100% customisable travel idea
From Skopje to Lake Ohrid North Macedonia from a new perspective
North Macedonia - Skopje - Lake Ohrid
In a new country
Your journey
The travel arrangements are straightforward. Distances are short, and your private driver spares you the inconveniences of sometimes unpredictable traffic, as well as those of the Macedonian alphabet. The car’s air conditioning keeps you comfortable whatever the weather. Both your hotels are perfectly suited to their location. The first reflects Skopje’s enthusiasm for contemporary cosmopolitanism. The second reflects the Macedonian love of comfort and the water with swimming pools and a spa. For the main sightseeing tours in Skopje, Tetovo and Ohrid you have your own private guide. They will give you first-hand information that will only enhance your personal explorations. If you would like to share a meal with locals in a village near Lake Ohrid, we would be happy to arrange this, especially as traditional Macedonian cuisine comes highly recommended! If, along the way, you want to change your plans or there’s a slight hitch, you have the contact details of our on site Concierge service to assist you.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Transfer. Stay two nights in the centre of Skopje. From the terrace of your hotel, you can see Macedonia Square. The decor is resolutely international while the design embraces a certain modern classicism. White and grey dominate, enlivened by touches of plum, russet and crimson. Breakfast is served in a neat, functional dining room. The bedrooms offer a good overall level of amenities.
Already included - Skopje Old Town and modern neighbourhoods. The Balkans just as you imagine them: diverse, colourful, outgoing and welcoming. A medieval castle crowns the town. Below, the narrow alleys of the bazaar still lead to notable Ottoman landmarks, such as the 15th-century Mustafa Pasha Mosque; Daout Pasha Hamman, also from the 15th century, which now houses the National Gallery of Macedonia; the 16th-century Clock Tower, and also Orthodox sites, like the Church of the Ascension, dating from the 17th to 19th centuries. But that’s not all. You also have the Art Nouveau and modernist buildings in the new town. The conquerors built in their own image, then left. The Skopjans, however, remained. They have embraced modernity and now construct buildings of glass and steel, while still eating tavtché gravtché and drinking mastika.
Already included - the unique Painted Mosque of Tetovo was built in 1438 and rebuilt in 1833. Inside and out, it is entirely painted in an unusual Islamic rococo style. The Arabati Baba Tekke, built in the 16th century, was home to Bektashi dervishes until the Second World War. Today unoccupied, it remains an iconic monument and a fine example of Ottoman carpentry. In Mavrovo National Park, explore the Šar (or Sharr) Mountains. Geology has produced some spectacular effects here. The terrain seems to have enabled the appearance of water features, with springs, streams and waterfalls giving life to the landscape throughout. The Korab Waterfall, on the Dlaboka River, is the highest in the Balkans.
Stay three nights just a few minutes from the lake, in a modern house with a large garden, in typical post-socialist chic. All the decor contributes to this effect. Your room shows all the outward signs of comfort and, in practice, lives up to its promise. From the bedding to the jacuzzi, you won’t be disappointed. There is also an on-site restaurant and bar where you can eat and drink your fill. The wellness area is clearly designed, offering a hammam, sauna, spa treatments, and two pools - one outdoor and one indoor.
The crystal-clear waters of Lake Ohrid owe their clarity to oligotrophy and karst filtration of the inflowing water. Together with the surrounding hills and mountains of the Galicica range, they create one of the most beautiful landscapes in southern Europe, on the border between Macedonia and Albania. The city of Ohrid, located on the northeastern shore of the lake, is typically Macedonian, with layers of military, religious and civil architecture - Christian, Muslim and a hint of socialist. Along with this, the well-kept town has a cheerful atmosphere, no doubt linked to a long-standing tradition of leisure pursuits. Freshwater hedonists were quick to join the monks in this remote region. This quiet, peaceful part of the Balkans has been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for its nature and culture.
Optional - lunch with a local family in Elshani.
Already included - Ohrid, Macedonian city. Join your guide for a tour of the Old Town, nestled at the foot of 10th-century Samuel’s Fortress, with its row of square towers. The medieval layout of the streets and the 17th to 19th-century houses form a cohesive whole that is charming and picturesque. Notable landmarks include the Hellenistic theatre, dating from the 1st century; the Cathedral of Saint Sophia, with its unforgettable 11th to 14th-century frescoes; Robevi House, a splendid urban residence from the 1860s; the Church of Saint John at Kaneo, a 13th-century gem of Byzantine architecture that can only be reached on foot; and the Church of the Holy Mother of God Perivleptos, also from the 13th century, whose frescoes are truly breathtaking - the painters Michael and Eftychios Astrapas worked here as worthy sons of Saint Luke!
Transfer to Skopje airport. Return flight.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Lunch with local hosts in Elshani - Ohrid
About 10 km (6 miles) south of Ohrid, in Galicica National Park, lies the traditional village of Elshani. From these rugged heights, there is a magnificent view of the lake. Which is not the only thing of interest here. The other one is food. You dine with a family so it’s bound to be local ingredients and grandmother’s recipes. Experience North Macedonia as it really is, authentic and delicious. After the meal, a short hike in the mountains is good for your digestion and lets you take in the scenic views. A private guide comes with you on the excursion.Optional extra - Half-day
Why visit Macedonia with Voyageurs du monde?
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your tripA few of the advantages of travelling with us to Macedonia
- Wi-Fi: 1 GB/day included
- Adjust your trip while travelling
- 24-hour assistance
- CO2 absorption
