Our Trip to North Macedonia

Our Trip to North Macedonia: Itinerary, Costs, and Honest Tips

Every trip looks simple once it is wrapped up into a few pretty photos, but there is always a lot more happening behind the scenes. North Macedonia was no different. As with every trip we take, we are breaking this one down for you too, from how we planned our days and what we managed to see to how much the entire trip actually cost us.

We based ourselves in Skopje, explored the capital, ventured out to Matka Canyon, and even squeezed in a private day trip across the border to Kosovo. In this guide, you will find our North Macedonia itinerary, real travel costs, transport details, places we would recommend, and a few things we might do differently next time. Basically, all the practical bits we wish were easy to find when planning our own trip. We’re also answering your most common questions from Instagram, so you’ll know exactly what to expect before your own adventure begins.

So, if North Macedonia is somewhere on your travel list, keep reading. We are opening up the travel spreadsheet, sharing the numbers, and giving you our experience without pretending every part of the trip went perfectly. Hopefully, it will make planning your own North Macedonia adventure a little easier.

North Macedonia is a small landlocked country in the heart of the Balkans, known for its mix of Ottoman, Byzantine, and Balkan influences. From the lively streets and Old Bazaar of Skopje to mountains, lakes, monasteries, and dramatic places like Matka Canyon, it packs plenty into a relatively small area. It is still less visited than many of its European neighbors, which makes it an interesting destination if you enjoy history, local food, nature, and exploring somewhere a little beyond the usual tourist trail.

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FAQ about traveling to North Macedonia

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Do I Need a Visa to Visit North Macedonia?

North Macedonia is not a member of the European Union or part of the Schengen Area, although it is an EU candidate country. If you are traveling from an EU or Schengen country, you generally do not need a visa for a short tourist visit, and EU citizens can enter with a valid passport or national ID card. If you are traveling from outside Europe, the rules depend on your nationality, so do not assume that Schengen visa rules automatically apply to North Macedonia. Some nationalities can visit visa-free, while others must arrange a visa before traveling. Certain travelers also qualify for exemptions if they hold valid EU/Schengen residence permits or qualifying multiple-entry visas. We always recommend checking the official North Macedonia Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa checker before your trip, as entry requirements can change.

Is North Macedonia Safe to Visit?

Overall, North Macedonia is considered a relatively safe country for tourists, and most visits are trouble-free. As with anywhere, use normal precautions, especially in busy areas where petty theft can happen, and keep an eye on your belongings on public transport or around crowded attractions. We personally felt safe throughout our trip, including while walking around Skopje and exploring outside the city. If you are driving, hiking, or heading into more remote areas, a little extra planning is always useful, but safety itself wouldn’t keep us from visiting North Macedonia again.

Our First Impression of North Macedonia: What Skopje Made Us Think About the Country

How Do You Pay in North Macedonia? Currency, Euros, Cards & Cash

North Macedonia’s official currency is the Macedonian denar (MKD), which you will use for most everyday purchases. Although some tourist services, accommodation, or tours may be quoted in euros, the euro is not the official currency, so don’t rely on being able to pay with it everywhere. Card payments are widely accepted in hotels, supermarkets, restaurants, and larger shops, particularly in Skopje and other cities. However, cash is still useful and sometimes necessary for markets, smaller businesses, parking, buses, and places outside the main tourist areas. ATMs are widely available in towns and cities, so we recommend carrying some denars rather than relying entirely on your card.

Once we arrived in Skopje, one of our first practical stops was an ATM at a local bank, where we withdrew some Macedonian denars for the trip. We did not take out a huge amount, just enough to have cash on hand for the smaller purchases and places where paying by card might not be an option. It turned out to be a good balance: we used our cards whenever possible and kept the denars for those cash-only moments.

Is North Macedonia Expensive to Visit?

No, North Macedonia is not expensive to visit at all, especially compared with many other European destinations. We found accommodation, eating out, transport, and attractions very reasonably priced, and our money generally went quite far during the trip. Even in Skopje, we could enjoy a proper meal, grab coffee or something sweet, and explore without constantly thinking about the budget. Of course, your final costs depend on how you travel, but overall, North Macedonia is a great destination if you want to experience a lot without spending a fortune. Later in this guide, we break down exactly how much our trip cost, so you can better estimate what to budget for your own visit.

How Much Money Do You Need Per Day in North Macedonia?

How much you need per day in North Macedonia depends on your travel style, but it is a destination where you can travel comfortably without a huge budget. As a rough guide, we suggest around €30–50 per person per day for a budget trip, while €55–110 per person per day gives you considerably more flexibility with accommodation, restaurants, taxis, and activities.

• Budget traveler: around €30–50 per person per day – simple accommodation, bakeries and local restaurants, public transport, and mostly free or inexpensive attractions.
• Mid-range traveler: around €55–110 per person per day – a comfortable hotel or apartment, eating out, occasional taxis, entrance fees, and some paid activities.
• More comfortable trip: around €100–150+ per person per day – better hotels, frequent restaurant meals, private transfers or a rental car, tours, and more paid experiences.

We found North Macedonia very affordable on our trip, especially for food and everyday expenses. And if you want something more useful than an estimated daily budget, we share exactly how much our own North Macedonia trip cost later in this guide, including accommodation, food, transport, and activities.

How Many Days Do You Need in North Macedonia?

We think 4–5 days is the perfect amount of time for a first trip to North Macedonia. It gives you enough time to explore Skopje, take a day trip to Matka Canyon, and still visit another destination such as Lake Ohrid or even cross the border for a day trip to Kosovo, as we did. If you only have a long weekend, 3 days is still enough to see Skopje’s highlights and one nearby excursion. For a slower trip with hiking, wine regions, or national parks, 7–10 days lets you experience much more of the country beyond the main tourist spots.

Our Recommendation at a Glance

• 3 days: Skopje + Matka Canyon.
• 4–5 days: Skopje, Matka Canyon, and Lake Ohrid or a day trip to Kosovo.
• 7–10 days: A full North Macedonia road trip with mountains, lakes, wineries, and smaller towns.

For our trip, 4 days felt like a great balance. We saw the country’s biggest highlights without feeling rushed, while still having time for long dinners, coffee stops, and wandering through the Old Bazaar.

What Is the Best Time to Visit North Macedonia?

The best time to visit North Macedonia is during spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October). The weather is warm, sunny, and much more comfortable for sightseeing than peak summer, when temperatures in Skopje can easily climb above 35°C (95°F). Spring brings blooming landscapes, while autumn is perfect for city walks, hiking, and visiting Lake Ohrid without the biggest crowds.

North Macedonia by Season

• Spring (April–June): Mild temperatures, green landscapes, and ideal weather for sightseeing and hiking.
• Summer (July–August): Hot and sunny, especially in Skopje. Great for Lake Ohrid and outdoor swimming, but cities can feel very warm.
• Autumn (September–October): Our favorite season to recommend. Warm days, cooler evenings, fewer crowds, and beautiful colors in the mountains.
• Winter (November–March): Colder weather with snow in the mountains. A good time for skiing and winter scenery, but less ideal for classic sightseeing.

We visited at the beginning of May, and we honestly could not have asked for better weather. Most days were warm enough for a T-shirt during the afternoon, but mornings and evenings were still comfortable for walking around Skopje without the summer heat. It felt like the perfect sightseeing weather, especially for exploring the Old Bazaar and spending a day at Matka Canyon.

How Do You Get Around North Macedonia?

Getting around North Macedonia is straightforward, although your best option depends on how much of the country you plan to explore. Buses are the main form of public transport between cities, connecting Skopje with places such as Ohrid, Bitola, and other towns, while taxis are affordable and convenient for shorter journeys. Renting a car gives you much more flexibility if you want to explore national parks, smaller villages, or places outside the main transport routes. Within Skopje, you can walk to many of the central attractions and use local buses or inexpensive taxis when you need to go farther. If you are flying into Skopje International Airport, located roughly 20 km from the city center, you can reach Skopje by airport bus, taxi, private transfer, or rental car. We arranged a private airport transfer, which made arriving particularly easy, and we later used the same company for our private day trip to Kosovo.

Visiting Skopje: Travel Tips, Interesting Facts & Things to Know

Can You Visit Kosovo From North Macedonia?

Yes, you can easily visit Kosovo from North Macedonia, and Skopje makes a particularly convenient starting point because the border is so close. Road connections and buses run between Skopje and Pristina, or you can arrange a private transfer or tour if you want more flexibility. We chose a private day trip from Skopje to Prizren, which worked perfectly for our itinerary and let us experience a bit of Kosovo without changing hotels. Just remember that Kosovo has its own entry requirements, so check which travel document you need based on your nationality before crossing the border. If you have enough time, we definitely think combining North Macedonia and Kosovo is worth considering, even on a relatively short trip.

Day Trip from Skopje to Prizren, Kosovo

Do You Need a SIM Card or eSIM in North Macedonia? Does EU Roaming Work?

If you are traveling from the EU, one important thing to know is that North Macedonia is not currently part of the EU’s “Roam Like at Home” area, so your normal EU roaming allowance does not automatically apply. Your mobile provider may offer North Macedonia in a special roaming package or at reduced rates, but check prices before switching on mobile data. If your plan does not include North Macedonia, buying a local SIM or travel eSIM can be an easy and often cheaper option, especially if you need plenty of data for maps and travel planning. Wi-Fi is also widely available in hotels, cafés, and restaurants, so for a short trip you may not need much mobile data. The EU is working toward extending “Roam Like at Home” to North Macedonia and other Western Balkan countries, but as of 2026, that process has not yet been completed.

Can you drink tap water in North Macedonia?

Tap water is considered safe in Skopje and other urban areas with monitored public water supplies, and North Macedonia reports universal access to safe drinking water in its cities. However, water quality can be less consistent in rural areas and smaller settlements, so bottled water can be the safer choice when you are unsure about the local supply. Temporary local water-quality issues can also occur, so it is worth paying attention to any local notices. We had no problems with the water during our trip, but if you have a sensitive stomach or want to play it safe while traveling outside the main cities, bottled water is inexpensive and easy to find.

Did You Take Any Day Trips From Skopje?

Yes! We actually took two day trips from Skopje, and they ended up being very different experiences. The first took us to Matka Canyon, where we joined an organized tour that included the canyon, a boat ride, and a few additional stops around Skopje. For our second trip, we went a little farther and crossed the border into Kosovo, choosing a private day trip to Prizren with stops along the way. It was a great way to add another country to our itinerary without changing hotels or repacking our bags. We have separate guides for Matka Canyon and our Kosovo day trip from Skopje, where we share exactly what we did, how the tours worked, and whether we thought they were worth it.

Things to Do in North Macedonia: Our 3-Day Itinerary

We had three full days in North Macedonia, so we wanted to make the most of them without turning the trip into a race from one attraction to another. We used Skopje as our base, spending time exploring both its modern center and Old Bazaar, while also taking day trips to Matka Canyon and Prizren in Kosovo. It gave us a nice mix of city sightseeing, nature, food, and something a little unexpected. In this blog post, we share our complete 3-day North Macedonia itinerary, including what we did each day, where we went, and how we fit it all into one long weekend.

Where Did We Stay in Skopje?

For our trip, we stayed at Hotel Senigallia, a rather unusual floating hotel designed like a ship and docked right on the Vardar River in central Skopje. The location made exploring the city easy, but the ship experience itself made the stay memorable. We really loved staying here, from walking onto the boat each evening to sleeping below deck and having breakfast overlooking the river. It was definitely more interesting than your standard city hotel! We also wrote a full Hotel Senigallia review, where we share our room, breakfast, location, prices, and everything we liked (and a few things we didn’t), so you can check it out if you’re considering staying here too.

Hotel Senigallia in Skopje, North Macedonia

How Much Did Our Trip to North Macedonia Cost? A Full Breakdown

Now for the part we always find useful when planning a trip: how much did it actually cost? We tracked our spending throughout our North Macedonia getaway, including flights, accommodation, restaurants, drinks, attractions, and those inevitable little souvenirs. These costs are for two people and one penguin, and we have included everything we spent so you can get a realistic idea of what a similar trip might cost.

What	Cost
Flight Tickets	€198.76
Accommodation	€309.48
Transportation	€54.36
Attractions & Activities	€212.00
Restaurants	€136.78
Groceries & Snacks	€36.26
Drinks	€74.61
Souvenirs	€44.45
Other Expenses	€10.58
TOTAL COST	€1,077.28

Altogether, our trip to North Macedonia cost €1,077.28 for two people and one penguin, or €538.64 per person, including our return flights and accommodation. Considering that this also included two day trips, one to Matka Canyon and another across the border to Kosovo, plenty of eating out, drinks, attractions, and a few souvenirs, we think North Macedonia offered really good value for money. You could certainly do the trip for less, especially by choosing cheaper accommodation or skipping organized tours, but for the way we like to travel, we were very happy with what we spent.

Is North Macedonia worth visiting?

For us, yes, North Macedonia is definitely worth visiting, especially for a short weekend or long-weekend trip. Skopje alone was fascinating to explore because the city feels like several completely different places stitched together. You have the rather crazy architecture and enormous statues in the modern center. Then you cross the Stone Bridge and suddenly find yourself wandering through the Old Bazaar, where the atmosphere changes completely. Add Matka Canyon and a few easy day-trip possibilities, and you can fit quite a lot into just a few days. But if we had to give you one reason to go? The food. We would genuinely return to North Macedonia to eat. From bakeries and baklava to hearty local dishes, the food ended up being one of our absolute favorite parts of the entire trip.

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We hope this guide makes planning your own trip to North Macedonia and Skopje a little easier, from figuring out your itinerary to knowing what to expect for costs, transport, food, and day trips. We managed to pack quite a lot into our long weekend, but there is still more we would love to see. Lake Ohrid is at the top of that list. We have heard so many good things about it that it feels like the perfect excuse to return to North Macedonia one day.

Until then, we hope our experience helps you plan yours. If we missed anything or you have another question while planning your trip, find us on Instagram and send us a message. We are always happy to help a fellow traveler waddle in the right direction!

Travel Bold. Eat Well. Waddle Wild.

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