What are the best places to stay in North Macedonia?
By Adeline Ee. April 04, 2024
The Balkans are a fascinating place with a rich history, and North Macedonia lies at the heart of it all. A hidden gem of breathtaking landscapes, natural beauty, and ancient architecture, N. Macedonia is the off-the-beaten-path traveller’s dream come true. Most folks will head to Skopje, the quirky capital city, and Ohrid, which shares an awesome lake with Albania, but N. Macedonia is so much more than that.
Did you know that the country has more mountains than Switzerland? Also, still relatively affordable compared to its neighbours, N. Macedonia is home to unique architecture dating back hundreds of years and stunning mountain ranges like Pelister near Bitola and the Shar Mountains west of the capital city, Skopje. The highest mountain town, Krusevo, stands at 1350 m (4429 feet) and is one of the highest in the Balkans.
While N. Macedonia is a landlocked country, let’s not forget the numerous lakes including the jewel of the Balkans, Lake Ohrid, which on its banks lie lakeside cities of Struga and Ohrid. For a dose of culture, stay in Strumica, especially during the carnival during March held in the Trimeri Days which marks the start of Orthodox Lent.If you are interested in where to stay in North Macedonia you can also be interested in where to stay in Montenegro or in where to stay in Albania.
Best places to stay in North Macedonia
Skopje
If it’s your first visit to N. Macedonia, a stay in the capital is a must. Skopje is a quirky, bustling capital known for its vast collection of statues. There are a whopping 284 statues built as part of the government’s remodelling project to make Skopje more visually appealing in an effort to draw tourism.
The largest of them all stands at 23 metres high and is surrounded by water-sprouting lions. The title, “Alexander the Great”, is a controversial one and a sore subject matter with the Greeks. Politics aside, Skopje’s statue collection is one to behold and a short walk around the square will allow you a glimpse of some of them.
Nearby, you can visit Mother Teresa’s Memorial Home that was built on her 100th birthday, and stroll the cobblestone streets of the Old Bazaar that mixes N. Macedonian, Albanian, and Turkish cultures in one big marketplace.
Ohrid
For nature and architecture lovers, a stay in Ohrid is a must-do. Bordered by the magical Lake Ohrid on its west and the mountains of Galicica National Park on its east, Ohrid shares the lake with Albania and the towns of Pogradec and Lin are clearly visible from a distance.
Dominating the city’s skyline is Samuel’s Fortress, the capital of the First Bulgarian Empire during Tsar Samuel’s rule at the beginning of the 11th century. Today, the fortress is a historical monument and major tourist attraction.
The city isn’t just blessed with natural beauty, but the architecture of its Old Town is just as fascinating, dating back to Antiquity, Byzantine, or 19th century times. Let’s not forget the incredible 365 churches in the city, one for each day of the year! Don’t miss a visit to St. Naum and the Bay of Bones, both located a short drive away.
Bitola
If you like history, culture, and nature, stay a few days in Bitola. One of the largest cities in N. Macedonia, Bitola is located in the southwestern part of the country, just east of Ohrid. The city has roots tracing back to the ancient city of Heraclea Lyncestis, founded by Philip II of Macedon in the middle of the 4th century BC. The ruins of the city can still be seen a short distance away from modern-day Bitola.
Festival lovers can enjoy several events throughout the year, such as the AKTO for contemporary arts or Interfest for classical music. And for outdoor adventurers, Pelister National Park has enough hiking trails and mountain peaks to keep you busy for months.
Declared in 1948, Pelister was the first national park in Yugoslavia. The oldest and second-largest national park in N. Macedonia after Mavrovo, it is one of the leading tourist destinations in the country and home to diverse wildlife like bears, deer, wolves, rabbits, and the endemic Macedonian Pelagonia Trout.
Struga
If you want to stay by the lake but avoid the crowds at Ohrid, Struga is also located on the eastern bank of Lake Ohrid and is a 20-minute drive northwest. A peaceful, picturesque town known for its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Struga is Ohrid’s smaller neighbour.
Struga is also known for its rich literary tradition, hosting Struga Poetry Evenings, an international festival that began in 1961 and draws poets and literary figures from all around the world each year. This event showcases Struga’s enduring legacy as a platform for dialogue and cultural exchange.
The town’s history is reflected in its unique architecture and many cultural landmarks like the old bazaar to a mix of ancient churches and mosques. Of course, with Lake Ohrid right at its doorstep, Struga is a watersports enthusiast’s dream with many opportunities to swim, boat, fish, kayak, SUP, or simply lie on the beach and get a tan.
Krusevo
A stay in Krusevo is a must for history buffs and a heaven for skiers in winter. You can visit in the summer where it remains cooler than most cities or visit in winter when the town is transformed into a ski town. Krusevo sits at 1,350 m (4,429 feet) above sea level in the western part of the country just north of Bitola. It is the highest town in North Macedonia and one of the highest in the Balkans. In the Macedonian language, “Krusevo” means “place of pear trees”.
Initially part of the Byzantine Empire, the region was taken by the First Bulgarian Empire in the 9th century but went back to the Byzantium in the 11th century. Krusevo plays an important role in N. Macedonia’s history as the centre of the Ilinden Uprising against the Ottoman Empire in 1903. Today, Krusevo is a bustling town known for its interesting mix of Macedonian and Ottoman architecture and monuments to revolutionaries such as Nikola Karev and Pitu Guli.
Because of its elevation, Krusevo is also a winter destination and has a ski centre. The ski run is 618 metres long and there are countless bars, restaurants, and accommodation choices.
Strumica
For a dose of culture and festive celebrations, you can stay in Strumica, especially in March during their famous carnival. Located in the southeastern part of North Macedonia, Strumica is a city with rich cultural heritage, vibrant festivals, and natural beauty and at the heart of it all is the carnival which happens each year in March.
At the Strumica Carnival, residents don elaborate costumes and masks, transforming the city into a vibrant spectacle of colours, music, and lights. The grand parade will go through the main street and residents work for months on their costumes and masks to showcase their creativity and compete for awards.
The masks and costumes often represent characters from folklore, contemporary culture, or can be satirical in nature. The Carnival has given Strumica international recognition and attracting visitors from all over the region has put the city on the map as a centre for cultural tourism.
Our recommended hotels in North Macedonia
Use the interactive map to navigate through our recommended hotels in North MacedoniaNote: Hotel prices can change daily due to promotions, seasons, and demand. Our $ - $$$$ scale shows the overall cost range rather than exact prices.
