North Macedonia

Bordered by Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, Greece, and Bulgaria, North Macedonia occupies roughly 25,700 km² in the heart of the western Balkans. The capital, Skopje, sits along the Vardar River and holds nearly a quarter of the country's population of around two million. Macedonian is the official language, the denar the currency, and the culture reflects layered Slavic, Ottoman, and Mediterranean influences shaped by centuries of shifting empires.

Citizens of the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, and many other countries can enter North Macedonia visa-free for short stays. Other nationalities may apply for a visa through Macedonian diplomatic missions abroad. The country operates an official e-visa system for eligible applicants; travellers should verify their status via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before departure.

Lake Ohrid, shared with Albania, is one of Europe's oldest and deepest lakes and a UNESCO World Heritage site for both its natural and cultural value. The medieval Church of Saint John at Kaneo perches dramatically on a cliff above the lake's edge. Skopje's Old Bazaar, the Čaršija, is among the largest surviving Ottoman market districts in the Balkans. Matka Canyon, just outside Skopje, offers sheer limestone gorges and cave systems accessible by boat. The monastery of Saint Naum, at Ohrid's southern shore, dates to the ninth century.

North Macedonia has a continental climate with Mediterranean influences in the lower valleys. Summers are warm to hot, with temperatures typically ranging from 25 °C to 35 °C, while winters are cold, dropping to between −5 °C and 5 °C in the lowlands and considerably colder in the mountains. Spring and early autumn are generally the most comfortable seasons to visit. Mountain areas around Šar Planina can hold snow well into spring, so layered clothing is advisable year-round.

• Lake Ohrid is over three million years old.
• Skopje was almost entirely rebuilt after a 1963 earthquake.
• Mother Teresa was born in Skopje in 1910.
• The Cyrillic alphabet was developed by Ohrid scholars.
• North Macedonia joined NATO in 2020.

• vlada.mk — official portal of the Government of North Macedonia
• mfa.gov.mk — Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visa and entry information
• exploringmacedonia.com — national tourism promotion portal
• meteo.gov.mk — Hydrometeorological Service of North Macedonia