About
The reason to go to Macedonia are the pristine, varied mountainous landscape and the unique Orthodox churches and monasteries, many hundreds of which are scattered across the country in the most beautiful places in nature (rock and cave churches on Lake Ohrid!) , with architecture all its own, ancient artistic frescoes, beautiful carvings, lively services, beautiful chants, and priests explaining everything in good English.
Last updated 27 May 2021 by Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.beEdit
People
They are generally very friendly, especially in the more remote areas. People chat quickly. Most younger people speak some English. You also regularly meet people who, for example, worked in Germany for a while, and therefore speak German.
There are not really dress codes, only in churches and monasteries etc. long trousers are appreciated. In some Muslim villages bare arms and legs are not appreciated, not even on the road. There is no problem in most of the country.
Last updated 27 May 2021 by Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.beEdit
Visa
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Sleeping
Staying with locals
At the monastery you can spend the night very well for next to nothing; sometimes you don't even have to pay anything and only a donation is requested.
(Formal) camping
There are not many campsites. Around Lake Ohrid you will find some (avto camp or авто-камп). There is also a camping site at Lake Doirani, near the border with Greece.
Strictly speaking, wild camping is illegal, but many Macedonians often do it, especially at festivities. It is doable, because there are many places where you will never be seen. Furthermore, the average Macedonian will really have no problem with it.
Ho(s)tels
The hotels are very cheap.
Last updated 27 May 2021 by Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.beEdit
Places to sleep (1)
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Safety
The country is safe. There is less crime on the streets than in most Western countries. You will not be bothered anywhere. John: "We met an English (blonde!) cyclist who said she was treated very friendly everywhere and that she was often invited."
Traffic
There are no real cycle paths. However, there are many new motorways; we as cyclists benefit greatly from this, because instead of renovating the old roads, they are laying the new highways next to them. This way you can drive through a large part of the country on the old roads. This is extremely quiet (one tractor every half hour) and the roads are beautiful. The quality does vary, the asphalt is broken in some parts. You can find these routes on good maps: two main roads are indicated next to each other.
Skopje, in particular, is very busy, yet there is also more and more cycling here (and not just along the river)
Criminality
John: "There are warnings about ethnic tensions in areas with large Albanian minorities, but we felt very safe there. This is partly because Macedonia has adopted the EU's proposals on minority rights. (Tetovo) now has an official Macedonian university with Albanian as the language of instruction). Especially if you speak a few words of Albanian, they want to do everything for you. "
Nature and animals
Dogs aren't an issue here.
Last updated 27 May 2021 by Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.beEdit
Food and drink
Macedonia has some unique dishes. Sopska salad (with lots of soft goat cheese) is delicious. Popular is Avier (with lots of soft peppers in oil), you have to love that. Selsko meso (stew of all kinds of meat) is always delicious.
Drink: Kruskovec (pear liqueur) and of course Rakija from grapes or plums (usually distilled in our own home distilleries; nevertheless of reasonable to good quality).
Macedonians are very good at ice cream (sladoled): in many flavors and very tasty. Also special: Seksi salad (upright banana with two scoops of ice cream next to it, covered with small nuts), well ...
Cooking fuel
White gasoline for gas fires is very difficult to find. Simple piercing cartridges for camping gas fires can be found everywhere.
Markets
Most food is bought in the large covered markets, where it is always fresh.
Supermarkets
Large supermarkets can be found in all cities. In the villages you can go to the village shop, always located near the bus station. In large cities you will find the large supermarkets Tinex and Vero, which are most comparable to a Lidl. In small villages you have to ask about the Cooperatia. This is the old Jugoslav name for (communist) convenience store. The word Coöperatia from a foreign mouth always breaks the ice.
Restaurants
Restaurants are almost exclusively found in the cities. Beyond that you have to look carefully. Roadside eateries (Kelapcilnica) are much cheaper and more authentic than the restaurants.
Drinkable water
Tap water is drinkable in all major cities. In some villages it is better to rely on bottled water.
Last updated 27 May 2021 by Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.beEdit
Other
Nice routes
The road from Struga to Debar is beautiful, through a beautiful valley and very quiet. Especially the northern part is special: beautiful views and in the remote villages there everyone waves and smiles at you cheerfully.
Best time to cycle
June to mid September, later it is often too cold. The best time is mid June (dry until late August)
Spare parts
There are bicycle repair shops and bicycle shops in all large and medium-sized cities. In Skopje is a good one near the city park (football stadium) almost next to the cafe "van Gogh" Then you can e.g. get a blow out of your wheel or have damage repaired after the flight.
Last updated 27 May 2021 by Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.beEdit