7 Days & 3 Cities (from a Local)

North Macedonia is a small country nestled in the Balkans. Even though it’s not that well known, if you’ve heard of it, you’ve likely added it to your bucket list! But you may wonder how to plan a trip to Macedonia. If that’s the case, this 7-day Macedonia itinerary will be super useful to you!

I’ve lived in Macedonia for most of my life and have traveled extensively around the country. I’ve even done this exact itinerary, start to finish, so I can share my personal experience and provide some helpful tips.

In this 7-day itinerary, I will talk about the top 3 cities/towns you should be visiting but also recommend the best things to do in each town and the ultimate hotels. On top of that, I will tell you how to get from one place to another, so you don’t need to worry about any aspect of your trip.

Macedonia is becoming more and more popular with each passing year, so I highly recommend you book your trip in advance. So hurry up and book your flights, hotels, and activities – the sooner, the better!

Finally, I want to point out that this itinerary is customizable – so if you have more time to spend in my beautiful homeland, you’ll find my recommendations at the end of this post.

NOTE: The country’s official name is North Macedonia, but residents and local media use Macedonia to refer to the country. Both are used interchangeably in the article – don’t let that confuse you!

Days: 7
Cost: ~€600 if traveling on a tight budget, around €750 for mid-range travelers, infinity and beyond if you are a luxury traveler
Transportation: car or bus (car recommended)
Best luxury hotels in the itinerary: Skopje, Ohrid, Bitola
Best mid-range hotels: Skopje, Ohrid, Bitola
Best budget accommodation: Skopje, Ohrid, Bitola

Quick Picks for Your Stay

These are all the stops on this 7-day North Macedonia itinerary:

(I recommend doing this itinerary by car, but you can also do it by bus – more on this later)

• Day 1-2: Skopje
• Day 3: Leave Skopje + arrive in Ohrid
• Day 3-5: Explore Ohrid
• Day 6: Leave Ohrid + arrive in Bitola
• Day 7: Leave Bitola + arrive at Skopje International Airport

Day 1-2: Skopje

• Why visit: museums, nightlife, architecture
• Key activity: Visiting the Old Bazaar
• Estimated daily budget: €70

Skopje is the capital and largest city in North Macedonia and has plenty to offer to travelers. It’s a city bustling with life at any time of the year, and you’ll get to experience its lively nightlife, rich dining scene, and plenty of cultural attractions.

Regardless of where you’re coming from, you’ll likely land in Skopje. Most flights to North Macedonia touch down at Skopje International Airport – I personally use Skyscanner to find and compare the available flights.

For this itinerary, I recommend spending 2 full days in Skopje, then leaving on the 3rd day and driving to Ohrid. During these 2 days, you’ll see the city’s top attractions, try delicious food, and even have a fun night out.

However, if you have some more time to explore Macedonia, I recommend spending an extra day in Skopje (more on this later). Doing this will give you more time to explore some of the city’s museums and parks.

Below, you’ll find my recommendations on what to do in Skopje for both days you’ll be staying here. My favorite thing to do in Skopje is to explore the Old Bazaar, which has its unique architecture and countless lovely shops and eateries.

Most of the attractions recommended in the itinerary are located in and around the city center, so you can reach most places by walking. But when you need to cover longer distances (e.g., going up to the Kale Fortress), it’s best if you drive. I recommend renting a car at the airport as soon as you land and using the same car for the rest of your trip.

Although there are public buses in Skopje, they are not too reliable, so driving is definitely the more convenient option. The traffic can get hectic, especially in the early morning or in the afternoon, so if you want to avoid that, it’s best to get a taxi. You can get a fair price and reliable service through WelcomePickups – a service we at MissTourist really like!

NOTE: Since I recommend driving for the whole itinerary, you’ll need to think about parking. All of the hotels featured in this post offer free parking, and if you need public parking, you can pay with your phone. In order to pay for parking, you’ll need a Macedonian phone number – you can get one from A1 or T-Mobile, then top up your account online.

Day 1 in Skopje

• Start with a visit to Macedonia Square (map) and admire all the monuments
• Stop by the Triumph Arch Macedonia (map) and snap some photos
• Visit the Mother Theresa Memorial House
• Enjoy a traditional Macedonian lunch at Restaurant Skopski Merak (map)
• Admire the Stone Bridge (map), one of the top landmarks in the city
• Spend the afternoon exploring the Old Bazaar (map)
• Try traditional Turkish coffee at Café „Ottoman“ (map)

Day 2 in Skopje

• Start the day with a warm ‘simit pogacha’ at Furna Bit Pazar (map)
• Go up to the Kale Fortress and join a half-day guided tour of the Millenium Cross and Matka Canyon
• Treat yourself to a delicious Lahmacun at Gallery 7 (map)
• Have a fun night out at Night Club Marakana (map)

Optional extras

Want to spend an extra day in Skopje? Here are my suggestions:

NOTE: If you want to spend your extra day in Skopje on a day trip to a different destination, explore the nearby town of Tetovo or cross the border into Kosovo and visit the capital, Pristina.

Where to stay in Skopje

Below, you’ll find my list of the best hotels in Skopje in each price category. However, if you need more recs, you can check out our dedicated post on the best places to stay in Skopje!

• Hotel Macedonia Square ($$$) – this 4-star hotel is in a convenient location for exploring the city center and offers comforts such as spa treatments, access to a fitness center, and airport transfers
• Pelister Skopje ($$) – situated on the city’s main square, the hotel provides a restaurant and a bar, as well as rooms with private bathrooms, cable TV, and free Wi-Fi access
• Mickitos Urban Hostel ($) – stay in shared dormitories and get access to a communal kitchen, an on-site ATM, and a currency exchange. Guests will also benefit from free Wi-Fi and on-site parking, available at an extra cost

Day 3-5: Leave Skopje and drive to Ohrid

• Time: 3,5h by car or 3h by bus
• Distance: 201 km (125 mi)
• How to get there: driving ~€45 (rental car €20 + gas €25 + €1 tolls), bus will be €15 per person
• Why visit: history, architecture, nature
• Key activity: A boat tour of the lake
• Estimated daily budget: €90

On day 3 of your stay in Macedonia, you’ll leave the capital city behind you and head to Ohrid, the country’s most cherished treasure. Situated on the stunning Lake Ohrid, the town is listed as both a Cultural and Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This is a charming place with a rich history and a must-visit when in Macedonia.

Ohrid is my No.1 spot in Macedonia, so I recommend you spend 1 evening and 2 full days in town. That means that you’ll be leaving Ohrid on the 6th and second-to-last day on the itinerary and heading to the final stop, Bitola. But before you leave, you have to go on a lake cruise and see some of the town’s most famous churches and monasteries.

The best way to get from Skopje to Ohrid is by car. It’s far more comfortable than the bus, and it can be faster if you take the shorter route (see route map). However, I recommend taking a longer route through Mavrovo National Park and making a stop at Bigorski Monastery (see route map).

Even though the 2nd route takes longer, the drive is super scenic and definitely worth the extra time! I’ve taken this route quite a few times, and it never ceases to amaze me! The nature in Mavrovo is stunning, regardless of what time of year you’re traveling.

Since this is a longer route, I’m sure you’ll be glad to stop and rest. And there’s no better place for it than Bigorski Monastery (map). This is one of the oldest monasteries in the country and, in my opinion, the most impressive one.

After you visit the monastery, you can enjoy a traditional Macedonian lunch at the nearby restaurant, then get back on the road.

Considering that the scenic route takes quite a while and you’ll be making a stop along the way, you’ll arrive in Ohrid in the afternoon. Once you’re there, you’ll have just enough time to rest a little, then go out for dinner and a relaxing stroll along the lake.

NOTE: Seeing as you’ll be driving for the entirety of the trip, you may be concerned about gas. Well, no worries, as there are plenty of gas stations in all the towns where you’ll be staying, as well as along the road. The prices are displayed at each station, so you can easily calculate how much your fuel top-up will cost.

All of the accommodations I recommend for staying in Ohrid are in the city center, so you can explore most of the things on foot. You’ll be spending a lot of time in Varosh/ Old Town, and cars aren’t allowed there anyway! But you’ll definitely need your car on day 5 when you drive along the coast to the Bay of Bones and St. Naum.

TIP: When you don’t feel like driving and want to take a taxi, don’t jump into the first one you see. You can ask your hotel or the restaurant to call you a reputable taxi, and you should insist they turn on the meter. The regular fare includes 60 MKD (€1) starting price, plus 30 MKD (€0.50) per kilometer. Be wary of this, as taxi scams are common in tourist spots.

If you decide to stay in Ohrid a bit longer – I totally get you! There’s a lot to see in town, and there are many opportunities for day trips, too. Some of the most popular destinations for a day trip from Ohrid are the towns of Korçë and Pogradec in Albania and the village of Vevcani – all great options for customizing your itinerary.

Day 3 (the drive from Skopje to Ohrid + an evening in Ohrid)

• Take the scenic drive from Skopje through Mavrovo National Park (map) to Ohrid
• Stop at Bigorski Monastery St John the Baptist (map)
• Have a traditional baked beans lunch, ‘tavche gravche’ at the House of Mijaks (map)
• Arrive in Ohrid and have a relaxing stroll along Park Bay Macedonia (map)
• Grab a bite to eat at Irish Pub Dublin (map)

Subscribe here to get up to 35% off your accommodation for your next trip!

Day 4-5: Explore Ohrid

Start the days early, grab some breakfast, and head out to explore.

Day 4 in Ohrid

• Head to Ohrid City Square (map) and get a feel of the city
• Embark on a panoramic boat tour of the Old Town
• Visit the Robevci Family House
• Try the famous Ohrid trout and gomleze at Restaurant St. Sofija (map)
• Admire the frescoes at the Church of Saint Sophia (map)
• Go up to the Church of Saint John the Theologian (map) and stay for the sunset view
• End the day with dinner at Kaneo Restaurant (map)

Day 5 in Ohrid

• Drive along the coast to the Museum The Bay of Bones
• Visit the Monastery Saint Naum (map) and admire the views
• Enjoy a delicious meal at Restaurant „Ostrovo“ (map)
• Get back into town and watch the sunset from Old City Park (map)
• End the day with dinner and drinks at Noa Lounge Bar (map)

Where to stay in Ohrid

Check out the top hotels for staying in Ohrid:

• City Palace Hotel ($$$) – this upscale hotel is situated directly on the promenade along Lake Ohrid and offers stunning views of the lake or the mountains, plus room service, a delicious complimentary breakfast, and free parking
• Villa Amfora ($$) – this comfortable aparthotel is nestled in a quiet location and offers stylish rooms with air conditioning and private bathrooms. Guests can enjoy a meal in the outdoor dining area or grab a hot drink from the on-site coffee shop
• Guest House Ginek ($) – this budget-friendly guest house is in a central location and it offers Wi-Fi and parking free of charge. It also features a 24-hour front desk and barbecue facilities.

Day 6: Leave Ohrid and arrive in Bitola

• Time: 1h 15 mins by car or 2h by bus
• Distance: 69 km (43 mi)
• How to get there: driving ~€35 (rental car €20 + gas €10), bus will be €6 per person
• Why visit: architecture, ancient ruins
• Key activity: Visiting Heraclea Lyncestis
• Estimated daily budget: €60

The last stop on this itinerary will take you to Bitola, my hometown! It’s an important historical town that boasts well-preserved Ottoman-style architecture and a few notable landmarks and has a very distinct coffee-drinking culture.

The ultimate way to travel from Ohrid to Bitola is by car – the drive is not too long, and the road is in good condition. A car is also the ideal solution for getting around the city; even though public buses are available, they’re not that great.

You’ll have just an overnight stay in Bitola, so be sure to make the most of it! Seeing as the drive from Ohrid to Bitola takes just a little over an hour, you’ll have almost the entire day to explore the town. A day will be enough to see and do everything recommended below, but if you’re short on time, you can skip an activity.

However, even if you decide to skip something, you need to find the time to visit Heraclea Lyncestis, an ancient city dating back to the 4th century BC. This is one of the top places to visit in Macedonia, and you’ll be grateful you took the time to explore it!

One final thing – when in Bitola, and anywhere in Macedonia for that matter – don’t skip the food! I may be biased when I say this, but traditional Macedonian food is delicious; I suggest you try as many different dishes as possible.

Day 6 in Bitola

• Walk around the Clock Tower (map) and admire its architecture
• Stroll down through Shirok Sokak (map), the town’s main street
• Explore the collections at the NI Institute and Museum Bitola
• Grab a drink or a snack at Jagoda Meze Bar (map)
• Visit the archeological site Heraclea Lyncestis (map)
• Enjoy a lovely dinner with shopska salad and rakija at Hotel Sumski Feneri (map)

Where to stay in Bitola

Here are some great accommodation options for your stay in Bitola:

• Grand Central Hotel ($$$) – each of the rooms at this 4-star hotel has air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom, plus provides city views. You’ll also benefit from having a bar and a restaurant on-site
• VIP Apartments Bitola ($$) – offering individually designed apartments with spacious bathrooms and a kitchen, this apartment complex also provides access to a garden and offers bicycle rentals
• Stone Bridge Apartments ($) – all the apartments at this property feature air-conditioning, cable TV, and a private bathroom. Some apartments also have balconies, while all guests get free Wi-Fi and parking

Day 7: Leave Bitola and head to Skopje International Airport

• Time: 2h by car
• Distance: 157 km (98 mi)
• How to get there: driving ~€39 (rental car €20 + gas €15 + €4 tolls)
• Estimated daily budget: €10

On the final day of the itinerary, you’ll need to say goodbye to beautiful Macedonia. Start your day bright and early, grab some breakfast (I recommend getting some burek), and get ready to leave Bitola for Skopje.

I advise you to book a flight in the late afternoon or evening so you have enough time to drive from Bitola to Skopje Airport. For this part of the trip, you’ll definitely need to drive – there isn’t any direct transportation from Bitola to the airport, and going by 2 different buses will take too long (and cost more than it should).

If your flight is in the late afternoon or the evening, and you have the time to make one last stop before you leave, stop at the ancient Macedonian city Stobi (map). This is just a short detour from the freeway, and you can spend some time exploring the ancient ruins.

That’s it – after exploring Macedonia for a week, it’s time to go home! That is, unless you decide to extend your trip and stay a few extra days – more ideas on how to customize the itinerary are in the following section.

You can also opt to continue your trip to Albania – many people visit Macedonia and Albania in one go. More details about the Albanian leg of your trip are available in our detailed Albania itinerary!

Customizing the itinerary: 10-day Macedonia itinerary

If you have more time to explore Macedonia, you can easily add 3 more days to the trip and get a 10-day itinerary. Although there are plenty more things I can recommend for Macedonia vacation, these are the top 3 things you should add to your itinerary:

• Spend an extra day in Skopje and explore some of the city’s museums
• Go on a day trip from Ohrid to Vevcani and spend a day exploring the village
• Take a day trip from Bitola to Kruševo, one of the highest towns in the Balkans

There are many other exciting things to do in Macedonia and cool places to visit, so if you need more suggestions, feel free to ask!

FAQs about creating a Macedonia Itinerary

Final thoughts on the ultimate Macedonia itinerary

We’ve reached the end of my Macedonia itinerary! I hope that my insights will be helpful on your next trip and that you’ll fall in love with my country!

Once you decide to visit Macedonia, hurry up and book a flight, your hotel, and any tours you want to take. Not only will this guarantee you a spot, but it will also secure you the best deals – it’s a win-win.

In case you have any questions or need more recommendations on what to visit, where to stay, and what to eat – leave a comment below. I’ll get back to you ASAP with all the answers!

Have fun on your Macedonian adventure,

Hristina

Pin it for later!

Pin it for later!