1Belgrade Fortress (Kalemegdan)
A fortress and park at the confluence of the Sava and the Danube. The route starts here: climb the walls for views of the rivers and the modern city.
DURATION
6 daysDISTANCE
≈ 1250 kmSEASON
April–OctoberDIFFICULTY
EasyCOUNTRIES
Serbia, North MacedoniaRoute on the map
Open in Google Maps ↗The line shows the approximate driving route and the return to Belgrade. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1Day 1Belgrade → Niš
Niš Fortress and an evening in the city centre.
- 2Day 2Niš → Skopje
The North Macedonian border, the Stone Bridge and the old bazaar.
- 3Day 3Skopje → Ohrid
A mountain drive to Lake Ohrid.
- 4Day 4Ohrid
The old town, the Church of St. John at Kaneo (UNESCO) and a walk by the lake.
- 5Day 5Ohrid → Skopje → Niš
The drive back across the border.
- 6Day 6Niš → Belgrade
The last leg on the motorway.
What to see along the way
The stops in order: the numbers match the markers on the map.
1
2Niš Fortress
An 18th-century Ottoman fortress on the Nišava river, now a park with cafés and summer concerts.
3Stone Bridge (Skopje)
A 15th-century Ottoman stone bridge over the Vardar linking the main square with the old bazaar. A symbol of Skopje, with Kale Fortress nearby.
4Church of St. John at Kaneo (Ohrid)
A small 13th-century church on a cliff above Lake Ohrid (UNESCO), one of North Macedonia's most recognisable sights.
Photos of the places: Wikimedia Commons, free licences. The author and licence of every photo are listed on the page «Photo credits».
Suitable vehicles
These vehicles suit this route.
CompactCross-border allowed
Toyota Yaris Hybrid
5 seatsAutomatichybrid300 km/day
from €28
per day for rentals of 7+ days
Sedan / estateCross-border allowed
Škoda Octavia Combi
5 seatsAutomaticdiesel300 km/day
from €34
per day for rentals of 7+ days
Sedan / estateCross-border allowed
Škoda Superb
5 seatsAutomaticdiesel300 km/day
from €42
per day for rentals of 7+ days
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