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!
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, 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. Unlike our Latin alphabet, as in many Balkan countries, Cyrillic is the standard. With roots in the Greek alphabet, it can be challenging for us to decipher signs, labels, and posts in the country without any prior knowledge.
On the other hand, Albanian is much easier to read and understand since it’s 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, like France, but with different dominant religions. The country is home to 65% Orthodox Christians and 33% Muslims. The remaining 2% includes Catholics, Jews, Protestants, and non-believers.
We really appreciated the blend of mosques and Byzantine churches. It’s a unique atmosphere, giving a sense of being close to the Middle East and Turkey, and you can even see it reflected in the cuisine, with Balkan specialties mixing 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:
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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