All the Best Places To Visit in Skopje in 2024

by Eugenie Tiu Radevska
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best places to visit in Skopje

Skopje might not be as popular as some of the top tourist destinations in the world, but if you ever decide on coming to Macedonia’s capital, you won’t run out of unique things to do. While the article outline focuses on 10 key locations, I’ve expanded the list to 17 to showcase the city’s diverse attractions. Let’s dive into all the best places to visit in Skopje. 

1. Macedonia Square

Macedonia Square in Skopje
The controversial Skopje 2014 project gave the city a neoclassical facelift.

The best place to start your trip in Skopje is Macedonia Square which is the heart of the city. There, you’ll find two important landmarks: the Warrior on a Horse and the Macedonian Gate .

The first landmark is the Warrior on a Horse statue, which is believed to be a symbol of Macedonian history and identity, and is also believed to represent Alexander the Great. The equestrian statue has been subject of controversy due to its historical accuracy (Alexander being Greek vs Macedonian) and cost. 

Macedonian Gate or Porta Macedonia which resembles much like Paris’s Arc de Triomphe is another landmark tourists go to to take a photo of. The structure was built to celebrate 20 years of Macedonian Independence and was constructed as part of the controversial Skopje 2014 project which aimed to give the city a more historical look. 

Museum of the Macedonian Struggle

Museum of the Macedonian Struggle in Skopje
The museum has guided tours available every time I visit them. I didn’t need to book online.

After taking quick shots of the two landmarks, your next best stop is the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle. The museum which opened in September 2011 exhibits a wide range of topics which include Macedonian history, the Ottoman period, the struggle against Bulgarian, Serbian, and Greek Domination, World War II, and the post-war period. 

Once you enter the museum, you can book a guided tour which lasts for about an hour and costs about 100 denars for locals and 300 denars for foreign visitors.

Holocaust Museum

To commemorate Jewish victims of the Holocaust in Macedonia and educate the public about the horrors of the genocide, the Holocaust Museum in Skopje was opened in March 2011. The exhibitions feature the lives of Macedonian Jews during World War II which includes historical documents, testimonies, photographs, and artifacts. 

Unlike many places in Macedonia, the museum is suitable for the mobility impaired, and the audio and video materials make the entire experience more interactive. 

2. Skopje Kale Fortress

Skopje Kale Fortress
If you love taking panoramic views, Skopje Kale Fortress is for free.

Right before you enter the Old Bazaar, you’ll see Skopje Kale Fortress which was established in the 6th century. The Kale was destroyed and rebuilt numerous times due to earthquakes and battles during the Ottoman Empire.

I would not have included Kale as one of the best places to visit in Skopje, but since it’s for free, it may be worth going for people who love sightseeing and taking pictures of panoramic views.

3. Old Bazaar

The Old Bazaar in Skopje
The Old Bazaar is charming and one of the best places to see Ottoman influence in the city.

In my opinion, the Old Bazaar is one of the top three best places to visit in Skopje. It is said to be one of the oldest marketplaces in the Balkans. You’ll find traditional Ottoman-style buildings with numerous shops selling a variety of traditional crafts, textile, and local products. There are also plenty of restaurants and coffee shops – some even specializing in Turkish coffee.

It doesn’t cost anything to go to the Old Bazaar. It’s a charming and a cultural experience that should be a part of your itinerary.

4. Ulica Makedonija (Macedonian Street)

Ulica Makedonija is not one of the typical places with reviews you’ll see listed on Tripadvisor or in Travel Guides. But a lot of locals unwind in some of the bakeries and coffee shops here. Since most of the shops are new and locally owned, it’s a great place to stop by to savor Macedonian delicacies, connect with friends, or enjoy a productive work session.

Old Railway Station

At one end of Ulica Makedonija, you’ll find the Old Railway Station which is now known as the Museum of the City of Skopje. The Railway was built in 1873 but was damaged in the earthquake that hit Skopje in 1963. The clock stopped working at exactly 17:17, the very moment the earthquake struck. 

Entering the museum doesn’t cost any fees, but just like any other museums in Macedonia, it is closed on Sundays and Mondays. 

Memorial House of Mother Teresa

Memorial House of Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa’s family was from Albanian descent, but she was born in Skopje and lived in the city up until she was 18 years old. She later moved to India where she spent a significant part of her life.

On the way to the old railway station, you’ll also find the Memorial House of Mother Teresa. While the building is only the site where the church she was baptized in once stood, you can enter the memorial house to take a quick look at her legacy. The building houses a small chapel, and a collection of photographs and artifacts of the things she used to have while growing up in Skopje. 

The museum is free of charge, and welcomes visitors from 9am to 19:45 during weekdays, and 9am to 14:00 every Saturday and Sundays.

5. Skopje City Park

Skopje City Park
One of the best places in Skopje for families, Skopje City Park is a pure oasis. 

Built during the time of the Ottoman Rule in 1905, Skopje City Park holds the title as the largest park in the country. The park features beautiful lakes, playgrounds, a variety of plants and trees, and a children’s labyrinth. The park encompasses a total area of about 454,413 m².  

Visitors can enjoy walking, jogging, biking, picnicking, and taking a cup of coffee in some of the outdoor coffee shops in the park.

Skopje Zoo

When you’re already in the park, you shouldn’t miss to pay a visit to Skopje Zoo as well. The zoo is home to a variety of species of animals and a recently opened dino park. The place is also family-friendly as it has a number of playgrounds inside the zoo.

Although the zoo strictly prohibits feeding, they’ve recently designated an area where you can feed selected animals. It’s called the Baby Zoo. Ticket prices are not that expensive. The baby zoo costs 20 denars plus the entry ticket. Dino Park costs an extra 50 denars, and a single entry ticket costs 80 denars. The zoo also provides free entry for children under three.

6. Smidgin Distillery

Smidgin Distillery in Skopje
It’s best to join the distillery tour if you’re into gins and cocktails.

The next place is exclusively for adults, and is more enjoyable to participate if you’re into cocktails and gin. Smidgin distillery is a young company established in 2021 but has already received numerous awards and is internationally recognized. It produces small-batch craft gin and offers distillery tours and gin tastings.

Although the distillery is small, the tour can be quite educational even for non-alcoholic drinkers. The guided tour plus cocktail experience costs about 900 denars and lasts for about 45 minutes (this also depends how many questions you ask). If you ever decide to try, you need to book a reservation in advance. 

7. Debar Maalo Area (Bohemian Street)

Debar Maalo Map in Skopje
Interestingly enough, you cannot find Debar Maalo in Google Maps. The street called Leninova and the circled area in red is the actual area that’s known as Debar Maalo.

Smidgin Distillery is in Debar Maalo so why not go for a stroll in one of the oldest neighborhoods in Skopje. The street has a great atmosphere and vibe and also  a lot of restaurants and coffee shops and a lot of locals go to these places to chill and eat.

Some of the highly-rated restaurants include Skopski Merak, Nadzak Restaurant, and Gostilnica Cardak. They mainly serve traditional Macedonian food. There is also Matto Napoletano which was awarded as one of the top 100 pizzerias in the world.

I attempted to go to Skopski Merak once but parking in Debar Maalo is very problematic, so we went to Gostilnica Cardak instead, and I really enjoyed the food and the vibe. I highly recommend Gostilnica Cardak. 

8. Matka Canyon

Matka Canyon near Skopje
Matka Canyon is one of the best places to visit near Skopje. There are caves to go to which can be cold even in summers so make sure to pack a jacket when you book a guided tour.

Of course, you shouldn’t miss the best place to visit near Skopje, which is Matka Canyon. Matka features a stunning canyon surrounded by greenery and is usually visited by tourists all-year round. You can hike, kayak, fish, and enter caves in Matka with or without a guide.

Booking a guide makes the experience more wholesome because they can provide an in-depth knowledge about the area. If you book a guided tour though, it takes four hours from pick up to return. Make sure to include Matka Canyon part of your itinerary or your trip to Skopje will be incomplete. 

9. Chateau Kamnik

Established in 2004, Chateau Kamnik boasts 13 hectares of vineyards and offers a selection of products that are currently available in one of London’s Michelin star restaurants, Hide. Kamnik wines have also won numerous awards in Italy, France, and Germany.

The guided tour lasts for about an hour and comes with wine tasting and charcuterie board per person. As of August 2024, the entire experience costs about 1500 per person. It’s a bit too expensive in my opinion, especially because it’s not the best winery I’ve seen in Macedonia, but it’s definitely worth going at least once for the experience.

Kamnik Shooting Range

Not many people know that outside Chateau Kamnik, there’s an indoor and outdoor shooting range in the area. It is highly-rated in Google reviews, and I think it might be worth visiting when you’re already in the area.

The Hunter’s Lodge

Another one that’s worth mentioning is The Hunter’s Lounge. Judging from all the photos, reviews, and research I’ve done, I think it is one of the most beautiful hotels in Macedonia. Both the hotel and the restaurant are a bit on the expensive side especially because they’re quite far from the city center.

In case you decide to check in though, know that the place is about “getting away” from the stresses of life.

10. Millennium Cross at Mt. Vodno

What’s a better way to get a panoramic view of a city than to be on top of a mountain? You can take a cable car or hike to the top of Mt. Vodno, see the Millenium Cross that is 66 meters tall, and see a panoramic view of Skopje city. The Cross was built to commemorate 2,000 years of Christianity in the country. 

At the top, you’ll find some restaurants and shelters to take a quick break. There are also portable toilets but they’re not known for cleanliness.  A round trip cable car ride costs 120 denars and runs every 30 minutes.

Is Skopje Worth Visiting?

Just like any other tourist destination, Skopje is worth visiting. While it may not have the same global-recognition as Paris, London, or Rome, there are a lot of best places to visit in Skopje that offer a unique cultural experience for those seeking for something beyond the ordinary.

Final Thoughts

If you ever decide to come to Skopje, make sure to book guided tours in advance and not to miss the top three best places to visit in Skopje: The Macedonian Square, the Old Bazaar, and Matka Canyon. There are also newly built shopping malls around the city where you can stop by to buy souvenirs. I hope you’ve found this guide useful! 

Are you planning to visit Skopje soon? Which places do you think you’ll be including in your itinerary? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading!

FAQ: Top Landmarks in Skopje

Is Skopje worth visiting?

Skopje is worth visiting just like any other tourist destination. While it may not have internationally renowned attractions like The Eiffel Tower or the Tower of London, it has its own charm and appeal to people looking for something culturally unique.

Is 2 days enough in Skopje?

For travellers who are active and can visit several places in a day, two days may be hectic but enough to cover the best attractions Skopje has to offer.

Is Skopje tourist friendly?

Skopje is tourist friendly because people can speak English everywhere. For a small city, it doesn’t have any short-distance trains or trams, so you need to travel mostly by cab or by bus.

What is special about Skopje?

Skopje is unique as it houses architectural structures and landmarks that bear significant cultural and historical importance.

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