Travel Essentials › North Macedonia
Travel Essentials
Plugs: Types C and F, 230 V. Emergency: One number for everything 112, Police 192, Ambulance 194, Fire 193. Tipping: Rounding up or leaving about 10% in restaurants is customary; small tips for taxi drivers are welcome. Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water outside major cities.
Open The North Macedonia Trip Kit
Types C and F, 230 V
| One number for everything | 112 |
| Police | 192 |
| Ambulance | 194 |
| Fire | 193 |
Rounding up or leaving about 10% in restaurants is customary; small tips for taxi drivers are welcome.
Greetings. A handshake is standard; among friends and family, cheek kisses are common.
Hospitality. Guests are treated generously; it's polite to accept offered coffee, rakija (fruit brandy), or food.
Church and mosque etiquette. Dress modestly and cover shoulders/knees when visiting Orthodox churches or mosques.
North Macedonia is a safe destination with low violent crime; petty theft and minor overcharging scams occur in tourist areas like Skopje's Old Bazaar and Lake Ohrid.
Taxi overcharging. Unofficial or unmetered taxis may overcharge or take longer routes; use official, marked taxis or ride apps.
Restaurant/bar overcharging. Some venues in tourist zones add extra charges; check the bill carefully before paying.
Boat ride bait-and-switch. Boatmen at Lake Ohrid offer a sunset photo ride, then demand a high fee before letting you off; agree the price before boarding.
Women travelers. Solo female travelers generally feel comfortable; harassment reports are relatively rare, though avoiding poorly lit streets at night is still sensible.
Legal · Use Caution
Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1996, and a 2021 anti-discrimination law covers sexual orientation and gender identity, but enforcement is weak; same-sex marriage and adoption aren't recognized, and public attitudes remain conservative.
| Coffee (café) | MKD 110 | $2.00 |
| Local bus or metro ride | MKD 35 | $0.60 |
| Mid-range restaurant meal | MKD 550 | $10 |
| Hostel bed / budget room (night) | MKD 700 | $12 |
| Mid-range hotel (night) | MKD 5,300 | $97 |
| Daily budget, mid-range traveler | MKD 6,900 | $126 |
2026-09
April-June and September-October offer the mildest, most pleasant weather for sightseeing and hiking; summer (July-August) gets very hot in the lowlands, and winter brings smog to Skopje but good skiing in the mountains.