Balkanology :: Explore Southeast EuropeDisclaimer: These pages are not actively maintained, and some of the practical information on the site is out of date. I am working on a new version of the site that will focus more on my photos and memories of travel in Southeast Europe, and less on practical details that too easily become obsolete. In the meantime, please treat the information here with caution.
Republic of Macedonia :: Links
The sites listed on this page are specifically about Macedonia. Many of the more general sites listed in the Overview of the Balkans are also useful for planning a trip to Macedonia.
Macedonia seems to have a particularly high number of sites that look useful at first glance but on close inspection turn out not to have been maintained for several years. Don't assume any online information is still valid unless a site shows some evidence of recent activity.
Travel Information
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Exploring Macedonia
Macedonia's "Official Tourism Portal" fairly has the usual mixture of destinations and accommodation. The section on bus travel confirms something that many visitors to the Balkans notice: some locals have "an irrational, all-pervasive fear of fresh air". Some hotels can be booked online through the site (I've tried this and it does work - eventually).
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Skopje In Your Pocket
This Skopje guide was launched in autumn 2006 and follows the format of IYP's successful guides to other Eastern European cities. Whether you want to find the best places to eat or the most, ahem, striking examples of 1970's architecture, you can get help in these pages.
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WikiTravel Macedonia
One of the better WikiTravel sites about the Balkans, with good coverage of Skopje in particular and quite a lot of detail on a number of other locations including Ohrid, Bitola, and Prilep.
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Skopje Online
Find out where to go, eat, see, and stay in Macedonia's capital. The train timetable in the Latin alphabet could be a handy feature for those who can't read the Macedonian Railways site (see below), but last time I checked it was out of date.
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Adventure Guide Macedonia
Go MacedoniaOutdoor exploration in Macedonia, from one-day excursions to longer tours. Even if you aren't planning on joining a tour, you may find some useful tips about where to visit in the detailed itineraries on these sites.
Transport and Practicalities
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Macedonian Railways
In Macedonian only the last time I checked - the English version has been "under construction" for years. Think of it as a chance to practice reading the Cyrillic alphabet.
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Skopje Bus Station
Timetable and ticket prices for Skopje's main bus station. There used to be an English version of the site, but as of January 2009 it seems to have disappeared - another chance to practice your Cyrillic.
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Ohrid Bus Timetable
In Macedonian only.
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JSP - Skopje City Transport
Considering the lack of information on the ground, JSP's web site is surprisingly informative, with maps, timetables and fare details for urban and suburban lines. Useful for planning trips to outlying areas such as Lake Matka. There is even a touch of lyricism: "The pulse of JSP SKOPJE wakes up the industrial capacities, with us the first school classes begin, the night shifts end".
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Skopje and Ohrid airports
Air Macedonia -
The Macedonian Embassy in the U.K.
As well as the usual visa information, the Embassy provides plenty of links to other sites about Macedonia in the "Tourism" and "Links" section.
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Entry requirements for visitors are outlined under "Consular Services, Information for Foreigners".
From the Travel Pages
A dive into Macedonia's past at Lake Ohrid
The Guardian, 30 January 2010Make time for Macedonia
The Times, 28 January 2006Culinary and Cultural Delights of the Tikves Wine Region
Balkanalysis, 18 October 2005Trail of the Unexpected (Ohrid)
The Independent, 06 September 2003An incomparable inertia: Skopje to Salonika by rail
Travel Intelligence
Background
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Macedonia FAQ
Information about many aspects of Macedonian history and culture. There is a page about the Macedonian Cyrillic Alphabet, and the Travel section has detailed descriptions and photos of many places in Macedonia. A word of warning: as far as I can tell the site hasn't been updated since about 2003.
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Macedonian Information Agency
The latest news from Macedonia.
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Bitola Babam Bitola
This neat site is a tribute to Macedonia's second largest city, with historical background and a collection of songs paying tribute to the beauty of Bitola (and its women). There is also some practical information such as bus schedules.