The second country on our list and our main reason for visiting this area of Europe was Skopje, North Macedonia. North Macedonia is a small country that was once part of Yugoslavia. The whole country is small and is travelable in only a few hours. The main highlights of our trip are Canyon Matka, Lake Ohrid,

Travel from Thessaloniki and Around Town

Riding a bus from Thessaloniki to Skopje takes a little under 4 hours. You’ll spend 45 minutes to an hour of the trip dealing with border security and at the nearby rest stop where snacks and restrooms are available. The bus we were riding did not have a bathroom available on board, so it’s best to plan on limited options for bathrooms.

The bus will drop you off at the main bus terminal in Skopje and you will likelybe instantly bombarded with people trying to give you “taxi” rides. Most, if not all, of these people are not legitimate taxi drivers and they take advantage of you. Avoid them and at least ignore them as best you can as it will likely cost you double. There is a legitimate taxi lot next to the station. In short, being able to locate a legitimate taxi will save you money and reduce the chance of paying double to be dropped off at the wrong place.

Legitimate taxis will have yellow license plates. Be sure to ask them to use their meter which is a separate device and not a phone. If they try to use a phone, they are likely trying to take advantage of you as a tourist. You can also travel around town by bus. Many of the buses have tap pay technology, but others will require you to purchase a paper ticket in advance. Weekly bus passes are available as well.

Matka Canyon

A few miles from Skopje, lies the famous Matka Canyon, which is one of the most popular outdoor recreation areas in North Macedonia. Once at Matka Canyon, you can hike along the canyon or take a boat or kayak to Vrelo Cave. There are a few places at the top of the dam where you can rent kayaks or charter a boat to take you up the canyon to the cave.

On the day we visited, we took a taxi to the parking area and hiked up past the dam to the chartered boats. Once we reached the boats, we paid about 5 USD per person for a boat ride that took about 15 to 20 minutes to reach the cave. The hike to the cave is maybe a quarter of a mile and a little steep, but there are steps up to the cave entrance and steps leading down into the cave. Upon entering the cave, many of the unique features are highlighted in colorful lights as you pass by them. Being underground, the cave is a bit cooler inside. Be sure to hike to the end of the path and take pictures with your group as the colored lights create a fun picture.

Ohrid

Because our group was large, we hired a van and tour guide to take us from Skopje to Ohird. The ride to Ohrid took about 2 hours. You will travel 75% of the way in the first hour as the roads are in much better shape. There is currently a much better road in development, but it has been in progress for almost 10 years. Political party changes have been a major factor in the delays.

After arriving at Ohrid, you can start at the high end of the town or the low end. Starting at the high end, allows you to work down into town and walk more downhill. For obvious reasons, my recommendation would be to start at the top of town and walk downhill.

If you start at the top of town, your first stop will be to head towards Samuel’s Fortress. There are a number of small churches on the way to the fortress which can be visited for a small donation. Due to it being a Monday, consequently, the fortress was closed as are most museums.

Working your way down to Lake Ohrid, you will continue to pass other churches. Due to its close proximity to the lake, the Church of St. John is one of the most picturesque locations in Ohrid. Near the church, there is a path that leads a short way up the hill. Follow this path for some amazing views and pictures.

Local Cuisine in Ohrid

Heading further down the coast of the lake, lies more of the town. There are a number of restaurants, some of which serve more authentic food. The restaurant we visited, served Tavche Gravche which is a local cuisine made with beans, onions, peppers, and tomatoes. I tried the Tavche Gravche with sausage and while the sausage was tasty, the main Tavche Gravche was filling on its own.

Macedonia Square

The main focal point of Skopje is Macedonia Square, which is the heart of the city. Many points of interest and restaurants are located in and around the square. The centerpiece of the square is either the Warrior on a Horse or the Stone Bridge. The warrior is supposed to be Alexander the Great, who was born in Macedonia. There are other statues of Alexander around the square, however, it is important to note that other countries that were once part of old Macedonia also lay claim to Alexander. The Stone Bridge allows passage over the river, while also connecting old town to new.

Memorial House of Mother Teresa

Before visiting North Macedonia, I did not know that Skopje was the birthplace of Mother Teresa. The people take great pride in playing a part in the life of Mother Teresa. While in Macedonia Square, you can see a number of memorials to Mother Teresa and a memorial house which is also a museum. Entry is free.