Magnificent Macedonia

Day 1: Arrival to Skopje International Airport
Day 2: Transfer from Skopje to Krushevo, transfer 2 hours, 30 minutes 
Day 3: Krushevo - Bitola, 42 mi. (67 km)
Day 4: Bitola - Prespa Lake, 32 mi. (51 km)
Day 5: Prespa Lake to Ohrid Lake, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 6: Free day in Ohrid
Day 7: Ohrid - Vevchani, 33 mi. (52 km)
Day 8: Transfer from Vevchani to Mavrovo National Park
Day 9: Transfer back to Skopje for flight home or extend your stay!

All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control such as weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations/detours caused by roadwork, In this case, self-guided cyclists should follow any detour indicated on site.

Day 1: Arrival at Skopje International Airport
Welcome to Macedonia! Arrival and transfer to your accommodations in Skopje. We suggest for your first day that you enjoy a walking tour of Skopje, visit the Mother Teresa Memorial House and the central Macedonia square with the grand fountain of Alexander the Great. Be sure to walk over the old Stone Bridge into the maze of cobblestoned alleys of the old town of Skopje, lined with Ottoman mosques and hammams, arts, crafts, and jewelry shops. You can visit the old Holy Savior church and end your walk at the city walls ‘Kale’ with its panoramic view of the capital. Your afternoon is free to enjoy the old town.  Dinner is suggested in a restaurant located in a restored Ottoman Inn in the old town. Overnight in Skopje.

Accommodation: Centrally located 3-star hotel in Skopje, Hotel Vlaho, or similar

Day 2: Transfer from Skopje to Krushevo, transfer 2 hours, 30 minutes 
a transfer takes you from Skopje to Krushevo, a picturesque mountain town in Central Macedonia. It is the highest town in the Balkans, famous for the first uprising revolution against the Ottoman suppression, but also for the traditional architecture, local traditional art crafts, and delicious cuisine. Here you can visit the Makedonium (Ilinden) Monument, a 25-meter, pure white concrete symbol of Krushevo and memorial of the Ilinden uprising. It was named top of the top 10 most unique buildings in the world by Architecture & Design. 

Accommodation: Boutique Hotel in the center of Krushevo, Hotel St. Nicholas

Day 3: Krushevo - Bitola, 42 mi. (67 km)
In the morning, you will be transferred by car to the bike shop to be fitted for your rental bike. Starting from the hotel, you will cycle down Mount Busava to the villages at its foothills. You can stop in the village of Obrshani to climb the bell tower for the best view over the tobacco fields of the region and continue to Stibera, archaeological ruins (still being excavated) of one of the largest ancient cities.  It is always possible to have a local village-style lunch in the villages on the way. The route leads along the old road to Bitola and to Heraclea Lyncestis, an ancient city built by the father of Alexander the Great, Philip II. You will arrive in Bitola in the afternoon. Bitola is the former city of consulates and embassies, and today still one of the most beautiful cities in Macedonia. It has managed to maintain its 18th and 19th-century neoclassical architecture and monuments. You will overnight in Bitola.

Accommodation: Boutique hotel in Bitola, Hotel Teatar
Elevation gains: + 255m; - 864m

Day 4: Bitola - Prespa Lake, 34 mi. (55 km)
This morning you will cycle on the old road to Prespa Lake and then connect with the ancient Roman road 'Via Egnatia', built over the old Candavian Road over 2000 years ago. The apple orchards you encounter give you a clue that you are getting close to Lake Prespa. This region supplies the entire Balkans with apples. Prespa only has a few commercial beaches, one of them being near your accommodations. The rest of the coast is the refuge for many rare bird species, including the Dalmatian Pelican and the Pygmy Cormorant, which benefit from the wealth of fish in the Lake. 

Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Prespa Lake, Hotel & Resort Lakeview
Elevation gains: +780m; -544m

Day 5: Prespa Lake to Ohrid Lake, 34 mi. (55 km)
Today's route is both beautiful and challenging over Mount Galicica but provides wonderful views over the two biggest lakes in Macedonia. The route leads through through the dense forests of Galicica National Park. Here you start a 14 km long uphill on a curvy narrow road leading to Mount Galicica pass. If you're worried this is too challenging for you, A transfer up to the mountain pass can be arranged. Descending, you will cycle down a windy road to Ohrid Lake and follow the road along the lake to the Trpejca fishing village. Take your time here to enjoy the lovely hidden beach or have fresh trout for lunch at one of the few fish restaurants. Also recommended is a stop to visit the archaeological site on water, the Bay of Bones.

Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Ohrid, Hotel Su
Elevation gains: +1298m; -1328m

Day 6: Explore Ohrid, optional kayaking tour on Ohrid Lake or boating and dinner at the fisherman's home
Free day in Ohrid, a UNESCO city with 365 Orthodox churches, an antique theatre, and the medieval city walls of Tsar Samoil.  

The best way to explore Ohrid and learn about its famous landmarks and hidden games is to take a guided tour by a local tour guide. A private guided tour takes 3-4 hours depending on your interests. Advanced reservation is required. 

If you prefer to explore the city yourself, GPS My City app offers 4 different tours of Ohrid. It works offline and you have access to the map and each of the tour stops and information. 

Optional kayaking activity: Enjoy a full-day kayaking tour guided by a professional guide, who is also a member of the Ohrid rescue team. Explore hidden beaches, ancient temples, and restaurants accessible only by water, taste Ohrid trout, called Belvica, for lunch, do some cliff jumping, and snorkeling, and if you have previous experience in rock climbing, your guide will take the ropes with him so you can get on the rocks from the lake. Stops along the tour include also the Bay of Bones archeological settlement on water, and a visit to St Bgorodica Zaumska church, which is accessible only from water. 

Optional boating activity: A 30-minute boat cruise takes you close to the shore with a view of Ohrid Old Town and the St. Sophia Cathedral, the Church of Saint John at the top of a cliff hanging over the lake, the beach Labino, and two "Caves of Love. On the way back, the boat cruises further from the shore to allow you a panoramic view of the entire Old Town of Ohrid. After returning to shore, enjoy dinner on the terrace at the fisherman's home.

Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Ohrid, Hotel Su

Day 7: Ohrid - Vevchani, 33 mi. (52 km)
Ride on the old local road along the lake to Struga, the town of poetry. You will enjoy the old and colorful bazaar in the center where river Drim flows out from Lake Ohrid. From here continue riding towards the Albanian border to Radozhda village with stops along the route to visit a number of cave churches from the 14th century. In Radozhda you will bike again on the remnants of Via Egnatia road. Be sure to taste some fish in a restaurant by the lake. In the afternoon, you ride to a village at the foothills of Jablanica mountain, only 16 km from the lake at Struga. Overnight in Vevchani.

Accommodation: Kutmicevica Guesthouse
Elevation gains: +614m; -440m

Day 8: Transfer from Vevchani to Mavrovo National Park
Today you'll be transferred to Mavrovo National Park where you'll meet your local, experienced mountain bike guide. There are several routes to choose from so discuss with your guide your comfort level and he'll choose the best route for you! The routes are mainly along dirt roads, through lush forests, pastures of sheep herds, picturesque mountain villages, streams, and rivers. 

Accommodation: Guesthouse, Kaj Baba i Dede

Day 9: Transfer back to Skopje for flight home or extend your stay!

You can view all of our bike tours in Europe or look at our featured bike trips, specials, and news.

On each day’s details in the day to day itinerary, you will find listed the preferred hotels. Final hotel lists are always based on availability. Final hotel lists will be provided on request.