Oh, just how unlucky can you get? I only had one full day in Macedonia to go to…
Times visited: 1
Cities visited: Skopje
Towns and villages visited: Ohrid
UNESCO sites visited: 1/2
A spontaneous discovery of cheap flight tickets from Malmö suddenly had me booking a quick trip to Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, in early February 2018. Despite being tied up with university responsibilities, I couldn’t pass up the chance for a quick weekend getaway – especially to a country known for being both affordable and underrated.
With just two full days to work with, I had to be strategic. I decided to spend one day exploring Skopje and the next day in Ohrid, giving me a glimpse of both city life and the North Macedonian countryside. The train ride between the two added a scenic bonus – and of course, I couldn’t miss the chance to see Ohrid’s iconic Church of St. John at Kaneo, perched beautifully above Lake Ohrid.
The weather wasn’t exactly on my side. My day in Skopje was dry enough for wandering through the quirky capital, with its oversized marble monuments and statues at every turn. But the next day in Ohrid? Absolutely drenched. The scenic town is a beloved summer destination, thanks to its position on the shores of Lake Ohrid and its charming old town. Every photo I’d ever seen showed it basking under clear blue skies. I certainly didn’t expect to be battling wind and rain the entire time – but there I was. Still, despite the conditions, I managed to have a surprisingly great time. I saw what I came to see, soaked shoes and all. And while I couldn’t begin to picture what Ohrid feels like at the height of summer, I now know that even in the middle of winter, it still has its magic.