Mavrovo National Park
The largest national park in the country, covering high mountains, beech and pine forests and river valleys. It shelters wildlife such as brown bears and lynx, and offers hiking and winter sports.
Mavrovo
A lake and a half-submerged church lie in this national park, which has ski slopes for winter and mountain walks for summer.
Attractive locations
Mavrovo Lake
A large mountain reservoir at the foot of the Bistra range, ringed by forest and green slopes. Its calm surface and clean air make it a pleasant stop for walks and photographs.
Submerged Church of St. Nicholas
An old church that was flooded when the lake was created. Its bell tower rises out of the water, making a memorable and unusual sight, especially when the lake is low and more of the stonework shows.
Saint Jovan Bigorski Monastery
An Orthodox monastery in the Radika valley, known for its large, richly carved wooden iconostasis. Visitors should dress modestly and respect the monks' daily routine.
Korab
The highest mountain in North Macedonia, rising on the border with Albania. Experienced hikers climb it in summer, and the area is known for glacial lakes, alpine meadows and wide views.
Airports
Ohrid St. Paul the Apostle Airport OHD
It is about 55 km in a straight line from Mavrovo.
Skopje International Airport SKP
It is about 80 km in a straight line from Mavrovo.
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-2.0 °C74 mm
- Feb-0.9 °C66 mm
- Mar2.8 °C65 mm
- Apr7.0 °C63 mm
- May11.8 °C65 mm
- Jun16.3 °C47 mm
- Jul19.8 °C33 mm
- Aug20.3 °C32 mm
- Sep14.8 °C68 mm
- Oct9.9 °C82 mm
- Nov4.8 °C89 mm
- Dec-0.4 °C85 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