Heraclea Lyncestis
The ruins of an ancient city founded in the 4th century BC, with a Roman theatre, baths and a basilica. Colourful floor mosaics survive and are among the best sights in the country.
Bitola
Ancient ruins at Heraclea Lyncestis and a pedestrian street lined with cafés mark this elegant southern city.
Attractive locations
Pelister National Park
A mountain park with forests of rare molika pine, alpine meadows and well-marked trails. It is a popular place for hiking in summer and for skiing in winter, and the air is cool and fresh.
Pelister's Eyes
Two small glacial lakes high in the Pelister mountains, named for their round, dark appearance. A mountain walk leads to them, with views over the surrounding peaks and forests.
Clock Tower of Bitola
An Ottoman-era clock tower in the middle of the old town, one of the symbols of Bitola. It stands near the main pedestrian streets and cafes, so it is easy to find.
Magnolia Square
The central pedestrian square, lined with cafes and shops, at the start of the town's main walking street. It is a pleasant place to sit and watch local life.
Airports
Ohrid St. Paul the Apostle Airport OHD
It is about 52 km in a straight line from Bitola.
Skopje International Airport SKP
It is about 106 km in a straight line from Bitola.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the North Macedonia page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan-0.8 °C57 mm
- Feb0.8 °C53 mm
- Mar4.6 °C54 mm
- Apr9.1 °C57 mm
- May14.2 °C62 mm
- Jun19.1 °C50 mm
- Jul22.5 °C36 mm
- Aug22.6 °C36 mm
- Sep17.2 °C60 mm
- Oct11.8 °C66 mm
- Nov6.2 °C69 mm
- Dec0.7 °C70 mm
Driest months: Jun, Jul, Aug. Wettest months: Oct, Nov, Dec.
Costs
Prices here are about 37% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
112. Police 192. Fire 193. Ambulance 194.
local government
Crisis Management Centre (CUK) - emergency 112
Helps with: North Macedonia's crisis management centre. Its page presents 112 as the emergency number, reachable round the clock and free of charge from all mobile operators.
Who qualifies: Anyone in North Macedonia facing an emergency or crisis.
Phone: +389 (0)2 3249 101
Email: cuk.mail@cuk.gov.mk
Address: Dimche Mirchev 9, P.O. Box 372, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
local government
Ministry of Interior of North Macedonia
Helps with: The ministry responsible for the national police. Its English site lists a Skopje head office with phone and email, and an online service for registering foreigners' stays.
Who qualifies: Anyone in North Macedonia, including visitors, with a police matter.
Phone: +389 (0)2 3 117 222
Email: kontakt@moi.gov.mk
Address: Dimche Mirchev 9, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
ngo
Red Cross of North Macedonia
Helps with: The national Red Cross society. Its site lists first aid, an urgent-assistance service, disaster preparedness and response, psychosocial support and blood donation.
Who qualifies: People in North Macedonia who need its first aid, urgent assistance or disaster services.
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) North Macedonia
Helps with: The UN migration agency. Its Skopje office handles migration matters for the country.
Who qualifies: Migrants and others on the move. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +389 2 30 88 100
Email: iomskopje@iom.int
Address: Str. Oslo 6, 1000 Skopje
local government
Police emergency number 192
Helps with: Reaches the police. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 192
local government
Ambulance emergency number 194
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance service. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 194