The Ultimate Guide to The Best Things to Do in Skopje

How to Find the Best Things to Do in Skopje

On a recent expedition to the Balkans we decided to try our luck in North Macedonia and visit Skopje, the capital city. Whilst spending time in neighbouring Albania we had learned that there were so many interesting things to do in Skopje. In this guide, we highlight some of the very best things to do in Skopje, where to eat, how long to go for, as well as our useful hints and tips and some local knowledge.

We Visit North Macedonia from Albania

Travelling by minibus, “furgon”, from Saranda, in Southern Albania, we stopped off at Lake Ohrid for the night. Here we enjoyed a peaceful sleep in a converted Monastery overlooking the vast lake before spending the day exploring the town of Ohrid. After a busy day we took our next bus from Ohrid to Skopje. The journey takes around 3 hours, our tickets cost around €9 each and we booked them online with GETBYBUS.

Practical Tip

In the summer the temperatures climb to about 40C in this part of the Balkans and most of the buses don’t have any air conditioning. Bring plenty of water and maybe a mini fan to keep yourself cool on the journey.

Things to Do in Skopje – Macedonia Square

Macedonia Square is right in the heart of Skopje. A wonder through this area is a must when in the city. The first thing of note in the square is how lively it is during the day and into the evenings.

Second, is the contrast between the derelict, concrete structures and the grandeur of the sparkling new buildings surrounding the square and lining the Vardar river.

And third, is the enormous statue of a “Warrior on a Horse” (unofficially Alexander the Great) at the very centre of everything. An unusual place, not to be missed. However, given the scale of it, that is highly unlikely!

Macedonian Gate

You will almost certainly notice this grand entrance when heading to Macedonian Square. This is a huge memorial arch was built as recently as 2012 as part of the Skopje 2014 Project (more on this later). The arch is dedicated to 20 years of Macedonian independence and its outer surface is covered in 193 m² of reliefs carved in marble, depicting scenes from the history of North Macedonia.

Things to Do in Skopje – The Old Bazaar

One of the best things to do in Skopje is to visit the Old Bazaar. This feels like a more authentic place in comparison to the square. Maybe because it dates back to the 12th century. Wander through the old Ottoman streets, maybe stop for an iced frappe in the baking heat, as we certainly did. As we sit, we watch locals and tourists explore the narrow, cobbled streets lined with cafes, shops and restaurants. It smells of barbecued meats, spices, coffee and sweet baklava – perfect!

Anything can be found here, from jewellery to vegetables, without there being any pressure to buy. The small Ottoman era buildings with white facades and red roofs are full of charm and history. This part of town feels so much more authentic than the shining exteriors of the new creations. The heat in the summer is challenging but there are plenty of ice cream shops and cafes to help out. For us, this is one of the best things to do in Skopje.

Things to Do in Skopje – Visit Mustafa Pasha Mosque

The 6th Century Skopje Fortress and Mustafa Pasha’s Mosque are also in this area and worth a visit. We climb up the hill to the Fortress to have a look around and enjoy the panorama over the capital city. With no shade, the scorching heat is too much so we head towards the Mustafa Pasha Mosque, about a 5 minute walk away. We don’t go in, but from the outside we can appreciate the beautiful Ottoman architecture dating back to the 1400s.

Practical Tip

If you would like to go in, ladies, we must cover our hair. From what we were told, scarves are provided at the door.

Ramstore Mall

We couldn’t visit Skopje without perusing one of the malls and after a quick search we find one nearby. Ramstore Mall is central and has a good variety of shops and restaurants. It is also great to get out of the summer sun for a while and we really appreciate the air conditioning!

Before leaving we visit the Supermarket to pick up some local snacks to try on our walk back to the apartment.

When to Visit Skopje

The best time to visit Skopje is between April and June and September and October. The summer – particularly August – can get scorching hot and very dry (over 40°C).

If you visit in the summer months, pack sun screen, keep in the shade and drink plenty of fluids. The spring and autumn months are very pleasant weather wise.

North Macedonia is not yet a busy tourist destination so crowds are not a problem when planning when to visit Skopje. However, you will probably get better deals on flights and accommodation outside of the summer months.

How Long to Stay in the Capital City

If you would like to experience everything that Skopje has to offer, you will probably need 2-3 full days. If you plan on doing a few day trips, we would definitely recommend more like 5 days to a week. There are many amazing things to do in Skopje but it is also perfectly placed for exploring more of the area.

How Expensive is Skopje

Skopje, and North Macedonia in general, is very cheap compared to western countries. A substantial meal will cost between €5 and €10 and accommodation between €10 and €50 per night. It is perfectly possible to do Skopje on a very tight budget.

Is Skopje Safe

Yes! Skopje is a very safe and welcoming city. We found people to be very friendly and helpful and even curious about our visit to their country. There are relatively few tourists in Skopje.

Where to Eat in Skopje

Whilst weaving in and out of the winding, cobbled streets, we found a small BBQ joint called Kosmos Kebabchilnica. It’s set up like a fast food place but the meat is prepared at the counter in front of you. The Cevapi here is really tasty and the portions are generous. This traditional sausage is served with onions and fluffy white bread.

Kolektiv is a really cool restaurant that also does craft beer. It is right on the main square and is great for good food, beer and people watching!

For some traditional food, head to the quieter part of town and try Restaurant „Old House“. It is set in a nice location, the atmosphere is relaxed and the service id friendly.

There are loads of ice crem shops all over the city, any of them will be a good stop on a hot day. Our favourite place for something sweet is Sweets Shop Rigara because they sell great macarons.

For a coffee break, try The Dude. This is a cool wee palce with speciality coffe. Located near the beaitiful woman-warrior Park, it is one of the best things to do in Skopje.

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Things to do in Skopje at Night

There are plenty of bars and restaurants open late in the centre of Skopje. As we just mentioned, we would recommend trying Kolectiv for some craft beers and good food. Nano Bar is really good for music and cocktails. And if you’re out late, try Epicantar to experience the Skopje nightlife.

The Skopje 2014 Project

So what’s’ with the expensive architecture in Skopje’s centre? Further research reveals these extravagant buildings and monuments to be less than 10 years old. These are part of the “Skopje 2014 Project“. The theory behind this was to promote a sense of National pride and identity and to replace some of the buildings lost in the 1963 earthquake.

However, it is clear that the €500 million may have been put to better use. The buildings are clean and grand but lack soul and history, creating a feeling more like a mini Las Vegas. In trying to promote an identity it has come across as a city confused. But perhaps that will be part of its charm in the future?

Things to Do in Skopje – Day Trips

Skopje is a really cool city, with plenty to see. However, if you fancy getting out of the city, and doing a bit of border hopping, take a look at these suggestions.

Skopje to Vranje

The Serbian border is not far from Skopje. A day trip to the small city of Vranje is quite possible (under two hours by bus) and gets you another stamp on your passport. The bus ticket cost us about €4 each way and we bought it from the bus station before boarding. You can drive in around 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Vranje is a quaint town where people go about their daily lives and tourists are an unusual sight. Visiting here is a great insight into modern Serbian life. There is not much in the way of attractions but take time to enjoy the food and soak up the atmosphere with a coffee in one of the many cafes.

Skopje to Nis

If you have more time you might continue by bus to the Serbian city of Nis, or further to Belgrade, for a more cosmopolitan vibe. We were advised to avoid the Preševo Valley region (near the North Macedonian border) as there may still be lingering tensions between Serbs and ethnic Albanians and possibly some unexploded mines in the countryside.

Skopje to Kosovo

Another option is to take the bus from Skopje to Pristina, Kosovo, one of the world’s newest countries. The bus takes around 2 hours, costs under €10 and can be booked online. You can also drive in about an hour and a half.

Pristina is is the capital and largest city of Kosovo. There is plenty to do for a day trip here!

Matka Canyon

This area of striking natural beauty is only about 15km (10miles) away from the city centre making it a perfect day trip from Skopje. You can take bus #60 from the bus station or drive there in about 30 minutes.

Lake Ohrid

This incredible lake is a little further, but if you have a car it is possible to do in a day. With public transport, we would recommend staying overnight. Lake Ohrid is one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe. It is also a place of astounding natural beauty. The serene lake is home to over 200 species of plants and animals unique to the area and is now the most densely biodiverse lake in the world! Because of this, it is sometimes referred to as the European Galapagos.

Why you MUST visit Skopje

With the multiple gambling outlets, faux neo-classical buildings and monuments and with two very distinct halves to the city, Skopje certainly draws parallels with Las Vegas. The complex history of this new country is evident throughout Skopje and the contrasting architecture, lively streets and friendly people make it an intriguing place to visit. I would say we definitely hit the jackpot with this trip.

More Info

• Visit Skopje Tourist Info HERE
• Visit North Macedonian Tourist Info HERE

Where to go next

From Skopje, it is easy to travel to Kosovo or Serbia by bus. Pristina, Kosovo’s capital is only a two hour journey as is the small city of Vranje in Serbia. Both can be done as a day trip or as another stop on your tour. For an amazing day in Priština, check out this fantastic post on JOURNICATION.

ALBANIA also borders North Macedonia and there are travel links to Saranda, in the south, and the capital, TIRANA.

Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.

Have you visited Skopje? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!

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Things to Do in Skopje