Macedonia Tours January 2025

Macedonia Travel Guide

Macedonia Tours Things To Do

• 
  Staro Nagroichane

  A small village of under 600 residents, Staro Natroichane sits in northern Macedonia. It is best known for the Church of St. George, which was first built in 1071 when Macedonia was ruled by the Byzantines. The church was reconstructed by the Serbian King Stefan from 1313 to 1318. 

  Best Time To Visit

  Early fall is an ideal time to take a tour, as the crowds are fewer and the prices are reduced.

   

  You Should Know

  The fourteenth-century St. George Church features lovely frescoes and elaborate architectural designs. Notable artists, Eutychios and Michael Astraps, created the frescoed art from 1317 to 1318. The frescoes are noted as the artists' best creations. The life of St. George and the Passion of Christ is depicted in the work.

• 
  Matka Canyon

  Matka Canyon lies west of the center of the capital of Skopje and is one of the most popular outdoor sites in Macedonia. The area is home to medieval monasteries, as well as Matka Lake, which is Macedonia's oldest artificial lake and body of water.

  Best Time To Visit

  Visit Matka Canyon when the weather is milder and the summer crowds have subsided during the month of September.

   

  You Should Know

  Matka Canyon boasts 77 indigenous types of butterflies. Also, the most venomous snake in southern Europe, the horned viper, makes Matka its home. One of the major spots for Alpine hiking, the Matka Canyon welcomes hikers from around the Easter holiday until November. Other popular outdoor pursuits include kayaking on the Treska River as well as swimming, hunting, and fishing.

• 
  The Vrelo Cave

  Listed as one of the top 77 natural sites in the world, the Vrelo Cave may be the deepest underwater cave in the world today. Vrelo represents a system of two caves – one located above the water and one below the stream. 

  Best Time To Visit

  Plan a time to visit the cave when there are fewer crowds. Usually, September is a good time for visiting the cavern.

   

  You Should Know

  The cave features many stalactites, including one named "Pine Cone," due to its shape. A gallery in the cave, called the Concert Hall, is mainly attended by bats, the cave's prominent residents. Speleologists exploring the cave system believe the cave became submerged after a dam in the river was built in 1936. The cave is part of Matka Canyon and Matka Lake. Its vertical rocks attract alpinists from all over the world.

• 
  Veles

  Veles Located in Northern Macedonia, Veles is known for its production of porcelain, lead, and silk. The city also made news during 2016. At the time, teens made up sensational news accounts on fake new sites to earn money from posted ads. Now, the city is mainly known for its historical sites and attractions.

  Best Time To Visit

  Visit Veles during the early fall, when the city draws fewer tourists and you can slow your pace while sight-seeing and visiting the attractions.

   

  You Should Know

  The St. Panteleimon Church, located on a hillside, casts a stunning white glow, inviting visitors to see its painted icons inside the sanctuary. The clock tower is the focal point of the city.

• 
  Prilep

  Known as the fourth largest city in Northern Macedonia, Prilep features a number of unforgettable attractions, one of which is the Treskavec Monastery, which sits on a hillside. The religious structure highlights spectacular views of the landscape. Frescoes, dating back to the 1300s, adorn the walls of the religious building.

  Best Time To Visit

  Early fall is the preferred travel time for a visit to Prilep.

   

  You Should Know

  Another site in Prilep to note is the St. Archangel Michael Monastery, which sits on the side of a cliff, an important cultural and religious monument. Other sights to see on a walking tour of the city include the clock tower, the Alexander the Great statue, and the Holy Metamorphosis Church. The city's Old Bazaar features interesting shops and cafes.

• 
  Krushevo

  Known as the highest city in the Balkans, Kreshevo sits about 1,350 meters or 4,430 feet above sea level. The city's small streets, cafes, and eateries give the place a memorable atmosphere. One of the town's landmarks is the Meckin Kamen Statue, which honors Pitu Guli, who fought the Ottomans to protect the town.

  Best Time To Visit

  Plan an early fall visit to the city when there not as many people and the pace slows down.

   

  You Should Know

  Krushevo has a mild continental type climate, which means the average summer temperature is around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The average temperature in the winter is 27 degrees Fahrenheit. You can safely drink tap water in the city.

• 
  Bitola

  Bitola is a city of contrasts. The second-largest and oldest city in northern Macedonia, Bitola features ancient Ottoman buildings and contemporary structures. Many tours first visit the Bitola Museum, which features exhibits of the area's most historical and cultural treasures. The building once was used as a high school before it was home to a military academy, and finally, a museum. A visit to the ruins of Heraclea Lyncestis is part of the city tour, one of the best authentic examples of an ancient Macedonian city.

  Best Time To Visit

  If you want to go when the trip prices are lower and the crowds are fewer, book a tour in September or October.

   

  You Should Know

  The walk-friendly city features a pedestrian boulevard that is full of cafes and unique shops. It sits in the southwest section of Northern Macedonia and is hemmed in by the Baba, Kajmakcalan, and Nidze mountains. The city is only about 14 kilometers or 9 miles north of the Medzitlija-Niki border crossing for Greece.

• 
  Orhid and Orhid Lake

  Any Macedonian tour would be incomplete without seeing the city of Ohrid and Ohrid Lake. Ancient Romans named the lake "Lyhnidas," or the "Light Lake." Two prominent tourist attractions include the churches of St. John and St. Nicolas, and the mosque Halveti Hayati Tekke. The city is well-known for its 356 Orthodox churches, many constructed during the Byzantine period. Believers were said to have a church for each day of the year.

  Best Time To Visit

  If you want to save money, visit Ohrid and Ohrid Lake is during the fall when the weather and crowds are milder.

   

  You Should Know

  During the time when the Ottomans reigned, the city expanded on the hillsides and next to the lake. The houses were built in a way that created tunnels, narrowed streets, and small yards on the precipitous terrain. Each house was said to have a good view of Ohrid Lake. Today, the city is known for its lake view, its unique architecture, and for the castle that resides on the hill, called Samuel's Fortress.

• 
  The Bay of Bones Museum

  A floating museum, the Bay of Bones Museum is a prehistoric recreation of a village featuring artifacts from the Bronze and Iron ages. The antiquities were retrieved from Lake Ohrid. "Bay of Bones" references the number of animal remains that were discovered at the site.

  Best Time To Visit

  Mark your travel calendar for early fall if you plan to visit the museum.

   

  You Should Know

  The prehistory museum features stilt houses, which depict a settlement that dates back to between 1200 and 70 B.C. Therefore, the museum allows visitors to learn more about prehistory and how people lived during the period.

Macedonia Tour Packages

• Spring/Fall - March to April & September to November

  Many travelers, who wish to enjoy a slower and more relaxed pace, choose to see Macedonia during September and October. If you visit during April, you are apt to get hit with an unexpected shower. Also, winters in Macedonia can be bitterly cold. Therefore, summer and fall are the best times to take a trip.

• Summer - June to August - Best Season

  Most families plan to travel to Macedonia during the summer when their kids are on summer vacation. It is also easier to break away from work responsibilities in the summertime. However, if you are retired or do not have kids, your best travel choice is usually a tour during the early fall.

Macedonia Tours Frequently Asked Questions

• What are Macedonia Tours?

  Macedonia tours typically last about seven days and cover interesting Macedonian cities and attractions, including Skopje, the capital. You can see castles, galleries, and natural sites when you choose to tour the small but culturally rich country.

• What’s Included in a Macedonia Tour?

  Your tour of Macedonia will include ground transport, hotel costs, and the admission prices for attractions. You will be escorted by a tour guide who speaks both the local language and English. To make the most of your tour experience, consult with a travel representative before making your travel plans.

• What’s the Best Macedonia Tour?

  The best Macedonia tour is a trip that features places of interest to you that will accommodate your travel availability and budget, Top providers, such as Globus and Tauck, feature itineraries to Macedonia as well as other Balkan locales.

• How Much Do Macedonia Tours Cost?

  It costs about $2,000 per person if you visit Macedonia for 9 days on an all-inclusive tour. That price is an average. Your cost will increase or decrease, depending on the length of stay, amenities, and total travel time.