Perhaps you haven't heard, but Russians can visit North Macedonia! And this country is unfairly underestimated, just like Albania. It's a vibrant, unexplored, beautiful, and interesting place! Let's figure out exactly where to go and what to see. 

From the airport to the city

Skopje Alexander the Great Airport is located approximately 23 km from the city. There are three ways to get to the city:

• bus
• taxi
• car rental

Bus

The city center and the airport are connected by the Vardar Ekspres bus, which takes about 40 minutes and costs 180 Macedonian Denars (about 260 rubles, depending on the exchange rate).

In the city, the bus has three stops: the central railway and bus station, Capitol Mall, and Hotel Holiday In. 

How to save money: near the airport there are settlements just a few kilometers away. You can take a suburban bus there, which is usually cheaper than the express. 

Taxi

There is a taxi service here with fixed prices. For example, a trip from the airport to the city will cost 20 euros. You can also take a taxi to any city in the country. 

At the airport, you can rent a car from Avis, Sixt, Europcar counters. Schedule and detailed information about car rental on the airport website. 

North Macedonia has its own currency – the Macedonian Denar. As of February 8, 2021, 10 Denars = 14.5 Rubles.

Public Transport 

Bus service is well-developed within and outside the city. A single ticket can be bought from the driver or at kiosks, but we recommend purchasing a contactless payment card SKOPSKA – this way you will save on fares, as it's 40% cheaper with the card. For transport schedules, refer to this website. 

What to see in Skopje

There are several viewpoints in the city, the top ones being: on the hill near Kale Fortress, Millennium Cross on Mount Vodno.

But you can start with the Stone Bridge, which connects the Old Town and the New. Executions used to take place on it, but now you can make wishes there. 

And here's another interesting place inherited by the city from the Turks – Daut Pasha Hamam. The building was intended as a bathhouse, but due to a tragedy – the daughter of the Ottoman ruler died there – it never opened. Over time, the building was adapted into the National Art Gallery, where interesting exhibitions are now held. 

Be sure to take a stroll or relax in the main square – Macedonia Square, where a huge monument to Alexander the Great still stands. The square also features an incredible number of statues of famous personalities of the country. They are literally at every step. It looks cool, but locals consider it tasteless. 

If you are traveling with a child or simply love animals, be sure to visit the zoo. Inside, there's even a petting zoo where you can touch incredible animals and feed them from your hand, not through a hole in the enclosure. The territory also has attractions, cafes, and other entertainment. 

Outside Skopje

If you come to North Macedonia, by no means limit yourself to the capital. The country is 80% mountains, so nature is one of its most important attractions. After exploring Skopje for a day or two, venture beyond its borders – there's a lot to see! 

Matka Canyon

You can get there by bus No. 60 directly from the bus station. If you haven't been to Norway, but during a river cruise (about 4 euros) through the canyon, it will seem like you are there. The places are very similar to the famous fjords! And there are also underground caves in this area, which you can also reach by boat. 

You can also rent cabins for overnight stays there. The setting is modest, but for a budget traveler, you couldn't ask for better. Compare: an entire cabin with its own amenities or a bunk in a 10-person dormitory? 

Kuklica

An interesting place, but you can only get there by car. Its unique feature is that it's a stone city. To locals, these unusually shaped stones resemble people, and there are many legends about how they appeared there. In any case, it's definitely worth visiting to come up with your own story of their origin. 

Ohrid

The main attraction of this place is Lake Ohrid. It's so large that it seems like a sea. It washes the shores of not only Macedonia but also Albania, which further speaks to its size. 

The city itself is considered the most beautiful in the country by Skopje residents, which is why it is very popular with tourists. They say the best – postcard-perfect – view is from Samuel's Fortress. You don't have to go inside, as admission is paid and there's nothing inside, but the landscapes are breathtaking. 

What to eat

If you have no complaints about Balkan and Turkish cuisine, then you'll like it here too. In Macedonia, these cuisines blend a bit: you can easily find traditional kebabs, Turkish coffee, as well as pljeskavica and ajvar. Pop into any cafe you like and choose a meat dish – you definitely won't go hungry! And on top of that, tea with some baklava, mmm!

If you are looking for a destination without tourist crowds, that doesn't require a large budget, where Russian is understood, and no visa is needed, then North Macedonia is the best option! Currently, no certificates are required for entry, only body temperature is measured at the airport.