An avid traveller who has visited up to 40 European destinations has revealed one of their favourite ‘underrated’ spots – and it’s one of the cheapest to explore
It’s the time of year when a European city break or long getaway is on the cards for us Brits.
The Uk is so close to a whole plethora of dreamy destinations and it can be hard to know which is the best to visit. Add on the often hefty price tag and it proves tricky to know where to explore within a reasonable budget.
After travelling around the continent and visiting up to 40 destinations, a travel content creator, known online as @muzzabroad, has shared with fellow sunseekers what they believe to be “Europe’s best hidden gem”.
A number of reasons lead to this view, so much so they even claim to “reconsider” their favourite overall destination on the continent.
North Macedonia is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe, often unexplored by holidaymakers, who seem to be missing out on its natural beauty, affordable activities and rich history.
Bordering Brit hot spots like Greece and the ever-growing-in-popularity Albania, this country offers all the sunshine of these holiday destinations, minus the tourists and the price tag.
The traveller claimed this country is super affordable compared to the likes of Southeast Asia, known for its cheap beer, food and transport. In fact, they wrote it was “one of the cheapest countries I’ve ever visited”.
In addition to this, a big perk about North Macedonia is its access to turquoise blue waters, despite being landlocked, with the likes of Lake Matka and Lake Orchid. The creator described it as having “the kind of landscape you would expect in Thailand, but with that European charm”.
A TripAdvisor review couldn’t help but boast about their beautiful day spent discovering the lesser-known Lake Matka, in the country’s capital, Skopje.
They wrote: “This place is an amazing natural gem in Skopje. The combination of water and big cliffs, rocks, and forest in one place. Really breathtaking experience… the nature is more than words can describe.”
Outside of its natural beauty, you can uncover even more gems in Skopje by visiting the Old Bazaar. This is a traditional Turkish-style market made up of countless stalls and rich in history that dates back to the 12th century. For those wanting to see even more culture, the Stone Bridge is an impressive structure built over the Vardar River in the capital and originates from the Ottoman period.
When it comes to eating and drinking your way around the country, your average beer price is at 120.00 Macedonian Denar, which converts to roughly £1.69 for a pint, according to Wise. Not only this, but the site reports that a meal for two people, made up of three courses at a mid-range restaurant, would only set you back roughly £21.
Others who once visited the hidden gem of a country were quick to share their positive experiences in the comments of the now viral travel video. One user wrote: “Absolutely loved it! It was my bf’s and my first vacation together, and the people were so incredibly nice! The food, architecture, nightlife and nature were absolutely amazing.”
Another traveller shared: “Absolutely loved it! It was my bf’s and my first vacation together, and the people were so incredibly nice! The food, architecture, nightlife and nature were absolutely amazing.”
