Airports in North Macedonia: Choosing Where to Fly as a Tourist

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North Macedonia is an inland country in the Balkans region of Eastern Europe. Its nature is severely underrated, and its historic towns and quaint villages remain unspoiled. North Macedonia is not on everyone’s radar, and quite frankly, this is what makes it so intriguing.

As “off the radar” as it may seem, it’s not as challenging or tricky to get to as one may think. The airports in North Macedonia may not be abundant, but they’re still vitally connected to the majority of Europe.

In this guide, discover the important airports in North Macedonia you must know about as a tourist. Additionally, we’ve included popular destinations in North Macedonia and which airport you should fly into.

How Do You Get to North Macedonia?

The landlocked country of North Macedonia may seem like an elusive destination to reach, but luckily, it’s really not! Reaching North Macedonia is quickly and most conveniently done by flying.

The Balkans region, in general, is not easy to travel through by railway. Despite its popular reputation in Western Europe, this corner of Europe simply doesn’t have the same infrastructure and isn’t well connected by train.

If you are planning to use public transportation aside from flying, it is manageable to reach North Macedonia by bus. Still, taking a bus to North Macedonia can prove to be just as expensive, if not more expensive, than flying.

Flights within Europe are notoriously inexpensive and a huge time saver.

Determined to make it to North Macedonia by bus? Check out Budbud and Flixbus for routes and tickets!

Furthermore, flying directly into North Macedonia isn’t the only option. One of the best advantages of the Balkans region is the close proximity of its countries. So, flying into a neighboring state still offers easy access into North Macedonia.

The nearest international airports beyond the borders of North Macedonia include Sofia (Bulgaria), Pristina (Kosovo), Tirana (Albania) and Thessaloniki (Greece).

Then, connections into North Macedonia are possible and very uncomplicated with a rental car or bus ride.

How Many International Airports Are in North Macedonia?

North Macedonia (also referred to as Macedonia or the Republic of Macedonia) is a relatively small country. For comparison, it’s only two-thirds the size of Switzerland and about the same size as the state of Vermont.

It is nestled in by surrounding relatives that are much larger, including Bulgaria to its east and Greece to the south. For its compact size, it’s reasonable for North Macedonia to only have two international airports.

Naturally, there are a handful of airfields in North Macedonia that are designated for sport, private flying, military, agriculture, and emergency transportation. For the typical tourist, these smaller airfields aren’t useful to be aware of if you’re solely looking to visit the country.

Do not reference any of the sport airfields as an airport you’re able to fly into when planning a trip to North Macedonia.

By using underrated flight search engines like CheapOair and Kiwi.com, you’ll find much lower prices than by browsing popular flight websites.

Map of Airports in North Macedonia

🟢 Pins = International Airports in North Macedonia

🔵 Pins = Sport Airfields in North Macedonia (not for tourists)

How to Get to North Macedonia From the U.S.

Direct flights to North Macedonia aren’t available from the U.S. However, this doesn’t mean that it needs to take a day and a half to get there. It will be inevitable while browsing flights to the Balkans from the U.S. that flight routes will include at least one stop or layover.

If flight search engines are not providing options that are in your favor, try this trick instead. It requires some light manual work on your end but could pay off by finding cheaper flights.

The best travel advice for travelers flying from the U.S. to North Macedonia is to first find a direct flight to a major European city. Rome, for example, welcomes nonstop flights from several U.S. cities.

At the same time, there are also regular flights departing from Rome to Skopje. It’s recommended to first book a direct flight to the major European airport and then, a secondary round trip flight from that airport to Skopje.

Additional direct flights to Skopje International Airport from within Europe depart from Budapest, London, Frankfurt, Vienna, Geneva and more.

If you can find direct flights from your departing U.S. city to any of these European airports, you’ll then be able to book an inexpensive flight to Skopje.

The first step to finding inexpensive flights is by using a solid search tool. Browse flights with Skyscanner and find the cheapest flights based on date!

Places to Visit From Skopje International Airport

Skopje

The capital city of North Macedonia.
Intriguing mix of architecture including grand sculptures, imposing Yugoslavia-era buildings, and colorful mosques.
A major transportation center for flights, the main railway, and bus stations that connect to the rest of the country and beyond borders.
Thriving, vibrant, and youthful cafe and bar scene. North Macedonia’s cultural hub of museums, commemorative statues, and music festivals.

Mavrovo National Park

North Macedonia’s largest national park covers over 73,000 hectares of land.
It is home to a diverse wildlife and flora ecosystem, including endangered species like the Balkan lynx.
Mavrovo Resort is the most popular ski resort in North Macedonia, and the national park turns into a winter wonderland during the snow season.
There is an old church from 1850 that sits half submerged in Mavrovo Lake.
The charming and secluded village of Galicnik is the hosting location of the iconic Galicnik wedding celebration.

Use our guide to plan your own visit to the outdoor paradise of Mavrovo National Park!

north macedonia airports — A panoramic view of Mavrovo National Park in western North Macedonia

Prilep

Prilep is the fourth largest city in North Macedonia with origins dating back to the 11th century.
It is the country’s most prominent tobacco production center, which includes a museum, manufacturing, and even tobacco research.
The old town features Carshi Mosque, believed to be built in 1475 and is one of the oldest mosques in Europe.
A towering and ancient fortress named Marko’s Towers stands on the hill above Prilep town and offers sweeping views of the valleys.

markos towers prilep — Hiking to the top of Marko’s Towers above Prilep

Places to Visit From Ohrid St. Paul The Apostle Airport

Ohrid

Ohrid Lake is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest lakes in the entire world.
As recently as 2023, discoveries continue to be made as remnants of an ancient settlement are uncovered within the lake.
Lake Ohrid is the ideal summer vacation spot with crystal clear, calm water and lakefront beaches.
Ohrid town is incredibly charming and historic with Byzantine churches, a towering fortress, a Roman amphitheater, and an old bazaar street.

Discover the best things to do in Ohrid, North Macedonia with our guide.

Pelister National Park

The national park was established in 1948, making it the oldest in North Macedonia.
Baba Mountain sits among the national park and is the third highest peak in the country.
It is distinctly known for its dense concentration of pinewood and picturesque alpine lakes at the top of the mountain range.
With a combination of valleys, green forests, and mountain ridges, it’s one of the top destinations in North Macedonia for hiking and biking.

Krushevo (Kruševo)

The fairytale-like town is defined by its prime examples of 19th-century Ottoman-era architecture.
Located nearly 1,400 meters above sea level, it’s the highest town in North Macedonia and one of the highest settlements in the entire Balkans region.
Just outside of town, you’ll find Meckin Kamen, a paragliding hotspot that attracts athletes from all over the world.
It is home to one of the most unique-looking memorial buildings in the world: the Makedonium – Ilinden Monument.

Bitola

Bitola serves as the unsuspecting financial and business capital of North Macedonia.
It is the second-largest city in the country with a population of 70,000 and located just over 10 km from the border with Greece.
The cultural scene of Bitola is a bustling mix of historic and new, with architecture from the 18th century and trendy cafes on every corner.
An annual film festival takes place in honor of the Manaki brothers, who are iconic trailblazers in photography and film from the Balkans region.

Is North Macedonia Safe to Travel To?

Whether you’re one to reference travel advisory notices from your local government or not, even the slightest research into North Macedonia will reveal it’s completely safe for tourists.

Both statistically and based on personal experience, it not normal to encounter any dangerous scenarios. Attacks with the intention to harm visitors are not known to occur in North Macedonia.

However, if you’re the skeptic type, steer away from excessive crowds or protests.

Of course, you’ll have to be most aware of your surroundings while in the city centres. The potential risk of pickpocketing or tourist scams applies to any big city and not just in North Macedonia.

For travelers who tend to be cautious, follow this simple tip. Although we don’t believe safety in North Macedonia is a notable concern, our recommendation is to enjoy your time outdoors instead and away from cities and towns.

The easiest (and most sensible) way to explore the world with confidence is by purchasing travel insurance. Start browsing affordable options with VisitorsCoverage.

More Destinations in the Balkans:

North Macedonia Travel Resources

☔️ TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA or VisitorsCoverage

✈️ FLIGHTS: Skyscanner, CheapOair or Kiwi.com

🚙 CAR RENTALS: Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com

🚊 TRAINS & BUSES: Busbud, Trainline or Omio

🛳 FERRIES: Direct Ferries

🛌 ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com, Agoda or Trivago

☎️ ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo

📸 TOURS & ACTIVITIES: GetYourGuide or Viator