Tourism in North Macedonia is a large factor of the nation's economy. The country's large abundance of natural and cultural attractions make it suitable for tourism.
In 2019, North Macedonia received 1,184,963 tourist arrivals out of which 757,593 were foreign. [1]
North Macedonia experiences a regular increase of visitors. The number of domestic tourists in the period from January to March 2008 increased by 23.5%, compared to the same period of the previous year. The number of foreign tourists in March 2008 increased by 44.7% compared to March 2007. [2] In 2007, Lake Ohrid received about 250,000 domestic and foreign tourists. [3]
In February 2009, the country received nearly 28,000 tourists, i.e., 3.2% more tourists than the same month last year, and there was also an 8% increase in the number of foreign visitors. [4]
The summer of 2009 was the best tourist season for the city of Dojran with 135,000 overnight visitors, an increase of 12.5% compared to the previous year. [5]
The number of tourists in May 2010 increased by 0.8% from the same month in the previous year. [2]
The number of foreign tourists between January and July increased by 25% in 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. The average number of nights spent by the tourists increased by 33.2%. [6]
In the first four months of 2012, the number of tourists in the country was 130,083, an increase of 4.6% from the previous year. [7]
The region receiving the most tourist arrivals in 2012 was Southwest with 251,462 tourists, followed by Skopje (164,077) and Southeastern (106,978). The Pelagonia region received 72,054 arrivals, while the remaining regions each received under 30,000. [1]
Among foreign tourists in 2012, most of the tourists came from Turkey (50,406), Greece (43,976), and Serbia (36,530). Outside the Balkans, 27,000 tourists came from the Netherlands. [1] In 2019, most of the tourists came from Turkey (112,472), followed by Serbia (59,568), Greece (57,578), and Bulgaria (55,862). Poland (35,681) was the origin for most of the tourists outside the Balkans. [8]
Most visitors arriving in North Macedonia on short term basis are from the following countries of nationality: [9]
| Rank | Country | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Turkey |  112,472 |  111,667 | 129,708 | 105,738 | 90,857 |
| 2 |  Serbia | 59,568 | 57,460 | 53,121 | 50,145 | 43,613 |
| 3 |  Greece | 57,578 | 40,947 | 44,931 | 40,504 | 38,829 |
| 4 |  Bulgaria | 55,862 | 52,659 | 45,958 | 36,982 | 29,314 |
| 5 |  Poland | 35,681 | 34,575 | 22,281 | 12,268 | 17,054 |
| 6 |  Germany | 34,342 | 30,173 | 23,544 | 17,067 | 17,939 |
| 7 |  Netherlands | 31,481 | 27,918 | 26,889 | 23,960 | 32,217 |
| 8 |  Albania |  27,311 | 27,311 | 21,194 | 20,862 | 18,493 |
| 9 |  Croatia | 25,533 | 23,829 | 15,860 | 13,918 | 17,054 |
| 10 |  Kosovo | 25,079 | 24,014 | 17,494 | 17,070 | 13,950 |
| 11 |  Romania | 18,984 | 16,727 | 15,044 | 9,256 | 8,071 |
| 12 |  United States | 18,285 | 17,916 | 15,163 | 11,495 | 10,186 |
| 13 |  Slovenia | 17,953 | 16,890 | 12,815 | 9,971 | 11,463 |
| 14 |  Italy | 13,757 | 13,403 | 11,124 | 11,515 | 12,444 |
| 15 |  China | 13,635 | 13,724 | 9,435 | 6,565 | 7,256 |
| 16 |  Israel | 12,436 | 10,767 | 7,967 | 8,983 | 4,754 |
| 17 |  United Kingdom | 12,215 | 13,296 | 11,396 | 8,856 | 8,465 |
| 18 |  Sweden | 11,188 | 11,530 | 8,557 | 6,495 | 5,617 |
| 19 |  Austria | 10,481 | 9,014 | 8,367 | 7,387 | 8,602 |
| 20 |  Spain | 10,184 | 6,303 | 6,012 | 3,659 | 3,151 |
| 21 |  Bosnia and Herzegovina | 9,728 | 8,508 | 7,199 | 6,922 | 5,686 |
| 22 |  Belgium | 9,698 | 9,966 | 7,499 | 5,501 | 5,509 |
| 23 |  Australia | 9,511 | 9,701 | 8,228 | 5,557 | 6,625 |
| 24 |  France | 9,445 | 9,030 | 8,008 | 6,231 | 7,603 |
| 25 |  Switzerland | 8,622 | 8,098 | 6,437 | 4,589 | 4,815 |
| Total foreign tourists | 757,593 | 707,345 | 630,594 | 510,484 | 485,530 | |
Tourist arrivals to North Macedonia have increased every year since 2010. [8]
| Year | Tourist Arrivals | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 632,523 | |
| 2005 | 509,706 | -19.5% |
| 2010 | 586,241 | +15.0% |
| 2011 | 647,568 | +10.5% |
| 2012 | 663,633 | +2.5% |
| 2013 | 701,794 | +5.8% |
| 2014 | 735,650 | +4.8% |
| 2015 | 816,067 | +10.9% |
| 2016 | 856,843 | +5.0% |
| 2017 | 998,841 | +16.6% |
| 2018 | 1,126,935 | +12.8% |
| 2019 [10] | 1,184,963 | +5.1% |
| 2020 [11] | 467,514 | -60.1% |
| 2021 [12] | 702,463 | +50.3% |
| 2022 [13] | 969,277 | +38.0% |
Skopje , the capital and largest city, is situated in the northern part of the country on the Vardar River. Skopje has a long history that is evidenced by its many archaeological sites, such as Scupi and the Skopje Aqueduct, and the large number of Ottoman buildings and monuments, particularly in the Old Bazaar, such as Mustapha Pasha Mosque. Today, Skopje, with over 500,000 inhabitants, is becoming a modern city with museums and many cultural and sporting events.
Ohrid , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in the southwestern part of the country on the eastern shore of Lake Ohrid. The town is perhaps the most popular tourist destination in the country, which is largely due to the beaches and atmosphere. However, Ohrid also has many historical monuments, such as Samuil's Fortress and the Antique Theatre, Church of St. Panteleimon, Church of St. Sophia, Church of St. John at Kaneo, Monastery of Saint Naum, Robevi family house & Plaošnik. There is also a number of beautiful fishing & mountain villages along the coastline which include Trpejca, Pestani, Elsani & Ljubanista.
Bitola , the country's second largest city with a population of about 100,000, is situated in the southern part of the country. Like many cities in the country, Bitola has also had a rich history. Heraclea Lyncestis, one of North Macedonia's largest archaeological sites, is located in Bitola. The long history of Bitola is also exemplified by the town's many neo-classical buildings, Ottoman buildings and monuments such as the Jeni Mosque, and old churches. The town is also a shopping destination; Širok Sokak, a pedestrian street, is filled with an endless number of stores and restaurants which go through to Magnolia Square. There is a small Ski resort about 12 km from the city centre situated on Baba Mountain which is also a great hiking mecca during the summer months between May & September.
Štip , the largest city east of the Vardar River, is located in the eastern part of the country. Štip has existed for at least 2,000 years which is showcased by its many archaeological sites, such as Astibo, Bargala, and Estipeon. The city is also home to the healing waters of the Kežovica Mineral Spa. Today, Štip is the main cultural and economical centre of eastern North Macedonia.
Kratovo is a small town in the eastern part of the country. It lies on the western slopes of Mount Osogovo at an altitude of 600 metres (2,000 ft) above sea level. Having a mild and pleasant climate, it is located in the crater of an extinct volcano. It is famous for its bridges and towers.
Kruševo is the highest town in North Macedonia, situated at an altitude of over 4,429 feet (1350 m) above sea level. It is home to Mečkin Kamen, a historical landmark which marks the spot of the uprising of 1903. On August 2 every year, it is the site of the national Independence Day celebrations, which are attended by the President of North Macedonia and other Macedonian political leaders. Kruševo is also home to Makedonium monument, dedicated to the Ilinden Uprising and the Kruševo Republic and many museums of the Ilinden Uprising. Because of its elevation, Kruševo is one of North Macedonia’s winter sports destinations. The famous Macedonian singer Tose Proeski is also buried here.
Prilep is known as "the city under Marko's Towers" because of its proximity to the towers of Prince Marko Markovi Kuli. The towers of medieval Prince Marko Mrnjavčević are located on a 120–180 m high hill, surrounded by steep slopes covered with minute granite stones. The upper part of the former settlement can be reached from its north and south side. The Treskavec monastery, built in the 12th century in the mountains about 10 km (6 mi) north of Prilep under Zlatovrv peak, at the edge of a small upland plain 1100 meters above sea level. Prilep has frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries and is probably the site of the early Roman town of Kolobaise.
Other popular towns include Strumica , and Struga , which have many attractions of their own.
North Macedonia has three national parks and 33 natural reserves:
Bitola is a city in the southwestern part of North Macedonia. It is located in the southern part of the Pelagonia valley, surrounded by the Baba, Nidže, and Kajmakčalan mountain ranges, 14 kilometres north of the Medžitlija-Níki border crossing with Greece. The city stands at an important junction connecting the south of the Adriatic Sea region with the Aegean Sea and Central Europe, and it is an administrative, cultural, industrial, commercial, and educational centre. It has been known since the Ottoman period as the "City of Consuls", since many European countries had consulates in Bitola.
North Macedonia is a country situated in southeastern Europe with geographic coordinates 41°50′N22°00′E, bordering Kosovo and Serbia to the north, Bulgaria to the east, Greece to the south and Albania to the west. The country is part of the wider region of Macedonia and makes up most of Vardar Macedonia. The country is a major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Southern Europe and the Aegean Sea. North Macedonia is a landlocked country but has three major natural lakes: Lake Ohrid, Lake Prespa and Lake Dojran. It has a water area of 857 km2, while its land area is 24,856 km2.
The following is a summary of the transport system of the Republic of North Macedonia.
The Vardar Banovina, or Vardar Banate, was a province (banate) of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia between 1929 and 1941.
Albanians in North Macedonia are the second largest ethnic group in North Macedonia, forming 446,245 individuals or 24.3% of the resident population. Of the 2,097,319 total population in the 2021 census, 619,187 or 29.52% are Albanians.
The municipalities are the first-order administrative divisions of North Macedonia.
Baba, also known by the name of its highest peak, Pelister, is a mountain in North Macedonia. The Pelister peak overlooks the city of Bitola. Baba is the third highest mountain in North Macedonia. Other peaks besides Pelister are Dva Groba, Veternica, Musa, Ržana, Široka, Kozji Kamen, Griva and Golema Čuka in North Macedonia, and Belavoda, Kirko. The Baba massif splits up the rivers in the region, so that they either flow towards the Adriatic.
The University St. Kliment Ohridski in Bitola is a public university in North Macedonia. Headquartered in Bitola, it also has faculties in Prilep, Ohrid, Veles, Kichevo and Skopje. It was founded on 25 April 1979, but the name of St. Clement of Ohrid was not given until late 1994. As of 2018–19 school year, a total of 4,139 students are enrolled at the university.
The motorways in North Macedonia are called avtopat and the name, like its translation in most languages, simply means auto road.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to North Macedonia:
The Western Macedonian dialects are one of three groups of Macedonian. The group is located in the western and southwestern areas of North Macedonia and smaller parts in Mala Prespa and Golo Brdo, in Albania, and the Florina regional unit, in Greece. The group of Western Macedonian dialects is divided into two subgroups: the central group and the western and northwestern group.
Macedonia Timeless is a series of promotional tourist videos about the Republic of North Macedonia. The videos showcase scenery from the Balkan country and its culture to a foreign audience. Each video of the project is the work of a private production company, carried out on behalf of the government of North Macedonia, which officially funds the effort. The purpose of the project as it is defined is "to promote awareness of Macedonian tourism opportunities".
Antenna 5 Radio Network is a number 1 hits radio station in North Macedonia.
Radio Kanal 77 is a private national radio station broadcasting in North Macedonia, with its headquarters located in Štip, and studios located in Skopje and Bitola. It started broadcasting in 1991, and since then it is one of the most listened radios in North Macedonia. Kanal 77 is broadcasting on 89.7 FM in Skopje, 106.0 FM and 103.2 FM in Bitola, 104.1 FM in Prilep, 105.4 FM in Ohrid, 101.9 FM in Tetovo and Gostivar, 103.8 FM in Štip, 101.8 FM Radoviš, 102.9 FM in Strumica.
North Macedonia was part of the Ottoman Empire for over 500 years, from the late 14th century until the Treaty of Bucharest in 1913. Before its conquest, this area was divided between various Serbian feudal principalities. Later, it became part of the Ottoman province or Eyalet of Rumelia. The name Rumelia means "Land of the Romans" in Turkish, referring to the lands conquered by the Ottoman Turks from the Byzantine Empire.
Macedonian national costumes are part of the material culture of the Macedonian people and they are an important branch of the Macedonian folk art.
Pelister National Park is a national park in the Municipality of Bitola, North Macedonia. The park is located in the Baba Mountain massif and covers an area of 171.5 square kilometres (66.2 sq mi). The altitude of the park varies between 927 and 2,601 m above sea level and is filled with exquisite flora and fauna. Among flora elements, the presence is especially significant of the five-needle pine molica, Pinus peuce - a unique species of Cenozoic age being present on only a few mountains in the Balkan Peninsula. The beauty of the landscape is enhanced by the diverse wildlife: bears, roe deer, wolves, chamois, deer, wild boars, rabbits, several species of eagles, partridges, red-billed choughs, and the endemic Macedonian Pelagonia trout.
Ohrid-Prespa Transboundary Biosphere Reserve is a biosphere reserve encompassing the area of Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa, on North Macedonia and Albania.
The COVID-19 pandemic in North Macedonia was a part of the ongoing worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The virus was confirmed to have reached North Macedonia in February 2020. The initial contagion in the country was mainly connected with the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy as there are circa 70,000 residents of Italy from North Macedonia and resulted in many people returning to North Macedonia, bringing the virus with them. As of 9 July, over 7,000 cases have been confirmed in the country, due to its second wave caused by family reunions during Eid al-Fitr among the Muslim minority and the overall re-opening of the country to organize the parliamentary elections.
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