Eastern Europe - Travel To Macedonia

 

Mountainous Macedonia still has an air of mystery to it. Simultaneously ancient and brand new, it’s struggling to find its place in the postcommunist world. Black-clad Orthodox monks are just as much a part of this renewal as the hordes of teenagers, bedecked in the latest Italian fashions, sipping coffee in the stylish bars of the capital.

For outdoors types it’s a paradise. Its extensive wilderness allows ample opportunities for hikers, mountain climbers and skiers. Try the stunning Mavrovo National Park in Western Macedonia for the country's best skiing and some unforgettable alpine views. Meanwhile, ancient ruins will fascinate anyone with even a smidgen of interest in history, as will the amazing Sveti Naum monastery. The culturally-rich town of Ohrid is one of Macedonia's highlights, with its beautiful lake and spiritual significance; capital Skopje is a buzzing place where Eastern European stereotypes and unexpected attractions coexist with intriguing results. In short, for a little place it’s crammed with something for just about everyone.

Quite apart from Macedonia’s spectacular peaks, lakes and rivers, it’s the hospitality of the people of this most southern of Slavic nations that will make your visit truly memorable. ASAP Travel Deals with cheap flight to Macedonia is great way to start you journey today.

Best time to find the cheapest flights to Macedonia

Temperatures vary widely: summer temperatures can reach 40°C, while in winter it can drop as low as minus 30°C. The average annual temperatures are above 10°C almost everywhere. Summers are hot and dry, while in winter the snow falls in the mountains from November to April.

The best time to enjoy Macedonia is between May and September, and the peak tourist season is from mid-July to mid-August, when locals take their holidays

Navigating Macedonia

The bus network is well developed in Macedonia, with frequent services from Skopje to all major centers in safe and fairly comfortable coaches. It’s a good idea to buy a ticket from the station a day or two in advance when traveling to Ohrid in the busy summer season. It is possible to fly between Skopje and Ohrid on MAT but buses are definitely the best and cheapest option.

Macedonia has a limited network of domestic destinations reachable by train. Possibly the only one of any real interest is the four-hour, three-times-daily service to Bitola via Prilep from Skopje.

Taxis are a snappy way of getting to out-of-the-way monasteries and other sights if buses aren’t convenient. Macedonian taxis are very cheap by European standards – Skopje has some of the cheapest capital-city taxis. A half-hour trip, from Skopje to Lake Matka for example, should cost around 350MKD.

Facts about Macedonia

• Explore Skopje, Macedonia's capital. It's largely new, owing to an earthquake in 1963. There is, however, plenty to see. Skopje Old Town is the most attractive quarter of the city, full of shops and restaurants.

• Visit the Church of the Holy Saviour with its intricately carved iconostasis (a screen in orthodox churches on which icons are hung). Also to be found in the Old Town are the Kursumli An (16th-century) and the Suli An (15th-century) caravanserais and the Daut Pasha Baths with its two large and 11 small domes. It now houses the Art Gallery.

• See the many mosques dating from the Ottoman period, particularly the 15th-century Mustafa Pasha Mosque, as well as the old 10th-century Kale Fortress and a magnificent footbridge spanning the River Vardar. Near Skopje is the Nerezi Monastery with the accompanying 12th-century Church of St Pantelejmon housing magnificent Byzantine frescoes.

• Discover Bitola, the second-largest town in Macedonia. Located 18km (11 miles) from the Greek border, it was an important centre of Ottoman rule and has the ruins of the ancient city of Heraclea nearby.

• Go to Ohrid, possibly the most attractive town in Macedonia, situated on Lake Ohrid. Here St Clement of Ohrid laid the foundations of the first Slav university. In the 10th and 11th centuries, Ohrid became the capital of the Macedonian Tsar Samuil. The fortress walls survive and now provide a venue for summer concerts, operas and plays. There are a number of ancient churches, particularly the Cathedral of St Sophia containing 11th-century frescoes

Macedonia Airports

Macedonia has two international airports, Skopje’s Petrovec airport (SKP) and the much smaller Ohrid airport (OHD)

Visa/Passport requirements

Citizens of EU countries, Argentina, Barbados, Bosnia, Botswana, Croatia, Cuba, Iceland, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Maldives, Norway, Switzerland and the USA don’t need visas for Macedonia and are allowed to stay for up to three months. Visas are required for most others and cost €20 to €50 depending on where you apply for it and whether it is single- or multiple-entry. Even though some visas can be obtained at the airport for some nationalities, it is much safer to apply in advance.

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