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North Macedonia holiday guide
You can find plenty of deals for holidays to North Macedonia with HolidayPirates. Whether you want a family-friendly stay or something suited to a honeymooning couple, check out our packages. With a flight time from London of about three hours, North Macedonia is closer than you may have thought.
Are holidays to North Macedonia worth it?
Although North Macedonia is less visited by British tourists than neighbouring Greece, it is a great holiday destination, nonetheless. Part of why you may not have considered booking flights to North Macedonia for a break before is that it is landlocked. With no coastline, the country more than makes up for the lack of access it has to the Mediterranean Sea, however.
Lake Ohrid is one of the country's most important tourist areas. This vast freshwater lake is located in the southwest of the country. There are two main resorts that benefit from its waters: Ohrid and Struga. If you like the idea of getting away from it all, then a trip to Vevčani Springs is a good idea. It has plenty of rural charm and is excellent for hiking.
Skopje Old Bazaar, located in the North Macedonian capital, is another top site. It is among the largest and oldest markets in the Balkans, offering an authentic local experience. Not far from it is Kale Fortress, an old fort that affords panoramic views of the cityscape. Tikveš is known for its many wineries, producing some of the Balkans' finest wines. You can book tours and tasting sessions at many of them.
North Macedonia holiday options also include skiing trips. Located in the Mavrovo National Park, Zare Lazarevski Ski Centre is one of the main resorts. It is good for advanced skiers as well as beginners. Kozuf Ski Resort, near the border with Greece, is smaller, quieter and particularly good for snowboarding.
What can you do on a family holiday in North Macedonia?
North Macedonia has good beaches that are ideal for relaxing family days. These are mostly – although not exclusively – located on Lake Ohrid. Boating, hiring row boats and renting kayaks are popular activities, both at Lake Ohrid and nearby Dojran Lake. Kids also often enjoy exploring the Roman baths and ruins at Heraclea Lyncestis. This is one of the most-visited ancient sites in the whole country. In Skopje, there is a family-friendly zoo and a great cable car that offers a thrilling ride for young and old alike.
Are North Macedonia hotels comfortable?
Overall, hotels in North Macedonia are clean and geared up to meet the needs of modern tourists. You can expect Wi-Fi and air-conditioning in most establishments. Only older hotels in lesser-visited towns tend to lack these facilities. Many mid-range hotels are listed with three stars in North Macedonia. These are usually very well-run and relatively cheap. Package deals to resort hotels will typically include transfers to and from the airport.
Tips on booking cheap flights to North Macedonia
You can get to North Macedonia from the UK directly. Nearly all services land at Skopje International Airport (SKP), ideal for exploring the capital. If you want to get to Ohrid St. Paul the Apostle Airport (OHD), then book onward travel in North Macedonia. Alternatively, it is sometimes cheaper to fly from Birmingham, Heathrow or Edinburgh to Amsterdam. You can then find services that will take you directly to Ohrid.
If you are seeking cheap flights to North Macedonia, then consider the first and last slots in the day. These tend to be the least popular times to travel. As such, they get booked up less quickly. When flights are not yet close to being fully booked, you can usually find cheaper seat prices. You may also find that flights to North Macedonia from the UK are cheaper on Tuesdays and Wednesdays than at other times of the week. This is for the same reason. They are typically less in demand.
Are Macedonia and North Macedonian different places?
Macedonia and North Macedonia are not different places. When booking North Macedonia holidays, it is worth understanding why the country is referred to in this way. A former part of Yugoslavia, the country became independent in 1991 and was known as the Republic of Macedonia. To help resolve a dispute with Greece, the country changed its name in 2018. Strictly speaking, Macedonia refers to the wider region in this part of southern Europe. The main thing to know is that there isn't a country called South Macedonia you might also consider visiting, only North Macedonia.
FAQs about North Macedonia holidays
Q: What is the best month to visit Macedonia?
A: Spring and early autumn are often considered the best times of year to visit North Macedonia. May is a particularly good month when it is warm but not too hot, and the country's flora is still in bloom. Wine lovers tend to come during harvest season in September. If you are travelling for ski-based North Macedonia holidays, then December and January are both prime months to plan a North Macedonia holiday.
Q: Is North Macedonia cheap or expensive?
A: Cheap flights to North Macedonia make it a reasonably affordable place to spend your holidays. Indeed, holidays to North Macedonia also tend to be cheaper than other parts of Europe due to the large number of mid-range hotels there. By the standards of countries like Italy and France, dining out is quite cheap, as well.
Q: What is the most beautiful place in North Macedonia?
A: Most tourists who have enjoyed North Macedonia holidays would agree that Lake Ohrid is the most beautiful place to spend time in the country. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, boating tours are the best way to explore its spectacular natural scenery.
Q: Is the euro accepted in North Macedonia?
A: The official currency in North Macedonia is the Macedonian denar (MKD). Some establishments in the most touristy places may accept euros as payment, but they tend to charge for doing so. It is better to exchange British pounds into denar ahead of travel instead.
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