As summer approaches and people book their holidays, North Macedonia is becoming an increasingly popular option for those looking to get away and escape the crowds.
North Macedonia is a landlocked country in Europe, bordered by Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Albania. It’s one of the continent’s lesser-known holiday destinations, but that makes it perfect for those looking for a peaceful trip.
The country is rich in history, with influences from the Mediterranean, Balkans, Greece, Italy, and Ottoman Empire, making it a real blend of cultures.
North Macedonia is one of the most unique countries in Europe, and still remains a hidden gem. And though it’s a small country, it’s absolutely covered in beautiful natural scenery.
Roughly 80 percent of its land is made up of mountains and lakes, making it perfect for adventure lovers looking to spend their holiday hiking, cycling, and kayaking.
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For those who prefer to sit back and observe the nature, North Macedonia boasts a wide variety or wildlife, with bears, wild boars, wolves, foxes, deer, and over 200 species of butterfly.
History lovers can also get lost in the amphitheatres, statues, monasteries, and statues from the Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman eras.
The rich blend of histories in North Macedonia has also created a delicious blend of cuisines. The country’s national dish is tavce gravce – a savoury baked bean dish.
Lake Ohrid and the surrounding areas can get busy during peak summer times, so keep that in mind if you want a really quiet getaway, but the rest of the country feels almost unexplored.
The latest tourists figures for 2021 revealed a total of 294,000 people visited North Macedonia, compared with neighbouring Greece which gets tens of millions a year.
North Macedonia has many notable similarities to both Greece and Turkey, but this emerging destination is an incredible place for those who crave adventure that is off the beaten path and less visited by tourists.