North Macedonia in August

Busiest month at the lake with diaspora and regional visitors; Ilinden holiday on 2 August.

• Skopje and the Vardar valley · Skopje, Veles, Tikveš, Gevgelijahot

  Continental with a Mediterranean touch: 38 °C summer peaks, frosty winters with smog in Skopje; the Vardar valley south of Veles is the hottest part of the country.

• Lakes Ohrid and Prespa · Ohrid, Struga, Sveti Naum, Prespabest weather

  At about 700 m the lake is milder in summer than Skopje; swimming roughly mid-June to mid-September. Winter is cold, damp and quiet.

• Mountains · Mavrovo, Šar, Pelister, Galičicabest weather

  Snow from December to March (skiing at Mavrovo and Popova Šapka); hiking June to September.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Ilinden (Republic Day)

  2 Aug

  Commemorates the 1903 uprising; gatherings at Kruševo.

Crowds · North Macedonia

High

Prices · North Macedonia

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

• Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Lakes Ohrid and Prespa

  Best weather of the year (Ohrid, Struga, Sveti Naum, Prespa)

• Mountains

  Best weather of the year (Mavrovo, Šar, Pelister, Galičica)

Better another month

• Skopje

  Very hot; Aug 2 is a public holiday.