Discover Macedonia: Top Outdoor Adventures Awaiting You

Just about any trip to Macedonia begins with a flight into the international airport near Skopje. As a result, most guides will start your itinerary off by meeting you at the airport or in the capital. This presents you with a good opportunity to get out an explore the capital for a few days before or after you trip.

Once you begin on your itinerary, you’ll likely head west into the country’s most mountainous region. Macedonia is shaped somewhat like a bowl with a central valley surrounded by mountains. The country’s southwest border with Albania is flanked by two large lakes. Whether or not they are included in your itinerary, you should take some time to go out and see them.

Depending on whether you are hiking or skiing, you will likely come across some of the country’s mountain towns. Hopefully visiting them will be built into your itinerary, but if not, do your best to experience some of the culture there. It will feel like you are a whole world away from Skopje.

Stunning scenery

The mountains and plains of Macedonia are the perfect backdrop to any outdoor adventure. Many of the country’s tallest mountains are easy to hike and offer spectacular views of the unique landscape. Lakes are interspersed throughout the mountains and forests turning the countryside into a delightful patchwork of blues and greens.

Enjoy the solitude

Unlike any of Europe’s premier outdoor adventure locales, Macedonia is not yet over populated with tourists. This means any adventure here will afford you want coming to the outdoors is all about, getting away from it all. That means no waiting in line for ski lifts or patiently queuing to snap a quick photo at a scenic overlook.

Come for the culture

Macedonia has quite a rich cultural heritage. While you’re not out exploring the wilderness, take some time, while you’re here, to experience it. Every trip to Macedonia inevitably starts in Skopje. While you’re there, take in some of the architecture and museums. Also, don’t pass up[ the opportunity to try authentic Macedonian cuisine, which is heavily influenced by Greece, Turkey and the rest of the Balkans.

During the summer, average daily temperatures are quite mild ranging around 20ºC, with the warmest month being July. Rain is most frequent in the springtime, but also not uncommon during the summer. The autumn is the country’s driest season. During the winter, temperatures drop to right around freezing and sometimes dip lower, especially in January. The country gets most of its snow in January and it generally sticks until March or April in the mountains.

Just about every trip to Macedonia, begins by flying into Skopje International Airport (SKP), which is most easily reached via a connection from Vienna, Zürich, Brussels, Istanbul, London or Rome.

Macedonian

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For hiking, the best time to visit is from April to October. Meanwhile, for skiing, you are best served from January to April.