History
Macedonia has a long, rich history that dates back thousands of years through antiquity. With influences from Thracians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans and more, Macedonia is home to numerous ancient relics, monuments and friendly locals with stories to tell. One can still find evidence of this long history in places like Ohrid and Kratovo thanks to the incredible architecture present in many cities.
Largest & Most Popular Cities
Skopje is undoubtedly the largest and most populous city in Macedonia, serving as the nation’s capital and administrative centre. Nicknamed "the city under old town", Skopje is renowned for its stunning historical buildings such as the Stone Bridge and Mustafa Mausoleum, along with its various museums, parks and thriving nightlife scene. It's also known for having some of Eastern Europe’s best budget-friendly shopping outlets.
Other popular cities include Bitola and Kumanovo. Bitola, located close to Greece in the south of Macedonia, retains much of its Ottoman charm while offering plenty of entertainment venues - particularly during the summer months. Kumanovo is located close to Serbia in the north and offers beautiful ancient churches dating back centuries due to its strategic importance back when the Ottoman Empire was in full swing around 500 years ago.
Tourist Destinations
Macedonia has countless tourist attractions distributed throughout the country; one could spend weeks here visiting all the different sites! Some of the most noteworthy are Lake Ohrid (a lake bordered by Albania on one side), Pelister National Park (a forested mountain park) and Macedonian Cities of culture like Bitola or Stobi (the latter being an incredibly beautiful ancient Roman site). Nature lovers will love Mavrovo National Park—a sprawling alpine range comprised mostly of coniferous forests and glacial lakes—or Galicica National Park—boasting spectacular views from high atop its observation points of both Lake Ohrid as well as Lake Prespa in Albania.
We should also mention special monuments like stone age megalithic sites such as Tumba Madzari where you can still find remnants from Prehistoric times along with a few medieval towers dating back nearly 1000 years!
Things To Do and Cuisine
Macedonia has something for everyone! Whether you’re looking for some outdoor activities like cycling or white water rafting across Lake Ohrid – which is exceptionally easy to rent a boat out to do just that – or simply want to explore some nearby villages on foot, there’s plenty to do here! For those who want to indulge further in Macedonian culture, there are several cultural festivals like 'Balkan Trad-Fest' which take place throughout the year in different locations across the country with live ethnic music, art exhibitions, traditional cuisine tasting and more!
The local Macedonian cuisine, created with recipes passed down generations amongst people of different cultural backgrounds is something that shouldn’t be overlooked either! From famous dishes from Macedonia's main cities such as turli tava (an eggplant-based casserole that's slow cooked over several hours) or Tavche Gravche (bean stew) along with some reinterpreted Greek classics like moussaka - all made using locally sourced organic ingredients - you won't be disappointed!
So why not enjoy some beautiful sightseeing and discover what this incredible country has to offer? Whether it's exciting cities bustling with life or breathtaking nature reserves teeming with wildlife – there's something here for everyone hoping to experience Macedonian culture first-hand!