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If you are like me and have been using Instagram for a while, then you probably know all about 'cleaning house'. As in tidying up that following list, which, let's face it, can get out of hand at times. Again, like me, you may have fallen foul of Instagram's notorious 'guidelines' and been put in Insta Jail for too many actions (having to check if someone is following back is an extra tap, for example). Indeed, you may also have been me, heart in mouth and all, when IG detected a third-party app being used and stopped me from logging in entirely. Threatening to disable the account permanently and all sorts. Yep. That went south real quick. Which brings me very nicely to the purpose of this article. I know the struggle is real; many users often dread managing their followers and following lists, especially if trying to identify accounts that don’t follow back. Instagram does the bare minimum to help you with this, although they do have a nugget of a feature that will get you there in six easy steps with some help from our good old friends at ChatGPT. In This Post... ● Introduction ●   Risks of Third-Party Apps ●   Why This Method is Safe ●   The 6-Step Process ●   Tips for Long-Term See More... ●   FAQ ●   Any Other Questions? ●   More Social Media Tips Introduction to this Guide Instagram numbers/stats hold great importance for many users, particularly those looking to boost their follower count for increased engagement and online presence. I have totally been in the thick of a bulging community with healthy exposure, and I sure as heck know what follow-for-follow is, and how quickly those numbers start piling up. Many turn to third-party apps for identifying FNFB (not sure if I just made this up or not, but 'following not following back'). Two years ago, I fell foul of this, admittedly not knowing it could cause a block, but eventually it did. Let's just say 24 days with no access to the 'gram and potentially losing everything you have on there does give one pause for thought. So yes, let's not do that! This guide will show you how to identify accounts not following you back safely - and without breaching those tetchy Instagram community guidelines. It is perfectly within the rules and is super easy. You will have that list cleaned up in no time! Risks of Using Third-Party Apps With Instagram having been cracking down on third-party apps for some time now, users need to adopt secure methods to manage and monitor their follower connections effectively. This Instagram policy is designed to protect user privacy, banning unauthorized apps that gather user data. These apps pose risks, including: ● Privacy breaches, as they often require login information. ● Account suspensions or restrictions. ● Potential for having your account disabled for guideline violations. It is important to note that even with the best of efforts, Apple and Google App Stores will still be brimming with a ton of apps offering to do this type of service. No matter how genuine they look, pilfered IG logo and all, don't touch them! Why This Method is Safe and Effective The method outlined here is compliant with Instagram’s guidelines since it relies on Instagram’s native data-download feature and manual analysis with ChatGPT, ensuring no breach of terms. It does require a little bit of effort once you have the data, but effectively, you are doing the same thing as one of those apps we keep not wanting to talk about. Overview of the Process Below is a brief overview of the easy six-step process we will be covering: ● Obtain your Instagram data, focusing on the 'followers' and 'following' lists. ● Import this data into a suitable analysis format. ● Utilize ChatGPT (or another AI, heck, you could even use Meta's) to detect differences between the two lists, pinpointing individuals who do not follow you back. ● Once you have your list, you can begin unfollowing. Step 1: Exporting Your Instagram Followers Data: Accessing Instagram’s Download Tool Instagram offers a data download tool where you can request a full export of your profile, including followers and following lists: ● Navigate to Settings > Your Activity > Account Center > Download Your Information. ● Select the preferred format (JSON for simplicity or HTML). ● Wait for Instagram to prepare the file; this usually takes a couple of minutes. Refresh the page, and you will notice the status change. * Expand / Swipe for instructions Step 2: Downloading Your Data Files ● Download the file: Extract the compressed file to access the HTML files. IG does offer the option of downloading in JSON format, but it seems to always come in HTML anyway. ● Go to connections > followers_and_following * Expand / Swipe for instructions Step 3: Converting Data for Easy Comparison If your data is in HTML format: ● Open in your browser window ● Highlight all [ctrl + a] and copy ● Paste into Excel (or another similar cell-based app) Step 4: Preparing the Data for Analysis ● Organize your lists to create two columns - Following and Followers. ● Check that the usernames are in a consistent format. ● Delete any unnecessary fields for a cleaner comparison. Step 5: Using ChatGPT to Compare Followers and Following Now that your data is ready, ChatGPT can cross-reference the two lists and give you the names of users not following back. Open ChatGPT and use specific prompts to identify discrepancies. ● Sample prompt: There are two lists in the attached file: 'followers' and 'following'. Compare and list users in 'following' who are not in 'followers'. Ignore the dates in the rows. ChatGPT will output a clean list of non-followers. Double-check ChatGPT’s results by reviewing a few names to ensure accuracy. Minor discrepancies may occur if usernames have changed or if there were any loading errors. Step 6: How to Unfollow Accounts Safely Once you have your list, you can use the search function on IG to visit the profiles you want to unfollow and do so individually. There is no automated process with this, so you just have to take the time. Maybe even just give the accounts a nudge if they are still active, in many cases, they might not realise they weren't following you. Note: You will want to avoid rapid unfollowing to prevent temporary account restrictions. While Instagram has never officially put a number on action blocks, it is believed that anywhere between 200 - 300 actions in 24 hours could land you in hot water. That includes likes, shares, and saves, too. I would recommend unfollowing between 50-100 per day, and be wary of using repetitive actions to do so. It might take a while, but you would rather spend this time than go through the hell of your account being disabled. Believe me! Tips for Managing Your Followers List Long-Term Building a real fan base is super important to keep people interested in today's online world. It's not just about numbers; you've got to work on forming genuine connections. Taking the time to interact with your followers one-on-one is key. As they say, engagement is king. 'Empty follows' honestly does zero for your account, especially with an algorithm that changes the way the wind blows and is decidedly quite anti-social. These days, just following someone back, or indeed following them yourself first, is no given. In the end, genuine growth will only ever come from authentic connections. And if that does become your case, then doing the process in this article will probably be something you won't have to do again. Frequently Asked Questions Can I download my Instagram data anytime? Yes, Instagram’s download tool is available 24/7. Usually, requests are processed within a few minutes, but can take up to 48 hours to become available. Is it safe to use ChatGPT (or another AI) for this process? Yes, ChatGPT analyzes data you input and does not access your accounts or store any private information. Are there limits to unfollowing users on Instagram? Yes, Instagram has limits to prevent spam. Avoid unfollowing large numbers at once to prevent restrictions. The general rule of thumb is to limit the total number of actions to no more than 200 per day. Bear in mind this includes likes, follows, and shares. Will this method show me new followers? No, this method only identifies accounts that you follow who do not follow you back. Can I use this method on a mobile device? Yes, the data files can be downloaded and uploaded through cloud storage to mobile-friendly applications. The data formatting part might be a little tricky on smaller screens, but once you have your list, you can use split-screen view to easily unfollow. Do professional accounts have better tools for tracking followers? Yes, professional accounts on Instagram offer basic engagement metrics, which may help gauge followers’ interaction with your profile. However, IG does not have any option to track unfollows. Any Other Questions? Hopefully, this post has given you all of the tools you need to clean your follower list safely. If you do have any other additional queries on points not covered here, however, you are more than welcome to get in touch . You can also check out our FAQ page  for more Instagram-related questions. Leon Gregori I've been writing poetry since my mid-teens and find it natural to express myself through words. My writing is spontaneous and unstructured, following a freestyle approach. My long-form content focuses on themes of heartbreak and life. Social Media Blog With over 50k followers across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, we've learned a lot—and we're here to share it. From platform growth hacks to online safety tips, these blogs cover real advice, honest experiences, and practical tools to help you navigate the social media world.

It's with a mix of emotions that we are stepping away from Etsy after two years. The platform offered a fantastic launchpad for our products. Still, after careful consideration and a heap of frustrations, we have decided to pursue a different path for our store, Closer Lives Emporium. In this post , we share the many reasons behind our decision and our major concerns with the platform. Things that drove a massive 32% drop in Etsy's stock price in 2023, other sellers leaving in droves and the tripling of Etsy's seller fees. Not to mention the hugely controversial Etsy reserve fiasco. What did we learn on Etsy, and what exciting things do we see coming next? Read on to find out! In This Post... ● What is Etsy? ● How is Etsy Performing? ● Why We Choose Etsy ● Journey to 300 Products ● Understanding the SEO ● The Importance of Branding See More... ● The Etsy Ads Disaster ● Etsy's Direction ● Crazy Etsy Charges ● Time vs Effort ● Competition – How Tough Is It? ● The Infamous 'Reserve' Debacle ● Poor Store Customization ● Time to Quit ● Benefits of Your Site ● The Future ● Our Lifestyle Blog First Things First, What is Etsy?   Etsy is an online marketplace that caters to those who appreciate unique and handcrafted items. It's a popular destination for people looking to support independent sellers and artists from all over the world. The platform offers a wide range of products, from jewelry and clothing to home decor and art. If you're looking for something special and bespoke, Etsy is a great place to browse. Imagine Etsy as a giant online version of a craft fair. Here, you'll find a vast selection of handmade and vintage items created by independent sellers. This means you're directly supporting creative individuals who put their heart and soul into their work. So if you're looking for a one-of-a-kind piece or a gift with a personal touch, Etsy is worth checking out. ⪢ Drop Shipping and Print-on-Demand In addition to handcrafted items, Etsy is also a platform that is an outlet for the masses of drop-shippers and print-on-demand companies who have exploded onto the scene in recent years. Drop-shipping and print-on-demand (POD) companies like Printify are fulfillment models that allow you to sell products online without holding any inventory. With drop-shipping, you partner with a supplier who stores and ships products directly to your customers after you make a sale. POD takes it a step further - you design custom products (like t-shirts or mugs) and the POD provider prints them on demand only when someone orders, handling the fulfillment for you. Both models free you up from managing stock and allow you to test out a wider range of products without upfront investment. How is Etsy Performing? In Q4 2023, Etsy reached 7.9 million active sellers, with a year-over-year growth of 3.8%.   One reason why selling on Etsy can be profitable is the growing number of buyers on the platform. According to Etsy, the number of active buyers went up by 3.4% to 97.3 million. This shows that Etsy is becoming a bigger market where sellers can make good money.   In 2023, Etsy’s consolidated Gross Merchandise Sales (GMS) decreased slightly to $13.16 billion from $13.32 billion in 2022, with a 1.2% decrease. However, annual consolidated revenue notably increased, reaching $2.75 billion, marking a 7.1% YoY increase from $2.57 billion in 2022. Particularly noteworthy is the fourth quarter performance, where revenue marks a new record of $842.2 million, a 4.3% increase compared to Q4 2022, highlighting Etsy’s ongoing strength and resilience.   In February 2024, Etsy received 474.1 million visits, according to the web traffic collected by Similarweb . This number has made Etsy the 4th player in the Marketplace and Shopping category, only after Amazon, eBay, and Walmart. Source: https://www.fool.com/ Despite this 'increase', 2023 was not such a good year for the platform when you drill down into the numbers. While its revenue seems to have grown, actual sales on Etsy have stalled. On Etsy, the money from sales goes directly to the millions of sellers on the platform, not Etsy itself. Etsy makes its money by charging sellers fees for various services they use to list and sell their products. Here's the interesting part: Even though Etsy's revenue has increased from a very aggressive seller fee strategy to counter losses, the total amount of sales on the platform (called Gross Merchandise Sales or GMS) has dipped. This means sellers are making less money overall. This trend worried investors in 2023, and it's why Etsy took action. In December of that year, they announced they were laying off 11% of their staff to focus on initiatives that would help sellers grow their sales on the platform. Initiatives that we will look at throughout this post. Funnily enough, they do not seem to be helping one bit. Why We Choose Etsy for Closer Lives Emporium Fresh into our full-time travel adventure and with an eye on not depleting our savings too much, we started looking around for some serious ways to earn on the go. Etsy was by no means our only option, as we were already teaching English online when we decided to give it a try. That being said, we liked the idea of earning money without having to do much; it kind of seemed too good to be true! We were inspired by many hours of researching YouTubers, and successful entrepreneurs who were sharing their Etsy success stories. Some were demonstrating hundreds of thousands of sales on POD items. With plenty of creative ideas as content creators on social media, it looked like an opportunity for us, too. If they could do it, why couldn't we? At the time, we were establishing this website, which was born from Closer Lives Poetry on Instagram, a community page which Jenn had founded. Closer Lives was intended to be a Creator Academy initially, to expand the concept beyond the confines of IG at the time. With very little experience in website building, establishing our POD range on Closer Lives did not seem like the best idea, given the fact that it would take some time to garner domain authority, and we wanted to start earning straight away. So familiar with the brand and prowess of Etsy, it seemed like the perfect spot to build. And so, Closer Lives Emporium was born. The Journey to 300 Products We started creating our range in Merida, Mexico (of all places). We had a super cute Airbnb in the middle of a quiet urban sector of the city. It was a good spot to relax and get creative, and once we got started, our range just exploded! There are a few platforms you can try for POD services, the main one being printify.com . We set up an account with both but opted to use Printify more as it felt a little more user-friendly, and it synchronized with Etsy pretty seamlessly. For those who may not know, POD companies usually have tie-ups with big players like Etsy and Shopify, whereby the products you create are uploaded directly to the respective selling platform. Any time a product sells, the order automatically generates in the POD platform, and aside from some customer service, the process is entirely automated from the point of order to the customer receiving the goods. There are some nuances and processes you can put in place, like manually authorizing orders, sending thank you emails, and such, but even postal tracking is automated so you don't have to. All this takes a little bit of work to set up and get right, but once you have it done, you can sit back and earn money in your sleep, as they say. We kind of lost track of how many items we were creating at one point; if anything, we were just having fun with it. We quickly made it to over 100 products, and before we knew it, we hit over 300 across 17 categories. Woah!!! Understanding the SEO: Product Descriptions, alt tags, Size Charts, etc. Mistakes Spell a Time-Consuming Disaster! One of the biggest challenges was marketing the products, which goes far beyond just making it and sticking it on your Etsy storefront. There are things like flat-lays, descriptions, alt tags, getting the title right, terms and conditions, refund policies, privacy policies, size charts, fulfillment times, actual delivery times, etc. Say what now? We thought this was going to be easy! Such things are not exactly talked about when people share their glossy charts advertising thousands of sales. This was exactly where time started to become a factor. Creating a ton of designs, popping them onto a product template, and pressing 'publish' is honestly the easy part. Getting these items on the virtual shelf properly is another matter entirely. Especially if you don't know what you're doing, and make some critical mistakes along the way. Let's give you an example. Alt tags. Yes, alt tags. You may have heard of them, and in the past year or so, they have grown into the conversation so much so that you can even see them given as an option for you in your Instagram posts. An alt tag is a hidden description for an image on a webpage, helping visually impaired people understand the image. It also provides backup text if the image fails to load, but perhaps most crucially, it improves search engine ranking . And search engine ranking is a biggie. Like the biggest, actually. Funnily enough, alt tags weren't a thing on Etsy. When we started in 2021, they weren't prevalent at all. So we did not make them. Just as we did not make size chart thumbnails for our items, or fulfillment information graphics. A BIG mistake we had no clue we were making. Let us tell you that when you have 300 items, and realize you need to update them all with critical things like size chart graphics, it is hours of work . Then Etsy comes along and hits you with alt tags. Then you realize you aren't making sales, potentially because of these issues. Then the panic sets in when you realize on average, each of your items has at least 10 photos, which means potentially 3000 alt tags. Say what now? So hopefully we can paint the picture now! After all of our initial hype of getting things onto Etsy, we knew our shop was always going to struggle without some serious time being put into the background. SEO-effective product titles and descriptions were not something we did before uploading the item from Printify. They were just generic. We had to design a whole bunch of things, like our size charts and product flat-lays. Then upload those and figure out how the hell to write a good alt tag, let alone 3000 of them. Weeks and months passed before we were finally able to get things done. Let us tell you, those weeks and months are measured in actual time spent , or at least it certainly feels like it looking back. The Importance of Branding So things were starting to move, and after the rough months at the beginning, we were starting to learn a lot and were making some serious progress on getting our listings up to scratch. We could see the difference it was making, too, picking up some sales here or there, and getting excited about the prospects. Our product wall was looking better by the day, and our products themselves were looking professional and organized. One of the key elements to this was our branding, something we took great care to curate right from the off. Again, we were very inexperienced with this kind of thing and quickly found out why people pay big bucks for logo designers and high-performance graphics. Just so you know, Canva is great and all, but it is very limiting when it comes to logos. We never did end up paying big bucks, but then again, the offset against changing our logo several times, and having issues with pixelation and poor quality, perhaps we should have done so in hindsight. The crux of the branding comes in with all of the 'peripheral' stuff that the big drop-shippers do not tell you about. Those fulfillment charts and delivery info charts are very important. A brand is more than just a flashy logo; it is in the details, the way you market your products, the follow-up emails, and the terms and conditions. These things can make or break a business and are often sidelined in the short-term pursuit of mega bucks. Fortunately, with our business experience, we did particularly well in this area, but again, that dreaded time count was adding up. Yet more hours, days, and weeks to get it spot on! The Etsy Ads Disaster So, at the point in our journey where we finally felt like our store was how we wanted it, in terms of all of the above, we were still struggling to hit consistent sales. We had gotten over the 20 mark, which had felt like quite a lot of work for not really that much. With all of the effort we had put into getting the descriptions, titles, and alt tags right, we were hoping for far more return than that. With our reach pretty low and our confidence in our products pretty high, we concluded that we should invest some cash into the store. Now, sure, time is money, so the months of work it had taken to get to this point should always be considered as an investment, but we are talking cold, hard bucks in the system. We were averaging about ten visitors a day to our store, and simple logic told us that this was never going to be enough to take off. Besides, Etsy is obsessed with pushing its advertising-to-sales potential at you, so we decided to bite. And wait for the sales to roll in. This is where our frustration with the platform started to kick in. Now, you might think that paying some money for a bigger slice of the reach pie might automatically boost your profits. But with Etsy, this is a big no-no. ⪢ Etsy Ads Offers Two Ways to Promote Your Products to a Wider Audience on Etsy and Beyond: ● Onsite Ads: These work on a cost-per-click (CPC) basis. You set a daily budget, and Etsy will display your ads in various locations throughout the Etsy platform, like search results or product pages. You only pay when someone clicks on your ad, not when they just see it. ● Offsite Ads: This is a commission-based advertising program. Etsy automatically enrolls all sellers and displays your product listings on other platforms like Google, Pinterest, or Instagram. You only pay a commission (12-15% of the sale price) if someone clicks on your ad and then makes a purchase within 30 days. Funnily enough, it seemed like every ad-based sale we were making was coming from 'off-site ads'. So we were losing 12-15% every time. Not to mention the taxes on top (which we will get into later). Now, the average margin on your items, especially if you want to remain competitive and soak up the delivery charge, might only be 20%. Take away Etsy ad fees, taxes, and Etsy listing fees, and yes, folks, you are losing money. Sadly for us, at least 80% of our sales were barely breaking even. Before we even factored the time spent on creating the damn things. Etsy's cut was easily approaching 25-30% with offsite ads factored in, and without them, the chances of selling through onsite ads were zero. We quickly realized that Etsy was starting to demonstrate itself as a little bit of a scam. With the platform raking in billions, where on earth was the support for the sellers that make it? 25%? Mad. ⪢ Was There Even a Good Reach? In all fairness, the reach on Etsy ads did seem okay. We saw an uptick of around 100 visitors a day to our store at one point, although that cost us a cool $130 in a month before we cut it off. It just was not worth it with the offset against sales barely breaking even. A shortage of actual buyers on the platform? Or were our products just not good enough? An argument for the latter, although we had sold at least one across 30% of our range. Deep down, we just knew the exposure was not good enough. Etsy's Direction... Too Concerned with Updates and Apps With the amount of money Etsy was charging us for listings and ads, we were wondering if there was going to be some sort of major investment in the system to boost reach or something. Yes, we know that is wishful thinking, but at this point, we have put way too much work into it to simply give up. We turned the ads on and then off, then on again, desperately hoping they would spur the organic reach we craved. A few sales trickled in, we lost money, and we eventually decided to keep them off. In 2022, it felt like the money was going into constant updates and tweaks. A whole new app to replace one that was not broken, a slew of changes to product features and parameters (which meant yet another 300 changes), and then one of the most frustrating of all, an enforced delivery lead-time update, which led to another 300 changes. There were plenty of others besides, and we seemed to be spending far more time catering to the platform than sending out 'thank you for your custom' emails. Sales were few and far between, but the time demanded was off the charts. In the past two years (roughly April 2022 - April 2024), Etsy has implemented several changes to improve the platform for both sellers and buyers. There have been adjustments to fee structures, though, as ever with Etsy, the specifics are ridiculously complex. After major seller backlash campaigns in the past few years, Etsy has made efforts to improve search algorithms and introduce new features to help buyers discover unique products. This involved better filtering options or promoting (apparently) high-quality listings. There have also been updates to the off-site ads program, such as offering sellers more control over their ad placements and budgets. Honestly, it is all company bluster to keep us going and paying our fees. Sadly, hardly any of it has worked. Crazy Etsy Charges The crazy Etsy charges. The crazy Etsy statements. It is one of the worst parts of the platform. Even to this day, we still cannot make sense of the chaos. Etsy provides a monthly statement, and on it is a barrage of costs that no amount of terms and conditions can understand! For example, we sold a pair of green sneakers and a pair of brown sneakers. 2 items, that's it, that's all. On Etsy's statement - TWENTY separate charges. Yes, 20! Let's give you more of an idea: The sale of the two pairs of sneakers came to $74.08 (CAD) . Charges applied by Etsy (we have added both charges together, but they are all separately placed on your statement, for each item, just to confuse you): ● Bill for Click-Throughs: $2.65 ● VAT on Etsy Ads: $0.53 ● Listing Fee: $0.27 ● VAT Auto-Renew Sold: $0.10 ● Processing Fee: $3.21 ● VAT on Processing Fee: $1.28 ● Sales Tax Paid by Buyer: $9.70 ● Transaction Fee: $9.24 ● Regulatory Operating Fee: $0.36 ● VAT on Transaction: $1.84 TOTAL: $29.18 So, given that our profit margin on both pairs of sneakers is $36, that leaves us with $6. Raising prices is not an option as we are trying to stay competitive with others in the market... given all of the work involved in launching the product, $6 is not a lot. And the more money thrown at advertising for no returns equals a loss, sadly. ⪢ Oh, and the Listing Fees... We were aware of the listing fees before joining, however, it is another expense that can seem to sneak up on you without you realizing it. Every item comes with an initial listing fee, which renews every 4 months, and is also charged on each sale. While 27 cents might not seem a lot, when you factor in 300 products, it starts to add up and eat into the margins. Time vs Effort - Is It Worth It? Now, none of this is to say all is completely at a loss. From what we understand, for drop-shippers, Etsy is all about volume. If you can sell a thousand sneakers, that becomes a $6000 profit. But the offshoot is that you simply cannot reach volume without Etsy ads, and Etsy ads are unsustainable and unprofitable. It is all geared towards raking in money for the platform, leaving the sellers with nothing but years of hard work with little to show for it. It is not worth it in our opinion. Maybe a few years ago, in the early days of Etsy, it was, but in this day and age, it is a false economy. It all feels a little like working for a public company where you bust a gut for minimum wage while the fat cats at the top flood their paychecks with millions of dollars. And you can bet they aren't working nearly as hard. Etsy works on the same principle, and we decided we were no longer going to fall for it! Competition – How Tough Is It? The competition on Etsy can be quite tough, as we have already mentioned, but it also depends on several factors: ⪢ Saturation Certain niches on Etsy (like printed tees) are highly saturated, meaning many sellers are offering similar products. This can make it challenging for new shops to stand out, especially for popular items like clothing or travel accessories (like ours). ⪢ Search Ranking Etsy's search algorithm plays a big role in determining which shops appear first in search results. Understanding SEO principles and optimizing your listings with relevant keywords is crucial for getting your products seen, according to Etsy, but by no means guaranteed. In our experience, the big accounts gobble up about 90%, leaving the remaining 10% feeding off the scraps. Ok, we cannot back up those numbers, but it certainly felt like that in the 2 years we went at it. ⪢ Product Differentiation What makes your products unique? Do you offer a special design element, use high-quality materials, or cater to a specific niche within a broader category? Standing out from the crowd is essential for attracting customers. That is what the Etsy 'experts' tell you anyway. Thumbnails are crucial, as are titles, but that takes time and money (Canva Pro or flat-lay app subscriptions, for example). All while eating into the little-to-no profit margins you have. ⪢ Marketing & Branding Successful Etsy shops often invest in marketing their products beyond just the Etsy platform. This could involve social media promotion, influencer partnerships, or running targeted ads. Building a strong brand identity also helps you resonate with potential customers. Again, this all costs a lot of time and money and can be very draining. It is a hard slog, with absolutely no guarantees. Especially when you are fighting against millions of others. The Infamous Etsy 'Reserve' Debacle The Etsy "reserve" debacle refers to a policy change implemented in 2021 that caused significant frustration among many sellers. Here's a breakdown of what happened: ⪢ The Policy Etsy introduced a system where they could withhold a portion (usually 75%, yes 75%! ) of sellers' funds in a reserve account. This meant sellers wouldn't have immediate access to the full amount from their sales. ⪢ Reasons for the Reserve The purpose, according to Etsy, was to protect the platform and buyers from potential fraud. They would hold the reserve until specific criteria were met, such as the order being shipped with tracking or a certain timeframe passing (typically 45 days). ⪢ Sellers' Frustration Several aspects of the policy caused major problems for sellers, with the lack of transparency quite shocking. Many sellers felt Etsy wasn't clear about why their funds were being placed in reserve, making it difficult to address the issue. ⪢ Cash Flow Impact Holding a significant portion of funds could strain a seller's cash flow, especially for those who rely on Etsy income to purchase materials or cover other business expenses. ⪢ Impact on New Shops New shops (like us at the time), which are more susceptible to being flagged for reserve due to limited sales history, could find it challenging to gain momentum if their earnings are restricted. ⪢ Aftermath The policy received significant pushback from the seller community, with many voicing their concerns online and through petitions and boycotts. While Etsy has made adjustments to the policy since its initial implementation, the "reserve" debacle remains a point of contention for many sellers. This shambolic policy was not quite the final straw when it was first implemented, but coupled with the insane charges, constant changes to the platform, the awful ad program, and terrible reach, we were getting there. Poor Store Customization Another major source of frustration for us came with the lack of customization for our storefront, which, honestly, is pretty poor given the number of changes Etsy loves to implement practically anywhere else. For example, items sold always go to the number 1 spot in the feed, which means if you have a layout aesthetic, you are constantly reorganizing it. And the re-organization process sucks and is very time-consuming. The store banner is a nightmare, has poor rendering, and is a pain to size correctly. You can get additional layout options, but of course, you must pay monthly for the privilege. The product layouts cannot be customized, and it is very difficult to showcase your brand beyond the small profile picture. These are just a few frustrations, there are plenty more plastered all over the internet. Very disappointing for Etsy, given how much money it is extracting from its sellers. The Turning Point: We QUIT ETSY and Move to Closer Lives So what was the straw that broke the camel's back? Well, in all honesty, it was our website, THIS website, which did it. Up until mid-2023, our website had taken a bit of a back seat to Etsy, our travels, teaching English online, and YouTube. We had started it as a creator academy, abandoned that, and then started to blog a little. But with limited time and uncertainty as to how to monetize, it just was not a priority. After experiencing a dramatic rise and surpassing monetization on YouTube while in Jakarta in 2023, we knew that our website was an opportunity we could no longer avoid. We had blogged a little up until that point, but the design and usability were poor, and it was not bringing in any cash. We were nervous about throwing time at it, as we were concerned that it would be another Etsy situation. A whole lot of work for no payout. Well, we were very happy to be proved wrong on that front! After some serious research, again, that good old time , and some big blogs, we completely overhauled Closer Lives. It has been 6 months of major reconstruction, and we are now seeing tangible results: increased ad revenues, over ten thousand visitors a month, and even store sales. Our brand, our OWN money, and a GENUINE COMMUNITY that we could never replicate on Etsy. The decision was made. Time to go it alone! The Benefits of Building Your Site Building your website and online store offers several advantages compared to selling on platforms like Etsy; here are just a few reasons and things to consider: ⪢ Greater Control & Branding You have complete control over the design, layout, and branding of your online store. This allows you to create a unique shopping experience that reflects your brand identity and resonates with your target audience. On Etsy, your shop operates within a larger platform with a pre-determined layout and branding elements. ⪢ Lower Fees While website building and hosting come with costs, you typically avoid the transaction fees and listing fees associated with marketplaces like Etsy. In the long run, this can lead to significant savings, especially for businesses with high sales volume. ⪢ Customer Data Ownership When you run your store, you collect customer data directly, allowing you to build targeted email marketing campaigns and gain valuable insights into your customer base. On Etsy, customer data belongs to the platform, limiting your marketing options. ⪢ Flexibility & Customization With your website, you have the freedom to customize the functionality of your online store. This could involve adding features like loyalty programs, subscription boxes, or personalized product recommendations, which might not be readily available on marketplaces. ⪢ Scalability As your business grows, your website can easily scale to accommodate increased traffic and product offerings. Scaling on marketplaces might involve additional fees or limitations depending on the platform's structure. ⪢ Here's a Caveat, Though Building and maintaining your website requires more effort and technical expertise compared to using a pre-built platform like Etsy. You'll need to consider factors like web hosting, domain name registration, website design, security measures, and ongoing maintenance. However, the long-term benefits of control, cost-efficiency, and brand ownership can be significant for businesses looking to establish a strong online presence! The Future of Closer Lives Emporium: What Have We Learnt, and Where Do We Go From Here? This whole experience has been a massive learning curve for us, and as ever, hindsight will always demonstrate what could have, should not, and what could have been. If we could go back and do it all over again, would we? To be honest, as tempting as that might be, we wouldn't. We learned far too much through our own mistakes, and we appreciate those as much as we do our successes. We did sell on Etsy, we did make a little bit of cash, and we did come out of it with almost 300 products that are still very much alive and well right here on our site. The learning curve has been steep and challenging, but it has not deterred us from making a success of Closer Lives Emporium. That being said, it has also pushed us to develop our site as a whole, which in turn led to us pursuing one of our biggest passions - writing and blogging! Would that have still been a reality if we were pushing our Etsy store? I guess we will never know, but one thing is for sure: we are having the time of our lives developing this blog, and happiness genuinely is the key to success. The energy this blog continues to give us is the cornerstone of Closer Lives. That all being said, our store is very much operational here, and you are welcome to take a look! We hope this post has helped you in some way, and if you have any questions and want to pick our brains at all, feel free to get in touch! Please drop a comment or pop us an email; we are always on hand and our advice is free. Helping and making a difference: that to us is a far better use of our time! Our Lifestyle Blog Since deciding to sell our houses, let go of 90% of our possessions, pack up our remaining things, and head for the airport, we have learned a lot. We mean A LOT! This full-time travel journey is now entering its fourth year, and we are almost transitioning from travelers to alternative living. In our lifestyle blogs, we want to share our journey with you, along with everything we have learned, the ups and downs, the tips, tricks, and recommendations that can help you change your life if you are done with the 9-5.

If you are here it is sadly likely that your account has been disabled by Instagram. Or locked out, or maybe even hacked. 'Your account has been disabled for violating our terms'. Pretty much the total of it right? Unfortunately, when this happens, Instagram doesn't exactly help you out with any information. Just a quick Google search will offer you an absolute ton of pages offering to help you recover your account, along with plenty of scam messages that you will see plastered all over Reddit and Facebook forums. Let me tell you, if anyone is offering to get your account back, especially for money exchange, do not do it! In this post, I am not here to ask you for anything. I am simply just one of the large numbers of people who have had this happen to them, and I just want to offer you advice from my own experience with Meta, and helping countless others, for FREE. Read on for a highly effective new 2025 method which has worked for many people this year already, and I hope, many more. In This Post... ● Why is My Account Disabled? ● Can I Recover My account? ● Disabled Account Appeal Forms ● Meta Verified ● My Account Has Been Hacked See More... ● Protecting Your Account ● FAQ's ● Get in Touch ● Social Media Tips & Insights Why Did Instagram Disable My Account? There are many known reasons as to why this may have happened, with one of the most significant of them being if you have used an unauthorized app to connect to your account, like one of those follow/unfollow ones. Before we continue, from this point on, if that is the case, just don't hide it. In any of your communications, be upfront about it, because Meta knows . And they are far more likely to forgive and forget if you own up to it straight off the bat, rather than try to plead innocence/ignorance. Here are a few common reasons why your account may have been disabled: ● Connecting an unauthorized application to your account, such as insight apps, automated like apps, follow/unfollow apps, etc. Tap here for more about this .   ● Buying followers (these are usually bots) ● Joining follow loops / follow trains ● Participating in engagement groups ● Sending spam messages to followers and non-followers ● Following & unfollowing in large numbers ● Using Instagram shopping in unlicensed countries ● Providing your login credentials to a 3rd party application or service that is automating actions or scraping information ● Using an app or service to interact with Facebook or Instagram in unauthorized ways ● Your account was shared or compromised/hacked, and someone is taking actions on your behalf or without your knowledge ● Changing your location regularly I would highly advise reading the Terms & Conditions of Use  in Instagram's Help Centre  to try and fully understand why the block has happened. Be honest with yourself and do not be afraid to admit any breach of the rules. As you progress with the appeal, and as you will see from my experience, honesty is the best policy here. I have written an extensive article about this topic, which you can read below. In it, I include all of the dos and don'ts around how to stay within Instagram's infamous community guidelines, and how to contact Meta / Facebook through the Meta Business Centre . Worth a read before you formulate your email / plead your case. Will I Be Able to Recover My Account? For this post, I am mainly going to focus on a new approach to contact Instagram directly through the IG app. Before we get to it, I must stress that the process outlined in my original post about this topic still stands, and should be followed first, so you can generate your case number(s). It is also important that you have a Facebook account, although with this process, it does not need to be a business account, and you do not need an ad account either (although this may help in the long run). Other mitigating factors include the length of time your account has been disabled. I am hoping you are here because it has only just happened, but there may also be a chance you are here because you are at your wits' end trying to recover your account, and have been for a while. Sadly, if you are the latter, know that you only have 30 days from the point of getting your account disabled to the point of recovery. After that period has elapsed, the account will automatically go into IG's deletion process. From there on in, it is game over, I'm afraid. Instagram Disabled Account Appeal Forms So, assuming you are below the 30-day threshold (the earlier the better), are prepared to own up to any potential infringements of the community guidelines (including follow apps and engagement groups!), let's get started with the process. First things first, you may have heard about all of the Appeal Forms you will need to let Instagram know you are appealing the deactivation of your account. They look something like this: ● instagram.com/contact/60696731 ● instagram.com/contact/39616978 ● instagram.com/contact/43790879 ● instagram.com/contact/16525678 ● instagram.com/contact/16104597 ** March 2025 Update: It appears that Meta / Instagram has removed the functionality of these forms. This may be temporary, or it could be a permanent change. Should the links not work, jump straight to Facebook Live Support  or try instagram.com/hacked Should you be able to locate the forms, my advice is to complete each of these forms once only and on separate days . You will most likely read and see many people advising you to complete these multiple times a day until you get a response. I did this myself. In total, I completed each one 3 times! However, I eventually found out that this was to my detriment. After speaking directly with Meta, they clearly stated that every submission goes to the bottom of the pile! It seems strange, but it kind of makes sense. Think about it, you and I will not be the only ones to assume that the more we fill out the forms, the better chances we will have. They receive thousands on any given day, and so they treat it like a waiting list. You are in a queue, and there is no jumping the line, I'm afraid. Meta Verified, and Getting Your Instagram Account Back Meta Verified adds extra security to your account [Source: Getty Images ] Once you have completed the forms, the next stage of the process, which is brand new for 2025, is to get yourself Meta Verified . This is honestly the golden goose in recovering your account, and I have seen countless successes through this route, having advised many accounts this year about it. ⪢ How Much Does Meta Verified Cost? A Meta Verified subscription for standard creator accounts is USD 14.99 per month. There are several business plans available, too, which include additional features and offers. You can find the full range of options and purchase information here . Prices are correct at the time of writing (Feb 2025). All prices are in U.S. dollars. Convert your currency here . ⪢ I'm Now Verified. How Do I Get in Touch with Instagram? Now, this will work best if you can do it through Instagram. If you have a second account, you can do it on there, or if not, you can set up a new account. There is no minimum following on who can get verified, so that is not an issue. You can also do it through Facebook if you do not want to set up a new account. The important thing is that you use the same information as would be on the account that is disabled. That means the same email, the same name, and ideally phone number too. I cannot stress how important that is to the process. Once you have been verified, you can gain immediate access to Instagram Live Chat Support. There is also a much higher probability of getting your account back, as Instagram has now verified your identity. So, here is how to get in touch. As with most things, it is buried in an obscure place in the settings area: OR Note that you can also use this area to contact me by email, which I would advise you to do as a backup option. Be sure to have all of your reference numbers from the appeal process to hand, as you will need them. When you talk with the support team, be sure to make a genuine case as to why you believe your account should be reinstated. Tell them what it means to you, why you use it, and what went wrong. ⪢ Honesty is the Best Policy Honesty is the best policy, and most of the success I have seen has been through people simply owning up to why, and being genuine about their use on Instagram and the connections they have made through their account. Instagram is not the enemy; as with any business, they just want to protect their rules. In all of the cases I have seen this year, this process has gotten the account reactivated. In most cases, it has taken less than 24 hours . If there is any reason why it cannot be given back to you, at least here you will find out directly from Instagram itself. I Did Not Violate Guidelines; My Instagram Account Has Been Hacked Instagram has a specific team to support hacked accounts [Source: Getty Images] If you have been locked out of your account entirely, going through the process outlined here is unlikely to help. Although I would still suggest giving it a try. Again, if you are verified, it boosts your chances of proving who you are, which is the first major hurdle to overcome. The only place to go in this instance is instagram.com/hacked . Protecting Your Account There are a couple of things you can do to help keep your account secure and in good order. All of these options can be found in the settings area of your Instagram account. ⪢ Connected Apps & Websites It is recommended that you check this to ensure there are no unauthorized connections to your account or connections you do not recognize. ⪢ Two-Factor Authentication & Data Download I would certainly advise turning on Two-Factor Authentication  on Instagram. Even if you do not 'log in' that often, adding this layer of security will make it harder for hackers to gain access to your account. The Data Download  feature on Instagram is not well known, but it is an excellent option for keeping your data secure. Once requested, you will have 4 days to accept the download from your email. It comes as raw data, so do not expect it to look like your posts do on the app. All of your photos, videos, comments, likes, etc, will come to you in separate folders, which is a bit tricky to navigate and piece together. However, this is a fantastic option that helps you protect your content and potentially re-use it should you ever need or want to start a new account. ⪢ Security Check Up Instagram has been adding several features over the past couple of years, and if you are using the app, you can utilize the 'security check-up' feature in the settings section. Here you can review all of the key security aspects of your account in one place, including your phone number, associated email address, and that essential two-factor authentication. If you can recover your account, I would highly recommend reviewing these settings. Not particularly helpful if you are only reading this because your account is disabled, I know, but I wanted to include it nonetheless! Frequently Asked Questions: Recovering Your Disabled Instagram Account What does a disabled Instagram account mean? A disabled account is temporarily or permanently removed by Instagram for violating guidelines or due to suspicious activity. You won’t be able to log in and will usually see a message stating your account was disabled. Why was my Instagram account disabled? Common reasons include: ● Violating community guidelines (e.,g. nudity, hate speech, spam) ● Using unauthorized third-party apps ● Copyright infringement ● Reports from other users ● A mistaken flag by Instagram’s AI systems Can I recover my disabled account? Yes—many users do successfully recover their accounts by using the official appeal process and, if eligible, contacting Meta’s live support. Be patient and persistent. Where do I submit an appeal? If the appeal process doesn’t resolve the issue, you can try reaching out to Instagram support directly. Be sure to review their community guidelines to understand what may have caused the account to be disabled. Where do I submit an appeal? You can only appeal directly through the link on your login message, should the appeal form process not work. If your Instagram is linked to a Facebook Business account, you may be able to access Meta’s live chat support . This is currently the fastest and most effective route for many creators and influencers. How long does recovery take? Recovery can take anywhere from 24 hours to several weeks, depending on your case, your appeal message, and Instagram’s backlog. Follow up politely every few days. How do I access Meta's support live chat? If your IG account is linked to a Facebook Business account, you may qualify for live chat through Meta Business Support. This is currently one of the fastest methods for getting help. What should I write in my appeal message? Keep it clear and professional. Explain: ● Your account was disabled in error ● You follow the guidelines ● You would like the account reinstated ● Avoid emotional language or accusations. Can I recover a hacked and then disabled account? Yes, but you’ll need to first secure your email and Facebook, then appeal to Instagram. Mention the hack in your message and use “I believe my account was compromised” where relevant. What if I don’t hear back from Instagram? Try again every 48–72 hours. Use different forms if necessary. Be polite and consistent—it often takes multiple attempts before a response. How can I prevent future account issues? ● Enable two-factor authentication ● Don’t use unapproved third-party apps ● Avoid risky content or banned hashtags ● Link your account to Facebook and a verified email ● Download your data regularly Any Other Questions? Hopefully, this post has given you all of the tools you need to clean your follower list safely. If you do have any other additional queries on points not covered here, however, you are more than welcome to get in touch . You can also check out our FAQ page for more Instagram-related questions. Leon Gregori I've been writing poetry since my mid-teens and find it natural to express myself through words. My writing is spontaneous and unstructured, following a freestyle approach. My long-form content focuses on themes of heartbreak and life. Social Media Blog With over 50k followers across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, we've learned a lot—and we're here to share it. From platform growth hacks to online safety tips, these blogs cover real advice, honest experiences, and practical tools to help you navigate the social media world.

Discover Closer Lives: travel inspiration, lifestyle insights, digital nomad tips, unique gifts, and Jenn’s grey hair journey—authentic stories from life abroad. Explore Life Without Borders Travel. Live Differently. Embrace Authenticity. We’re Jenn & Leon, a Canadian-British couple who quit everything in 2021 to live full-time on the road. Now 42 countries later, we share the real stories of travel, lifestyle, and living differently, from digital nomadism to going grey gracefully. Welcome to Closer Lives. Travel Hub Emporium Our Community At Closer Lives, we explore more than maps - we journey through mindsets Who We Are & Why We Travel Hi, we’re Jenn & Leon. We met through poetry and connected through a shared dream of freedom and exploration. In April 2021, we packed up our lives and took off. We’ve been living out of suitcases ever since—exploring cultures, sharing our lessons, and creating content about everything from travel tips to aging authentically. Jenn’s grey hair journey has become a symbol of living unapologetically, while Leon’s passion for connection drives our mission to share the beauty of alternative living. Read Our Story Plan Smart, Travel Bold From SIM cards and transport to cultural etiquette and local hacks—our destination guides are shaped by real-life experience, not rushed holidays. Whether you’re a first-time traveler or seasoned nomad, our Travel Hub is your passport to smarter planning. Browse Our Travel Hub See the World Through Our Lens Want the real story behind the photo? Our YouTube channel brings you cultural deep dives, from Michelin Star restaurants to street food finds, budget & bougie life abroad, and honest moments. Join over 15K subscribers discovering the world with us. Watch on YouTube Exploring Life's Adventures: Your Go-To Travel and Lifestyle Blog We write from the heart and the road. Whether it’s how Jenn embraced her silver roots, where to find the best cenote in Mexico, or honest reflections on life without a fixed address—this is where it lives. Read Our Latest Posts Go to Blog Hub Shop Inspired by the Journey Our store blends world culture, gratitude, and practicality—featuring everything from Mexican tile backpacks to witty home décor and travel-ready accessories. Every design has a story. Just like us. Shop Now Get the Stories That Don’t Make Instagram Sign up for our free newsletter and get bi-weekly updates with new blogs, travel hacks, subscriber-only discounts, and behind-the-scenes stories from our life abroad. No fluff. No spam. Subscribe for Free Let’s Collaborate We love working with tourism boards, ethical brands, and fellow creators. Whether it’s sponsored content, product partnerships, or travel features—if it aligns with our ethos, let’s make magic happen. Work With Us

Discover the world with our Destinations Directory. Explore continents and country guides packed with travel tips, cultural insights, and inspiring stories. Start your journey today! Destinations Destinations Destinations Destinations Destinations: Explore the World’s Most Inspiring Places with Closer Lives LAST LOCATION: U.S.A CURRENT LOCATION: ENGLAND NEXT LOCATION: TURKIYE Where Will You Go? Explore Our Top Destinations and Country Guides Quick Navigation About Places Guides Search Resources YouTube Discover the world with Closer Lives! Our Destinations page is your gateway to expert travel guides, firsthand experiences, and cultural insights from over 43 countries and 180 cities. Whether you're planning an epic adventure, searching for hidden gems, or looking for practical travel tips, we've got you covered. From bustling metropolises to remote escapes, dive into in-depth guides that showcase the best places to visit, local traditions, must-try foods, and essential travel advice. Start exploring, and let our journeys inspire your next trip! About Us About Us About Us About Us Since the very first time we met in person in Australia, we have been scratching our travel itch! We visited 14 countries in 2019, spent 2020 touring Canada, and went on to start traveling full-time in 2021. And we have not stopped since, proudly becoming fully location-independent. Our adventures began with a 6-month stay in Mexico, before spending 5 months in Georgia (the country), 3 months in Turkiye, and 3 months in England. Eastern Europe and Egypt followed before we began moving to Japan and Thailand! We have since visited no less than 13 countries in Asia! Where Have We Been? Use our interactive map to follow our journey around the world! Our Story Aphrodite’s Rock, Cyprus: Myth, Beauty & Sunset Magic on the Mediterranean Coast ratings-display.rating-aria-label (1) Discover Aphrodite’s Rock, the legendary birthplace of the goddess of love, and our engagement spot! With turquoise waves and mythic energy, it’s one of Cyprus’s most iconic coastal sights. Sign up Jenn & Leon at Closer Lives We plan to see, learn, love and share as much of the world with others as possible. That is why we created Closer Lives, to create a community for like-minded individuals and to help bring the world a little closer together through poetry, history, storytelling, healing, art, purpose and community. If you'd like to join us please sign up to our website; the social part is still in the process of being developed but currently you are able to post, share and interact. We'd love to have you here with us! PLUS when you sign up you will receive a welcome bonus of 20% off ANYTHING from our Travel & Lifestyle Emporium. Shop our inspirational range of suitcases, backpacks, phone cases, clothing and more, exclusively designed by us, with worldwide delivery. Top Destinations Top Destinations Top Destinations Top Destinations White Castle Wales: Free Entry, Epic Ruins & Hidden Road Trip Gem ratings-display.rating-aria-label (1) White Castle is a stunning, off-the-beaten-path ruin in Wales with epic views, a moat, and best of all, it’s completely free to explore. One of our favorite stops on the Welsh castle road trip. Wales Jenn & Leon 11 min read 3 Caernarfon Castle Guide: History, Highlights & How to Visit ratings-display.rating-aria-label (1) Explore Caernarfon Castle, one of Wales' most iconic waterfront fortresses. Uncover its royal history, striking architecture, travel tips, and what made our visit truly unforgettable. Wales Jenn & Leon 10 min read 17 Daytona Beach, Florida – Mini Golf, Kindness & Beachfront Sunsets ratings-display.rating-aria-label (1) Beach strolls, mini golf wins, and hot dog stand kindness—our Daytona stopover had big charm packed into two days. A nostalgic highlight of our U.S. road trip. United States Jenn & Leon 9 min read 17 St. Augustine Fort: A Timeless Stop on Our Florida Road Trip ratings-display.rating-aria-label (1) Walking the historic outer walls of Castillo de San Marcos, we found heat, history, and a perfect Mexican lunch stop. A must-visit on any Florida road trip. United States Jenn & Leon 7 min read 16 Durres Amphitheatre Guide: Explore Albania’s Ancient Roman Arena by the Sea ratings-display.rating-aria-label (1) Discover the Durrës Amphitheatre, Albania’s largest Roman ruin by the sea. With ancient tunnels, a hidden chapel, and coastal views, it’s a must-visit for history lovers in the Balkans. Albania Jenn & Leon 10 min read 57 Maha Tower, the Icon of Langkawi in Malaysia The Maha Tower is the star and focal point of Langkawi, soaring 138 meters above the sea and offering breathtaking views of the island. Malaysia Jenn & Leon 8 min read 153 1 2 3 4 5 Extraordinary Travel: 15 Romantic Destinations to Inspire Your Next Getaway ratings-display.rating-aria-label (1) Love deserves a memorable backdrop. From fairytale towns to sun-soaked islands, explore 15 romantic destinations that offer extraordinary experiences for couples around the world. Country Guides Country Guides Country Guides Country Guides Check out our comprehensive Country Guides with all you need to know before you go, including our latest posts, must-see places, interesting facts, and key information about health & safety, transport, local customs, cuisine, connectivity, visa information, useful links, and much more! Africa Africa Africa Africa We not only provide our personal insights and stories but also fun facts, a detailed account of our travels and tips on how to make the most of your time in Egypt. Asia Asia Asia Asia Our first-ever visit to the Asian continent began in December 2022 with a week in Japan, before going to Thailand for Christmas. We did not expect to spend a year in Asia, but we loved our experience so much that we visited 12 countries throughout 2023! Traveling in Asia: Our highlights from 12 countries in 12 months We recount a whirlwind journey that spanned 12 countries in 12 months, chronicling the highs and lows, the unexpected delights, and the challenges of traversing the vast and varied tapestry of Asia. Check it out Europe Europe Europe Europe We celebrated our engagement first with a trip to the lover's city of Paris, before heading out for a week-long road trip that saw us see another 5 countries across Europe. We then went on to Canada, not returning to this continent for nearly 2 years. We came back in June 2022 and reeled off another 5 countries which included Türkiye, Albania, Italy, and North Macedonia. We love Europe, and we are sure you will too! North America North America North America North America In case you haven't checked out our story, we’re an international couple – Jenn is Canadian and Leon is British – who met on Instagram through our shared love of poetry. In 2019, Leon moved to Canada and we embarked on a road trip across the entire country. After the Covid pandemic, we moved to Mexico and explored 10 cities in 6 months. Through these guides, we share our tips and tricks on how to explore the world while keeping a budget. Join us on our adventures throughout North America! Oceania Oceania Oceania Oceania After meeting on Instagram, Jenn had already pre-booked a cruise leaving from Australia, and after 3 months of online chat, we decided to join up together. We spent a week on the ship, stopping off at Vanuatu and New Caledonia, then returning to Sydney and taking a flight back to England. Here is our story! 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Explore North Macedonia through our visit to Ohrid. Discover lakeside churches, ancient ruins, boat tours, and border travel tips for this Balkan gem. North Macedonia: Lakeside Legends, Hilltop Churches & a Hidden Balkan Gem Your Guide to the Marvel of the Balkans Our journey to North Macedonia began with a scenic overland crossing from Tirana, Albania—a lesser-known but rewarding route that brought us to the lakeside town of Ohrid. We spent a week exploring this UNESCO-listed gem, home to cobbled streets, ancient ruins, and a shimmering lake steeped in history. Highlights included a boat cruise on Lake Ohrid to the Bay of Bones, St. Naum Monastery, and the Church of St. John at Kaneo, as well as peaceful walks along the boardwalk, Potpesh Beach, and visits to the ancient amphitheater and Ohrid Old Town. This guide brings together our top tips, stories, and essential insights for planning your own visit to this underrated Balkan destination. Quick Navigation Photos Places Facts Blogs Essentials Resources YouTube Share This Guide Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Photo Gallery Photo Gallery Photo Gallery Photo Gallery Tap Any Photo for More Information Discover Discover Discover Discover Our Top Recommended Places Ohrid Interactive Map Top Hotels in North Macedonia Lake Ohrid Ohrid Tirana to Ohrid Our Interactive Map & Guide to North Macedonia Check out all the places we visited in North Macedonia with our interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information, including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews, and much more. Wanderlog is a free travel planning app that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel, and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. It saves time and is super easy to use! If you see nothing here, please refresh the page If you see nothing here, please refresh the page Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels here, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking.com , Vrbo , Expedia , Get Your Guide , and Hotels.com . Powered by Stay22, our map allows you to zoom easily, providing a comprehensive view and so you can identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. Find the Best Deals on Top Hotels in North Macedonia Top Activities - Book in Advance Interesting Facts Interesting Facts Interesting Facts Interesting Facts Here Are 12 Interesting Facts about Mexico. Some May Just Surprise You! 1. Mexico is the 11th most populous country in the world, with over 126 million people. 2. The capital city of Mexico is Mexico City, which is one of the largest cities in the world by population, at over 22 million. In 2015 it was just 8.3 million! 3. Mexico is the birthplace of chocolate. The ancient Mayans and Aztecs were the first to cultivate cacao beans and create a bitter beverage from them. 4. The Chichen Itza archaeological site in Mexico is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It is a remarkable example of the Mayan civilization's architectural and cultural achievements. 5. Mexico has the world's largest population of Spanish speakers, with Spanish being the official language of the country. 6. The Mexican cuisine is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It includes dishes like tacos, tamales, enchiladas, and guacamole. 7. Mexico is home to several unique and diverse ecosystems, including deserts, tropical rainforests, and coral reefs. It is one of the world's most biologically diverse countries. 8. Mexico is famous for its vibrant and colorful festivals. One of the most well-known is Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a celebration honoring deceased loved ones. 9. Mexico has a rich artistic heritage. The famous Mexican painters Frida Kahlo and muralist Diego Rivera are internationally renowned for their contributions to the art world. 10. Mexico is the leading producer of silver in the world. The country has a long history of silver mining, and the city of Taxco is known for its silver jewelry craftsmanship. 11. The Mariachi music, characterized by its lively rhythms and traditional attire, originated in Mexico and is recognized as an important part of the country's cultural identity. 12. Mexico is known for its impressive natural landmarks, such as the Copper Canyon (Barranca del Cobre), which is deeper and longer than the Grand Canyon in the United States. Latest Posts Latest Posts Latest Posts Latest Posts Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia: A Peaceful Paradise in the Balkans Lake Ohrid is a tranquil Balkan escape with ancient churches, serene beaches, and mountain views. Discover the magic of North Macedonia’s lakeside paradise in this inspiring travel guide. NORTH MACEDONIA Tirana to Ohrid by Bus: Border Crossing Guide & Travel Tips ratings-display.rating-aria-label (1) Planning to travel from Tirana to Ohrid by bus? This detailed guide covers everything from tickets and times to crossing the Albania–North Macedonia land border with real tips from our own journey. ALBANIA Ohrid: Discover Europe’s Oldest Lake and a Hidden Balkan Gem Explore Lake Ohrid, a stunning UNESCO-listed spot in North Macedonia. With ancient ruins, tranquil shores, and Balkan soul, it’s one of Europe’s most underrated and historic lake destinations. NORTH MACEDONIA Travel Essentials Travel Essentials Travel Essentials Travel Essentials Travel Information for North Macedonia: Practical Tips & Essentials Connectivity Cuisine Culture & Customs Currency Health & Safety Information Language Places to Visit Transportation Visa Requirements Weather & Climate Internet, SIMs, Dial Code & Plug Sockets Staying connected in North Macedonia is affordable and generally reliable, especially in cities like Skopje and Ohrid. Mobile data is widely used, with prepaid SIM cards offering good value. Free Wi-Fi is available in many urban areas, though coverage can be patchy in rural or mountainous regions. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in North Macedonia Several ISPs offer broadband and mobile data services throughout the country: ● Makedonski Telekom – North Macedonia’s largest telecom provider, known for strong national coverage and fast 4 G. ● A1 Macedonia – A popular choice offering competitive prepaid packages and solid mobile internet speeds. ● Lycamobile – A budget-friendly alternative with basic data packages and international call features. Mobile Phone Options for Tourists Prepaid SIM cards are easy to find and affordable, with tourist-friendly plans available at airports, convenience stores, and mobile shops. ● Makedonski Telekom “Welcome SIM” – Offers data, minutes, and texts bundled for visitors. ● A1 Tourist SIM – Includes generous data allowances and free minutes to domestic numbers. ● Lycamobile – Offers low-cost international calls; good for those contacting family abroad. Most providers offer 4G coverage in cities and 3 G in rural areas. Ensure your phone is unlocked before purchase. 💡 eSIMs are a convenient option for newer phones. They’re ideal for short stays and can be activated online before or upon arrival. Be sure your phone is eSIM-compatible. If you have an unlocked phone, international eSIM providers are an easy way to stay connected: ● GigSky – Quick setup, reliable U.S. data plans, and good for frequent travelers. ● Saily – Flexible and budget-friendly eSIM options, great for short-term U.S. trips. ● Simbye – Designed with travelers in mind, offering instant eSIM activation and fair pricing. 🔗 COMPARE & BUY ESIMS North Macedonia Dial Code To call North Macedonia from abroad, use the following dialing format: ● International Dialing Format: +389 followed by the local number Example: +389 46 123 456 (Ohrid area code is 46) ● North Macedonia Exit Code: 00 (for international calls from within the country) Example: To call the UK from North Macedonia, dial 00 44 XXXX XXXXXX ● Local Calls Within North Macedonia: Dial the area code + number Mobile numbers start with 07X (e.g., 070, 071, 072, etc.) Plug Sockets in North Macedonia North Macedonia uses standard European-style sockets, which are common across much of the continent. Visitors from outside Europe will likely need an adapter. ● Plug Types: C (two round pins) and F (Schuko, two round pins with grounding clips) ● Voltage: 230V ● Frequency: 50Hz Devices from most of Europe will work without any issues. ⚠️ Voltage Safety Tip: Always avoid using high-wattage appliances (like hair dryers) without confirming voltage compatibility, as it may damage your device or pose a fire risk. Power reliability is generally good, though rural areas may occasionally experience short outages. 🔌 Adapters Needed: If you’re traveling from countries like the U.S., Canada, or Japan, you’ll need a plug adapter and possibly a voltage converter for non-dual-voltage electronics (check for “100–240V” on your device label). North Macedonian Cuisine North Macedonian cuisine is a flavorful blend of Balkan, Mediterranean, and Ottoman influences. Expect hearty dishes, slow-cooked meats, fresh vegetables, and strong dairy traditions. Local hospitality is often expressed through food, with generous portions and a focus on seasonal ingredients. Staples Traditional staples form the backbone of most meals, emphasizing fresh produce and rich dairy flavors. ● Bread (Leb) – A must-have at every meal, often served warm with cheese or ajvar. ● Ajvar – A smoky red pepper spread, homemade in autumn and eaten year-round. ● Cheese (Sirenje) – White brined cheese similar to feta, used in salads, pastries, or served on its own. ● Beans (Gravče na Tavče) – Baked beans in a traditional clay pot, often considered the national dish. Meat Dishes Meat plays a central role in North Macedonian cuisine, with grilled and stewed options widely loved across the country. ● Tavče Gravče so Meso – The national bean dish, often enhanced with sausage or smoked meat. ● Kebapi (Ćevapi) – Grilled minced meat fingers, typically served with flatbread, onions, and ajvar. ● Skara (Mixed Grill) – A popular platter featuring sausages, pork chops, liver, and spicy meat patties. ● Sarma – Cabbage rolls stuffed with minced meat and rice, slow-cooked in a tomato-based sauce. Other Specialties Beyond meat and dairy, Macedonia offers rich stews, hearty pastries, and pepper-based delicacies. ● Pastrmajlija – A pizza-like flatbread topped with seasoned diced pork or lamb and eggs. ● Turli Tava – A baked vegetable and meat stew with peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, and okra. ● Shopska Salad – A crisp salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and grated sirenje cheese. Scottish Desserts Macedonian desserts are sweet and syrupy, with strong ties to Turkish and Balkan traditions. ● Baklava – Layers of pastry soaked in syrup, filled with chopped walnuts or pistachios. ● Tulumbi – Deep-fried dough soaked in sugar syrup, often eaten cold. ● Kadaif – Vermicelli-style pastry with a spiced nut filling and sweet syrup glaze. Food Delivery While rural delivery options are limited, major cities offer convenient food delivery services. ● Klikni i Jadi – A local favorite app with wide restaurant coverage. ● Glovo – An international delivery app available in major cities like Skopje and Bitola. ● Wolt – Known for a smooth app experience and reliable delivery in urban areas. Whether you're savoring a hearty plate of tavče gravče, biting into a freshly baked pastrmajlija, or finishing your meal with syrupy baklava, North Macedonia's cuisine is a celebration of rich traditions and warm hospitality. Food is more than nourishment here — it’s a way of bringing people together, sharing stories, and experiencing the country’s deep-rooted culture one dish at a time. North Macedonian Culture & Customs North Macedonia’s culture is a captivating blend of Balkan, Slavic, Mediterranean, and Ottoman influences. Family ties are strong, religious identity is respected, and traditional music, folklore, and hospitality remain central to daily life. While the country is modernizing, many customs continue to reflect its rich historical roots and communal values. Family & Social Interactions Family is the foundation of North Macedonian society. Households often include extended family members, and it’s common for young adults to live with their parents until marriage. Elder respect is deeply ingrained , and major decisions are often made collectively. Hospitality is a point of pride — guests are offered food and drink, even without notice, as a sign of generosity. Religion & Customs Religion plays a prominent role in shaping values and traditions. The majority of the population identifies as Eastern Orthodox Christian, followed by a significant Muslim minority, particularly among the Albanian and Turkish communities. Religious festivals and rites of passage , such as baptisms and weddings, are widely celebrated and respected across communities. Daily Life & Traditions In rural areas , life still follows a slower, seasonal rhythm. Traditional crafts like woodcarving , embroidery, and pottery are practiced in villages, while urban life blends tradition with a modern European feel. Folk music, dance (such as the oro) , and storytelling remain essential parts of local culture. Etiquette ● Greetings: A firm handshake with direct eye contact is standard; cheek kisses or hugs are common among close friends or family. ● Gift Giving: If invited to someone’s home, bring chocolates, wine, or flowers (avoid even numbers of flowers, which are associated with funerals). ● Shoes Off Indoors: In many homes, especially rural ones, guests are expected to remove their shoes at the door. ● Respect for Elders: Stand when an elder enters the room and address them formally unless invited otherwise. ● Conservative Dress: Especially in religious settings and rural areas, modest clothing is appreciated. Celebrations North Macedonia has a vibrant calendar of national and religious celebrations: ● Ilinden (August 2) – Celebrates the 1903 uprising against Ottoman rule and the founding of the Republic. ● Orthodox Easter & Christmas – Major religious holidays filled with feasts, church services, and family gatherings. ● Ramadan & Bajram – Observed by the Muslim population with fasting, prayers, and celebratory meals at the end of the holy month. ● Vevčani Carnival (January 13) – A centuries-old pagan celebration with elaborate masks and social satire. ● Skopje Jazz Festival & Ohrid Summer Festival – Showcase the country’s modern artistic scene with music, theater, and dance performances. In North Macedonia, tradition and community spirit run deep. From heartfelt hospitality and strong family bonds to the colorful celebrations that mark the year, the culture reflects a people proud of their roots and open to sharing them. Whether you're exploring ancient towns or joining a festive village gathering, you'll find that connection is at the heart of the Macedonian experience. Currency in North Macedonia North Macedonia uses the Macedonian Denar (MKD), a stable local currency that reflects the country's relatively low-cost economy. Visitors will find it affordable to travel, dine, and shop compared to Western Europe. Although cash is widely used, digital payments are becoming more common in urban areas and tourist destinations. Denominations The Macedonian Denar is available in both coins and banknotes. ● Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, and 50 denars ● Banknotes: 10, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 denars Coins are used for small purchases like coffee or bus fares, while notes are more common for meals and shopping. 🔗 Convert Your Currency Here Exchanging Currency You can exchange currency at banks, exchange offices (menjačnica), or at the airport. Exchange offices typically offer better rates than airports or hotels. Euros are the most accepted foreign currency for exchange. 💡 Always request a receipt when exchanging money, and avoid street currency traders. Payment Options for Foreigners ● Cash: Preferred in small towns, markets, and older establishments. ● Cards: Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in hotels, supermarkets, and restaurants in cities. ● ATMs: Common in urban areas and often offer language options. They dispense denars and usually accept international cards. 💡 Some ATMs may charge withdrawal fees, so check with your home bank beforehand. Additional Information for Tourists ● Currency Code: MKD ● Exchange Rate: 1 EUR ≈ 61 MKD (check live rates for accuracy) ● Tipping: Not mandatory, but appreciated. Round up bills or tip 5–10% in restaurants. 💡 Be cautious of foreign card transaction fees—using a Wise card or a fee-free travel card can save money. Reputable Banks in North Macedonia for Exchanging Currency or Using ATMs Major banks where tourists can safely exchange money or use ATMs include: ● Komercijalna Banka – One of the largest banks with widespread ATM availability. ● Stopanska Banka – Offers good exchange rates and multilingual ATMs. ● NLB Banka – Modern services, often found near tourist zones. ● Halkbank – Turkish-owned bank, reliable and secure for transactions. Health & Safety in North Macedonia North Macedonia is generally a safe country for tourists, offering low crime rates and a welcoming atmosphere. Basic healthcare services are available in major cities, though rural areas may have limited facilities. While tap water is drinkable in most places, staying alert to common travel precautions will ensure a smoother trip. Medical Care ● Public healthcare: Available nationwide, but facilities in rural areas may be under-equipped. ● Private clinics: Recommended for tourists — they offer faster service, better infrastructure, and English-speaking staff in major cities like Skopje and Bitola. ● Pharmacies (Apteka): Widely available and usually well-stocked. Some medications that require prescriptions at home may be available over the counter. 💡 Tip: Always carry travel insurance that covers both medical care and emergency repatriation. General Health ● Vaccinations: No mandatory vaccines required. Recommended ones include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Tetanus. ● Tap water: Safe to drink in most cities. In rural areas, bottled water is advisable. ● Food safety: Local food is generally safe. Stick to well-frequented restaurants and food stalls. Safety & Security ● Crime: Violent crime is rare. Be cautious of pickpockets in busy areas, particularly in Skopje and on public transport. ● Scams: Minimal risk, but be cautious of overly persistent vendors or unofficial taxi drivers. ● Political gatherings: Peaceful but best avoided as a precaution. Safety Resources ● Tourist Police: Operate in Skopje and other major cities. Look for officers wearing identifiable badges or stationed at key tourist zones. ● Embassies & Consulates: Most major countries maintain consulates in Skopje. ● Local Apps: Consider using local transport and emergency info apps like “MojTermin” for health appointments. Emergency Numbers ● General Emergency: 112 ● Police: 192 ● Ambulance: 194 ● Fire Brigade: 193 💡 Save these numbers in your phone when you arrive, and keep your passport and insurance documents accessible in case of emergency. Additional Tips ● Travel Insurance: Make sure it includes health coverage, theft, and emergency evacuation. ● Driving: Seat belts are mandatory. Avoid rural driving at night due to poor road lighting and occasional livestock crossings. ● Weather Awareness: Winters can be icy — bring appropriate footwear if visiting from November to February. ● Wildlife: In mountainous areas, be cautious of snakes and ticks during hikes. ● Local Help: Locals are often willing to assist if you encounter trouble — many young people speak English. Information About North Macedonia POPULATION Approx. 1.8 million A relatively small population, with over 500,000 people residing in the capital, Skopje. CURRENCY Macedonian Denar (MKD). Only the denar is accepted for payment. Credit cards are increasingly accepted. CAPITAL Skopje: A lively city on the Vardar River, known for its mix of modernist and Ottoman-era architecture. TIME ZONES Central European Time (CET) – UTC +1. North Macedonia observes daylight saving time, switching to UTC +2 from late March to late October. SPEED / DISTANCES Urban: 50 km/h | Rural: 80 km/h | Highways: 120 km/h Speed cameras are used on highways, so stick to limits. DRIVING Right-hand side of the road Road signs follow European standards, and international licenses are accepted for short stays. ALCOHOL AGE Legal Drinking Age: 18 years old. Enforced in bars and clubs, though age checks may be relaxed in smaller towns. SMOKING AGE 18 years old. Smoking is still common, and permitted in many outdoor areas & cafes. Language in North Macedonia North Macedonia is a culturally diverse country where language plays a key role in identity and regional dynamics. While Macedonian is the official national language, over a third of the population speaks a different mother tongue, and this diversity is protected by law. Official Language Macedonian is the official language of government , public education, and national media. It's a South Slavic language written in the Cyrillic script, similar in structure to Bulgarian but with its own grammar and vocabulary standards. Road signs and official forms are always provided in Macedonian. Dominant Spoken Language Macedonian is spoken by over 60% of the population. Most ethnic Macedonians use it as their first language, and it’s the most commonly heard language in cities, national broadcasts, and signage. Regional Variations ● Albanian is the second most spoken language , used by around 25% of the population. ● It became co-official nationwide in 2019 under the Law on the Use of Languages and is widely spoken in the west, including in Tetovo, Gostivar, Struga, and parts of Skopje. ● Turkish, Romani, Serbian, Bosnian, and Vlach (Aromanian) are also recognized minority languages. ● These are protected by the constitution and often appear in local schools, community events, and bilingual signage. ● In municipalities where a minority group makes up more than 20%, their language gains official status locally, including documentation, court proceedings, and education. History of the Macedonian Language The region’s linguistic tapestry is the result of centuries of shifting borders and empires. During Ottoman rule, Turkish was dominant. In Yugoslavia , Macedonian was standardized and promoted. Post-independence, tensions between ethnic Macedonians and Albanians led to language rights being a central part of the 2001 Ohrid Framework Agreement. Stability for Future Generations ● English is widely taught in schools and used in tourism, especially among the younger generation. ● In Skopje, Ohrid, and Bitola , many locals in the service industry can communicate in English. ● German & French are also common as second languages due to historical migration links and education programs. ● Multilingualism is increasing , with efforts to protect both Macedonian and minority languages through education and media. ● While Macedonian remains the unifying language , regional diversity is likely to remain a defining feature of the country's identity. Places to Visit in North Macedonia From shimmering lakefront towns to ancient ruins and vibrant capital streets, North Macedonia offers a diverse mix of natural beauty, cultural landmarks, and UNESCO-listed gems. Whether you're into hiking, history, or heritage, there’s something special waiting to be explored. ⪢ Ohrid : A UNESCO World Heritage Site with cobbled lanes, cliffside churches like St. John at Kaneo, and a glimmering lake said to be one of the oldest in Europe. Take a boat tour to the Bay of Bones and St. Naum Monastery for unforgettable views. ⪢ Skopje : Known for its eclectic architecture, the Stone Bridge, and larger-than-life statues. Don’t miss the Old Bazaar, Skopje Fortress, or the Mother Teresa Memorial House, honoring one of the city’s most famous natives. ⪢ Mavrovo National Park : A paradise for hikers, skiers, and nature lovers. Home to Lake Mavrovo, St. Nicholas Church (submerged and hauntingly beautiful), and Bistra Mountain, it’s a four-season destination. ⪢ Bitola : Famous for its neoclassical architecture, elegant Shirok Sokak promenade, and Roman ruins at Heraclea Lyncestis. A cultural hub with a slower, café-filled pace. Find the Best Deals on Top Hotels in North Macedonia ⪢ Kratovo : Built in a volcanic crater, this off-the-beaten-path gem is packed with Ottoman-era stone bridges, medieval towers, and scenic mountain backdrops. ⪢ Stobi : A well-preserved archaeological site featuring mosaics, an amphitheater, and ruins of early Christian churches. Ideal for history buffs. ⪢ Struga : Located where the Black Drin River flows from Lake Ohrid. Known for its poetry festival, relaxed atmosphere, and riverfront cafes. ⪢ Pelister National Park : Offers beautiful mountain trails, glacial lakes like the Pelister Eyes, and rare flora including the five-needle Molika Pine. Great for hikers and birdwatchers. Transportation in North Macedonia Getting around North Macedonia is relatively straightforward, whether you're traveling between cities or exploring rural villages. While public transport is affordable, it can be infrequent in remote areas, so some planning (or flexibility) is key. Air Travel Skopje International Airport (SKP) is the main international gateway, located about 20km from the capital. Ohrid Airport (OHD) serves seasonal flights, especially in summer. Domestic air travel is rare due to the country's compact size. Buses Buses are the most reliable and widely used form of public transport. Skopje Bus Station is a major hub, offering regular connections to Ohrid, Bitola, Struga, and beyond. Private bus companies like Galeb , Rule Turs , and Durmo Tours operate comfortable long-distance coaches. Tickets can often be bought on board or at stations — online booking is still limited. Trains The national railway service, Makedonski Železnici (MZ), connects major cities like Skopje, Bitola, and Kumanovo. Trains are very affordable but often slower and less frequent than buses. International rail connections include a limited route to Serbia via Skopje. Shared Taxis & Marshrutkas Shared taxis are common for intercity travel, especially where buses are sparse. Known locally as “kombis”, these minivan-style taxis wait until full before departing. Prices are fixed and typically slightly more expensive than buses, but faster. Private Taxis Readily available in Skopje and larger towns. Official taxis should have meters — avoid unlicensed drivers who might overcharge. It’s best to agree on a price upfront if no meter is used. Motorbikes & Scooters Available for rent in tourist hotspots like Ohrid and Skopje during peak season. Helmets are mandatory, and it's advised to inspect the brakes and tires before riding. Be cautious on mountain roads, which can be steep and narrow with limited guardrails. Petrol stations may be infrequent in remote areas — plan routes and refuel in advance. Cruises & Ferries While there are no sea routes (North Macedonia is landlocked), boat tours are popular on Lake Ohrid. Options range from small private charters to larger sightseeing boats heading to St. Naum or the Bay of Bones. Car Rentals Renting a car is ideal for reaching remote monasteries, national parks, or doing road trips across the Balkans. International rental brands (like Hertz , Sixt , Europcar ) are present in Skopje and Ohrid. You’ll need a valid driver’s license and passport; some companies may require an International Driving Permit. Tips for Driving in North Macedonia ● Drive on the right-hand side . ● Roads are generally in good condition , but rural routes may have potholes or livestock crossings. ● Toll roads are common on main highways — pay in cash or by card. ● Fuel stations are plentiful near cities but sparse in remote areas — keep your tank topped up. ● Always carry your driver’s license and rental documents in case of roadside checks. Tips for Using Public Transport in North Macedonia ● Double-check departure times — schedules are not always updated online. ● Don’t expect English on signage or announcements — having your destination written down can help. ● Carrying small change is useful for tickets and tips. ● In rural regions , buses may not run on Sundays or holidays. Visa Requirements for North Macedonia North Macedonia is generally welcoming to tourists, with visa-free access for many nationalities. Entry is usually straightforward, but always check the latest policies before your trip. Visa Options ● Visa-free travel is permitted for citizens of the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia, and many other countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. ● North Macedonia is not part of the Schengen Zone , so your days here don’t count toward your Schengen visa allowance. ● E-visas and short-term visas may be required for travelers from certain countries — check with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Types of Visa ● Tourist Visa (Type C) – for leisure travel, valid up to 90 days. ● Transit Visa – for travelers passing through on the way to another country. ● Long-Stay Visa (Type D) – for those staying longer than 90 days for work, study, or residency. General Visa Application Requirements ● A valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity beyond your intended stay. ● Proof of accommodation (e.g., hotel booking or invitation letter). ● Return or onward travel ticket . ● Proof of sufficient funds for your stay. ● Travel insurance covering health and repatriation. ● Completed visa application form and fee payment (if applicable). Additional Things to Keep in Mind ● You must register your place of stay with local police within 24 hours of arrival — hotels typically do this for you. ● If staying at a private residence or Airbnb , ask your host to help with registration. ● Overstaying your visa-free period can result in fines or entry bans. ● Keep printed copies of key travel documents and your accommodation address in case of checks. Please note that these are general requirements, and specific documentation and criteria may vary depending on your circumstances and the visa category you are applying for. This information is also subject to change at any time and has been obtained through research. We always recommend you visit the official website of the Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the most up-to-date and detailed information regarding visa requirements. North Macedonian Weather & Climate North Macedonia has a mix of continental and Mediterranean influences, resulting in hot summers, cold winters, and mild springs and autumns. The country’s mountainous terrain means regional variations can be significant, so packing accordingly is important. Seasons ● Spring (March–May): Mild and pleasant, with blooming landscapes — ideal for sightseeing and hiking. ● Summer (June–August): Hot and dry, especially in lowland areas like Skopje and Bitola, with temperatures often exceeding 30°C (86°F). ● Autumn (September–November): A colorful and cooler season, with harvest festivals and fewer tourists. ● Winter (December–February): Cold and snowy, particularly in the mountains. Cities like Skopje can drop below 0°C (32°F), while ski resorts like Mavrovo see heavy snow. Regional Variations ● Skopje Valley: Hotter summers and colder winters due to its basin geography. ● Southwestern region (e.g., Ohrid): Milder year-round, with more Mediterranean influence and a breeze from the lake. ● Mountainous areas: Cool summers and harsh, snowy winters — ideal for winter sports. Annual Rainfall North Macedonia sees moderate rainfall , averaging 500–700 mm annually. Most rain falls in spring and autumn , with occasional summer thunderstorms. Humidity Humidity levels are generally comfortable but can rise during the hottest summer months. The lake regions feel slightly more humid , especially in July and August. Best Time to Visit May to June and September to early October offer the best mix of comfortable weather and fewer crowds. Summer is best for lake holidays , while winter is ideal for skiing and snow-covered mountain escapes. Be Prepared Pack layers — even summer nights in mountainous areas can be chilly. Bring sun protection in summer and proper gear (like waterproof boots and a coat) if visiting in winter. Always check local forecasts , especially if planning outdoor activities or mountain trips. BACK TO TOP (this section) Travel Resources Travel Resources Travel Resources Travel Resources Book Your Transport E-Tickets with 12Go 12Go specializes in transportation options in Southeast Asia and Europe, offering a wide range of travel choices including trains, buses, ferries, and even flights. Discover the World with Klook! Unforgettable experiences await with Klook, your go-to platform for booking amazing activities, attractions, and transportation worldwide. Need the Perfect Travel Resources? We've Got You Covered! Over the past four years of full-time travel, we've booked countless accommodations, flights, and activities while also navigating the world of earning online. These are the tools we rely on to plan and book our adventures, and now, you can too! 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