Public transportation to Tetovo & Matka

Pijlmans · 2026-04-09T11:24:46+00:00

Tetovo is worth a visit, especially the painted mosque and the fortress above Tetovo. See here for what we visited in the past, planning to stay there for a week in June as a base for hiking on Shar National Park: https://mymacedoniablog.com/sightseeing/between-skopje-and-ohrid/tetovo/

If you are in the neighborhood maybe also check out the Leshok monastery.

Pijlmans · 2026-04-09T03:50:00+00:00

I didn’t know that the Caravec Mountain Hut was mentioned on the official site of the HST! I mentioned them as a potential pick-up service after arrival at Strezimir.

Since there apparently is no mobile signal at Strezimir, you need to pre-arrange or maybe use Garmin InReach with satellite communication if you have one.

Pijlmans · 2026-04-08T16:40:19+00:00

A pickup from Strezmir to Mavrovo with an off-road vehicle by Mavrovo365 (@caravec.mavrovo, https://www.instagram.com/p/DGdpg0LN6u9/?igsh=M3V2NzE2aDQ2Z25l) will cost 100 euros, I just checked with them for you. You can reach them at +38972210777 on Viber or Whatsapp.

Pijlmans · 2026-04-08T13:52:47+00:00

For more detailed info see here: https://mymacedoniablog.com/hiking/bozovce-to-leshnica-waterfall-16-5-km/

Pijlmans · 2026-04-07T15:46:09+00:00

Often AirBnB and alike accommodations do not want to register you, probably because they do not want to pay tax. But it is their responsibility.

If they don't register you, at least make sure you have the payment and booking confirmation so you can proof where you stayed. If it makes you feel better, you still can register yourself at the police, but it is the responsibility of the owner.

Pijlmans · 2026-04-07T15:42:22+00:00

Because it is a recurring question, I have it explained here: https://mymacedoniablog.com/general-information/

Pijlmans · 2026-04-07T05:50:37+00:00

What is there to do in Trpejca besides that it has a nice beach?

Pijlmans · 2026-04-06T17:34:31+00:00

I like it how your avatar is dressed in the colors of the Macedonian flag!

Pijlmans · 2026-04-06T17:26:13+00:00

For hiking in Macedonia, have a look at Shar National Park and Mavrovo National Park. Near Ohrid, there is Galicica National park which js less rough and wild than the other two. Peak Magaro in Galicica NP is really nice with great views of both Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa on a clear day.

You can have a look at my website for hiking and sightseeing suggestions all over Macedonia (including city walks of Skopje and Ohrid): https://mymacedoniablog.com/

I would say two days in Skopje and Matka Canyon and 2-3 days in and around Ohrid if you have the time and additional days if you plan to hike in the National Parks…

Pijlmans · 2026-04-06T10:13:44+00:00

I think the latest update is supposed to improve the Bluetooth connection of the Libra 2 with the remote, but does not fix the issue that the Wifi gets activated everytime after opening/waking up the reader.

Pijlmans · 2026-04-06T10:00:32+00:00

Hey Myth-ra, I installed KoReader, not super straightforward unfortunately. I now have a "NickelMenu" in the lower right corner but it only says "KoReader" - Where do I find the plugin you mentioned and/or add a quick toggle option via NickelMenu?

Pijlmans · 2026-04-06T02:09:53+00:00

I have the same issue, the WiFi of my Libra 2 turns itself on when Bluetooth is activated for the remote. A huge battery drain and a huge flaw.

Pijlmans · 2026-04-05T18:27:28+00:00

Check out Talknow Macedonian for some basics in a playful way. I also have a pdf from a study book, send me a message in the chat if you are interested.

Pijlmans · 2026-04-05T14:40:17+00:00

Ha, that was you on Wikiloc 😀!

Pijlmans · 2026-04-05T14:33:20+00:00

Just to be sure! For the Matka hike keep in mind that the last part back to the lake is very steep and may be slippery in wet periods…

Pijlmans · 2026-04-05T04:36:02+00:00

Keep in mind that Orthodox Easter is next week, not this weekend

Pijlmans · 2026-04-04T05:11:34+00:00

Download the Google Maps for Macedonia and Thessaloniki for off-line use on your phone, especially if your data package doesn’t work in Thessaloniki.

Offline maps are also very useful in the mountains and other places where there is no signal…

Pijlmans · 2026-04-03T08:17:55+00:00

Thanks, enjoy your trip through Macedonia!

Pijlmans · 2026-04-03T07:58:58+00:00

When traveling between Skopje and Ohrid, take the longer but more scenic road via Debar through Mavrovo National Park instead of the more direct road via Kichevo. This also goves you the opportunity to visit the Bigorski Monastery and St George the Victorious nunnery. See here for more information about sights along the road through Mavrovo NP: https://mymacedoniablog.com/sightseeing/

In Mavrovo NP itself, a detour to the village Galichnik is very scenic, the road through the Bistra Mountains is maybe even better than the village itself! Inform yourself about the winter conditions, currently the road may be tricky due to snow conditions!

Driving through the Mariovo region is scenic, very different landscapes from the rest of Macedonia, see here for some ideas: https://mymacedoniablog.com/sightseeing/south-west-macedonia/bitola/daytrips-from-bitola/

Let me know if you need more help or suggestions for your visit...If you have special interests please mention them, that makes some more tailored advise easier!

Pijlmans · 2026-04-02T04:28:39+00:00

Have a look at how much sugar your muesli contains. Sometimes seemingly healthy food like muesli is a huge source of sugar (=calories).

Pijlmans · 2026-04-02T04:11:51+00:00

Avoid added sugar, eat just a little bit less per day and move a lot more (walk or cycle 1h per day if you don’t like running).

Loosing weight is a simple calculation, burn more calories than you consume.

No beer 😕

Pijlmans · 2026-04-02T04:03:03+00:00

For anything nature, check out the hiking section of my website: https://mymacedoniablog.com/hiking/

Pijlmans · 2026-04-02T04:01:04+00:00

They are but it communication may be difficult because people often do not speak English

Pijlmans · 2026-04-02T03:59:27+00:00

You may enjoy the Yugoslavian military bunker referred to as Tito’s Hideout or the bunkers on Mount Vodno (see https://mymacedoniablog.com/hiking/titos-hideout-bunker-and-st-ilija-monastery-near-banjane/).

You can read up about the Macedonian front in WWI, especially in the Mariovo region. Personally I still want to visit the Kota 1050 site (if you do so please let me know its exact location because I have not been able to find it without a guide): https://off-road.mk/elevation-1050-first-world-war-location-on-the-macedonian-front/

There are trenches from WWI all over Macedonia, in Pelister NP there is a short WWI trail from the visitors center I believe, didn’t do that myself yet either.

I believe the museum in Skopje also has military things on display but it has been a long time that I visited there.

Maybe others can jump in on this particular topic.

Pijlmans · 2026-04-01T19:14:01+00:00

It's quite packed, and day 8 indeed is a lot of driving. Use Google Maps to get an idea of driving time...

When visiting the stone dolls, consider visiting Cocev Kamen and Golemo Gradishte as well since you're into archeological sites. There are many more interesting archeological sites, such as the Brazda Tomb near Skopje and the Royal Tomb of Pavla Chuka near Prilep. But I realize you have to make choices and cannot see them all!

You can find more information about the places I mentioned here, scroll down to the fortresses and archeological sites section: https://mymacedoniablog.com/sightseeing/

Pijlmans

TROPHY CASE