Practically throughout the territory of Macedonia, since ancient times, many architectural monuments of the Middle Ages and antiquity have been preserved, and carefully preserved nature makes it possible to consider the country one of the best European centers of active recreation - hiking and mountain tourism, rafting and sport fishing. If Macedonia can finally resolve security issues throughout its territory, it has every chance of becoming a very popular tourist destination.

The capital is Skopje, the major cities are Bitola, Kumanovo, Ohrid, Prilep, Tetovo.

How to get to

There are several options for flights: the Moscow-Ohrid charter flight (presumably once a week, on Fridays), scheduled flights to Belgrade (Aeroflot and Yugoslav Airlines), then - domestic flights to Skopje or Orchid.

Another possible option that requires the registration of a Greek visa: a flight through Thessaloniki, then either by train or by plane to Skopje.

The duration of the flight is about 3-4 hours, depending on the chosen option.

Macedonia

Citizens of the Russian Federation can enter the territory of the Republic of Macedonia without a visa for up to 90 days within six months.

Customs office

There are no restrictions on import and export of foreign currency, although formally its import and export is prohibited. Allowed duty-free import of 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco, a liter of alcohol. Duty-free importation of food, perfumes, clothing is allowed within the limits of personal needs. The import of household appliances into Macedonia as gifts is allowed only with payment of the customs duty, for personal needs - no more than one item (such items are entered in the customs declaration and must be exported from the country).

It is forbidden to import explosive and poisonous substances, drugs, gold in ingots, plates and coins, objects of historical and cultural value.

Phone Numbers

Embassy of Macedonia in Moscow: st. Dmitry Ulyanov 16, Kor. 2, office 509-510, phone: (499) 124-33-57, 124-33-59

Embassy of Russia in Skopje: Pirinska, 44; tel .: (2) 311-71-60; website

Police: 92, fire brigade: 93, first aid: 94, help on the roads: 987

Codes of some cities: Skopje - 2, Ohrid - 96, Bitola - 97, Kichevo - 95.

Rent a car in Macedonia

Offices of international car rental companies are available at the airports of Ohrid and Skopje. To rent, you need an international driver's license, in some cases you will need to deposit a cash deposit, the amount of which depends on the brand of the car. Additionally, local taxes (up to 15%) and insurance fee are paid.

Safety of tourists

The security situation in the country is ambiguous. In Christian areas, you can almost not worry about personal security, but in areas of compact Albanians no one is immune from all forms of violence. When traveling around the country, it is recommended to avoid territories bordering Kosovo and Serbia. Moving through their territory is possible only if there is a special permit. Macedonia has banned smoking in public places. It is forbidden to smoke in restaurants, cafes, bars, educational institutions, government offices, cinemas and other crowded places.

Church of St. Panteleimon

Lake Presla

Ohrid Lake

Climate of Macedonia

In most parts of the country - moderately continental, and in the south - close to the Mediterranean. Summers are hot and dry: the average temperature is +18 .. +22 ° C. Winter is mild and humid: the average temperature is -1 ..- 3 ° C. Summer holiday season lasts from May to September.

Actual information: weather forecast for the main resorts of Macedonia for the coming days.

Money

The only legitimate means of payment in the country is denar. Currency can be exchanged in banks and numerous exchange offices.

Banks usually work from 7:00 to 13:00 on weekdays, some large banks are open until 19:00 on weekdays and until 1:00 on Saturdays. Exchange offices usually work from 7:00 to 19:00.

Credit cards in the country are not very common: they can be paid only in expensive capital hotels and shops, but you can withdraw cash from them without problems.

Cuisine and restaurants in Macedonia

Local cuisine is an eclectic result of mixing culinary traditions of different peoples. In numerous Macedonian restaurants and cafes, tourists will be able to taste fried chopped meat in Turkish style. Inexpensive and tasty, you can have breakfast "burek" (pie made of puff pastry with meat or cheese). Also, national dishes here are "gravel on tavche" (beans in a frying pan) and Ohrid trout, which is sold in restaurants by weight.

Of strong drinks is popular moonshine "rakia", found in two color variants - white and yellow. "Rakia" here are able to do almost anything: from grapes, plums, pears ... often insist on herbs.

Entertainment, excursions and attractions in Macedonia

In Macedonia, you can not only relax, but also to touch the origins of Orthodox culture .Here is a condensed list of only the main sights of the country that are worth visiting: the Iversky Monastery, the Monastery of Simon Petra, the Monastery of St..Dionysius, Monastery of St..Joaquim Ozogovsky, the Temple of St..John the Divine in Caneo, the Church of St..Clement in Ohrid, the temple of Saint .Georgiy in Kurbinovo, "The Bears' Rock" in Kruzvoo, Lake Ohrid, Galichitsa National Park, Prespa Lake, Samuel Fortress, Vardar River in Gostivar, Doirani Lake, and numerous picturesque villages of Macedonia .The

Events

Every year many festivals and fairs take place in Macedonia, the main ones of which are the Festival of Summer (Ohrid), Poetry Evenings (Struga), Balkan Festival of the People (Ohrid), May Opera (Skopje), Festival of Old Town Songs (Ohrid) and International Jazz festival (Skopje). Photos of Macedonia (32)