Here, we've compiled essential and hopefully useful information about the Republic of North Macedonia, covering practicalities, temperament, specialties, and more. Who knows, you might even learn something new!
If don't want to read the whole article, you can check out the video version here:
North Macedonia is indeed a small country. While it doesn’t rank among the top 10 smallest European countries, it’s not far behind neighboring Montenegro and Kosovo, which are ninth and tenth on the list ( 10 Things to Know Before Traveling to Montenegro).
To give you an idea, North Macedonia spans 25,700 km², a bit smaller than Brittany. Distances are relatively short, and there’s only one major highway running through the country, from north to south. It’s a country that can be explored fairly quickly.
Beyond being a small country, North Macedonia is also quite a recent one. It was established in 1991 when this territory declared independence following the breakup of Yugoslavia. With just over 30 years of history, it has a significant communist past. However, it has managed to move forward and develop. Not without challenges, as Greece long opposed the country being named "North Macedonia." The issue stemmed from a connection to the term "Macedonia," which for Greeks is deeply tied to the culture, symbols, and Hellenic Macedonian history that forms part of Greece's national identity (and by the way, we have more on Greece in this article here).
Nonetheless, North Macedonia joined the European Union in 2005 and reached an agreement with Greece on its name in 2018, allowing it to be officially recognized as the "Republic of North Macedonia" both domestically and internationally.
Contrary to what some might think, there is no "South Macedonia." However, to the south of North Macedonia, in Greece, lies a region also called Macedonia, which comprises three administrative regions: Western Macedonia, Central Macedonia, and Eastern Macedonia.
It’s important to differentiate between Macedonia and North Macedonia.
Despite its small size, North Macedonia has a variety of landscapes. Lakes, rivers, forests, canyons, mountains, and cities—the country has three lakes, 26 rivers, over 30 mountains higher than 2,000 meters, and many more natural treasures across its 25,700 km². Skopje, Lake Ohrid, Matka Canyon, Tetovo Mosque… it’s fair to say that North Macedonia is a country rich in scenery, appealing to a wide audience.
North Macedonia is part of the European Union but retains its own currency, the Macedonian Denar (MKD), with an exchange rate of 1€ = 61.50 MKD (as of September 2022).
Living costs in North Macedonia are very affordable, with everything being cheaper than in France.
You can enjoy a meal for under €5 per person, and hotels can be found for under €40 per night for two people. The low cost of living means it’s easy to splurge a bit on your stay.
However, make sure to bring cash, as most merchants don’t accept cards, even in the capital. Exceptions are supermarkets, major chains, and tolls. So if you plan to dine, explore, or bring back souvenirs, having cash on hand is advisable.
ATMs are available for cash withdrawals, though most come with fees that can reach up to €5 per transaction. Check different banks to find those with the lowest fees, or consult your bank in advance to see their exchange rate and whether it’s more favorable.
We recommend the Visa Ultim card from BoursoBank. It has no withdrawal or payment fees abroad (note that the fees mentioned are from local banks and ATMs). This card is convenient and free!
You can open an account using the link below or with our referral code LEGA1596 to receive a bonus (between €80 and €220) depending on the current offer and conditions.
In North Macedonia, Macedonian is the primary language, but Albanian is also recognized as an official language, spoken by about 25% of the population.
For reference, Macedonians don’t tend to speak much English, so get your Google Translate (or try getting by with gestures and pointing things out—it works quite well too 😅).
Macedonian uses the Cyrillic alphabet, which can be quite challenging for those familiar with the Latin alphabet. This script has its roots in the Greek alphabet and is the standard writing system in many Balkan countries. Without prior knowledge of Cyrillic, it can be difficult to decipher signs, labels, and posts in North Macedonia.
On the other hand, Albanian is based on the Latin alphabet (to learn more about Albania, you can check out our article here).
Either way, the Google Translate app (a Androïd or iOS) is incredibly useful here, as you can take pictures and have it translate directly on the screen.
North Macedonia is a secular state, similar to France, but with a different religious composition. The country is primarily Orthodox Christian (65%) and Muslim (33%), with the remaining 2% consisting of Catholics, Jews, Protestants, and non-believers.
We really appreciated the blend of mosques and Byzantine churches, creating a unique atmosphere. It gives a sense of being close to the Middle East and Turkey, which is also reflected in the cuisine—a mix of Balkan specialties with Turkish recipes.
Last but not least, if you're coming to North Macedonia by car, make sure you have your up-to-date Green Card (with the mention MK or FYROM) on hand. Yes, we’re talking about your insurance! This is something customs will definitely check to ensure everything is in order. If you don’t have it with you, you’ll need to pay €50 for a one-month transit card.
If you’re looking to rent a car locally, you can check out DiscoverCars. This platform compares a variety of car rental agencies to offer you the best prices and coverage (no hidden fees, unlimited mileage, partial coverage, theft protection, etc.).
So there you have it—our 10 key things to know about North Macedonia. We hope it will be useful during your trip and that you’ve learned something new 😊. If this article has inspired you to visit, you can book your flight here:
And since you've made it all the way to the end of the article, we're even offering you €10 with our referral code PL316TD9L for your first reservation with Ulysse (all you have to do is enter the code just before payment, by ticking the box “Do you have a referral code, promo code or gift card?”).
Feel free to share your experiences and tips in the comments for other travelers.
1. You can easily find ATMs near you using Visa and Mastercard websites*.
2. If you're driving in North Macedonia, keep in mind that low beams are mandatory 24/7. You’ll need to keep them on even in the middle of the day, or you risk getting a fine.
* Visa : https://www.visa.com/
MasterCard : https://sea.mastercard.com/
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