When we were prepping for our trip to Eastern Europe, finding detailed information about places in Macedonia (FYROM) online was tricky since it’s still a relatively undiscovered part of the world.
Though Macedonia might not be as famous as other Balkan countries, it’s a small gem brimming with activities, nature, and history. After checking out the capital, Skopje, we were eager to explore the natural wonders of the country. We figured a car would be the best way to get around since buses don’t service all the spots we wanted to visit.
Lake Ohrid was on our list. It’s one of Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes, and we’d heard you could find lakeside apartments and hotels for less than the cost of hostel beds! The charming old town and ancient monasteries made it even more appealing. Despite not knowing what to expect during winter, we decided to go for it.
The drive through the snowy mountains was breathtaking, and the roads were slushy rather than icy. We passed through quaint towns, old buildings, and countless mosques and churches. The lake, sparkling from a distance, revealed its true beauty as we reached the shore. Instead of heading straight to our hotel, we parked and strolled along the lakeshore, taking in stunning views of the town and nearby mountains.
The bay had a rocky outcropping with a church on the edge, and the hillside was dotted with old white buildings sporting red-tiled roofs. Despite the chilly -2 degrees Celsius, the sun was shining under a pure blue sky. We were excited to spend three days there.
We stayed at the Mal Sveti Kliment House, which turned out to be perfect. It’s tucked away on a quiet cobblestone street, just a three-minute walk from the water. The room had an incredible view of the lake from the windows and a private balcony overlooking snowy rooftops and smoking chimneys. The room was spacious, comfortable, and had central heating.
The manager gave us a warm welcome and loads of information about the area. He also mentioned that the owner, Budimir, had invited us to his penthouse room for the Epiphany celebrations the next day. Though we had never heard of this festival, we felt honored to join in.
Epiphany is celebrated by both Western and Eastern Christians. In the east, it marks the baptism of Jesus, and people swim in cold waters for the occasion, followed by feasting and celebrating. This unique event caught us off guard but was an amazing experience.
Besides witnessing Epiphany, we spent our days exploring the area. Highlights included the Sveti Naum Monastery, the cliffside St. Jovan Monastery, the Ancient Theatre, Sveti Sofia Church, and Tsar Samuel’s Fortress. Walking around the old town and driving around the lake were also great experiences.
From the lake, we ventured into the mountains. Typically, we travel to tropical destinations and have spent the past couple of years in hot climates. Macedonia’s cold and snowy weather was a bit of a shock. Instead of staying indoors, we decided to try something we hadn’t done in about 15 years: skiing and snowboarding!
We headed to Mavrovo National Park, the largest of Macedonia’s three national parks. The drive was stunning, but we were initially confused upon arrival because it looked like a lake rather than a ski hill. After checking into the resort, we learned the ski hill was only a ten-minute drive away. The scenery was beautiful, even if our skiing skills were rusty.
Renting equipment was cheap, and so was the day pass. However, no one on the ski hill spoke English, which made navigating the lifts challenging. At one point, we accidentally ended up on a lift heading to the black diamond runs. A local told us it was “dangerous,” reminding us to be careful.
After some mishaps with the lifts, we finally found our stride. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and after two days, Nick stopped falling down! Skiing and snowboarding together was a first for us, making the experience even more memorable.
After ten days exploring Macedonia, it was time to move on. Next up was Wild Albania!
Traveller Tips and Advice
– We highly recommend the Mal Sveti Kliment House, where rooms were very affordable at $28 per night during our stay. The staff are friendly, and the location is perfect.
– Renting a car is a great way to get around, as buses don’t service places like Mavrovo, and driving around the lake is a highlight. Check out EconomyBookings.com for car rental deals— we got ours for $11 per day for a 10-day rental.
– At Mavrovo National Park, ski passes cost 850 MKD ($15) for a half-day, and equipment rentals, including boots, skis, and poles, are just 500 MKD ($9). You can also rent winter gear at the hill.
– Be prepared for highway tolls, which usually cost around $0.71.
Have you ever been skiing or snowboarding abroad? Share your experiences in the comments!