Day Trips from Ohrid to Skopje

Take a break from the city and spend a day in the mountains on this tour to Mavrovo National Park. Alongside a private guide, drive along the Black Drim River to visit small mountain villages, a waterfall, and the St. Jovan Bigorski Monastery. Drive past the Debar and Globocica lakes and take in the alpine scenery from various viewpoints during your tour.

With a local, English-speaking guide, explore Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. Learn about the city’s storied history of Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman rule, and see both the old and new parts of the city. The tour hits several highlights including the Stone Bridge, Matka Canyon, Skopje Fortress, the Archaeological Museum of Macedonia, and much more.

When people describe Skopje, they frequently use the term open-air museum. And it’s not without a reason. Skopje is ornated with historical buildings, old remaining’s, bridges, statues, churches, mosques and many more. When arriving in Skopje our tour guide will enlighten you with the rich stories about the city, while walking through the beautiful landmarks. Experience Skopje from top to bottom, beginning at the Kale fortress and ending at the old train station. Moreover, you will see the famous square Macedonian square, the stone bridge, the old bazaar, mosques and the church St. Spas known for her particular iconostasis and remarkable fresco paintings. Afterwards, you will have free time to roam the vibrant city by yourself, where you can visit the scars of the earthquake of 1963 and enter the forged house of non-other than holy Mother Teresa.

Discover Mavrovo National Park, the largest in the Balkans, where bears and lynxes roam freely amid dramatic peaks, clear lakes, deep canyons, and dense forests. High in the mountains, take scenic walks across Mavrovo National Park’s open plateaus, if lucky, meet local shepherds, and all their animals. Experience nature in its purest form. Afterwards you'll visit the submerged church of St. Nikola. On the return journey, you will visit Bigorski Monastery, one of the largest and most significant monasteries in North Macedonia. This remarkable medieval complex remains an active spiritual center, home to more than 30 monks dedicated to a life of faith, prayer, and monastic tradition. After exploring the monastery, you will enjoy a coffee break at the House of the Miyaks, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the region. The journey continues back with a scenic photo stop at Globočica, where you can capture beautiful views of the surrounding landscape before returning.