Republic of Macedonia

The Republic of North Macedonia (Macedonian: Северна Македонија, Severna Makedonija; formerly the Republic of Macedonia, also FYROM and FYR Macedonia, Macedonian: Македонија, Makedonija) is a landlocked country in the heart of the Balkans.

The majority of the population is ethnic Macedonian and Orthodox Christian but there is also a significant Albanian Muslim minority. One can expect a wonderful mix of architectural and ethnic heritage. The country represents the Balkans in the truest sense, consisting of a fascinating mix of Macedonian, Albanian, Turkish, and Mediterranean influences.

North Macedonia is a country with several ethnic minorities. There have been varying levels of ethnic tension between Albanians (who form majorities in areas in the northwest) and ethnic Macedonians, so this is a subject best avoided. The country officially changed its name from the Republic of Macedonia to the Republic of North Macedonia in February 2019 in order to settle a dispute over its name with Greece. Virtually no Macedonian actually refers to the country with the "North" part. Therefore, you should avoid using "North" when speaking to someone in the country as many will find it offensive.

North Macedonia has warm, dry summers and autumns, and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall.

North Macedonia is covered by mountainous territory marked by deep basins and valleys. There are three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line, and the country bisected by the Vardar River.

North Macedonia is blessed with outstanding natural beauty. Do not miss a trip to one of the large lakes, Pelister Mountains, Shar Planina in the west, and the fascinating rolling hills and mountains of the east with its rice fields.

North Macedonia is dotted with beautiful Orthodox churches, monasteries, and Ottoman mosques. The territory of North Macedonia has a proud history. Being under the Ottomans for 500 years caused legendary Macedonian revolutionaries such as Goce Delcev, Nikola Karev, and Pitu Guli to lead uprisings to free Macedonia.

North Macedonia has been part of many countries, but until its incorporation into Yugoslavia by Tito in 1945 it was never acknowledged as an administrative "state". The Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia prospered under Tito's rule, especially when the capital Skopje was rebuilt after a severe earthquake in 1963 and the Yugoslav government invested heavily in the subsequent infrastructure rebuilding. This may explain why many Macedonians are somewhat nostalgic for Tito's Yugoslavia.

International recognition of Macedonia's independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 was delayed by Greece's objection to the new state's use of what Greece considered a "Hellenic name and symbols." Greece finally lifted its trade blockade in 1995, and the two countries agreed to normalize relations, despite continued disagreement over the use of "Macedonia" in the name. Greece is now the largest investor in Macedonia. Due to the naming dispute, the country was often referred to as "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" - or "FYROM" - while many Macedonians disliked this moniker, it led to such oddities as the UN delegation of the country being seated under "t" (for "the") as a compromise. In June 2018, the leaders of Macedonia and Greece signed an accord to resolve the dispute by having Macedonia change its name to "the Republic of North Macedonia". The name change took effect on 12 February 2019.

North Macedonia's large Albanian minority (about 25%), an ethnic Albanian armed insurgency in Macedonia in 2001, and the status of neighbouring Kosovo continue to be sources of ethnic tension. There were also tensions during the last parliamentary elections on 2 June 2008, although they happened between supporters of the two biggest rival Albanian political parties.

While the Macedonian capital Skopje is home to over half a million residents, the rest of the country's cities are significantly smaller, ranging from just a few thousand to under 100,000 residents.

• Skopje. (Скопје) — the nation's capital, home to many historic landmarks and architectural monuments, and a great number of cultural places of interest
• Bitola. (Битола) — North Macedonia's most "European" town, with an ancient city, Ottoman monuments, a lovely shopping promenade, great nightlife, and more
• Kratovo. (Кратово) — a picturesque town situated in an extinct volcano crater
• Kruševo. (Крушево) — a museum-city nestled high up in the mountains of southwestern North Macedonia; it is one the most historically significant destinations in the country as it was the site of a revolt against the Ottoman Empire; also home to great skiing
• Ohrid. (Охрид) — a lakeside resort and UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is considered the jewel in North Macedonia's crown
• Prilep. (Прилеп) — tobacco fields, medieval fortifications and monasteries, and strange rocks
• Štip. (Штип) — an economic and cultural hub of eastern Macedonia with a long history
• Strumica. (Струмица) — a city with one of the highest concentrations of historical sites in Eastern North Macedonia
• Veles. (Велес) — in the center of the country, a dense city on hills on both sides of the Vardar

Skopje. (Скопје) — the nation's capital, home to many historic landmarks and architectural monuments, and a great number of cultural places of interest

Bitola. (Битола) — North Macedonia's most "European" town, with an ancient city, Ottoman monuments, a lovely shopping promenade, great nightlife, and more

Kratovo. (Кратово) — a picturesque town situated in an extinct volcano crater

Kruševo. (Крушево) — a museum-city nestled high up in the mountains of southwestern North Macedonia; it is one the most historically significant destinations in the country as it was the site of a revolt against the Ottoman Empire; also home to great skiing

Ohrid. (Охрид) — a lakeside resort and UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is considered the jewel in North Macedonia's crown

Prilep. (Прилеп) — tobacco fields, medieval fortifications and monasteries, and strange rocks

Štip. (Штип) — an economic and cultural hub of eastern Macedonia with a long history

Strumica. (Струмица) — a city with one of the highest concentrations of historical sites in Eastern North Macedonia

Veles. (Велес) — in the center of the country, a dense city on hills on both sides of the Vardar

• Galičica National Park. — consists of the mountainous land between Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa.
• Mavrovo National Park. — the largest of North Macedonia's national parks. It is home to the country's highest peak, Golem Korab, as well as several picturesque villages and monasteries.
• Pelister National Park. — separates Bitola from Prespa. It covers the Baba Mountain area and features two glacial lakes known as "Mountain Eyes" that feed multiple rivers.
• Prespa. (Преспа) — contains most of the Great Prespa Lake, shared by neighbouring countries. Galičica to the west and Pelister to the east complement the scenery provided by the lake.
• Staro Nagoričane. (Старо Нагоричане) — a prehistoric observatory, medieval churches, massive rocks, and important memorials
• Stobi. (Стоби) — an ancient city that is now one of the largest archaeological sites in the country.
• Vevčani. (Вевчани, Vevchani) — historic mountain village known for its natural springs, its 1,400-year-old annual carnival and its attempts at autonomy
  

Galičica National Park. — consists of the mountainous land between Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa.

Mavrovo National Park. — the largest of North Macedonia's national parks. It is home to the country's highest peak, Golem Korab, as well as several picturesque villages and monasteries.

Pelister National Park. — separates Bitola from Prespa. It covers the Baba Mountain area and features two glacial lakes known as "Mountain Eyes" that feed multiple rivers.

Prespa. (Преспа) — contains most of the Great Prespa Lake, shared by neighbouring countries. Galičica to the west and Pelister to the east complement the scenery provided by the lake.

Staro Nagoričane. (Старо Нагоричане) — a prehistoric observatory, medieval churches, massive rocks, and important memorials

Stobi. (Стоби) — an ancient city that is now one of the largest archaeological sites in the country.

Vevčani. (Вевчани, Vevchani) — historic mountain village known for its natural springs, its 1,400-year-old annual carnival and its attempts at autonomy

Macedonian is the official and national language of the country, and is spoken by almost everyone. Albanian, as of 2019, is a co-official language at the national level. Turkish, Serbo-Croatian and others are spoken by ethnic minorities. Whilst many young people can speak English, many of the older generations do not. Most people related to tourism can speak at least basic English, particularly in Skopje, Ohrid, and Bitola. Speakers of Bulgarian, Serbo-Croatian and Slovene should have no problem getting by. Some older people may speak Russian, as it was a compulsory second language in schools during the communist era.

Šuto Orizari, better known as Shutka, which is part of the city of Skopje, is the only place in the world where Romani (Gypsy) is a co-official language.

This lovely, compact country has a surprising myriad of attractions to offer. It's a fascinating mix of the ancient Balkan, the laid-back Mediterranean and the hip and happening vibe of modern Europe.

It all starts in lively Skopje, the country's main city and the centre of its economy. It offers great shopping and party opportunities, but also grand historic monuments. The 5th century Tvrdina Kale Fortress is one of the main landsmarks, together with the beautiful Sveti Spas Church, the charming old Ottoman bazaar Čaršija and the Kameni Most. This 600 year old Stone Bridge will take you right onto the city's main square, where a gigantic statue of Alexander the Great awaits. If you're up for a hike, make your way up to the enormous Millennium Cross on top of Vodno mountain, or take the rope railway to get the same views with less effort. If summer makes the city hard to bear, follow the locals to the cool shores of Lake Matka just out of town, where you can explore the gorge and caves through hikes and kayak tours.

Smaller but a visitor's favourite is the city of Ohrid, famous for its countless Byzantine churches. Beautifully situated on Lake Ohrid, this place is listed by UNESCO as both a cultural and a natural monument. It's home to one of the most prominent collections of Byzantine icons in the world, second only to that of the famous Tretiakov Gallery in Moscow, as well as to the oldest Slavic monastery in the country and the picture-perfect Church of St. John at Kaneo right on the edge of the lake. The city's little sister on the lake, Struga, offers similar charm but is less overrun with visitors.

Still, many will argue that North Macedonia's best experiences can not be found in its cities, but rather in the stunningly beautiful mountain landscapes, remote monasteries and friendly rural villages. In any case, a tour of the countryside is a must-do for any visitor. Pelister National Park is the oldest of the country's three national parks and a popular destination for its typical Eastern European flora and fauna. The larger Mavrovo National Park offers great landscapes year round and is popular for winter sports in winter. It also holds the impressive Sveti Jovan Bigorski Monastery and a relic of its namesake patron. There are dozens of other monasteries to see, of which the Monastery of Bogorodica and the Zrze Monastery are good picks. For true nature lovers, the little known Public Enterprise for Managing and Protection of the Multipurpose Area Jasen is an excellent and off the beaten track reserve with great wildlife spotting opportunities, and yet right next to the capital.

There are plenty of other attractions to choose from, if you have enough time to spare. Consider a visit to the Stone town of Kuklica, which is only a short ride from the charming little town of Kratovo. Or, head over to the ancient Towers of Marko near Prilep.

• Taksirat Festival. One of the biggest winter festivals in Eastern Europe, which happens at the end of November and beginning of December.

Taksirat Festival. One of the biggest winter festivals in Eastern Europe, which happens at the end of November and beginning of December.

The official currency of North Macedonia is the denar (plural denari), denoted by the abbreviation "ден" (den) (international code: MKD). Many Macedonians quote prices in euro (€). The new denar replaced the old denar in 1993 at a rate of 100:1.

Most cities have ATMs where you can withdraw money with cheap commission rates, although there are also plenty of banks and exchange booths where you can easily change money. While banks often offer slightly better rates, you need to register with your passport which may take up to 10 minutes. Changing money in the exchange offices, on the other hand, is fairly straight forward, painless and quick. Do not change money on the street. Shops may accept euro but it is illegal for them to do so.

North Macedonia is full of markets and bazaars well worth a visit. The bazaars of Skopje, Tetovo, Ohrid and Bitola are the largest selling anything from dried peppers to fake designer sunglasses. While much of the merchandise may not be worth buying, there is normally a good selection of shoes, fruit, and vegetables of good quality, depending on the season. Merchants are generally pleasant and welcoming, especially to westerners, who remain something of a rarity outside of Skopje and Ohrid.

Ohrid is famous for its pearls and there are dozens of jewellers in the old town that will offer good products at decent prices. The Macedonian Orthodox paintings in old Ohrid are also worth a look.

Tipping is not seen as essential, but it is always welcomed.

If you are on a tight budget, try one of the Skara (grill) places. There are quite a few up-market restaurants serving better quality food on the waterfront, but these cater to tourists, so don't be surprised by a rather sizeable bill at the end of your meal.

Service at the restaurants and cafés nationwide tend to be slow-ish, either because these businesses are chronically understaffed, or because of the general laid-back culture. Consider yourself lucky if your food is served within half an hour after you get seated.

Typical Macedonian food resembles the food of the southern Balkans, meaning loads of grilled meat (known as skara). Side dishes usually have to be ordered separately. North Macedonia is also famous for its shopska salata, a mixed salad of cucumbers, tomatoes and grated sirenje. Sirenje is a white cheese similar to feta cheese. Usually Macedonians will translate the English cheese to sirenje. Another local speciality is ajvar, a red paste made from roasted peppers and tomatoes, which is either used as an appetizer or side dish. Another typical local dish is tarator which is comparable to the Greek tzatziki. It is made of yoghurt, cucumbers, and garlic and it is served as a cold soup. The most popular street food is either burek (бурек) which is a flaky phyllo-like pastry filled with melted cheese and/or ham, or pressed, panini style sandwiches, called toast (тост).

Stobi Flips are a ubiquitous snack food found in supermarkets and corner stores, with the shape and texture of a cheese doodle, but a salty peanut flavour.

Tavče gravče (тавче гравче) is the national dish and unique to North Macedonia. It basically consists of beans, paprika and is traditionally served with cut sausage mixed in.

North Macedonia, being landlocked, does not offer a great variety of fresh fish. A notable exception is Ohrid, where fresh fish from the local lake can be enjoyed. If you have no objections to eating endangered species, the Ohrid trout is a local delicacy.

Rakija is a strong grape brandy that has the best claim to being the republic's national beverage.

Macedonians boast the largest winery in the Balkan area—the Tikveš (Tikvesh) winery in Kavadarci. Red wines are usually better than white ones. Try T'ga za Jug, a Macedonian affordable red wine made from a local grape variety called Vranec. Local white wines include Traminec and Temjanika.

The local beer market is dominated by Skopsko (Скопско, "of Skopje", following the Slavic convention of naming beers after their origin), a drinkable, if not entirely distinctive, lager. There are also many breweries which brew surprisingly good-tasting beer.

Sale of any alcoholic beverages from the stores end by 21:00 all over the country, but in the restaurants and cafés, it's business as usual.

Unlike much of the rest of the Balkans, sparkling water or water with gas is instead mineral water, or kisela voda.

The most common coffee drink in cafés is the macchiato (макијато, espresso topped by a foamy cream), which can be ordered as a single shot, small, mali macchiato, or double shot, large, golem macchiato. Cold cappuccinos with flavoured creams coming in large glasses are also popular in summer.

Tea is pretty much limited to the black and green varieties, and served in bags. Those longing for strong brewed black tea should head for the tea-houses run by the local Turks in the old town of Skopje or Ohrid.

North Macedonia is a safe country. Driving is not ill-advised, but it's recommended for foreigners to try and use taxis and public transport wherever possible. As in all countries, keep an eye out for pickpockets and all valuables safe. Hotels and most private accommodation will offer a safe to store valuables and cash in.

Most people are very friendly and hospitable.

Water is safe to drink and there are public drinking water fountains in most public places. It is advisable to wash all fruit and vegetables.

Use caution when eating red meat at restaurants. Although Macedonian cuisine typically revolves around grills ("skara") there are some restaurants that do not use proper or clean methods of cooking, which if practised in many Western countries would be seen as a violation of certain health regulations. Bad restaurants can be spotted easily; they will probably not look very appealing and will not have many customers. However, the vast majority of restaurants in North Macedonia serve good quality food.

It is advisable to simply refer to the country as "Macedonia". The "north" part of the name, added in 2019 to resolve a naming dispute with Greece, has not made it into everyday use among Macedonians and may never do so. Many, in fact, consider it offensive. Macedonia is directly transliterated from the Cyrillic as Makedonija, and is pronounced roughly how it would appear to an English speaker: "mahk-eh-DOHN-ee-yah".

Touchy topics are Macedonian-Bulgarian, Macedonian-Albanian, and Macedonian-Greek relations. Most Macedonians can hold strong political opinions regarding their neighbours and won't shy away from expressing their views in most cases. Politics often finds its way into conversation over a cup of coffee. To keep from upsetting your hosts or new-found friends, avoid topics such as the 2001 war against the NLA, Macedonia's partition during the Balkan wars and North Macedonia's pending membership into the European Union or NATO. Don't worry about talking about the Communist period or about Josip Tito.

With the current situation in Kosovo, be very careful when talking about politics, as there is also a significant Albanian minority here. Ask as many questions as you'd like (within reason), but don't make any statements. Best to keep in mind that roughly one in four people you see on the street are likely to be Albanian, with far higher percentages in the west, and tensions are at times high between the Macedonian and Albanian communities. In short, keep your political opinions to yourself.

Domestic telephone service is available in all inhabited towns, via the PSTN or VoIP. The PSTN network is run by T-home . There is an affordable fixed phone service (wireless and easy to install) from the mobile operator ONE, available prepaid (without a monthly fee, 12 months availability without recharge, recharging for only 500 denari/€8) and postpaid.

Mobile phones are widely spread and the coverage is excellent. There are 3 mobile networks (T-mobile, One and VIP ), all using the GSM/3G standard. You can buy a pre-paid SIM card from T-mobile for 295 denari (€5) with 250 denari free talk time, from ONE for 190 denari (€3) with 250 denari free talk time, and from VIP for 300 denari (€5) with 300 denari free talk time. You may need to show your ID card or passport when buying.

Internet access is widely available throughout the country. Almost all hotels provide internet access, either free or paid. Local coffee shops usually offer free Wi-Fi access, as many other public places do. Feel free to ask for the password, if the network is locked. Broadband internet is available through cable, ADSL, WiMax and LAN connections. You can also access internet with your mobile phone, via GPRS or 3G.

ONE offers both internet for home and mobile internet. More information here. T-home offers ADSL internet for 599 denari/month (€10) - 30GB bandwidth, 6Mbit/s speed - you need to have PSTN connection from T-home.

Internet cafés are available in most cities and in some villages.