he Balkans is definitely a hidden jewel for tourists as there are tons of great places to visit, things to see, and dishes to try out. Yes, many people who are looking to travel the world opt-out for more “commercial tourist attractions” and that is the reason why the beauties of the Balkan Peninsula often slip under the radar.
With that being said, we are going to take a look at Balkan treasure that the residents in the region are well-aware of, but it still remains relatively unknown to the world – North Macedonia. There are plenty of wonders that this ancient country hides and we will be more than happy to list a few. Who knows, maybe they’ll spark your adventure and you will go and visit them. Let’s check them out.
Matka Canyon
The first of the many wonders of North Macedonia is Matka Canyon, located just outside of the country’s capital, Skopje. This place is home to a few medieval monasteries and its lake, Matka Lake, is the oldest artificial lake in North Macedonia.
Apart from the breathtaking views, great walking trail and the cosy restaurant, Matka Cave is also home to Vrelo Cave, a cave that many divers have explored throughout the years, but never managed to find its bottom. It was recently confirmed that Vrelo is the deepest cave in Europe, while some believe that it has the potential to be the deepest in the world.
Apart from exploring Vrelo Cave, kayaking in the canyon and enjoying the view from the restaurant, Matka is also a popular hiking destination, with the most popular trail being Matka-Vodno, which is around 13 kilometres.
The Ohrid Lake/ Ohrid
Our next listing is the biggest jewel and the most popular tourist destination – Ohrid Lake. Located in Ohrid, the lake is one of the deepest lakes in the world and the deepest in the Balkans. North Macedonia’s side of Lake Ohrid has been declared a national heritage site by UNESCO. NASA even named one of the lakes of Titan, Saturn, after it.
There are virtually countless things to do here aside from enjoying the fantastic views. Ohrid and the Ohrid Lake are the perfect summer destinations. Apart from enjoying a cruise on the lake, you can visit Varosh, the city’s old town, where you can sightsee many of its churches, including St. Sophia, St. John the Theologian and Church of Saints Clement and Panteleimon, as well as Samoil’s Fortress, the Ancient Theatre, and more.
The other side of the city is home to its fantastic beaches and other popular destinations like The Bay of the Bones, Ljubanista, St. Naum and the small village of Trpejca. If you happen to visit Trpejca, make sure to try the fish delicacies there.
Finally, if you are more of the adventurous type, you can always go to the Galicica National Park and take a guided hiking tour around the mountain or climb many of its peaks, including Magaro and Lako Signoj.
Peshna Cave
Have you ever watched Lord of the Rings? This is such a legendary movie franchise that we are just going to assume that you did. Well, Peshna Cave has been described as identical to Lord of the Rings’ imaginary caves by the NY Times.
It is located just a few kilometres away from Makedonski Brod and its opening is the largest in the Balkans. It is over 120 metres long and it is home to many several endemic species that are living in the cave’s underground lakes. Considering the fact that its opening is massive, sun rays beam light to the vary end of the cave, making it easy for you to explore it.
Other Honourable Mentions
There’s no denying the fact that North Macedonia is packed with hidden wonders that you must visit if you are planning a trip there. Apart from the aforementioned attractions, there are numerous other places that you can include on your trip. Some honourable mentions include Mavrovo, which is home to the country’s most popular ski resort and national park, as well as its capital, Skopje.
Although Skopje is the business centre of the country, you can explore quite a few places there, including Vodno, the city’s old bazaar and visit its numerous museums. Then, we have Krusevo, which is the home of the country’s most popular singer in history, Tose Proeski, as well as to one of the most endemic buildings that you will come across in your life – the Makedonium.
Heraclea, the ancient city in Bitola, Radozda and Galichnik should be on your list if you have the time. The best part about travelling to Macedonia is the fact that the expenses are pretty low, making it the perfect budget-friendly destination that you can go to with your friends and/or loved ones.