Money and payments
Cards and cash
Most cities and towns have ATMs.
Tipping
Tipping is not seen as essential, but it is always welcomed.
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Europe · Southeast EuropeOutline guideCountry in Southeastern Europe
Photo: Peter Fitzgerald, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Republic of North Macedonia (Macedonian: Северна Македонија, Severna Makedonija), mostly still referred to as simply Macedonia by its residents, is a landlocked country in the heart of the Balkans. The country has an ethnically diverse population (a Macedonian Slav majority, with minority populations of Albanians, Turks, Romani, and others) sharing an often ruggedly beautiful landscape. Architecture from the bygone eras of the Ottoman Empire and socialist Yugoslavia remains and now contrasts with the modern structures of independent Macedonia. Relative to other European nations, Macedonia is off the beaten path, and tourist infrastructure is underdeveloped and occasionally challenging to navigate.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about North Macedonia.
Cards and cash
Most cities and towns have ATMs.
Tipping
Tipping is not seen as essential, but it is always welcomed.
Macedonian
Macedonian is the official and national language, and is spoken in various dialects across each corner of the country.
SectionID=497, available prepaid (without a monthly fee, 12 months availability without recharge, recharging for only 500 denar/€8) and postpaid.
Mobile networks
Water is safe to drink and there are public drinking water fountains in most public places.
Water is safe to drink and there are public drinking water fountains in most public places. It is advisable to wash all fruit and vegetables.
It is advisable to simply refer to the country as "Macedonia". The "north" part of the name, added in 2019 to resolve a naming dispute with Greece, has not made it into everyday use among Macedonians and may never do so.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the nation's capital, home to many historic landmarks and monuments, and the typical starting point for exploring the rest of the country
Macedonia's most quintessentially "European" town, with ancient ruins, Ottoman monuments, a lovely pedestrian promenade, great nightlife, and more
a picturesque town located in an extinct volcano crater, where stone bridges and clock towers watch over a lively river
a museum-city nestled high in the mountains of southwestern Macedonia; symbolically significant in Macedonian history as the site of a revolt against the Ottoman Empire; also home to great skiing
a lakeside resort and UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is considered the jewel in Macedonia's crown. Historically a destination for religious scholarship and pilgrimage, today a destination for unparalleled swimming and sunbathing
tobacco fields, medieval fortifications and monasteries, and strange rocks
hosting a large student population, making it an enduring cultural center and an exception among eastern Macedonia's aging and depopulating cities
home to historic sites and a colorful costume parade each March
consists of the mountainous land between Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa.
a unique, though depopulated, region of southern Macedonia
the largest of North Macedonia's national parks. It is home to the country's highest peak Golem Korab, the World Heritage Site Dlaboka Reka Beech Forest, as well as several picturesque villages and monasteries.
separates Bitola from Prespa. It covers the Baba Mountain area and features two glacial lakes known as "Mountain Eyes" that feed multiple rivers.
contains most of the Great Prespa Lake, shared by neighbouring countries. Galičica to the west and Pelister to the east complement the scenery provided by the lake.
a prehistoric observatory, medieval churches, massive rocks, and important memorials
an ancient city that is now one of the largest archaeological sites in the country.
historic mountain village known for its natural springs, its 1,400-year-old annual carnival and its attempts at autonomy
Places in North Macedonia on the World Heritage List.
Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe
Listed 2007
Markovi Kuli
Kokino
Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid region
Listed 1979
Slatinski Izvor
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
This central region consists of most of the area along the Vardar River, which bisects the country. Skopje, North Macedonia's capital and largest city, lies in the north of this region. Veles is downstream, with the ancient city of Stobi nearby. The south contains most of Macedonia's domestic wine industry, in and around Kavadarci.
Hosting many of Macedonia's tourist attractions, in particular the three national parks and the World Heritage Site of Ohrid, and some rural areas of interest, such as Kruševo and Mariovo. The northwest includes much of the country's ethnic Albanian population, while the southwest includes two of the country's three major lakes, Ohrid and Prespa. Tetovo and Bitola are both major and accessible cities, and deserve a visit.
Less frequented by tourists but home to major sites in the northeast, including the Kokino prehistoric observatory and Osogovo Monastery. The cities of Strumica and Štip are known among Macedonians for quirky dialects and tasty pastrmajlija, an oval-shaped pie. In the southeast, Gevgelija is famous for its casinos, while Dojran is home to the country's third major lake.
Public transport and paid services in North Macedonia.
By train
Small yellow stations with brown roofs dot the Macedonian landscape, visited by short trains as they trundle through tunnels and along rivers.
By bus
Perhaps the most common way of travelling in the country, the buses are frequent and quite reliable, if sometimes a bit slow and old.
By boat
There are plenty of boats for charter around Lake Ohrid and will show you the whole lake for a cheap price.
By taxi
Taxis are perhaps the most common mode of transport in North Macedonia among tourists. Most will usually charge a flat rate of 30 denar (in Skopje 50 denar) with the extra kilometres added on.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in North Macedonia.
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Other ways to travel:By thumbBy bicycle
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Ilinden · International · SKP
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Skopje
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 3° | 5° | 10° | 15° | 20° | 25° | 29° | 30° | 24° | 18° | 11° | 4° |
| Avg. low | -5° | -4° | -1° | 4° | 9° | 13° | 16° | 16° | 11° | 6° | 1° | -4° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 77 | 68 | 73 | 66 | 76 | 57 | 37 | 39 | 68 | 88 | 97 | 85 |
| Humidity | 89% | 86% | 80% | 75% | 72% | 64% | 52% | 49% | 59% | 71% | 82% | 88% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$40
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$125
Per person, per day
Luxury
$310
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $70 | $185 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $25 | $55 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $25 |
| Activities | $5 | $20 | $45 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 1 of 4Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautionin North Macedonia. North Macedonia is generally a safe destination for travelers. Review our Travel Guidance for North Macedonia to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Travel disruption The European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being implemented across the Schengen area. The EES may take each passenger extra time, so it is important to be prepared to wait longer than usual at EU country borders and allow more time for immigration controls if travelling to and from the Schengen area. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in North Macedonia.
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