Cave Beauty is an incredible natural wonder located in North Macedonia. The cave, also known as Cave Gjonovica, is situated in the Mountain Bukovikj, near the village of Gorna Gjonovica, on the old road between Gostivar – Kichevo.
This breathtaking cave features several stunning stalactites and stalagmites, a crystal-clear water pool, and a waterfall in Macedonia. With a guided tour, visitors can explore the cave’s winding passages and marvel at its natural beauty.
For anyone visiting North Macedonia, Cave Beauty is a must-see. It’s an unforgettable experience that will stay long after you leave. But how do you visit cave Beauty? Continue reading our guide to find out how you can see Cave Beauty in North Macedonia.
Cave Description
Macedonian locals know Cave Beauty by two of its most common names in Macedonia – Пештера Убавица (Peshtera Ubavica) or Пештера Ѓоновица (Peshtera Gjonovica).
The official length of cave Beauty is 1300 meters long, which goes along a north-to-south line. Around 500 meters deep into the cave, speleologists and cave lovers will find a waterfall about 5 to 6 meters high. The temperature of the water is constant at 10-12 degrees Celcius. Many of the cave walls contain yellow specks that most think it’s gold, but it’s salt.
It has:
- Stalagmites,
- Stalactites,
- Cave columns,
- Cave drapery formations,
- Underground water,
- 5-6m Waterfall,
- Fauna.
Visiting Cave Beauty Tour
For anyone interested in visiting Cave Beauty, there are guided cave tours by Speleo Club Korabi. The times are by appointment or pre-schedule visits to the cave, and it is necessary to go in groups of 6 or more people. The Beauty cave tour costs 1,500 denars ($/€ 23) per person and lasts at least three hours, including transportation to and from the cave.
The tour starts by meeting in Gostivar, so everyone gathers at one meeting point. Then the tour guides, usually two or three of them, take the visitors to the cave with their vehicles. The car ride from Gostivar is about 15 minutes going up Mount Bukovikj.
Once you are near the entrance of Cave Beauty, the speleologist guides will give you protective gear to put on. As there will be a lot of low ceiling points in the cave, a hard helmet is required to protect your head. You can even count how many times you hit your head on the cave walls. I did it seven times.
The cave Beauty tour starts by claiming the 50 or soo steep stairs to the cave’s opening. The cave entrance is vast and looks like where bears would sleep in. But you will only see bats flying around in the cave.
At the cave entrance, the tour guide will run by the rules, what you expect inside the cave, and what to watch out for. Then the best part of the whole tour will start – going into the cave!
The cave’s first couple hundred meters are on dry land. There will be some crawling, sliding, and tight spaces.
But the second part is the best, once you reach the underground water. This portion of the cave is covered in running water, sometimes reaching up to your knee. When you are crouching or crawling, it will come up to your belly.
Your tour guide will stop a few times throughout the cave to explain more about the cave and take some photos. This will all lead to the end of the cave tour by entering a wide room with a beautiful waterfall at the 800-meter mark in the cave.
Many of you there will notice a rope near the waterfall. There is another part of the cave that can be explored since it runs 1,300 meters but requires oxygen tanks. It’s not part of the standard Beauty cave tour as it’s for more experienced speleologists and cave explorers.
After taking in the breathtaking view of the waterfall and the biggest stalactite in the cave, you will end the tour by turning back.
You will also meet some of the cave’s residents. The cave features fauna:
- Bats,
- Spiders,
- Shrimps,
- Insects – Ceutnophies (Ceutnophiesboukoviki).
After returning to Gostivar, you can have lunch in a local restaurant or, with a short car ride, go to restaurant Panorama in Vrutok for some delicious trout fish (pastramka) and beautiful mountain views.
Bottom Line
Cave Beauty in North Macedonia is a must-see for any traveler. The country is home to some of the most beautiful caves in the world, and a visit to one of these caves is an unforgettable experience. The country’s landscape is dotted with hundreds of caves, each with unique features. North Macedonia is a nature lover’s dream come true. With its stunning landscapes, rich history, and friendly people, it’s no wonder North Macedonia is becoming a popular tourist destination. If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience, add North Macedonia to your list of must-see places.
Cave Beauty FAQ
How many caves have been discovered in North Macedonia?
It's assumed there are close to 500 caves in North Macedonia. Out of this number, 346 caves have officially been registered with the North Macedonian government. North Macedonia's longest cave is Slatinski Izvor (4 km). While Macedonia's deepest cave is the Slovak cave in Mount Karadzica with a depth of 598 meters.
What other caves can I visit in North Macedonia?
Cave Vrelo is another popular cave destination in North Macedonia. It's located in Canyon Matka, which is about 30km from the capital Skopje. For a detailed guide, see our guide to Cave Vrelo here.
What is the most beautiful cave in the world?
Many caves around the world offer breathtaking views. While each one is unique and special in its way, there is one that stands out as being particularly beautiful. The cave, known as the Blue Cave, is located on the island of Capri in Italy. It gets its name from the stunning blue color of the water inside. The sunlight reflects off the water and creates a glowing effect that is simply mesmerizing. Visitors can take a boat ride into the cave to experience it firsthand. Once inside, they can swim around or take in the incredible scenery. It truly is a sight to behold and an unforgettable experience.
How often do caves collapse?
Caves are often considered unsafe and unstable, but they are quite the opposite. Cave collapses are rare, and when they occur, they are usually due to human activity. Several things can cause a cave to collapse, such as heavy rainfall, earthquakes, and even farming and mining activities. However, the most common cause of cave collapses is human activity. This can include people digging too close to the cave to vibrations from nearby construction. While cave collapses are not common, they can be very dangerous. If you are ever in a cave, you must be aware of your surroundings and cautious of any potential risks.
