North Macedonia
8-day round trip
Services
Accommodation in 4-star hotels on a half-board basis
Arrival and departure transfer without assistance – sharing basis
Bus service from/to hotel on days 2-7, as well as a guide according to language profile for the tour.
1x Food tour in Skopje
1x wine tasting with snacks at the Lazar winery (3 glasses of wine)
1x dinner in a traditional restaurant
Included admissions
Tetovo, Painted Mosque
Monastery of St. Jovan Bigorski
Boat trip on Lake Ohrid (approx. 20 min.)
Sveti Naum Monastery
Rowboat trip to Sveti Naum
Stobi excavations
Tour itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival in Skopje
Flight from home airport to Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia.
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to the hotel. You will get your first impressions of the city on the way through the urban center and along the Vardar River.
Day 2 : Skopje Food Tour
After breakfast, the day combines North Macedonian cuisine with the cultural highlights of the capital. The route leads to key sites such as Kale Fortress, through the Old Bazaar, and into the new town with the Mother Teresa Memorial House. History, everyday life, and urban development blend seamlessly together.
In the Old Bazaar, a light lunch awaits under a centuries-old plane tree. Classic Balkan dishes such as Šopska salad, burek, and Ćevapčići will be served. Afterward, a stroll through the market offers seasonal fruits, vegetables, and numerous local specialties. Here, you'll have the opportunity to sample baklava and taste rakia.
This will be followed by an introduction to the preparation of traditional Macedonian coffee. Preparing the coffee together combines culinary delights with cultural background and offers a short break before continuing on to the new town. There, a visit to the Mother Teresa Memorial House is on the agenda.
The food tour concludes with a wine tasting at a wine bar on the Château Mavin estate. Three selected wines are accompanied by homemade cheese and ham produced on-site.
Day 3 : Skopje – Tetovo – Mavrovo – Ohrid
In the morning, the route leads first to Tetovo. There, a visit to the so-called Painted Mosque is on the agenda, one of the most unusual religious buildings in the Balkans. The mosque is almost entirely covered inside and out with colorful arabesques, floral motifs, and ornamental designs, and represents a unique example of Ottoman art.
Then we continue our journey to Mavrovo National Park, one of North Macedonia's most impressive natural landscapes. High mountain ranges, expansive alpine pastures, flower-filled meadows, and small villages clinging to the slopes characterize the scenery. The region is known for its great biodiversity and is a major ski resort in winter, while in the warmer months it captivates visitors with its pristine tranquility.
Another highlight is a visit to the Monastery of St. Jovan Bigorski, one of the country's most important spiritual centers. The monastery is particularly famous for its exceptionally ornate, hand-carved iconostasis, which is among the largest and most beautiful of its kind in the world.
In the late afternoon, continue to Ohrid. Arrival, check-in at the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 4 : Ohrid
The day begins with a boat trip on Lake Ohrid, one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe. From the water, impressive views of the shoreline and the old town unfold. The destination is arguably North Macedonia's most famous photo spot: the Church of St. Jovan Kaneo, spectacularly perched on a rock overlooking the lake.
This is followed by a tour of the historic city of Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include King Samuel's Fortress with its sweeping views of the city and lake, and the Church of St. Sophia, one of the most important religious buildings in the country. Ohrid and its surrounding area boast approximately 365 churches and monasteries, earning it the nickname "Jerusalem of the Balkans."
The afternoon is free for you to enjoy as you wish.
Day 5 : Ohrid – Sveti Naum
The journey leads along Lake Ohrid to the Sveti Naum Monastery, which, due to its secluded location, was deliberately built as a place of retreat. Situated on a rocky promontory, surrounded by forest and offering sweeping views across the lake, the place exudes a special, almost mystical atmosphere.
After visiting the monastery complex, a traditional lunch follows, served near the source of Lake Ohrid, nestled amidst lush vegetation. The regional specialty, Ohrid trout, which is found exclusively in these waters, is served.
The clear springs of Lake Ohrid are located directly adjacent to the monastery complex and can be explored by rowboat. The tranquil water, lush vegetation, and clear visibility to the bottom create a unique nature experience.
The rest of the day is free to enjoy the lake. Opportunities include a dip in the cool water, a stroll along the shore, or simply relaxing in this impressive setting.
Day 6 : Ohrid – Bitola – Stobi – Wein – Skopje
After breakfast at the idyllic Lake Ohrid, we travel to the city of Bitola, known as the "City of Diplomats" during Ottoman times. Numerous former embassy and consulate buildings along the elegant pedestrian zone still bear witness to this important era. Bitola is also historically closely linked to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who spent part of his school years here. A walking tour of the city provides a good impression of the cultural and architectural diversity of this historically rich metropolis.
Drive towards Skopje and stop at the Stobi archaeological site. This archaeological park is one of North Macedonia's most important sites and impressively conveys the significance of the ancient city as a trading and administrative center. Particularly worth seeing are the small amphitheater with its preserved inscriptions and the exceptionally well-preserved mosaics in the early Christian baptistery, whose motifs are drawn from mythology, nature, and symbolism.
At the Lazar winery, we will enjoy a tasting of selected North Macedonian wines, accompanied by typical regional cheeses and light snacks. This will provide insights into the country's long winemaking tradition and the unique characteristics of the local grape varieties.
In the late afternoon, return to Skopje and arrival at the hotel.
Day 7 : Matka Canyon
In the morning, we travel to the wildly romantic Matka Canyon, one of North Macedonia's most impressive natural landscapes. The Treska River winds its way through the narrow gorge between steep cliffs, a gorge known for its diverse flora, hidden caves, and historic monasteries. The lake, created in the 1930s, is the country's largest reservoir. A boat trip through the valley offers spectacular views of the steep limestone walls and crystal-clear water.
A shared dinner in an atmospheric restaurant – with local cuisine, music and a final toast to the experiences of the past days.
Day 8 : Return journey
Transfer to the airport.
