Two North Macedonian places among eight best Balkan destinations
An American portal placed Ohrid Lake at 4th and Mavrovo National Park at 6th on an eight-place list led by Sarajevo.
Published October 20, 2026 at 21:38 — An American online portal published a list of the top Balkan places to visit in 2026 that includes eight destinations; two of them are in North Macedonia. Ohrid Lake is listed in fourth place and Mavrovo National Park in sixth, while Sarajevo tops the list.
What the list highlights
The piece describes the Balkans as one of Europe's most underrated regions, saying it offers far more than many travelers expect. The selection underlines a mix of urban and natural sites across the peninsula and draws attention to several lesser-known national parks and historic towns.
Regarding North Macedonia, the list puts Ohrid Lake at 4th place and names Mavrovo National Park 6th — both cited as strong reasons to plan visits that combine nature, culture and accessible local transport links.
One practical tip included in the story is quoted from travelers familiar with the region: "A useful planning tip from travelers familiar with the region: Don't try to 'do the whole Balkans' in one trip. Choose two to four countries, plan a route using bus lines and border crossings, and leave one evening unplanned — for the place that surprises you most," the article says.
The recommendation reflects a growing travel approach that favours slower itineraries and deeper exploration of individual countries rather than rapid multi-state tours. For North Macedonia, the higher placement of Ohrid and the inclusion of Mavrovo may translate into increased interest from international visitors.
The list does not publish a full ranked rundown of all eight locations in this summary; it emphasizes the regional variety and the practical advice above. The original piece was published on October 20, 2026 at 21:38.
Photo: press material from the event
