Skip to content
LarkTours

Routes · Europe

Tokyo to North Macedonia: Skopje, Matka Canyon and Lake Ohrid

Tokyo → Skopje → Ohrid

Stone Bridge (Skopje)
"08_Skopje.jpg" by Делфина, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
03760-Ohrid (16064511578) (Ohrid)
Photo: xiquinhosilva, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Old bazaar & lakeside monasteries Best season (general guide): May–Sep

North Macedonia is a small Balkan country of mountains and lakes, little visited compared with its neighbours. This route spends two nights in Skopje and four on Lake Ohrid. From Tokyo you'll connect through Istanbul or a European hub to Skopje.

Skopje's Stone Bridge crosses the Vardar river to the Old Bazaar, a district of mosques, inns and small shops dating from the Ottoman period. The city centre has many newer statues and buildings, which give it an unusual mix of styles.

Matka Canyon, a short drive from the city, has a lake between steep cliffs, with boats to caves and small monasteries.

Lake Ohrid is one of the oldest lakes in Europe, and UNESCO lists the region for both its nature and its culture. The town of Ohrid climbs a hill above the water, crowned by Samuel's Fortress.

The Church of St John at Kaneo stands on a cliff above the lake, one of the most photographed views in the Balkans. Boats cross the lake to the monastery of St Naum, near springs that feed the lake, and small beaches line the shore.

May to September is the best time to visit, with warm days for swimming.

In Ohrid, walk the lakeside boardwalk to St John at Kaneo at sunset, when the light on the water is at its best. Bring a swimsuit for the lake in summer.

Skopje's Old Bazaar is quietest in the morning.

Good to know: Buses link Skopje and Ohrid, or hire a car for flexibility. Ohrid can be busy in July and August with summer visitors. Try Ohrid trout and local wines. Dress modestly when visiting churches and monasteries.

Getting there and around: fly into Skopje, go on to Ohrid overland, and fly home from Ohrid.

Suggested outline

  1. Tokyo

    Start

  2. Skopje

    By air · 2 nights suggested

    The Old Bazaar, the Stone Bridge and Matka Canyon nearby.

  3. Ohrid

    Overland · 4 nights suggested

    A lakeside town of churches, Samuel's Fortress and the monastery of St Naum.

    Church of St. John at Kaneo
    "Church_of_St._John_at_Kaneo_6.jpg" by kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Skopje — Arrive; Stone Bridge and Old Bazaar· Tokyo → Skopje (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · Skopje — Matka Canyon
  3. Day 3 · Ohrid — Drive to Ohrid; the old town· Skopje → Ohrid (overland)
  4. Day 4 · Ohrid — St John at Kaneo and the fortress
  5. Day 5 · Ohrid — Boat to St Naum monastery
  6. Day 6 · Ohrid — Lake swim and the beaches
  7. Day 7 · Ohrid — Travel home from Ohrid· Ohrid → Tokyo (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

Each button opens a live, dated search. We don't show stored fares here: check today's price on the booking site.

Showing dates about a month ahead — change them when you search.

Skopje

More about Skopje →

Plan the trip: Skopje

These links go to partner sites. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices and terms are set by the partner.

Ohrid

More about Ohrid →

Plan the trip: Ohrid

These links go to partner sites. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices and terms are set by the partner.

Partner links may earn LarkTours a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, availability and terms are set by each partner.