Macedonia lakes, villages, old towns

Ohrid and Ohrid Lake are one of the main tourist destinations in Macedonia. The city is situated on the northeastern shore of Ohrid Lake, named after the town. The modern Ohrid is the successor to the ancient city of Lychnidos. According to the data, the city is first mentioned 2,400 years BC. Lychnidos was located on Via Egnatia, the oldest and most significant Roman traffic route in the Balkans. After the Third Macedonian War against King Perseus, Lychnidos became the main Roman base in the northern regions of Macedonia. That was the time when the city lived its glory. Due to the large number of churches and monasteries, the city is known as the Balkan and European Jerusalem. The Ohrid region is stated and officially recognized as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. See More

On the road to Struga within the slopes of Mount Jablanica, people may overlook one of the most beautiful Macedonian villages – Vevcani. It is located 30km from Ohrid. Apart from being known for the traditional carnival held every year on Vasilitsa, on January 13 and 14, Vevcani is abundant in incredible natural beauty, and the Vevcani springs are a true attraction. See More

The Big Prespa Lake is enlisted among the cleanest lakes in the world and it is in the south-western part of the country, at the distance of 10 km from the Ohrid Lake. Ohrid and Prespa are also known as the twin lakes because they are at the same time separated and connected with the majestic mountain Galicica, whose peak offers a spectacular view towards the two biggest and most beautiful natural, Macedonian lakes. The Prespa Lake through underground channels flows into the Ohrid Lake and it represents its greatest hydrological source. These two lakes belong among the five oldest lakes in the world. See More

Situated in an enormous rock, which is most probably “torn” from the nearby mountains in a strong earthquake just as the Prespa Lake, the island Golem Grad is the one and only island in Macedonia. As a rare natural phenomenon, the island is abundant with thick forest vegetation, and the juniper which is mostly present as a plant is actually endemic and one can only come across it on the Snake Island. The island in populated with snakes, whereas there are no carnivores, and the Prespa Lake during the summer time is the home of thousands of cormorans. See More

On a 15-minute walk from the Prespa Lake, starting from the eastern side of the coast one can find the villages Ljubojno, Brajcino and Dolno Dupeni. The National Park Pelister is in their closest vicinity. The foreign tourists find the 6-hour-walk to the glacial lake Golemo Ezero most attractive, the lake being in the middle of this national park, at the altitude of 2.200 metres. See More

The south-eastern part of Macedonia, on a surface of 43.1km2 and maximum depth of 10m, offers you the Dojran Lake, the smallest tectonic lake in this country which also represents a relic reminiscent of the ancient Peonsko Lake. Its geographical position, the openness towards the south and the Aegean Sea, enable the Mediterranean climate all year round. For 120 days in the year, the air temperature in this area is 26 C, which makes the lake nice for swimming for 5 months during the year, starting from May to October. See More

The Smolarski waterfall is the only permanent waterfall in Macedonia with a water drop of 39.5 meters. Hidden in the deep forests of the northern slopes of the Belasica Mountain, along the Lomnica River, at an altitude of 600 meters in the region of the village Smolari - Strumica, you have the opportunity to enjoy a slightly different view - unrealistic natural beauty and silence solely disturbed by the buzz of the water. See More

On the most eastern part of Macedonia, on the Maleshevski Mountains, lying in a cradle of thick oak forest, on just two kilometres from the city of Berovo there ia a very nice artificial lake, the Berovo Lake. As a hidden pearl in the forests, its environment offers couple of hoteliers’ capacities. The excellent climate and position, in the clean and untouched nature on a sea altitude of 1000m, especially in the summer period when the temperature is over 40 C, Berovo and the Berovo Lake are an exceptional getaway for holidays and resting place away from the summer heat. See More

Less than 20 km southwest of the capital of Macedonia, along the valley of the Treska River, hides a mysterious world of high cliffs, wonderful caves, 77 endemic species of butterflies, white headed eagles and other rare animal and plant species. The Matka Canyon together with the lake is among the ten most beautiful canyons in Europe that are easily accessible for adventurers. Due to the special features of the terrain and the difficult accessibility which meant greater security in the past, a large number of churches and monasteries were built in the Matka Canyon; their existence is an embodiment of cultural and historical monuments. Therefore, the Matka Canyon is also called small Mount Athos (Sveta Gora). See More

At an altitude of 1200 meters, the Mavrovo Lake is situated in the heart of the Mavrovo National Park, enchanting with its beauty and perfectly fitting into the mosaic of the landscapes of this national park in the northwestern part of Macedonia. Above the lake, high deciduous and coniferous trees rise from everywhere, posing their reflection in the clear and cold lake water. To the south over the lake stretches the Bistra Mountain and to the north - Shar Mountain. Mavrovo See More

Situated in an obnoxiously colourful region, between the Suva Gora Mountain on the west and the natural reservoir “Jasen” on the east, on an ideal altitude of 300m, the visitors can see the biggest artificial lake in Macedonia, Kozjak. It is surrounded by many numerous hills and valleys which give special beauty throughout the year, and the waters of the Treska River, which serve as a water filler, are one of the cleanest on the Balkans. The lake is on 35km distance from the capital city Skopje, and due to its specific terrain, they also call it the Macedonian Grand Canyon. The Lake is formed in 2004. See More

At an altitude of 165 m and 12 km distance from Kavadarchi, there is a lake, second in a row from the artificial lakes in Macedonia, the Tikvesh Lake, with an area of 14km2. It is built in 1968, when the Canyon of Crna River was reconstructed with a dam. The Tikvesh Lake’s temperature during the summer and autumn period is 24°C. Thus, the Lake is attractive for numerous swimmers and people in love with water sports. See More

The Galicnik wedding is a cherished and culturally significant traditional event in Macedonia that captures the essence of the country's rich heritage. Taking place in the remote mountain village of Galicnik this wedding ceremony is a vibrant celebration of love, customs, and community. See More