Things To Do in North Macedonia

Slide down smooth rock slopes and swim in crystal-clear pools on a canyoning adventure along the riverbed. You don’t need any experience to do it – your guide will be there to show you the ropes, and all your equipment’s included. Plus, you’ll get a packed lunch too.

Spend a day in the country’s capital, where you’ll get a guided tour of the highlights – like the old bazaar, the Church of St Spas, the monument to Mother Teresa (who was born here) and the National Museum of Macedonia.

Some entrance fees and optional extras are payable locally.

The country’s second biggest city has been a cultural and political hub since the 4th century. Head off on a day trip to get a guided tour of the sights, and spot grand consulate buildings and homes that once belonged to rich merchants.

Some entrance fees and optional extras are payable locally.

See all of Lake Ohrid's highlights with this 3-day itinerary. It includes the 'A day in Albania' tour, the 'All aboard to the Monastery of St Naum' trip and the 'A visit to Galičica National Park and Bay of Bones' walk. You'll also get a bottle of local wine and a traditional dinner included.

One of the best ways to see Ohrid is on a walking tour with a local. Get your camera ready as you visit all the best bits including St Clement Square, the Church of St John at Kaneo, the Ancient Amphitheatre of Ohrid and the Church of St Sophia. As you wander along, your guide will also tell you stories of how the city got its name, who Saint Clement is and why he's celebrated, and where Ohrid pearls come from too.

Head off on a 7km guided walk in the UNESCO-protected Galičica National Park. You’ll start in Ohrid and visit the mountain villages of Konsjko and Elšani, with views of the lake and the Albanian mountains along the way. Then once you reach Peštani, you'll be driven to the Bay of Bones Museum – it’s a replica of overwater stilt houses dating back to the Bronze Age. Wander through the gardens and museum, or walk up to the remains of the fortress. The views of the national park and the lake from the top are picture-perfect – cameras at the ready.

Get unbeatable views of the lake, mountains and towns on a paragliding flight. This includes all your equipment and training from a professional instructor, and you’ll get a selfie video too so you can relive your experience at home.

Set off with a local guide to discover North Macedonia by bike on this 35km route through the mountains around Lake Ohrid. You’ll cycle past Lake Trebenista and the town of Struga, and take a break for a packed lunch along the way too.

Morning
Jump on the bus from the town centre and head into Ohrid. Spend a few hours exploring the must-visit sites, like the Church of St John at Kaneo and Tsar Samuel's Fortress.

Lunch
Take a seat outside a waterfront café for some authentic North Macedonian cooking. Try the local fresh lake fish or fill up on a pastrmalija, a pizza-style flatbread.

Afternoon
Catch the bus back to Lagadin and spend the afternoon at Green Paradise beach. Kick back on a sun lounger, go for a dip in the lake or hire a pedalo. When it's time to cool down, pop to the beach bar for a cold drink and an ice cream.

Evening
For a meal with a view, hop in a taxi and ride up into the hills of Galičica National Park to Utarna Terrace. Graze on stuffed vine leaves, zingy tomato salads and slow-cooked meat as you look out over Lake Ohrid – don't forget your camera to snap the sunset.

Cycle through villages on the northern side of the lake and see the volcano in Kosel and Trebeništa Lake on the way. There'll be plenty of stops to take pics and a coffee break by the River Drim in Struga. You'll cycle back to Ohrid on the old lakeside road, then it's a bus ride to the village of Openica, where you'll get to sample some local wines with views of the surrounding forest at the Monastery Winery.

Take to the water and follow your guide along the shore of Lake Ohrid. You’ll paddle past beaches and coves to the Bay of Bones Museum – a replica of Bronze Age homes built on stilts over the water – and the fishing village of Trpejca.

Morning
Stroll along the Old Bazaar and imagine the hustle and bustle in centuries gone by. Scour through the market stalls at the end, and for even more history, cross the road to see the Church of St George, Europe's oldest spiritual shrine.

Lunch
Once you've had your culture fix, wander back along the Black Drim River and find Pizza Angela down a cobbled alley. Order North Macedonia's take on the Italian staple, a long, stretched pizza topped with pork called pastrmalija.

Afternoon
Hop in a taxi round the lake to Radozhda and hire a stand-up paddleboard. Glide out onto the water for views of the knockout natural beauty, or go with a guide for a tour of the lake's highlights.

Evening
Head back to Struga and walk along the lakefront to Versus Beach Bar. Pick your favourite cocktail and soak up the evening buzz as you catch the sunset over Lake Ohrid. Magic.

Head over the border to Albania to spend the day on the other side of Lake Ohrid. You'll visit the lakeside city of Pogradec, and then stop by the village of Lin for lunch and a stroll. To round it all off it's a scenic ride up the west of the lake and back to Ohrid.

Take a bus transfer to Bitola and then swap to all-terrain cars for a drive through the mountains. Up at 2,200m on the Pelister peak, you’ll stop to take in the Eyes of Pelister – two mountain lakes in hollows that were carved by glaciers thousands of years ago. You can have lunch in a mountain hut as well if you like.

Some entrance fees and optional extras are payable locally.

Enjoy your welcome drink as you look out over the lake from the terrace, then tuck into a 3-course North Macedonian dinner. There'll be live music and a traditional folklore dance performance – you can even join in if you fancy. And no need to think about taxis as you'll be picked up and dropped off at your hotel.

Learn to cook traditional North Macedonian dishes using fresh, local produce. Then while you're tasting everything you've made over lunch, you'll be taught all about local wines and which ones pair best with the food. And as you're on the beach, don't forget your swimwear – there's time to sunbathe and swim in the lake too.

Get to know some of the villages around Lake Ohrid on this 7km guided walk. It takes around two and half hours, with views over the national park and lake as you go, and you’ll pass through Konjsko, Elsani and Peštani. A packed lunch is included too.

Hop aboard in Ohrid's harbour to sail to the Monastery of St Naum. You'll get a great view of the Galičica National Park along the way, and there’s a stop at the Bay of Bones Museum, too. At the monastery itself, you can see Saint Naum's tomb, wander through the gardens and snap pics of the peacocks that roam freely. Then it’s off on a rowing boat trip around the small lake next to the monastery. Afterwards, there’s some free time to tuck into lunch at one of the nearby restaurants before heading back to Ohrid.

There’s a small entrance fee for the Bay of Bones Museum which is payable locally.

Join a guided walk through the biggest national park in the Balkans. You’ll pass fields of mountain flowers and sheep, visit the village of Galičnik and get to see the ruins of a church that’s half submerged in Manrovo lake. A packed lunch is included too.