r/macedonia

Hi, I am a student in Netherlands (Non EU) looking to travel to North Macedonia this year. I have a temporary Residence Permit, do i need a visa or can i travel to macedonia with my Residence permit?

English:
Hey everyone! I’m currently in Skopje and looking to borrow an RCM jig for an original Nintendo Switch V1 (unpatched).
I literally only need it once to enter RCM mode, so borrowing one for a couple of minutes would be perfect.
I’m staying near Aerodrom, but I’m happy to travel anywhere within Skopje.
Does anyone have one, or know a shop/person in Skopje who could help?
Happy to pay a small amount for the help. Thanks!

Македонски:
Здраво на сите! Моментално сум во Скопје и барам RCM jig за оригинален Nintendo Switch V1 (unpatched).
Ми треба буквално само еднаш за да влезам во RCM режим, па би било супер ако некој може да ми го позајми на неколку минути.
Сместен сум во близина на Аеродром, но не ми е проблем да дојдам каде било во Скопје.
Дали некој има таков jig или знае сервис/лице во Скопје што би можело да ми помогне?
Можам да платам мал надомест за помошта. Фала однапред!

Како ви оди тоа чувството што си прокоцкавме 4-5 години онака за џабе, од мерак? Или уште ви е супер да гледаме како Албанија и Црна Гора си тераат работа за во ЕУ, додека ние си висиме во ист кош со Босна и Косово и си уживаме во истиве мизерни плати? Хаха греота.

https://preview.redd.it/wb0mhw7g02th1.png?width=2736&format=png&auto=webp&s=86d1d2502b9fdf2aa858f0de909ea6a33c050843

Абе луѓе, до толку ли е слепа оваа љубов кон Србија? Жити сè, што треба уште да се случи за конечно да ви дојде паметот?

Здраво дечки,

Прадедо ми избегал од територијата на денешна Македонија во 1912 година, за време на Првата балканска војна, и се преселил во Турција. Кога си заминал, семејството оставило зад себе голем имот (земјиште и куќи).
Сè уште ги чуваме оригиналните тапии (имотни листови) од отоманскиот период за овие имоти.
Се обидувам да дознаам дали постои некаков правен начин да си ги вратиме овие имоти или да бараме отштета (реституција), или пак ваквите барања веќе не се можни според македонските закони.

Имам неколку прашања:

• Дали има некои адвокати, историчари или правни експерти кои се упатени во реституција на имот на Балканот и кои би можеле да ми дадат совет?
• Ако е можно да се поднесе барање, како би изгледал тој процес и до која владина институција или канцеларија треба најпрво да се обратам?
• Дали тоа што ги поседуваме оригиналните отомански тапии ни дава некаква правна предност денес?

Please could someone help us with getting from Bitola to Ohrid by bus tomorrow? I am getting conflicting info on websites and ticket office. I went into the bus station this morning to check that there is a 13.15 bus tomorrow, I was told there are only buses at 9.00, 9.30, 10.30, 16.00, 18.30 and 19.30. Website show buses leaving at other times...

Hi everyone!

I’m planning my very first solo trip to Macedonia. Since this is my first time traveling alone, my goal is to enjoy the culture, sights, and local atmosphere at a relaxed pace without feeling overwhelmed or rushing from place to place.

I’ll be relying entirely on public transportation (buses and taxis/local transport).

Here is the tentative plan I’ve put together:

Fri – Mon: Skopje

Arrive in Skopje on Friday.

Spend Saturday and Sunday visiting the city, and doing a half-day trip to Matka Canyon.

Mon – Fri: Ohrid

Take a morning bus from Skopje to Ohrid on Monday.

Explore Ohrid

Thinking about taking a day trip to Bitola (by bus) or a nearby town.

Fri:

Morning bus back to Skopje Airport for my flight home.

A few questions for locals and fellow travelers:

1. Does this itinerary look well-balanced for a 7-day trip, or does it feel like too little? I'm worried it is too little for a 7 day trip, but since this is my first solo trip, I don't want to get overwhelmed by trying to see too many places or rushing from place to place.
2. Following the previous question, does Ohrid have a good, relaxed vibe to just wander around, soak in the atmosphere, and enjoy the city once I've seen the main sights?
3. Day trips from Ohrid: Would you recommend Bitola for a day trip via bus, or is there another destination/nature spot near Ohrid that you think fits a relaxed autumn trip better?
4. Is the Skopje–Ohrid–Bitola bus route reliable in late October? Should I buy bus tickets in advance at the stations?
5. General advice: Any hidden gems, local dishes, or cozy spots in Skopje/Ohrid you’d recommend for a solo traveler in late October?

Thanks a lot in advance! Looking forward to visiting your beautiful country!

Hello dear Macedonians,

I am a PhD student writing on the Balkan wars and Balkan Front of the First World War, and I am currently researching the period between the Balkan wars and want to add some perspectives on the Tikveš uprising to my work.

I looked a bit and I have the impression that the main scholarly work on the topic is from a 1999 conference : https://plus-legacy.cobiss.net/cobiss/mk/mk/bib/30971658

Obviously it is very hard to find where I live and also in Serbia where I tend to go sometimes ; and I haven't come across a pdf of it. I would like to know if there might be a way to get my hands on it, maybe buy it online ; or maybe there could be a way to find someone who could go to a library and do some pics of the pages for me – in exchange of payment if necessary. Thanks a lot for any advice on the topic !

Advice to anyone travelling to the undertouristed former Yugoslavia, what to prepare before you go, specifically advice on driving, crossing the many borders as foreigners and obtaining local currency. We are an Irish couple, early 30s who travelled to Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, Lake Ohrid (FYROM) and we flew in and out via Zagreb and Dubrovnik respectively.

🚗Car rental (we used Europcar, very reliable)

Rent from within the same country, even if you plan to drive to other countries. This may dictate your flight options in and out and your travel route, like maybe a loop back to where you started.

Dropping a car off in a different country will cost at least an additional €500. Leaving it in a different city from where you collected it, but within the same country, will be a fraction of the cost.

Always better to book ahead/reserve, as options may be limited if you just show up to the desk on the day. Best options are from the airports but even they dont have an endless supply of cars.

Downtown pick ups/offices do not exist. You can arrange a downtown drop off as that process is simpler than picking up. Downtown pick ups could be arranged, possibly through a hotel, but look into this well in advance.

Public transport is almost completely non-existent and taxi's/uber are unreliable and unpredictable, so hiring a car means you can travel at your own pace, at whatever time of day you like, without the risk of cancellations, rip offs or uncomfortable conditions. The car can also act as luggage storage as that too is rare.

An EU issued licence is fine, you dont need an international driving permit. We were never asked for one. I cannot validate if only a non-EU licence will be sufficient so read up about your country.

🛃Border crossings

Easier than anticipated. Border guards ask for your passport and car documents and check the Green Card for your car (the rental agency will provide it).

They may ask if you have anything to declare. They may ask to look in the boot/trunk. They may not ask for documents at all and do not always stamp your passport.

Crossing in a car may be faster than crossing via bus depending on queues and bus size.

Crossing the border in a rental car is not a big deal. Even local rental agencies in former Yugoslav countries are agreeable about where you can cross into, except Albania (need to buy extra insurance) and Kosovo (generally just not allowed).

🚧Road conditions

The Balkans is mountainous, and roads are often steep, narrow or just a dirt track full of potholes. Choose a car suitable for your activites. Prioritise power and comfort over economic and compact if possible.

Going to some old towns; a small car will be easier to navigate and park, but you still need a good engine to get up the hill. Looking to see some nature; choose an SUV/4x4 to manage the steep hills and challenging rural road conditions.

Over-taking is tricky in the Balkans. Locals over-take cars in the tightest of windows and expect you to do the same. Choosing a car with a good engine to pass out cars on winding single lane roads is important.

Motorways are generally in excellent condition, even in Albania. Local and rural roads can have unpredictable surface and spontaneous unfinished road works.

💶Money

Local Balkan non-euro currencies are difficult/impossible to obtain outside the region. Some are 'closed currencies'.

Currency exchanges are just that, an exchange; you hand over cash and they change it to whatever currency you want. You cannot buy money from them using card. Bring a good amount of your home currency to exchange.

Exchanges are good for smaller amounts (daily spending) as they dont charge fees but the rate isnt always the best.

ATMs are good for larger amounts (enough for a few days/weeks), as long as they dont charge a conversion rate from your home currency and a withdrawal fee. Low fee/free withdrawal ATMs are abundant in major cities. There are apps to help find them.

Euro is widely accepted in the region. Smaller notes are preferable. Coins are good for small purchases like parking, kiosks, entry fees, toilets etc. Border towns may accept numerous different currencies in certain instances.

Card payments are popular, even in smaller towns and villages. Pay with it when you can, even for taxis, and save your cash for when you really need it. Cash-only businesses exist even in major cities.

TLDR : Rent a car and reserve it in advance, crossing borders is easy in a car, bring lots of cash