worry about scams, dishonest taxi drivers, petty theft or anything like that. My interactions with locals were very positive, many just hope you enjoy everything their country has to offer.