Macedonia: When to Go

July and August are Macedonia's busiest months, but also the best months to catch festivals: the Balkan Festival of Folk Dances and Songs is held in Ohrid in early July, while the Ohrid Summer Festival takes place later that same month. Unless you're planning on heading to the mountains where temperatures can reach as low as -30°C (-22°F), the weather will be bearable year-round. In the higher mountains the snow can stay until the end of May, which makes it great for skiing.

Weather

Macedonia's summers are hot and dry though cool nights take the edge off. Warm Aegean winds blowing up the Vardar Valley moderate the continental conditions prevailing farther north. The temperatures can vary widely: summer temperatures can reach 40°C (104°F), while in winter it can drop as low as -30°C (-22°F). Snow falls on all the mountainous areas from November to April.