{"id":2018,"date":"2018-10-04T15:07:27","date_gmt":"2018-10-04T15:07:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.svenlucaworld.com\/?p=2018"},"modified":"2019-06-26T10:38:16","modified_gmt":"2019-06-26T10:38:16","slug":"reisebericht-nordmazedonien","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.svenlucaworld.com\/en\/travel-report-north-macedonia\/","title":{"rendered":"Travel report NORTH MACEDONIA - The small Balkan state in southern Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Visa and entry requirements North Macedonia:<\/strong>
\nPassport not required
\nNo visa is required<\/p>\n

Information from the Foreign Office about your trip to North Macedonia:<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/www.auswaertiges-amt.de\/DE\/Laenderinformationen\/00-SiHi\/MazedonienSicherheit.html?nn=332636?nnm=332636<\/a><\/p>\n

During my Balkan tour in August 2012, I of course also stopped in North Macedonia, called Macedonia until February 2019. I started in Pristina\/Kosovo in the morning with the minibus, which took around 3 hours. The passport controls at the border crossing only took about 30 minutes and went relatively smoothly. With a fare of just 10 euros, the route was also quite inexpensive.<\/p>\n

North Macedonia, also known as Macedonia, is a landlocked country in southeastern Europe with around two million inhabitants. The country was formerly the southernmost republic of socialist Yugoslavia and proclaimed its independence in 1991.<\/p>\n

North Macedonia is located in the center of the Balkan Peninsula and borders Serbia to the north, Bulgaria to the east, Greece to the south, Albania to the west and Kosovo to the northwest. It stretches about 190 kilometers from north to south and about 220 kilometers from west to east.<\/p>\n

The state of North Macedonia has one of the weakest economies in Europe; the country is struggling with high unemployment rates and weak infrastructure.<\/p>\n

The official language of the country is Macedonian and it is also the most widely spoken language. Albanian is also considered a second official language because of the approximately 27% Albanians living in the country.<\/p>\n

North Macedonia is known for its outstanding Balkan cuisine. Meza and the Shopska salad are probably well-known starters, while the meat specialties include goulash, minced steak, kofta and of course cevapcici.<\/p>\n

In addition to the capital Skopje, the largest cities in North Macedonia include Bitola, Kumanovo, Prilep and Tetovo.<\/p>\n

Around 550,000 people live in Skopje and it is also the largest city in the country. The city is also the seat of parliament and the government.<\/p>\n

In all my travels around the world, I have definitely never seen a city with as many beautiful sculptures, statues and monuments as Skopje. First and foremost is the imposing equestrian statue of Alexander the Great in the main square. Other sights include the Triumphal Arch, Skopje Clock Tower, St. Demetrius Church, Colorful Mosque, Isa Bey Mosque, St. Nikita Monastery, the stone bridge over the Vadar River and of course the fortress Kale high above the city.<\/p>\n

The city of Skopje has many small parks along the river and the beautiful old town is particularly inviting for a longer stay. Overall, the capital is very cozy, with countless small, inexpensive beer gardens and restaurants. Of course, the local Cevapcici couldn't be missing from my evening menu. This delicious local specialty was definitely one of the best dishes of my entire Balkan trip.<\/p>\n

The unique ambience of Skopje ensured that I felt completely comfortable in the city at all times.<\/p>\n

On my tour through the entire Balkans I then continued to Sofia in Bulgaria.<\/p>\n\n