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Digital nomads are discovering the benefits of working from countries around the world, connecting from remote beaches, big cities and everywhere in between.
There’s no denying that today’s more than 35 million digital nomads have profoundly changed the travel industry, with one impact being the rise in popularity of places that were previously rather unknown to travelers.
The Balkans is a region that has recently seen massive growth thanks to tourism and digital nomads, with countries like Albania particularly in the spotlight. Serbia, Montenegro, and Bulgaria are all gaining popularity among remote workers, and for good reason.
A lesser-known country that is seeing a huge increase in the number of digital nomads is North Macedonia, a landlocked country in the Balkans. A country with a unique and often contested past, North Macedonia (formerly called Macedonia) neighbors Kosovo, Greece, Albania, SerbiaAnd Bulgariamost of which also become hotspots in their own right.
@sullystraveldiary #skopjemacedonia #skopje???????? #skopjemk #skopje #skopjemacedonia???????????????? #shkupi???????? #shkupishqiptareve???????? #macedonia???????? #macedonedunord???????? #macedonedunord???????? #traveleurope #europetraveldestinations #europetraveltips #destinationseurope ♬ I like nwantinti (ah ah ah) – CKay
The small, unassuming country of North Macedonia is one of the least visited countries in Europe, and although it is experiencing something of a post-pandemic tourism and digital nomad boom, it still lags far behind other European countries .
The country was draw attention with the digital nomad community for some time now, with more and more remote workers coming to explore the country’s many highlights.
Many flock to the beautiful Lake Ohridlocated in the south of the country, but one area that doesn’t seem to get much press is the capital, Skopje.
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Here’s why Skopje is ideal for digital nomads:
Economic
Let’s get one thing out of the way for now: people love, hate, love to hate, or hate to love the city of Skopje. Some find its endless number of statues and fake facades straight out of Epcot off-putting, but many others love the city for what it is, a quirky, friendly place off the beaten track to explore daily life in the Balkans .
One thing everyone agrees on is that Skopje is cheap. In fact, this is the case across the country. As one of cheapest countries In Europe for digital nomads, North Macedonia is ideal for remote workers looking to save money.
Accommodation in Skopje ranges from upscale apartments with mountain views to brutalist apartment blocks of drab, squat buildings, and prices vary too. On average, you can find accommodation here much cheaper than elsewhere in Europe.
Housing isn’t the only area you can save money here. Food at restaurants and grocery stores is also cheap, and if you visit local markets you can save even more money. Being a small town, you can reach most of Skopje on foot, but if you need to take taxis or buses, they are also very cheap.
@roxadventures You wouldn’t believe how much I spent on dinner???? #skopje #travelmacedonia #travelbudget #travelok #whatispendinaday ♬ Super weird girl – Nicki Minaj
Safe and user-friendly
Being the birthplace of Mother Teresa (don’t miss a visit to her house in the center of the city), it’s not hard to assume that Skopje is safe and welcoming. Filled with friendly locals and generally very happy to see foreigners enjoying their country, Skopje ranks high in safety compared to other European cities.
Women are welcome here and solo travelers shouldn’t feel nervous, even after dark. Of course, normal precautions apply and there are areas you should avoid, but you’ll know them when you feel at home here.
Good infrastructure and connectivity
North Macedonia does not yet have a visa for digital nomads, but there are talks of launching one later this year. Currently, residents of many countries (including the United States and the United Kingdom) are allowed to stay for up to three months at a time without a special visa.
Skopje is connected to many other cities in the region by bus, and the airport is also well served by low-cost airlines. In terms of internet, Skopje ranks among the best in terms of Wi-Fi speeds, and SIM cards are cheap and easy to use, keeping you connected without a problem.
Coworking spaces and cafes geared toward remote workers also abound here, perfect for making friends or just a change of scenery when you’re tired of working from your apartment.
Get out of town
Being landlocked, Skopje is not a place for beach lovers, but there are plenty of other options to get out of the city and explore. Taking a day trip (or longer, preferably) to neighboring Kosovo is a great way to experience this fascinating country. Discover the capital Pristina and don’t miss the charming Prizren Also.
A popular and fun way to spend a day without venturing too far from Skopje is the beautiful Matka Canyon, which is a great place to come and cool off when the summer gets too hot in the city.
Mavrovo National Park, Tetovo, Kuklica and the ancient Kokino Observatory are all great places to escape the city and see a different side of the country.
Of course, you can always take a little more time and venture to Ohrid. As the oldest and one of the deepest lakes in Europe, Lake Ohrid is simply magnificent and cannot be missed.
@alwaysbwandering In Skopje, Macedonia, don’t miss at least one day trip to Matka Canyon and Vrelo Cave. #journey #traveltiktok #solofemaletraveler #traveltips #traveltipsandtips #travelrecs #travelrecommendation #matka #macedonia #macedoniantiktok ♬Infinity – Jaymes Young
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This article was originally published on TravelOffPath.com