Let’s be honest, when most people think of a European getaway, North Macedonia isn’t usually the first country that springs to mind but if you’re looking for a destination that’s cheap, unique and a little bit strange, a Skopje city break might just be exactly what you’re after. If you’re thinking of booking a trip to the Balkans, our ultimate Skopje travel guide will point you in the right direction.
Skopje is one of those cities that takes you by surprise. We didn’t know what to expect before we arrived in the capital but we quickly bought into it. If there’s one thing you need to know before you go, it’s that they absolutely love a statue. There’s hundreds of them everywhere! We spent a few days exploring the city centre, getting lost on the way to fortresses and trying to figure out why there’s pirate ships moored in a river a long way away from the Caribbean!
A Little Bit About Skopje
Skopje is the capital of North Macedonia. It has a rich and complex history. Over the centuries it has been ruled by the Romans, the Byzantines and the Ottoman Empire before eventually becoming part of Yugoslavia in the twentieth century. The city finally became the capital of an independent state in 1991.
To really understand Skopje, you need to know about the earthquake. In 1963, a massive earthquake devastated the city and destroyed around eighty percent of the buildings. It was rebuilt by communist Yugoslavia with a very brutalist, grey and Soviet feel. The government decided to recapture some of the city’s former glory and launched Skopje 2014, a controversial project that involved building neoclassical government buildings, putting up ornate bridges and erecting hundreds of monumental statues all over the city. HUNDREDS of statues! The result is a skyline that looks like ancient Rome or Paris but was mostly built in the last fifteen years! We’re not really sure where the pirates fit in though!
The currency is the Macedonian Denar. It’s a very affordable city to visit compared to Western Europe and your money goes a very long way. The locals are friendly and most people speak good English. The weather can get ROASTING in the summer so make sure you pack your suncream and drink plenty of water.
Getting to Skopje
Skopje is served by Skopje International Airport (SKP) which is about twenty kilometres from the city centre. It’s a major hub for low-cost airlines like Wizz Air which makes it very easy and cheap to reach from lots of European airports. There’s no direct flights from Ireland though so we flew through Frankfurt with Lufthansa.
Getting into the city from the airport is straightforward enough. There’s a shuttle bus that drops you off near the main railway station and the major hotels. You can also grab a taxi outside the terminal which is what we did. Taxis in North Macedonia are very cheap but you always need to make sure the driver puts the meter on before you set off so you don’t get overcharged!
If you’re travelling around the Balkans on a wider trip, there’s also good international bus links to neighbouring countries like Serbia, Kosovo and Bulgaria. We always use Omio to check the best bus and train routes when we’re travelling in Europe. It saves a lot of hassle at the stations.
Where to Stay in Skopje
Accommodation in Skopje is so cheap. We actually couldn’t believe how cheap it was. You can get a really lovely four-star hotel right in the middle of the action for a fraction of what you’d pay in cities like Paris or Madrid.
We recommend staying right in the pedestrianised area near Macedonia Square. We booked the Bliss Palace Hotel just across the street from the Cathedral of Emperor Constantine and Empress Helena. The church had been abandoned half-finished for years but they were finally finishing the construction when we visited. It’s a great location for walking everywhere!
Being central is key because almost everything you will want to see is within walking distance. As always, we recommend checking Booking.com to find the best central rates for your dates.
What to Do In Skopje
We had lovely weather for our trip! Even though there’s a good bit to see and do, the city never feels swamped with tourists and there’s a really lovely laid-back vibe to the place. Here’s the highlights from our Skopje itinerary.
Macedonia Square & The Stone Bridge
You have to start your trip in Macedonia Square. It’s the heart of the city and home to the gigantic Warrior on a Horse statue. It sits on top of a massive fountain that lights up at night. It might look like Alexander the Great but the government insists it’s just a generic warrior, mainly because of the long-running political dispute with Greece.
From the square you cross the famous Stone Bridge over the Vardar River. It was originally built by the Ottomans in the fifteenth century and it’s the main pedestrian connection between the newer modern square and the historic older part of the city.
The Old Bazaar
Stepping into the Old Bazaar feels like walking into a different country. It’s one of the oldest and largest marketplaces in the Balkans outside of Istanbul. The labyrinthian (love that word) streets are full of Ottoman architecture, little tea houses, gold shops and the smell of lovely food cooking on open grills.
It’s a brilliant place to wander around, get a bit lost and soak up the atmosphere. It’s also lovely and cool in the shade of the narrow streets.
Skopje Fortress (Kale Fortress)
Sitting up on the highest hill right above the city is the Skopje Fortress, or Kale as it’s known locally. It was originally built back in the sixth century using stones from a ruined Roman city! Getting up there is an adventure in itself, especially if Denis is in charge of the maps.
It’s absolutely worth the effort once you make it to the top though. The views are amazing. You can look right down over the red roofs of the bazaar, the modern skyline and all the way across to the Millennium Cross on top of Mount Vodno in the distance. The fortress is free to wander around and explore.
Mustafa Pasha Mosque
Just a short walk down the hill from the fortress and right on the edge of the bazaar is the Mustafa Pasha Mosque. Built in 1492, it’s the largest and most prominent mosque in Skopje. The architecture is beautiful and the surrounding grounds are very peaceful. There’s a lovely rose garden outside and it’s a perfect spot to take a breather and find some shade after the hike up to the fort!
The Art Bridge & Bridge of Civilisations
Skopje loves bridges as much as it loves statues, so the city planners naturally decided to combine the two. The Art Bridge and the Bridge of Civilisations cross the river right next to each other near the museum quarter.
They’re very ornate, lined with vintage-style street lamps and flanked by LOTS of statues of famous Macedonian artists, musicians and historical figures. You’ll also get a view of the pirate ships (yes, pirate ships) on the river.
Museum of the Macedonian Struggle
This museum was a massive highlight for us and took us completely by surprise. It’s right on the riverbank and tells the story of how North Macedonia fought for its independence. The exhibits take you right from the days of the Ottoman Empire, through the Balkan Wars, into the First and Second World Wars and right through to the end of communist Yugoslavia.
The rooms are huge and packed with hundreds of wax figures, showing scenes of important moments during Macedonia’s history. It was really interesting.
Cathedral of St Clement of Ohrid
This Orthodox cathedral is amazing. It’s so colourful and ornate. The walls and ceilings are covered in beautifully painted frescoes and there’s a gigantic chandelier hanging from the main dome.
It’s a really beautiful piece of architecture and definitely worth poking your head into even if you aren’t usually a fan of churches.
Mother Teresa Memorial House
Did you know Mother Teresa was born in Skopje? Her Memorial House is built right in the city centre very close to the exact spot where she was born. It’s completely free to enter and has a fascinating timeline of her life.
We were delighted to see a display showing her time studying with the Sisters of Loreto in Dublin! It was lovely to find a little Irish connection so far from home. The museum holds some of her personal relics including her sari and a set of rosary beads. Upstairs there’s a tiny, quaint little glass-walled chapel. It’s well worth visiting.
Skopje Zoo
If you want a quiet break from the city centre, Skopje Zoo is only a twenty-minute walk from Macedonia Square. It’s a really cheap zoo and a great spot for a relaxing ramble away from the crowds. They even have a Dino Park attached to it! We had a great time looking around so we actually wrote a separate post about it. You can check out all the details in our Skopje Zoo & Dino Park guide.
East Gate Mall
If you fancy a bit of shopping during your trip, you absolutely have to head over to East Gate Mall. It’s a modern shopping centre and it’s brilliant for a ramble. We were thrilled to find some of our favourite brands that we don’t have at home like DeFacto, New Yorker and LC Waikiki. The best part is that the clothes are unbelievably cheap! We ended up picking up loads of bargains. It’s a great spot to spend a few hours if you want a break from the sightseeing or just need to escape the heat in the air conditioning.
Where to Eat & Drink in Skopje
The food in North Macedonia is so cheap! We also liked most of what we had, especially the kebabs. Because of its location and history, you’ll find Balkan grills and Turkish-influenced dishes, especially in the Old Bazaar.
Our Restaurant Recommendations
We found a few brilliant spots that we really loved. If you want to be right in the middle of the action, you have to try Pelister. It’s located right in Macedonia Square so it’s perfect for people watching. The food is fantastic and it has a really lovely atmosphere.
If you fancy something a bit more casual to go with a pint, we recommend Bad Donkey. It’s a brilliant gastropub with great burgers, craft beers and a good vibe for the evening.
Our Street Food Recommendation
When you’re on the way home after a day rambling around the Old Bazaar and need a quick bite, check out Hamza Doner. Their doner kebabs are unbelievable! It’s exactly what we wanted in the Balkans and it’s so cheap!
@curioustourists You can’t beat a kebab in the Balkans! 🥙 #kebab #macedonia #skopje #travel
Skopje Travel Guide FAQs
Is a Skopje city break expensive?
Not at all. It’s one of the cheapest capital cities in Europe. Food, drinks and hotels are all very affordable. Your holiday budget will stretch much further here than almost anywhere else on the continent.
How many days do you need in Skopje?
Two to three full days is plenty of time to see the main sights, climb to the fortress, visit the museums and spend time getting lost in the Old Bazaar. We’d suggest doing the day trip to see Matka Canyon and the Millennium Cross. We booked a tour on GetYourGuide with Skopje Daily Tours and it was great.
Is Skopje easy to walk around?
The pedestrianised city centre and the Old Bazaar are very flat and very easy to stroll around. The city is compact so you won’t need to rely on public transport to see the main sights. Even getting to the zoo is a handy enough walk.
Do you need cash in North Macedonia?
Yes, it’s very handy to have some cash on you. While the larger hotels, shopping centres and newer restaurants take cards, you’ll definitely need the local Denar. We tend not to use cash at all when we travel now but were surprised that we needed it so much in Skopje.
Is Skopje safe for tourists?
Yes, we found Skopje to be safe and welcoming! We walked back to our hotel late at night and never felt like we should be watching ourselves. The locals are lovely and helpful, so as long as you take the usual common-sense precautions with your belongings, you’ll have a brilliant time.
Why Skopje is Great for a City Break
To be completely honest, Skopje is mad in the best way possible. It’s a city of contrasts. You turn one corner and see a centuries-old Ottoman bazaar full of tea houses, then turn the next and find an abandoned fake pirate ship, a classical arch and a statue of a man who’s definitely not Alexander the Great.
It’s the perfect city break if you’re looking for something totally different from the usual predictable European getaways. It’s a bustling place with a huge amount of history, cheap food and more statues than you could ever possibly count.
We had an absolute ball rambling around the city. Between Denis attracting every stray animal in the country, getting slightly lost looking for fortresses and discovering the fascinating history in the museums, it was an epic trip. If you fancy a proper Balkan adventure that won’t break the bank, Skopje should be right at the top of your list!
