What is the best time to visit North Macedonia?

Best Time to Visit North Macedonia

The best time to travel to North Macedonia is during Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November).

Spring in North Macedonia

Spring in North Macedonia is a beautiful time of year. The days become longer and the temperatures start to rise, allowing travelers to explore the country in mild weather. The countryside is in full bloom, with wildflowers and lush greenery everywhere. The spring season is also a great time for outdoor activities, such as hiking and cycling. Popular attractions include Lake Ohrid and the Matka Canyon. There are also plenty of festivals and events taking place throughout the season, such as the Ohrid Summer Festival and the Skopje Jazz Festival.

Month-by-month guide for traveling in North Macedonia

North Macedonia in January

Weather

January in North Macedonia is generally cold and snowy. Average temperatures range from -2°C to 5°C, and snowfall is common.

Events

• New Year’s Day is celebrated on January 1st.
• Orthodox Christmas is celebrated on January 7th.
• The Ohrid Winter Festival is held in Ohrid, North Macedonia in January. This festival includes traditional music, dance, and theater performances.
• The Skopje Jazz Festival is held in Skopje, North Macedonia in January. This festival includes performances by local and international jazz musicians.
• The Struga Poetry Evenings is held in Struga, North Macedonia in January. This festival includes readings of poetry by local and international poets.

North Macedonia in January

Weather

January is the coldest month in North Macedonia, with temperatures ranging from an average high of 7°C (44.6°F) to an average low of -2°C (28°F). Snow is common in January, and the month typically sees around 40 mm of precipitation.

Events

• New Year’s Day is celebrated on January 1st. Fireworks, concerts, and other festivities are held in cities throughout the country.
• The Ohrid Winter Festival takes place in January. This festival celebrates the culture and history of North Macedonia through music, dance, and other performances.
• The International Folklore Festival is held in Kicevo in January. This festival features traditional folk dances, music, and costumes from around the world.
• The Skopje Jazz Festival is held in January. This festival features jazz musicians from around the world.
• The International Film Festival is held in Skopje in January. This festival features films from around the world, as well as workshops and discussions.

North Macedonia in March

Weather

The weather in North Macedonia during March is usually mild and wet. Temperatures range from an average low of 2°C (35°F) to an average high of 14°C (57°F). Rainfall is common, with an average of 75 mm (3 inches) of precipitation throughout the month.

Events

• The International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8th. This day is dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments of women and promoting gender equality.
• The Macedonian Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of the Annunciation on March 25th. This is the day when the Archangel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would give birth to Jesus.
• The Skopje Jazz Festival is held in the capital city of Skopje in mid-March. This festival features some of the best jazz musicians from around the world.
• The Ohrid Swimming Marathon is held in the city of Ohrid in late March. This event is a 5 km open water swim across Lake Ohrid.
• The Ohrid Choir Festival is held in the city of Ohrid in late March. This event features choirs from around the world performing a variety of choral music.

North Macedonia in April

Weather

April is the beginning of spring in North Macedonia. Temperatures range from an average high of 18°C (64°F) to an average low of 5°C (41°F). April is the wettest month of the year, with an average rainfall of 80mm (3.1in).

Events

• The International Skopje Jazz Festival is held in April. It is the largest jazz festival in the country and features both local and international jazz artists.
• The Ohrid Swimming Marathon is held in April. It is a swimming competition that takes place in Lake Ohrid and is open to both professional and amateur swimmers.
• The International Book Fair is held in April. It is one of the largest book fairs in the country and features authors from all over the world.
• The International Film Festival is held in April. It is the largest film festival in the country and features both local and international films.
• The International Folklore Festival is held in April. It is one of the largest folk festivals in the country and features traditional music, dance, and other cultural performances.

North Macedonia in May

Weather

In May, North Macedonia experiences warm temperatures, with an average high of 24°C (75°F) and an average low of 12°C (54°F). The days are usually sunny and dry, with occasional showers.

Events

• May 1st is Labor Day in North Macedonia, a public holiday that celebrates the achievements of workers.
• The Ohrid Choir Festival is held in May, bringing together choirs from all over the world to perform in the city of Ohrid.
• The Skopje Jazz Festival is held in May, featuring some of the best jazz musicians from around the world.
• The International Book Fair is held in May in Skopje, featuring books from publishers around the world.
• The International Film Festival is held in May in Skopje, showcasing films from around the world.

North Macedonia in June

Weather

June in North Macedonia is warm, with temperatures ranging from 16-25°C (61-77°F). The days are long, with an average of 14 hours of daylight. There is an average of 8 hours of sunshine each day, and the humidity is low.

Events

• The Ohrid Summer Festival is an annual event that takes place in June in Ohrid, North Macedonia. It is a celebration of music, theatre, and art, featuring performances from local and international artists.
• The International Film Festival is held in June in Skopje, North Macedonia. It showcases films from around the world, and is a great opportunity to explore the world of cinema.
• The Skopje Jazz Festival is an annual event that takes place in June in Skopje, North Macedonia. It is a celebration of jazz music, featuring performances from local and international jazz musicians.
• The Struga Poetry Evenings is an annual event that takes place in June in Struga, North Macedonia. It is a celebration of poetry, featuring readings from local and international poets.
• The International Festival of Folklore is an annual event that takes place in June in Bitola, North Macedonia. It is a celebration of traditional folk music and dance, featuring performances from local and international artists.

North Macedonia in July

Weather

July is the hottest month of the year in North Macedonia. Temperatures average around 28°C (82°F), with highs of up to 35°C (95°F). The days are long and sunny, with some rain in the evenings.

Events

• Ohrid Summer Festival: This annual festival takes place in the city of Ohrid, and features a variety of cultural events, including concerts, theatre performances, and art exhibitions.
• Ohrid Swimming Marathon: This annual swimming marathon takes place in Lake Ohrid, and is open to swimmers of all ages and abilities.
• Skopje Jazz Festival: This annual jazz festival takes place in the capital city of Skopje. It features performances from some of the world’s top jazz musicians.
• International Folklore Festival: This annual festival takes place in the city of Bitola. It features performances from traditional folk groups from across the Balkans.
• Makedonium Festival: This annual festival takes place in the city of Kruševo. It celebrates the history and culture of North Macedonia, and features traditional music and dance performances.

North Macedonia in August

Weather

August in North Macedonia is typically warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit (22-30 Celsius). Rainfall is light, with an average of 2-3 inches (50-75 mm) per month.

Events

• Ohrid Summer Festival: This popular music and arts festival takes place in the city of Ohrid throughout the month of August. It features a variety of musical performances, art exhibitions, and cultural activities.
• Ohrid Swimming Marathon: This annual event is held in Ohrid Lake and attracts swimmers from around the world. The event is usually held in late August.
• Ohrid Summer Music Academy: This event is held in Ohrid and is a great opportunity for young musicians to learn from some of the best musicians in the country.
• Strumica Carnival: This annual event takes place in the city of Strumica and features a variety of colorful parades, music, and dancing.
• Skopje Jazz Festival: This popular music festival is held in Skopje and features some of the best jazz musicians from around the world.

North Macedonia in September

Weather

September in North Macedonia is usually warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 18 to 28 degrees Celsius. Rainfall is usually low, but there is a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Events

• The Ohrid Swimming Marathon is an annual event held in September, where swimmers from all over the world compete in a race across Lake Ohrid.
• The International Folklore Festival is held in the city of Struga in September. The festival features traditional music, dance, and costumes from various countries.
• The Ohrid Summer Festival is an annual event held in the city of Ohrid in September. It features performances by local and international artists, as well as art exhibitions and workshops.
• The Skopje Jazz Festival is an annual event held in September, featuring performances by local and international jazz musicians.
• The Ohrid Boat Regatta is an annual event held in September, where teams of rowers compete in a race across Lake Ohrid.

North Macedonia in October

Weather

October is the start of the autumn season in North Macedonia. Temperatures are mild and average around 17°C (63°F) during the day and 8°C (46°F) at night. Rainfall is common during this month, with an average of 11 days of rain per month.

Events

• The Ohrid Summer Festival is an annual event that takes place in the city of Ohrid. The festival is held from the beginning of August until the end of October and features a variety of cultural events such as music, theatre, and dance.
• The Skopje Jazz Festival is an annual event that takes place in the capital city of Skopje. The festival is held in October and features a variety of jazz musicians from around the world.
• The Ohrid Swimming Marathon is an annual event that takes place in the city of Ohrid. The marathon is held in October and features a variety of swimming competitions.
• The Strumica Carnival is an annual event that takes place in the city of Strumica. The carnival is held in October and features a variety of cultural events such as music, dance, and theatre.
• The International Film Festival is an annual event that takes place in the city of Skopje. The festival is held in October and features a variety of films from around the world.

North Macedonia in November

Weather

November is the start of the cold season in North Macedonia, with temperatures ranging from an average low of 2°C (35°F) to an average high of 11°C (51°F). The days are shorter, with an average of 6 hours of sunshine each day. Rainfall is common, with an average of 10 days of rain per month.

Events

• November 8th marks the celebration of the Day of the Republic of North Macedonia, a national holiday celebrating the country’s independence.
• November 11th is the celebration of St. Demetrius Day, a national holiday honoring the patron saint of the country.
• November 14th is the celebration of the Day of the Macedonian Revolution, a national holiday honoring the struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire.
• November 21st marks the celebration of the Day of the Macedonian Liberation, a national holiday honoring the liberation of the country from Nazi occupation.
• November 27th is the celebration of the Day of the Macedonian Flag, a national holiday honoring the adoption of the national flag.

North Macedonia in December

Weather

December in North Macedonia is typically cold and wet, with an average temperature of 3°C and an average rainfall of 61mm.

Events

• The Macedonian Orthodox Church celebrates St. Nicholas Day on December 19th.
• The Macedonian Orthodox Church also celebrates Christmas on December 25th.
• New Year’s Eve is celebrated on December 31st with fireworks and celebrations in the capital city of Skopje.
• On December 8th, the Macedonian Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
• The Macedonian Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of the Nativity of Jesus on December 25th.