North Macedonia at Glance
Tour Type: Cultural trip
Duration 7 days
Tour Start : Skopje
Tour End : Skopje
About:
North Macedonia at Glance
Embark on an unforgettable adventure through North Macedonia‘s rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes. From the vibrant streets of Skopje to the serene beauty of Ohrid, this tour offers a perfect blend of history, nature, and local charm. Explore ancient monasteries, breathtaking canyons, and picturesque lakes, all while immersing yourself in the unique traditions and hospitality of this captivating Balkan gem
Day 1 ARRIVAL TO SKOPJE
Arrival at Skopje airport. Shared transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight in Skopje where we’ll start our North Macedonia at Glance tour.
Day 2 SKOPJE CITY TOUR
We Will start the day with a sightseeing tour of Skopje. First we will visit Old Railway station built in 1938, which at a time was the most beautiful train station on the Balkans Memorial House of Mother Theresa that is built on the exact place where the old Catholic Church “Sacred heart of Jesus” used to stand. It is where Mother Theresa was baptized. The next stop will be pedestrian street “Makedonija” – which is full of coffee bars and restaurants, very lively during the whole day and especially in the warm summer nights. We will see the main square with a lot of monuments representing the old and rich Macedonian history with a central 30 meters high Statue of Alexander the Great; than The Stone Bridge (6th century) – which is the symbol of the city and is connecting the main square with the Old bazaar; we will see the Kale Fortress, than the Church of St. Spas with its intricately carved walnut iconostasis; Museum of Ilinden Uprising (1903). At the Old Turkish Bazaar we will explore the Ottoman monumental architecture of the beautiful Mustafa Pasha Mosque). Transfer back to the hotel. Overnight Skopje.
Elevation gain: 50m, circular route: approx. 2km
Day 3 SKOPJE – MAVROVO – OHRID
After breakfast check out from the hotel and visit the Matka canyon, located near Skopje. We will have a boat trip and a visit of the Vrelo cave. According to the speleologists assessments, Vrelo‘s depth is 330 m, which makes it deepest underwater cave in the world). We continue to Ohrid. On our way through the Mavrovo National Park we will visit the Monastery of St. Jovan Bigorski or St. John the Baptist, founded in 1020 (Inside the church we’ll find unique works such as The Miraculous Icon of St. John the Baptist, more than 12 centuries old). The main attraction is the priceless awe-inspiring wood carved iconostasis depicting biblical scenes. The monastery is rich in icons painted from the 16th to 20th centuries and is a synthesis of Byzantine, Renaissance, and Baroque influences). Arrival and overnight in Ohrid.
Elevation gain: 70m: circular route: approx. 2km
Day 4 OHRID – BAY OF BONES – ST. NAUM – OHRID
After breakfast we start the drive to visit the Bay of Bones Museum. On the southern coast of Gradište Peninsula in the Bay of Bones, a pile-dwelling settlement has been erected, which in the past was spreading at a total surface of 8.500 m2. Bay of the Bones is an authentic reconstruction of a part of the pile-dwelling settlement, dating back between 1200 and 700 BC. The walls of the fortification that once had protected the Roman Empire from its enemies are once again lifted on the hill near Gradište. We will than continue to the Monastery of St. Naum. Its founder Naum was one of the disciples of Cyril and Methodius – the founders of the Cyrillic alphabet. It is most famous for the impressive wood-carved iconostasis from 1711, the despotic icons by painter Constantine, the royal doors by painter Michael, and the frescoes showing St. Naum’s miracles in the funeral chapel, painted by artist Trpo in 1799-1806. Overnight Ohrid.
Elevation gain: 100m, circular route: approx. 3km
Day 5 OHRID
Breakfast in hotel. We will start with Ohrid town sightseeing: Church of St. Sofia – one of the most impressive medieval buildings in Ohrid; the Plaoshnik archaeological site – an utterly unique phenomenon of Byzantine architecture; King Samuel’s fortress; the Ancient Theater – built on the hills of the old town of Ohrid in the 3rd century B.C; Church of St. Jovan Kaneo – located on one of the most beautiful spots in Ohrid, this church was built in the 13th century, successfully combining the Byzantine and Armenian styles; the old Ohrid bazaar – one of the liveliest parts of Ohrid, especially on the so called market days, where numerous customers seek various handmade items as well as food products. Especially interesting are the clay products, the old Macedonian musical instruments, and the famous Macedonian embroidery). Overnight Ohrid.
Elevation gain: 75m, circular path: approx. 3km
Day 6 OHRID – BITOLA – STOBI – SKOPJE
After breakfast we will check out from the hotel and start the drive to Bitola town. We will stroll down Širok Sokak (long pedestrian street), the Clock Tower (built in 17th century) and Bezisten (impressive, covered bazaar from the Ottoman Empire). Than we will continue for a tour of the ancient city of Stobi before we go to a winery nearby for a lunch. After lunch drive to Skopje and hotel
Elevation gain: 30m, circular path: approx. 3km
DAY 7 DEPARTURE FROM SKOPJE AIRPORT
Breakfast at hotel. Free time before airport transfer.
End of North Macedonia at Glance tour services
Itinerary
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL TO SKOPJE
DAY 2 - SKOPJE CITY TOUR
DAY 3 - SKOPJE – MAVROVO - OHRID
DAY 4 - OHRID – BAY OF BONES – ST. NAUM - OHRID
DAY 5 - OHRID
DAY 6 - OHRID - BITOLA – STOBI - SKOPJE
DAY 7 - DEPARTURE FROM SKOPJE
Included in the package price
- Airport transfers both way
- English speaking guide/driver guide
- Hotel accommodation based on 4*
- Car/Minibus/Bus transfers
- Entrance fees to mentioned touristic sites
Not included in the package
- Flight tickets to Skopje
- Lunches and dinners
- Tips for drivers, hotels or guides
- Anything else not mentioned in the (included in package prices) list above