Balkanology  ::  Explore Southeast Europe

Republic of Macedonia | Links

The sites listed on this page are specifically about Macedonia. Many of the more general sites listed in the Overview of the Balkans are also useful for planning a trip to Macedonia.

Macedonia seems to have a particularly high number of sites that look useful at first glance but on close inspection turn out not to have been maintained for several years. Don't assume any online information is still valid unless a site shows some evidence of recent activity.

Travel Information

• Exploring Macedonia

  Macedonia's "Official Tourism Portal" has the usual mixture of destinations and accommodation. The section on bus travel confirms something that many visitors to the Balkans notice: some locals have "an irrational, all-pervasive fear of fresh air". Some hotels can be booked online through the site (I've tried this and it does work - eventually).

• Skopje In Your Pocket

  This Skopje guide was launched in autumn 2006 and follows the format of IYP's successful guides to other Eastern European cities. Whether you want to find the best places to eat or the most, ahem, striking examples of 1970's architecture, you can get help in these pages.

• WikiTravel Macedonia

  One of the better WikiTravel sites about the Balkans, with good coverage of Skopje in particular and quite a lot of detail on a number of other locations including Ohrid, Bitola, and Prilep.

• Skopje Online

  Find out where to go, eat, see, and stay in Macedonia's capital. The train timetable in the Latin alphabet could be a handy feature for those who can't read the Macedonian Railways site (see below), but last time I checked it was out of date.

Transport and Practicalities

• Macedonian Railways

  In Macedonian only the last time I checked - the English version has been "under construction" for years. Think of it as a chance to practice reading the Cyrillic alphabet.

• Skopje Bus Station

  Timetable and ticket prices for Skopje's main bus station. There used to be an English version of the site, but as of January 2009 it seems to have disappeared - another chance to practice your Cyrillic.

• JSP - Skopje City Transport

  Considering the lack of information on the ground, JSP's web site is surprisingly informative, with maps, timetables and fare details for urban and suburban lines. Useful for planning trips to outlying areas such as Lake Matka. There is even a touch of lyricism: "The pulse of JSP SKOPJE wakes up the industrial capacities, with us the first school classes begin, the night shifts end".

• Skopje and Ohrid airports

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs

  Entry requirements for visitors are outlined under "Consular Services, Information for Foreigners".

From the Travel Pages

• A dive into Macedonia's past at Lake Ohrid

  The Guardian, 30 January 2010