24 Things To Do in Skopje, North Macedonia

Skopje was the fourth stop on my Balkans travel itinerary, having arrived in Belgrade (the capital of Serbia) and then visited two places in Kosovo: the capital of Pristina and the charming small city of Prizren. I’d loved everywhere but didn’t have huge expectations of North Macedonia. I’d not heard anything bad but I’d just not heard much… at all.

Having visited, I found North Macedonia totally underrated. Skopje is a lovely capital while Matka Canyon would surely be packed from dawn to dusk if it were in Western Europe.

SKOPJE ESSENTIALS

Accommodation: Booking.com / Hostelworld

Getting there: flight / car / bus

Activities: GetYourGuide / Viator

What is Skopje like?

How to get to Skopje

By air: Skopje International Airport is 17km from the city and reached in 30 minutes by rental car, shuttle bus (departing every 2 hours and costing 180 MKD/€3) or taxi. To get the best value flights, I use Skyscanner.

By bus: I arrived from Kosovo by bus which is an easy and affordable option. Although I came from Prizren, a lovely small city close to the North Macedonian border, you can also catch a bus from Pristina (the capital of Kosovo) in 2 hours.

Booking buses online isn’t really a thing in the Balkans so I suggest buying tickets at the station.

• Hostel – for backpackers, Shanti Hostel has been voted the best in the country. After staying there, I can confirm it’s a great spot with friendly staff, free breakfast and a social outdoor area. Book from €12.
• Budget hotel – stay at Hotel Doa in the heart of town for 4-star amenities including 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, room service, Wi-Fi and an ATM in the lobby. Book from €45.
• Mid-range hotel – Hotel London has beautiful modern rooms and a great breakfast from €60 while Hotel Alexandar has period features and a gym also from €60.
• Splash out – the Solum Hotel & Spa is where to stay for luxurious facilities including an à la carte restaurant, bar with terrace and spa with fitness centre, steam room and more. Book from €90.
• Apartment – for a comfy apartment with all your amenities, Urban Served Apartments start from €36.
• Browse all hostels on Hostelworld and hotels & apartments on Booking.com.

Things to do in Skopje

Now, on to the important stuff! Here’s what to see and do when visiting North Macedonia’s capital.

Wander Macedonia Square

At the centre of Skopje is this vast, grand square characterised by statues, fountains and elaborate street lamps.

The central point of Macedonia Square is a statue of Alexandra the Great on his horse, although it’s simply called ‘Warrior on a Horse’ due to the tense relationship with Greece who block North Macedonia’s entry to the EU and NATO over issues including the name of the country (they had to add ‘North’ in 2019 as Greece have a region named Macedonia) and elements of the culture they believe are ‘Greek’ such as Alexander the Great.

On a hot, summer day, there’s little shade so you may wish to begin your Skopje sightseeing here early. Another idea is to visit around sunset when the locals are out enjoying a xhiro (sunset walk) once it’s cooled off. At night, the square is illuminated and feels safe even for solo female travellers like myself.

The Old Bazaar is exactly what it says on the tin. When you hear ‘market’ you might just think of stalls and, while there are plenty, there are also restaurants, cafes, mosques, jewellers and more. It’s a real maze of treasures waiting to be explored.

It’s the oldest part of the city and was one of the few places in Skopje not destroyed by the devastating earthquake of 1963.

In my book, the Old Bazaar is the number 1 thing to do in Skopje. With a bustling vibe and fantastic food and drink (which is ridiculously affordable, I might add), it’s an atmospheric corner of the city that should not be skipped.

After the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul, it’s the largest Ottoman Bazaar in Europe. If you’ve been to Sarajevo or Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina, it may feel familiar. To try dishes like baklava and pide, you’re in for a culinary adventure. Other things to buy and browse include handmade leather shoes, pottery, jewellery, rugs and local delicacies like honey.

The Bazaar is open 24 hours but the shops have varying opening times. Most open at 9am, close around sunset and some take an afternoon lunch break.

For me, the most captivating part of visiting Skopje Old Bazaar was seeing the incredible filigree. I didn’t know anything about this craft before but I was blown away while seeing and learning about it.

This practice of weaving delicate silver wires dates back to the Middle Ages. Pure silver of up to 1000 carats is skillfully manipulated into intricate designs of butterflies, flowers and even mythical animals.

A whole team of skilled tradespeople are required including silversmiths and jewellers since the items commonly have rare stones set into them. Despite modernisation, I hope the trade will continue for years to come.

Born in what’s now North Macedonia to Albanian parents, Mother Teresa is revered in these parts. Surprisingly, she was even more famous in Kosovo and plenty of attractions in Pristina are dedicated to her (although when you consider that 90% of Kosovans identify as ethnically Albanian, perhaps it’s not that surprising).

The best way to learn about her life and work is at the Memorial House of Mother Teresa in central Skopje. The complex is free to visit with a chapel upstairs and a small museum on the first floor holding items including letters written by her. Browse statues in the pleasant grounds (Skopje loves a statue!) and admire the building itself, decorated with pretty patterns and unusual details.

Speaking of statues…

Skopje is the city of statues. The exact count varies but it’s certainly over 100.

Apparently, the Skopje statues date back to the financial crash of 2008 after which the city planned to target tourism. The 2014 Skopje project developed the city centre in innovative ways, including building hundreds of statues celebrating the city’s history and culture.

The statues are thought to have cost up to €500 million (clearly not everyone was having a financial crisis!) and some of the locals complained that the money could have been spent on more useful things.

Still, for tourists, spotting the creative statues is a fun thing to do in Skopje. Try and count them all or find your favourite! I liked the one of divers in the river.

Don’t miss the Woman Warrior Park

Critics of the city’s statues might describe them as a ‘Disneyland’ without real meaning. One place to visit in Skopje where this isn’t the case is Woman Warrior Park where memorial statues to female fighters commemorate those lost in WWII.

It’s a pleasant park to break up your Skopje sightseeing and relax on a bench under shady trees.

Pass through Macedonia Gate

This triumphant arch represents the struggle for independence, gained from Yugoslavia in 1991.

However, it wasn’t well received, built during the Skopje 2014 project that many locals considered a waste of money. Two years later, it was splattered with colourful paint by protestors who felt these new, shiny buildings erased their country’s history and older architecture.

Still, wander through and don’t miss the door inside the arch that leads to the observation deck and gallery.

There are no finer things to see in Skopje than sunset from the Fortress. After a hot and busy day exploring the city centre and Old Bazaar, this is a relaxing way to unwind and reflect on the day you’ve had.

Skopje Fortress, locally named Kale Fortress, is all that remains of a 6th-century fortress built to protect the city from invaders… which it did not succeed in doing when the Ottomans came along.

Climbing up to the fortress is easy: simply find the Ascension of Jesus church close to the Old Bazaar and follow the path for a few minutes. Perched on the hilltop, you can hardly miss the fortress! Luckily, the climb isn’t too steep so all levels of fitness should be fine, although I don’t believe there’s any disabled access.

For an adventurous thing to do near Skopje, take one of the many Vodno Hill hiking trails (read the article linked for the best routes and trails).

One option is to hike from the base of the mountain to the parking area where the 25 bus drops (the Slovenian trail) or, the more common option, start your hike from the parking lot and reach Millenium Cross without the cable car. The Buran Cvetko Path, Olympic Path, New Year’s Path and Pensioner Path will all take you there.

If you’re feeling really ambitious, you can even hike from the base of the mountain, combining the Slovenian Path and one of the others.

Another (much easier) option is riding the cable car to the top and hiking back down.

Connecting Macedonia Square and the Old Bazaar is one of the oldest attractions in Skopje (even appearing on the city’s coat of arms), the Stone Bridge.

Although this particular bridge was built by the Ottomans in the 1400s, there’s been a structure in its place crossing the Vardar River since Roman times. In modern days, the Stone Bridge is seen as a link (literally and figuratively) between modern and historic Skopje.

Like the square, it’s a lively place to visit in Skopje for people-watching come late afternoon/early evening.

… Then the Art Bridge

I’ve never been anywhere with as many happy, healthy street pets as the Balkans. Although ‘street dogs’ may sound dangerous or scary, it’s not the case in Skopje. These pups are clearly well-fed and seem clean and groomed. They all wear yellow tags indicating they’ve had their appropriate jabs.

Befriend them. I know I did!

City Park is a pleasant place in Skopje to walk, run or aimlessly meander, coffee in hand. There are plenty of paths and walking routes including one alongside the river.

Grab a coffee at Central Park. I would suggest walking from the city to the park then leaving via the exit closest to Debar Maalo, an area of Skopje I’ll mention later…

One of the best things to do in Skopje – and any new city – is take a free walking tour. Especially if it’s your first time in North Macedonia, you’ll gain a better understanding of the history and culture.

Free Skopje Walking Tours begin beside Restaurant Pelister and the Czar Samuel Monument in Macedonia Square and visit several Skopje tourist attractions, ending near the mosque below. It was a great tour with a knowledgeable guide and, better yet, we even got free samples of borek from a famous bakery!

The tours run at 10am and either 3pm (Nov-April) or 5pm (May-Oct). The morning tours don’t need a reservation but, for the afternoon tours, reserve by Whatsapping +389 71 385 939.

As the name suggests, the walking tours are FREE but you should give a contribution if you enjoy it; I’d suggest at least €5.

One of the most famous and beautiful mosques in Skopje is Mustafa Pasha beside the Old Bazaar. With classic architecture dating back to the 15th century and beautiful grounds including a rose garden, it’s a lovely place to stop and soak up the culture.

Things to do near Skopje

Once you’ve finished with the city centre, there are a few places not to miss. North Macedonia is a beautiful country with mountains, canyons and lakes. I would suggest…

Getting to Matka Canyon: a cheap and adventurous way is by local bus. I caught bus 60 (€1.50 for a daily travel card which I believe should include the return ride!) from the main bus station around 7am in the August heatwave in an attempt to see the canyon before it was too hot. This turned out to be a great idea because I had it to myself when I arrived!

The only problem? The bus home never showed. Luckily, two other travellers were waiting at the bus stop so we caught a taxi back together. If there’s a group of you, taxi is a good option. Locals say to pay around 500 denar (each way) but our driver wouldn’t go lower than 900 maybe because we looked like tourists or he knew we were stranded and really needed him!

Another other option is an organised day tour: Viator offer a half-day tour inc Vodno Hill or a full-day city tour visiting the top Skopje attractions in the morning and the canyon in the afternoon. These take away the stress of organising things yourself plus they’re a good way to meet other travellers, however I preferred the idea of visiting independently and taking my time.

Finally, you can also rent a car in Skopje and drive to the canyon in 30 minutes. In the summer months, go early before the parking area fills up.

This Byzantine church built in 1164 can be found at the base of Vodno Hill not far from Millennium Cross. Dedicated to the patron saint of physicians, it’s known for the impressive frescos inside that have survived 900 years of weathering, war and other events.

Entry is €2 making it an affordable and cultural attraction near Skopje. Arrive on bus 28, drive or pick a tour to Matka Canyon including Vodno Hill and Panteleimon Monastery.

Foodie things to do in Skopje

FOOD IS LIFE. I always make it a big part of any trip especially if I’m visiting a new country and I want to find out what the national dishes are.

Foodies, get ready to experience Skopje through your tastebuds…

One of the best places to visit in Skopje to try typical Macedonian food is Skopski Merak restaurant in boho Debar Maalo neighbourhood. Although it’s far from the city centre, this was easily one of the best places I ate in Skopje (and 3,000 reviews on Google seem to agree!) so it’s well worth visiting.

The star dish is the Skopski Merak burger (370 denar) of minced meat inside pastry topped with Balkan soft cheese and tomatoes. Well, at least there’s one portion of veg there!

Take a Macedonian wine tour

Although it may not be known as a wine destination worldwide, North Macedonian wine is fantastic following a new wave of winemaking in the late 1990s after the end of communism. If you like red wine, you’re in luck because it’s the speciality. Vranac is the most popular red indigenous grape, while smederevka is a crisp, fresh white.

Kartal Winery is a fantastic place to sample Macedonian wine and learn about its history and production. Drive there or visit as part of a Viator guided trip for €40.

Chateau Kamnik is another popular winery, just a 12-minute drive from the city.

Authentic Middle Eastern food is the cuisine missing from my foodie travel adventures so I was thrilled to try delicious sweet and savoury dishes in the Old Bazaar area. Foodies will certainly think that dessert hopping is a fun thing to do in Skopje! Top dishes to try include…

• Pide – this oval-shaped baked bread is topped with meat or veggie ingredients. I had a great one with cheese, mushrooms and olives
• Tulumba – visually resembling a churro but soaked in a syrup like jalebi, this is one VERY sweet dessert!
• Kunefe – kadayif noodles and unsweetened cheese make up this Turkish dessert resembling sweet spaghetti.
• Firin Sutlac – this ancient Ottoman dish comprises baked sugar and milk, slightly burnt on top for its signature crunch.

I ate the above washed down with Turkish tea at Slatkarnica Ohrid. Another good spot is Slatkarnica Rigara.

Where to go after Skopje?

Once you’ve ticked off the top things to do in Skopje, continue your travels around North Macedonia and the Balkans. I would recommend…

Lake Ohrid

If you visit just one place in North Macedonia other than Skopje, it MUST be Lake Ohrid. I was blown away by this spectacular lake with crystal clear waters in shimmering blue and green.

A couple of days in Ohrid town can be spent swimming in the lake, taking boat trips and watching sunset from the Church of Saint John. There are a few other ruins to see like Samuel’s Fortress (with wonderful lake views) but most people will visit to relax and unwind. After visiting several Balkan cities back-to-back, this was exactly what I wanted!

It’s worth noting this is a local holiday spot so, if you prefer tranquillity, visit during the week. I made the mistake of visiting on not just any weekend but a long weekend. The lakeside beaches were PACKED.

After Skopje, I headed to North Macedonia’s second-biggest city. I wasn’t blown away by Bitola as it’s quite small without loads to do. However, historians may be persuaded by Heraclea Lyncestis, the remains of the 4th-century Greek city with well-preserved mosaics and an amphitheatre.

If you have time to spare, a day is enough in Bitola. There’s another (smaller) bazaar if you didn’t have your fill in Skopje.

Another Balkan country easily accessed from North Macedonia is Bulgaria. The capital of Sofia is a small, pleasant city with a range of religious buildings (including the famous St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral), tasty food, cheap prices and lively nightlife. I really enjoyed my 2 days in Sofia and would highly recommend a visit!

There are great day trips including hiking Rila Lakes and visiting colourful Rila Monastery full of colourful frescos.

From Skopje, catch a bus to Sofia taking 3 hours and costing less than €20.

FAQS

Now you know what to do in Skopje but I’m sure you still have questions about planning your trip. Hopefully these answers help…

What is the currency of North Macedonia?

Is Skope safe (including for solo female travellers)?

in a word, yes. I felt very safe in Skopje as a solo traveller even when walking home in the evenings.

Is Skopje worth visiting?