Ohrid
Spend several days ambling on the cobbled streets of historic Ohrid, nestled alongside the vast Lake Ohrid.
The 11th-century St Sofia Orthodox Church, 2000-year-old Roman amphitheatre, and forbidding 10th-century fortress of Tsar Tsamoil peel away centuries of human occupation.
Hop on board a lake boat for spectacular views looking back to the old city or explore Lake Ohrid’s sunken villages and freshwater fauna by sub-aqua diving.
Historical churches
A boat service takes passengers from Ohrid to stop-off points such as the stunning Church of St Naum with its multiple red-tiled rotundas and resident peacocks.
The atmospheric St Jovan Bigorski Monastery dazzles, decorated from floor to ceiling with frescoes and a vast wooden 19th-century iconostasis (screen) exquisitely carved with depictions from the Testaments. it is possible to stay overnight at the monastery’s simple lodge.
Local vineyards
Relax with a glass of Macedonian wine from Popova Kula Winery in the stunning region of Tikves.
Mountains and national parks
Kayak on white water amid the dramatic scenery of Matka Canyon, 12km north-west of Skopje.
Mountain bike on one of Europe’s hottest trails, a 55km blast through Galicica National Park.
Macedonia is riddled with caves: an epic 450m-deep cave with ice formations in the Kradzica Mountains is a speleologist’s dream.
Ski nursery slopes to black runs in the mountains of Mavrovo National Park.
Look for bears amid high-altitude glacial lakes in Pelister National Park.
