Where to Visit After Backpacking North Macedonia

Once you’ve explored the delights that Backpacking North Macedonia has to offer; swam in the crystal clear waters of Lake Ohrid, wandered around the Old Bazaar in Skopje and visited Bitola to spend a day hiking in Pelister National Park. You are going to be looking for your next destination!

Whether you are backpacking or just looking for the next place to visit, you’re probably going to be looking for your next stop after North Macedonia. To give you a helping hand we are going to take a look at our favourite destinations from our Balkan neighbours.

Belgrade, Serbia

Where to Visit After Backpacking North Macedonia - Belgrade — The entrance of Beogradska tvrđava (Belgrade Fortress) – Photo by Erwan Martin

Whilst Belgrade might not be the most stereotypically beautiful city, its is certainly a fascinating city with a thriving and vibrant nightlife culture. If clubbing is not your thing you are free to explore the impressive Belgrade Fortress or its selection of architecturally stunning Orthodox churches. Learn about the eccentric Serbian genius at the Nikola Tesla Museum, or pay your respects to the late Yugoslav President at the Josip Broz Tito Mausoleum.

Unfortunately trains are not currently running between Belgrade from Skopje, but it is possible to travel by bus taking 6.5 hours.

Berat, Albania

Where to Visit After Backpacking North Macedonia - Berat — Where to visit after North Macedonia, why not try Berat.

Know as the town of a thousand windows, Berat has been continuously inhabited since 314 BC and its old town is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Walk around the winding footpaths of the old town, enjoy a steep walk up to Berat Castle on the hill, while admiring the numerous Byzantine Churches. Also worth a visit is Bogova Waterfall situated between Berat and Corovode.

It is possible to travel from Ohrid to Berat via bus, changing in Elbasan which takes a total of 6 hours.

Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Where to Visit After Backpacking North Macedonia - Cluj-Napocca — Where to visit after North Macedonia, why not try Cluj-Napocca

Situated in western Transylvania, Cluj has a fantastic mix of Baroque and Gothic architecture as well as a bustling art and music scene. The second largest city in Romania is a favourite amongst artists and students and is famous for its bustling nightlife.

Pictured is Salina Turda (approximately 35km from Cluj), a disused salt mine lighted exquisitely lighted and filled with attractions including rowing boats, a ferris wheel and a bowling alley making for both a bizarre and slightly surreal experience.

Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Where to Visit After Backpacking North Macedonia - Mostar — Where to visit after North Macedonia, why not try Mostar.

Pictured is Stari Most, probably the most iconic image of Mostar. The Old Bridge stood for 427 years before it was destroyed during the war in 1993, rebuilt in 2004 the entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Close by you can visit Blagaj Tekija a house of the Whirling Dervishes built into the mountain side next to source of the river Neretva or the spectacular Kravice Waterfalls.

Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Where to Visit After Backpacking North Macedonia - Plovdiv — Where to visit after North Macedonia, why not try Plovdiv

The second oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe, set to be the European Capital of Culture in 2019 it certainly has plenty to offer to avid traveller. Not every city can boast about having a 30,000 seater stadium lying directly beneath their main shopping street, but Plovdiv can. The Ancient Stadium of Philippopolis from the time of Ancient Rome is now partly excavated and renovated and is one of the main attractions of the city.

It is possible to travel from Skopje to Plovdiv via bus, changing in Sofia which takes a total of 7hours.

Prizren, Kosovo

Where to Visit After Backpacking North Macedonia - Prizren — Where to visit after North Macedonia, why not try Prizren.

Just over the border from Skopje is the beautiful city of Prizren nestled in the Sharr Mountains and would our personal recommendation to visit after Backpacking North Macedonia. Take in the mix of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture as you trek to the Kalaja Fortress at the summit of the hill. which is currently in the process of being painstakingly renovated. Visitors can learn all about the history or Prizren at the Albanian League of Prizren Museum or go on to explore the spectacular Sharr Mountains National Park.

It is possible to travel to Prizren from Skopje by bus taking around 2.5 hours.

Kotor, Montenegro

Where to Visit After Backpacking North Macedonia - Kotor — Where to visit after North Macedonia, why not try Kotor

The ancient fortified city of Kotor situated on Croatia’s Adriatic coast has to be one of the gems of the Balkans. It can get a little crowded when the thousands of cruise ship passengers disembark, but don’t let that put you off. Get lost within the city walls, climb the many steps up to St John’s Castle for the spectacular view of the bay. Got a bit more time then why not visit the close-by picturesque town of Perast and sample the deliciously fresh seafood.

Sill not sure where to visit after backpacking North Macedonia?

There are many more fantastic places to visit in the Balkans, but we couldn’t include them all. Hopefully this has given you more of an idea of where you can visit after backpacking North Macedonia. If not then you’ll just have to stick around a little longer.

This post was written by Travel Junkie, to see more posts like this and for tips on travel check out their website.