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
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
Cultural heritage isn’t kept behind museum glass in the Balkans—it’s lived, breathed, eaten, sung, crafted and danced. From Ottoman cities like Berat and Mostar to natural wonders such as Durmitor National Park, Albanian folk singing to lacemaking in Croatia, UNESCO World Heritage in the Balkans is a multi-sensory tapestry of the region’s diverse natural and cultural offerings. In light of Lake Skadar being nominated to become a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in October 2025, we’ve rounded up some of the region’s cultural and natural highlights—many of which you can see on our holidays in Montenegro, Albania, Serbia, Bulgaria and Croatia. UNESCO natural heritage in the Balkans Durmitor National Park, Montenegro Characterized by towering limestone peaks and glacial lakes, Durmitor National Park in Montenegro is undeniably breathtaking. It’s home to one of Europe’s deepest canyons and the stunning Black Lake. “I’ll never forget my first glimpse of Durmitor National Park, like a real-life Hobbit land, all jagged peaks in stunning formations, and wispy clouds, with wild horses roaming the grassy meadows,” says UB co-founder Emma. “The landscape’s so epic it’s hard to take it all in.” Visit Durmitor National Park on our Montenegro family activity holiday. Lake Skadar, Montenegro & Albania Lake Skadar straddles the border between Montenegro and Albania and is the largest lake in Southern Europe at roughly 400 square kilometres (is actual size depends seasonal water level variations). This biodiversity hotspot is teeming with wildlife and an important nesting site for the endangered Dalmatian Pelican, which our guests love to spot during kayaking safaris on our Lake Skadar holiday, and on boat trips. In 2025, the Montenegrin and Albanian governments both nominated Lake Skadar to become a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which means it will enjoy greater environmental protection and extend the so-called 'Amazon of Europe' deeper into Southeast Europe.
Cultural heritage isn’t kept behind museum glass in the Balkans—it’s lived, breathed, eaten, sung, crafted and danced. From Ottoman cities like Berat and Mostar to natural wonders such as Durmitor National Park, Albanian folk singing to lacemaking in Croatia, UNESCO World Heritage in the Balkans is a multi-sensory tapestry of the region’s diverse natural and
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. You may opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
We use cookies to improve your experience while navigating our website. Of these cookies, those that are categorized as necessary are stored in your browser as they are essential for the basic functionality of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. However, opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for this website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensure basic functionality and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for this website to function and are used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to using these cookies on this website.
