Bus from BITOLA to TARA

Bitola is a city in the southwestern part of North Macedonia. It is located in the southern part of the Pelagonia valley, surrounded by the Baba, Nidže and Kajmakčalan mountain ranges, 14 kilometres north of the Medžitlija-Níki border crossing with Greece. The city stands at an important junction connecting the south of the Adriatic Sea region with the Aegean Sea and Central Europe, and is an administrative, cultural, industrial, commercial, and educational centre. It has been known since the Ottoman period as "The City of The Consuls", since many European countries had consulates in Bitola.

Bitola, known during the Ottoman Empire as Manastir/Monastir, is one of the oldest cities in North Macedonia. It was founded as Heraclea Lyncestis in the middle of the 4th century BC by Philip II of Macedon. The city was the last capital of Ottoman Rumelia, from 1836 to 1867. According to the 2002 census, Bitola is the second-largest city in the country.

Bitola is the economic and industrial center of southwestern North Macedonia. Many of the largest companies in the country are based in the city. The Pelagonia agricultural combine is the largest producer of food in the country. The Streževo water system is the largest in North Macedonia and has the best technological facilities. The three thermoelectric power stations of REK Bitola produce nearly 80% of electricity in the state. The Frinko refrigerate factory was a leading electrical and metal company. Bitola also has significant capacity in the textile and food industries.

Bitola has been part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network since December 2015.

The Tara National Park covers the largest part of the Tara Mountain massif, which belongs to the part of the Old Mountains. The mass of the Tara consists of the following parts of the whole: Kaluđerske bare, Tara, Aluške planine, Crni Vrh and Zvijezda. Its surface is 183 km² and length is 50 km and width is 22 km. The average altitude is 1,200 m, and the highest peak Kozji rid reaches 1.591 m.

The main tourist attraction of the Tara is Kaluđerska Bara in the north, near Bajina Bašta and Mitrovac in the south. Hotels Beli Bor and Omorika, as well as other smaller ones, are located at Kaluđerski Barama, while Mitrovac is located the same name as a recreational hotel for children.

The National Park can be reached by direct route Bajina Bašta - Kaluđerska Bara, via Perućac - Mitrovac and via Kremna - Kaluđerska Bara. The Drina gorge, which is part of the park, can be reached by boat. Local craft workshops make various handicrafts from wool, dairy products, kneeling, plum and especially pine honey.