Itinerary
- Day 1
Skopje
You'll arrive in Skopje, North Macedonia's capital, and if there's time before evening, take a short walking tour through the city center. The Stone Bridge is one of those landmarks you'll want to see, connecting the old and new parts of town. Kale Fortress sits up on a hill overlooking everything, and the Orthodox Church of St. Spas is worth a quick visit if you get there early enough. Most of your day will likely be travel and settling in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (De Koka Hotel oder ähnlich), Hotel (Next Door Park Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour in Skopje city center (if time permits)
- Visit Stone Bridge over the River Vardar
- Visit Kale Fortress
- Visit Orthodox Church of St. Spas
Landmarks Stone Bridge Kale Fortress Orthodox Church of St. Spas 
- Day 2
Skopje to Mavrovo to Struga/Ohrid
Head out early toward Mavrovo National Park, making a stop in Tetovo first to see the famous painted mosque with its intricate designs. From there, you'll continue into the park itself where mountain ranges and flower meadows fill the landscape. Mavrovo Lake is the centerpiece, and the small villages of Lazaropole and Galičnik are worth walking through to see traditional architecture. If time allows, Sveti Jovan Bigorski monastery is on the way. You'll finish the day in either Struga or Ohrid for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Garden Hotel oder ähnlich), Hotel (Su Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit the painted mosque in Tetovo
- Explore Mavrovo National Park
Optional Activities
- Hikes in Mavrovo National Park
- Visit Sveti Jovan Bigorski monastery
- Visit villages of Lazaropole and Galičnic
- View the Radika River
Landmarks Painted Mosque (Colored Mosque) Mavrovo National Park Mavrovo Lake Sveti Jovan Bigorski Monastery - Day 3
Struga/Ohrid to Ohrid
After breakfast, head toward Vevcani, a village in the Jablanica Mountains known for its natural springs and glacial lakes. The place has this interesting mix of old buildings and people still living their traditional lives there. You can taste local rakija and wine if you want, paired with regional food. Later in the afternoon, drive down to Struga on Lake Ohrid's shore to see Fort Samuel, then continue to Ohrid for your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Garden Hotel oder ähnlich), Hotel (Su Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit Vevcani village
- Visit Fort Samuel in Struga
Optional Activities
- Taste local homemade rakija (brandy) and wine
- Taste traditional regional dishes
- Visit springs: Jankov Kamen, Mala Livada, and Golina
- Visit glacial lakes near Vevcani
Landmarks Vevcani Fort Samuel 
- Day 4
Ohrid
Spend your time in Ohrid exploring the many churches and monasteries that give it the nickname 'European Jerusalem.' Walk the city on a guided tour hitting the main sites, then stroll along the lakeside promenade where locals and visitors hang out. If you want to swim, Lake Ohrid's water is clear and inviting. The Bay of Bones has a reconstruction of prehistoric pile dwellings worth seeing, and Sveti Naum monastery from the 9th century has frescoes throughout. An optional boat trip takes you to where the Black Drim river starts.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Garden Hotel oder ähnlich), Hotel (Su Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- City tour in Ohrid
- Visit most important sights in Ohrid
- Visit Bay of Bones archaeological site
- Visit Sveti Naum monastery
Optional Activities
- Swim in Lake Ohrid
- Stroll along the lakeside promenade
- Boat trip to the source of the Black Drim
Landmarks Bay of Bones Sveti Naum Monastery Lake Ohrid 
- Day 5
Ohrid to Bitola
Early departure toward Bitola, stopping first at Heraclea Lyncestis, an ancient city Philip II of Macedonia founded back in the 4th century BC. The Roman remains here include baths, theaters, and early Christian basilicas spread across the site. Continue up to Krushevo, Macedonia's only mountain town sitting at 1,350 m and the highest in the Balkans. The Ilinden memorial complex marks an important moment in local history. You'll finish in Bitola, the country's second largest city at the base of the Baba Mountains.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Villa Grand Hotel oder ähnlich), Hotel (Millenium Villa oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit archaeological site of Heraclea Lyncestis
- Visit Krushevo town
- Visit Ilinden memorial complex (Makedonium)
Landmarks Heraclea Lyncestis Krushevo Ilinden Memorial Complex (Makedonium) - Day 6
Bitola to Skopje
Head back to Skopje this morning, but the drive goes through the Tikvesh wine region so stop at a local winery for wine tasting if that interests you. Along the way, check out Stobi, an ancient city that later became capital of the Roman province of Macedonia. The excavations here show off some important structures and over 1,600 square kilometers of discovered mosaics across the site. Then continue on to Skopje for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (De Koka Hotel oder ähnlich), Hotel (Next Door Park Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit winery in Tikvesh region
- Visit archaeological site of Stobi
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting at Tikvesh region winery
Landmarks Stobi Tikvesh Wine Region - Day 7
Matka Canyon
Set out early for Matka Canyon just outside Skopje, one of the most beautiful natural areas nearby. You'll take a boat across the lake with high rock walls rising up on both sides. Vrelo Cave is the main attraction here, one of Europe's most notable cave formations with dramatic stalactites and a large pine cone shaped formation inside. The cave has two lakes at its far end and it's worth spending several hours exploring. Return to Skopje as the sun starts setting.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (De Koka Hotel oder ähnlich), Hotel (Next Door Park Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Explore Matka Canyon
- Boat ride across Matka Lake
- Visit Vrelo Cave
Optional Activities
- Hiking trails along the Treska River
Landmarks Matka Canyon Vrelo Cave - Day 8
Departure
Your trip through North Macedonia comes to an end today. A transfer will take you from your hotel to the airport for your departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
