Sometimes, the best countries are the most surprising ones. The number of Macedonia Travel Spots happens to make it one of those countries. It is one of the most scenic countries in the world and is located between Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria, Kosovo, and Albania.
CURRENT GOVERNMENT INFORMATION |
I like traveling a lot, exploring new places and discovering new things. I didn’t know much about Macedonia but I decided to travel and explore. In Macedonia, I found one of the most appealing and fascinating places to visit and one that deserve to be visited more. Macedonia is one of the cheapest travel destinations. Here, I sum up the best Macedonia travel spots for budget travelers and try to inspire you to add these destinations to your bucket list.
Lake Ohrid
This lake is one of the best Macedonia travel spots for budget travelers. The lake is surrounded by majestic mountains and fishing villages. The town surrounding the lake is built in ottoman style, climbing up the hill, providing many breathtaking views over the lake. I decided to take a cruise along the lake and to my surprise, it only cost me $5. For those not interested in experiencing the lake cruise, then visiting the lake is free. Sounds great right? I was willing to stick around the town for a while and apparently, hostel accommodations are relatively cheap, with the cost ranging from $10 to $16 per night. For families or a couple that wants a little more room and privacy, there are inexpensive apartments. The city of Ohrid has other attractions worth visiting such as St. Jovan of Kaneo Monastery.
Where to Stay in Lake Ohrid, MacedoniaReasons to Visit: Churches, History and Old Town Exploring Here is a list of 3 top-rated, affordable properties in Ohrid that are close to the City Center. |
 |
 |
 |
Tetovo
This is the fifth largest city in Macedonia, located at the foothills of Sar Mountains. Any trip to the northwest area of the country should include a visit to Tetovo, with its cuisine and unique monuments its an attraction for many. In Tetovo, the fascinating places to visit are Sarena D’mija and the Arabati Baba Teke, landmarks built during the Ottoman period. The city also plays host to the Leshkok monastery and a museum. Situated on the Baltepe hill is the Tetovo fortress, which sits in ruins with tunnels, walls, and arches. What I loved about the city, apart from all the beautiful landmarks, was the cost of actually visiting these places. It’s absolutely free! There was no entrance fee to any of these destinations so you don’t have to worry about spending a dime there.
Transportation within the city was either by public buses or taxis, which were super cheap. This was the cheapest Macedonia travel spots for budget travelers I got to visit. For ski lovers like me, there is a ski resort surrounding the Peak of Sar Mountains where there are various ski trails for both beginners and experts.
Where to Stay in Tetovo, MacedoniaReasons to Visit: Friendly Locals, City Trips, Nature, Scenery, and Mountain Walks Here is a list of 3 top-rated, affordable properties in Tetovo that are close to the City Center or Landmarks. |
 |
 |
 |
Prilep
I had never heard about Prilep before, let alone plan to visit the place. I love hiking and what actually inspired me to visit Prilep was an Instagram shot of a hiking enthusiast I follow on Instagram. Its rocky hills make it serene for a hiking enthusiast. The most noticeable landmark in the city is Marko’s tower. There are also a few recognizable monasteries worth seeing such as Zrze and Trskavec. For an introvert, Prilep is paradise. The city is not crowded. Another attraction in Prilep city is the Marble Lake. This is a lake located in an abandoned marble mine, made out of rainwater, and is surrounded by massive marble blocks. It is a unique sight to see and apparently, it’s free. It’s definitely among the best Macedonia travel spots for budget travelers. Accommodation in the city costs roughly $8-10 per night in a hostel. However, there are inexpensive apartments for families and couples that want more room and privacy. I’ll definitely have to come back to Prilep someday.
Where to Stay in Prilep, MacedoniaReasons to Visit: Friendly Locals, History, Scenery, Mountains and City Walks Here is a list of 3 top-rated, affordable properties in Prilep that are close to the City Center. |
 |
 |
 |
Bitola
Bitola is the second largest city in Macedonia, surrounded by the Baba, Nid?, and Kajmakcalan mountain ranges. The best way to travel around the city and to explore the sights and sounds is by foot. Visiting Bitola was on my bucket list when traveling to Macedonia so I had planned to spend two days in the city. One of the places to see and be seen in Bitola is the Sirok Sokak Street which is a street lined with bars, cafes, restaurants, and shops. They say if you don’t have coffee at one of the cafes along the street, you haven’t been to Bitola.
The city has a museum. Visiting it is a great way to learn and understand the Balkan struggle for independence. The museum holds archaeological exhibits and ethnographic materials. One of the major reasons I decided to visit Bitola was due to its gentle slopes ideal for hiking. In Bitola lies the Pelister National park which is home to glacial lakes, natural springs, and waterfalls. The national park has clearly marked nature trails and hiking paths, making it a perfect destination for hiking lovers. It is also perfect for rock climbing and skiing. Bitola is definitely a must visit as its one of the best Macedonia travel spots for budget travelers.
Where to Stay in Bitola, MacedoniaReasons to Visit: Friendly Locals, Food and History Here is a list of 3 top-rated, affordable properties in Bitola that are close to the City Center. |
 |
 |
 |
Popova Kula Winery
Macedonia is famous for its wine and a majority of its population are wine lovers. At the heart of all this is the Popova Kula Winery which boasts production of high-quality Balkan wine such as Stanushina, Vranec, Prokupec, Zilavka, and Tamjanika. I was lucky enough to visit the winery during the harvest period and got the chance to see how the grapes are picked, sorted and processed before being fermented. The people there are so welcoming the even stage a folk dance for the guests. It is definitely one of the best Macedonia travel spots for budget travelers.
What to See In and Around Skopje, Macedonia
Skopje: My Favorite of the Macedonia Travel Spots
A fascinating Macedonia travel spot for budget travelers is Skopje. It is home to many fortresses, monuments, and statues among them the “warrior on a horse”, located in one of the main squares. The greatness of the city is greatly felt during the night when all these beautiful monuments light up bringing out an excellent scenery. For nature lovers, the Matka canyon, which is located a few kilometers from the city center that is surrounded by wooded mountains and has secret caves, is the place to be. My tour guide actually whispered to me that nobody actually knows how deep the canyon is. This makes it even more intriguing and fascinating.
The hostels in the area are also very cheap, making the place also one of the cheapest Macedonia travel spots for budget travelers. The cost of accommodation is around $7 per person. Other must-see places in the city include Mountain of Vodno, Macedonia square, and fortress Hale. All these destinations are free of charge.
Since I fell in love with Skopje, I am going back and this time will be staying in an AirBnB Apartment for a month. The prices for apartments over a long stay is quite low, $11 per night is what I will be paying. However, when checking out my new accommodations, I came across this extremely unique listing and thought I would share it with you.
 |
Unique Duplex Apartment on Main Square AreaExperience Skopje in the most unique accommodation in the city inspired by Salvador Dali. |
If you are planning on going on a vacation, Macedonia is definitely the place to visit. Beautiful cities, delicious food, cheap lifestyle, friendly people and a lot of places to see.
