When booking a trip away, holidaymakers may be forgiven for forgetting that other tourists are likely to be there too.
If you’ve visited the Louvre Museum in Paris, you’ve likely experienced the packed crowds inching forward to get a glimpse of the slightly underwhelming, yet nonetheless iconic, Moana Lisa.
Or perhaps you’ve gone for a stroll through Pile Gate in Dubrovnik, only to realise there’s fellow visitors approaching from all directions hurrying you through the increasingly popular tourist hotspot.
However, if you are searching for a European destination with far fewer visitors, North Macedonia received just over 750,000 foreign tourists in 2019.
Beautifully underrated, the former Yugoslavian country located in the heart of the Balkans is a must-visit before other tourists become aware of its supreme natural beauty.
READ MORE: The beautiful village called Europe’s best hidden gem with crystal clear waters
A highlight of North Macedonia is the stunning and serene Lake Ohrid, one of Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes.
Straddled by the mountainous border between North Macedonia and Albania, the peaceful destination is described as “the most beautiful place on Earth” by Tripadvisor user mani_kalai.
Later in their post, they continued their praise of the idyllic destination, saying: “Amazing view, can take a boat trip to see the town view from the lake. Friendly local people, lots of bar[s], restaurants and shop[s].”
According to travel comparison service KAYAK, the average price for a double bedroom in Ohrid is £52 per night – prices vary considerably, with some hotels being available for as little as £30 a night.
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Located three hours away from the picturesque Lake Ohrid is North Macedonia’s capital city, Skopje.
Perhaps most well-known as the birthplace of Mother Teresa, Skopje is an underrated and quietly beautiful European city.
An ideal way to spend an afternoon in Skopje is to explore the bustling Old Bazaar, navigating your way through the cobbled streets of this “astonishing place” as described by Tripadvisor user Arsenie V.
“Enjoy some rakia the way the locals do. I can assure you that you won’t get bored in this region because it is very lively,” they continued.
Another must-see of Skopje is the centuries-old Stone Bridge which connects the Old Bazaar to the main square, essentially joining the old town and the new town.
A roughly 45-minute-long bus ride from Skopje to the spectacular Matka Canyon will set you back just 35MKD (£0.50) each way, but the views are worth far more than the outrageously affordable journey.
Home to several monasteries and caves, Lake Matka is a breathtakingly beautiful location which is sure to be more popular as it grows in global stature.
Vrelo Cave is believed to be one of the deepest in Europe, if not the world and the lake is perfect for all sorts of watersports.
Other visitors can enjoy stunning views, restaurants and boat tours at this hidden game of a destination.
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