Cheap flights to Macedonia from EUR16*

One of Europe’s last hidden treasures, North Macedonia proves that good things indeed come in small packages. Sitting at the crossroads of east and west, the tiny landlocked country is chock-full of stunning historical monuments, sacred sights and natural wonders that will leave you in awe. Welcome to the land of superlatives: get lost in Skopje’s Ottoman-era old town, home to the largest bazaar in the Balkans, take a dip in Lake Ohrid, the oldest lake in Europe and overdose on Orthodox churches and monasteries – there are 365 of them around Ohrid alone. Or take a deep dive into slow food, rivalling the best on the continent, minus the price tag. And outdoorsy types will appreciate the fact that more than 80 percent of the country is mountainous, with many peaks rising well above 2000 metres.

Fly to North Macedonia to:

• Count statues in quirky Skopje, the city of monuments. Even the locals can’t keep a tally of them.
• Wander the bustling streets of the capital’s Turkish quarter, home to the largest old bazaar in the region.
• Go for a hike along steep rock walls or kayak in tranquil Matka Canyon, just outside Skopje.
• Dive into history in Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dotted with churches and a pretty old bazaar, then splash around in its cooling waters.
• Climb up to Church of Saint John at Kaneo (Sveti Jovan Kaneo), perched on the edge of Lake Ohrid, and visit St Panteleimon, one of the world’s oldest Slavic monasteries.
• Conquer North Macedonia’s soaring peaks in Mavrovo National Park and enjoy life in the slow lane in its tucked-away villages.

A patchwork of cultures

Sandwiched between Bulgaria and Albania in Southeast Europe, North Macedonia is an alluring medley of cultures, architecture styles and peoples. The country’s name might be brand new but its history spans over two millennia, with the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires all adding colourful threads to its rich cultural fabric. Wherever you go, frescoed Orthodox Christian churches and ancient monasteries pepper the landscape, while the majority of Ottoman-era mosques, complete with spiking minarets, are to be found in and around Skopje. The capital is a city of stark contrasts: its medieval old town sits right next to pristine white buildings and super-sized monuments, products of the recent Skopje 2014 urban renewal project.

A journey into the past

Historical gems are in no short supply in North Macedonia. Skopje’s charming Ottoman-era old town is a treasure trove of medieval mosques, old Turkish baths and cobbled streets, packed with craftspeople’s shops and cosy bars. Ohrid, UNESCO-listed for both its natural and cultural heritage, has been the region’s epicentre of Orthodox Christianity and Slavic culture for centuries. Go for a stroll in Ohrid’s historic centre and choose from no less than 365 churches and monasteries, one for each day of the year. Don’t miss the picture-perfect Church of Saint John at Kaneo, sitting on a cliff since the 13th century, and St Panteleimon Monastery, right under Samuel’s Fortress, once known as one of the most important strongholds in the Balkans. Interested in prehistoric times? Make your way to Kokino Observatory in the north of the country: the site, perched atop a volcanic hill and dating back to the Bronze Age, doubled as an important scientific and ritual site 3,800 years ago.

Unforgettable outdoor adventures

Set against the dramatic backdrop of rugged mountains, Ohrid, one of Europe’s deepest and oldest lakes, offers plenty of water fun, from swimming and scuba diving through parasailing to stunning kayak and boat trips. The hilly shores also make for great walking and cycling. Stretching between Skopje and Ohrid, Mavrovo is Macedonia’s largest national park, home to beautiful walking trails and ski slopes, plus Mount Korab, the country’s highest peak, standing at 2,764 metres. Pull on your hiking boots and explore the park’s soaring mountains, deep gorges and lush forests, and pay a visit to centuries-old monasteries like the iconic Monastery of Saint Jovan Bigorski (Sveti Jovan Bigorski). Or head to Pelister National Park, close to North Macedonia’s border with Greece, boasting rich flora and fauna, bubbling waterfalls and crystal-clear mountain lakes known as Pelister’s Eyes.

Slow food and exquisite wine

Blending Balkan, Mediterranean and Turkish influences, North Macedonian cuisine relies heavily on fresh local produce and traditional cooking methods, emerging as a fast-growing destination for slow food lovers. The menu of local specialities is long and varied: try tavče gravče, the famous local bean stew, or go for tender, slow-roasted lamb and peppers stuffed with ground meat. For something lighter, opt for shopska salad, a refreshing mix of tomato, onion and cucumber, topped with crumbly sheep cheese. How about local tipples? Wash your meal down with a glass of red from the sun-kissed Tikveš wine region or give the fruit-based brandy called rakija a go. In the mood for a hearty snack? Grab grilled beef kebabs with pita bread and pepper-based ajvar, or fill your belly with a warm, flaky burek pie, stuffed with spinach and cheese.