Family Car Rental in North Macedonia: Travelling with Children

Travelling through North Macedonia with children is a genuinely rewarding experience — the distances are short, the driving is not stressful, and many of the country's best attractions work well for families. A rental car makes the whole trip dramatically easier than relying on macedoni_site transport. Here is what you need to know before you book.

Child Seat Rules in North Macedonia

Macedonian law requires that children under 12 years old or shorter than 150 cm use an appropriate child restraint system when travelling by car. The category of seat depends on the child's weight and height:

Child category	Seat type	Weight range
Infant	Rear-facing infant seat	Up to 13 kg (approx. 0–15 months)
Toddler	Forward-facing child seat	9–18 kg (approx. 9 months–4 years)
Child	High-back booster seat	15–36 kg (approx. 4–11 years)
Older child	Booster cushion	22–36 kg (approx. 6–11 years)

Police enforce these rules and issue fines for non-compliance. More importantly, Macedonian roads — especially the mountain sections — justify proper restraints from a pure safety perspective.

Reserving Child Seats with Relax Rent a Car

We provide child seats, toddler seats, and booster seats at €2/day. Child seats must be reserved at the time of booking — last-minute requests at the airport desk may not always be fulfilled during peak season.

When booking online, specify:

Number of children
Approximate age or weight of each child
Type of seat needed (infant, forward-facing, booster)

We install the seat and verify it is correctly fitted before you drive away.

Choosing the Right Vehicle for Families

The right car depends on the number of children, the amount of luggage, and whether you need pushchair access.

2 Adults + 1-2 Children

A compact car (Volkswagen Polo, Peugeot 301 Automatic, or equivalent) typically accommodates two car seats in the rear with space remaining for the adults in the front. A standard compact has a 350-litre boot — sufficient for a family of four on a week-long trip with reasonable luggage.

For airport collection, the boot space is particularly important. If you are travelling with a large pushchair, a full-size compact or mid-size car is preferable.

2 Adults + 3 Children

A 7-seat van is the better choice. We offer the Dacia Jogger and Peugeot Rifter (both 7-seat configuration), which provide dedicated third-row seating, a large boot even with all seats occupied, and ISOFIX anchor points in multiple seating positions. See our 7-seater van rental guide for full specifications and route suggestions.

Large Families or Groups

For 6-7 passengers, our 7-seat MPVs are the appropriate choice. Book well in advance during summer months as these vehicles are the most popular and are often reserved weeks ahead.

Browse all vehicles by category and passenger capacity →

Best Family Destinations in North Macedonia

Lake Ohrid

The top choice for families. The shallow beaches on the eastern and western shores of Lake Ohrid are safe for children, with gentle entry and clear visibility. The town itself is compact and walkable, with ice cream shops at every corner and a pedestrianised old town where children can wander safely.

Practical family tips for Ohrid:

The beaches at Gradishte and Lagadin are the best-maintained and shallowest for young children
Boat trips on the lake are available from the town harbour — children generally love them
The Bay of Bones (reconstructed prehistoric stilt village) is genuinely interesting for children aged 6 and above — interactive museum, wooden platforms over water
St. Naum monastery has peacocks walking freely in the grounds, which is reliably popular with young children

Canyon Matka (near Skopje)

Just 15 km from the city centre, Canyon Matka is accessible in under 30 minutes from Skopje Airport and makes an excellent afternoon stop. The canyon reservoir is calm and suitable for kayaking and pedal boats. The walking path along the canyon wall is manageable for children aged 5 and above (some narrow sections, but no serious danger). Several medieval cave churches are accessible from the path.

Practical note: The car park at Matka fills up on summer weekends. Arrive before 10 am or after 4 pm for easier parking.

Mavrovo National Park

Mavrovo offers accessible nature for families without requiring serious hiking. The lake viewpoint is a 2-minute walk from the road. The Duf Waterfall trail is 30 minutes each way on a clear path through forest — manageable for children aged 5 and above with appropriate footwear. In winter, the resort offers beginner ski lessons and children's snow areas.

Bitola for Older Children

The Roman ruins at Heraclea Lyncestis engage older children (10+) who have studied ancient history. Open-air mosaic floors, a Roman amphitheatre, and clear site signage in English make it one of the better-presented archaeological sites in the western Balkans.

Packing for the Drive

In the car:

Reusable water bottles per person (filling up at hotel or restaurant)
Snack bag for between-stop refuelling
Wet wipes and hand sanitiser
Sunscreen and sun hats (essential for lake beaches)
A change of clothes for children in a small bag in the car rather than buried in the boot
Activity or colouring book for longer drives (the Skopje-Ohrid run is 2.5 hours)

Not needed:

GPS — Google Maps offline works perfectly and saves the rental fee
Bulky portable cooler — supermarkets in every town, and Macedonian summers are compatible with buying food as you go

Tips for Stress-Free Family Driving

Use the online booking system and add flight details. With children, the last thing you want after a long flight is a delay at the rental desk. Completing the paperwork in advance and adding your flight number means our representative is waiting with everything prepared.

Morning departures work better than afternoon for mountain driving. Children handle long drives better earlier in the day, and mountain roads are less congested before 11 am in summer.

Plan meal stops around driver needs rather than child hunger. On the main routes, there are good restaurant stops every 30-40 km. The Macedonian equivalent of a motorway services is often a traditional restaurant with a garden — usually much better food than the Western European alternative.

Build in a margin. A 2.5-hour drive from Skopje to Ohrid may take 3.5 hours with children. Plan your arrival time accordingly, especially if you have an accommodation check-in deadline.

The 10% discount applies regardless of group size. Booking online saves the same proportion whether you are renting a small economy car or a 7-seat MPV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my own child seat from home? Yes, and we are happy to check that it is compatible with our vehicles. Contact us with the seat model in advance.

Is there a minimum age for the driver on a family booking? Our standard minimum driver age is 18. Drivers aged 18-25 are subject to a young driver supplement of €10 per day, applied automatically at checkout.

Are the mountains safe for driving with children? Yes — the main mountain roads in this guide are well-maintained and signposted. The driving requires attention on winding sections but is not technically demanding. A confident driver should have no concerns.

What if a child gets ill during the trip? Major towns all have pharmacies (apotheki) clearly signed in the street. Skopje has several 24-hour pharmacies and a general hospital. Our roadside assistance line is available 24/7 and can advise on the nearest medical facility from any location.

Planning a family trip to North Macedonia? Browse our family vehicles including 5-seat compacts and 7-seat MPVs, all with child seat installation included. Book online for the automatic 10% discount, and add child seat requirements in the booking notes. Questions? Contact us — families are a large part of our business and we are well-practised at making these trips smooth.