Category: North Macedonia

If you've ever toyed with the idea of a holiday in North Macedonia, but weren't entirely sure what there is to see and do there, you're not alone. It's still a bit of an unknown for most Brits, which is exactly why we had to get there ourselves. During our summer recce for our NEW North Macedonia holiday (coming soon), we found a country jam-packed with fascinating history, fabulous wines and picture-perfect mountain/lake views. Read on for our recommendations and a taste of things to come. But before that, a quick note: we’ll refer to the country as 'Macedonia' from here on, as locals do, instead of North Macedonia. The latter is the official name, introduced in 2019 to settle a long-standing dispute with neighbouring Greece, but Macedonia's what you'll hear on the ground. Wander and Dine in Skopje’s Old and New Towns If you fly into Skopje (there are direct summer flights from the UK), it’s worth spending a little time to get to know this curious mix of old and new. The old quarter 'Čaršija' stretches from the Stone Bridge to the Bit-Pazar (you’ll know you’ve reached it by the labyrinth of cobbled pavements and Ottoman houses). It's a great area to taste traditional Macedonian food and people watch: Galerija 7 has the best Lahmacun (a thin Turkish sort of “pizza”) in town, and the Old Bazaar is dotted with Slatkarnices (Balkan patisseries) – perfect for a post-lunch slice of baklava. Continue your adventure by perusing the souvenir shops or visiting a historic landmark such as Kale Fortress. Across the river, a very different Skopje appears, complete with grandiose neo-classical facades and statues, ornate fountains and the unmissable main square at its centre: the result of a multi-million revamp in 2014. It shouldn't work, but somehow does, and