Skopje, the capital city of North Macedonia, is a place where history and modernity collide. It's a city of contrasts, where old-world charm meets contemporary vibrancy, and where cultural experiences and outdoor adventures abound.
From the narrow streets of the Old Bazaar to the stunning views from the top of Vodno Mountain at Millennium Cross, Skopje is a city that rarely gets any attention in the travel world, but this city is so full of hidden gems, you might be surprised how much you enjoy exploring Skopje.
Within this guide, you will find all the information you need to help plan the perfect trip to Skopje. We will take you around the city, visit the best tourist attractions this city has to offer and learn why the city is sometimes referred to as the city of statues. Without further ado, here are the 12 best things to do in Skopje for solo travelers:
- Skopje Itinerary Map
- Where to Stay in Skopje?
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12 Best Things to Do in Skopje
- Stroll Around Skopje's Old Bazaar
- Visit Mustafa Paลกa Mosque
- Check Out the Views from Skopje Fortress
- Learn the History of North Macedonia at Museums in Skopje
- Check Out the Statues of The Bridge of Civilisations
- Walk the Stone Bridge
- Hang Out at Square Macedonia
- Admire the Beauty of Macedonia Gate
- Learn the History of Mother Teresa at the Memorial House of Mother Teresa Museum
- Admire the Beauty of the Macedonian Church St. Clement of Ohrid
- Track Down Old Brutalist Buildings
- Check Out the View from Millennium Cross
- More Skopje Activities
- Further Reading for North Macedonia
Skopje Itinerary Map
12 Best Things to Do in Skopje
1. Stroll Around Skopje's Old Bazaar
To start off our exploration in Skopje, we are going to begin at Skopje's Old Bazaar, a bustling marketplace that has been a fixture of the city for centuries since the Ottoman times. The market is located right in the heart of Skopje's city center, across the Vardar River, which makes for a great place to begin our journey as we make our way across the city.
Back in the Ottoman era, Skopje was one of the most important trading hubs on the Balkan Peninsula and the Old Bazaar stood as a reminder of how prosperous the city was back in its heyday. Over time, the marketplace grew to become the thriving commercial center you see today, with merchants and craftsmen from all over the region converging on Skopje to sell their wares.
What I love most about the Old Bazaar is the vibrant mix of old and new, with traditional shops housed in these old Ottoman-era houses selling crafts and souvenirs alongside trendy boutiques and modern cafes creating a lively space for both locals and travelers to hang out.
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You can spend hours, wandering through the maze of narrow streets and alleyways that crisscrosses the market, browsing through shops selling everything from spices to handmade rugs to antique jewelry.
You will also find plenty of restaurants and cafes you can enjoy which makes for a great place to take a break, have lunch, or have a cup of coffee in between your exploration of Skopje.
The market is most active from 8 AM to midnight and you will find a ton of locals, hanging out, and strolling around the bazaar here which makes for a great place to go people-watching or do some street photography. If you are looking for a great place to start your exploration of Skopje, the Old Bazaar is the place to be.
While you are exploring the Old Town, be sure to drop by and check out Kurลกumli An, an abandoned caravanserai which is an ancient roadside inn where travelers (caravaners) could rest and recover from the day's journey. Caravanserais supported the flow of commerce in ancient times and you can often find these inns all over the ancient Silk Road.
In fact, I saw a few of them in Azerbaijan and Central Asia which is more than 2000+ km (1200+ miles) apart with a few of them you can stay overnight. Unfortunately, this one is abandoned and closed off but you can take a peek inside the gate to see what it looks like..
Where to Stay in Skopje?
2. Visit Mustafa Paลกa Mosque
Located on the hillside overlooking the Old Bazaar, you will find Mustafa Paลกa Mosque, one of the most prominent structures in Skopje's Old Town known for its impressively well-preserved condition that is mostly intact since it was constructed in the 15th Century.
The mosque is known for its beautiful interior with stunning Islamic patterns and decors, similar to mosques in Turkey which goes to show just how much influences the Ottomans had on this city.
The mosque also boasts a quiet and peaceful garden that offers an incredible view over Skopje's old town from above. It is a great place to stop as you explore the Old Town and make your way up to Skopje Fortress which is where we will be heading next.
3. Check Out the Views from Skopje Fortress
After you are done at Mustafa Paลกa Mosque, continue walking up the street and make your way to Skopje Fortress, a historic citadel perched on the hill you just climb overlooking the city that has stood watch over the capital of North Macedonia for centuries.
Built in the 6th century AD during the rule of Justinian I of the Byzantine Empire and the fortress has been occupied by several different empires and played a pivotal role in the region's turbulent history, including the Bulgarian and Serbian Empires as well as the Ottomans.
Out of all the places I visited in this city, Skopje Fortress is one of my favorites with its abundance of walking trails that goes around the castle's vast courtyard and along the castle's ancient walls while offering us an incredible vantage point for sweeping panoramic views of the city below.
You can spend hours just wandering through the fortress's courtyards and ramparts, admiring its impressive towers and gates, and learn about its fascinating history through informative displays and exhibits often held in buildings inside the castle.
It is also a great place to visit during sunset and witness the magical hour over the city of Skopje so be sure to align your time carefully if you wish to hike to the castle for sunset. It should take about 20 minutes to walk from the Old Bazaar to the fortress. The fortress is open from 9 AM to 7 PM every day and it is free to enter.
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
Looking to save some costs on your travel? Why not join a shared group tour from Skopje? Here are some activities you might be interested in:
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
4. Learn the History of North Macedonia at Museums in Skopje
Now, if you are interested in the history of Skopje and North Macedonia, there are a slew of museums you can check out in Skopje that will provide you with a glimpse of forgotten history that is rarely taught outside of the country.
For a museum about the Macedonian revolution for independence in 1991, I highly recommend you check out the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle, a museum dedicated to preserving the struggle for independence that the country had to go through to become what they are today. Inside you will find exhibitions showcasing scenes and artifacts during that period that you can learn more about.
For those who are interested to learn more about the story of the Jewish Macedonian people during the Holocaust, how the Bulgarian Empire, allied with Hitler's Germany deported the Jews living here to the infamous Treblinka extermination camp, the Macedonian Holocaust Museum located across the road from the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle is a great place to check out.
Other museums like the Archaeological Museum of the Republic of Macedonia and Museum of the Republic of Macedonia are also worth a visit as well if you are interested to learn more about the less gloomy history of North Macedonia so for history buffs out there, be sure to check some of these museums out while you are in Skopje.
5. Check Out the Statues of The Bridge of Civilisations
Did you know that Skopje is often referred to as the "city of statues"? For reasons that bewildered even the locals living here, the government decided to ramp up its economy during the 2008 economic crisis by spending around 80 - 500 million euros to improve the "aesthetic" of the city by launching Skopje 2014 campaign that includes massive construction megaprojects to uplift the city and its image.
Included in these projects are the erection of over 400 statues across the city, turning Skopje into a veritable open-air museum full of these statues that mimic the statues of the Renaissance in their apperances but not the soul.
Despite its wastefulness of the project, it does create a unique identity and image for Skopje that attracts curious travelers like us to visit the capital city and see these statues, there is no better place to be than at the Bridge of Civilisations, a modern bridge decorated with several statues, all lined up along both sides of the bridge, connecting the 2 sides of the old and new part of Skopje together.
It is a pretty mesmerizing place to walk around and take photos of these statues with the incredibly massive building of the Archaeological Museum of the Republic of Macedonia, one of the results of the Skopje 2014 campaign, in the background, so be sure to drop by here when you can.
6. Walk the Stone Bridge
Another bridge that connects the old town and new town together is the Stone Bridge, an older bridge that was originally built way back in the 6th Century and had since been renovated and rebuilt several times over throughout history.
The bridge is lined with street vendors selling traditional crafts and souvenirs as it spans across the Vardar River, which becomes extremely lively at night with the Stone Bridge illuminated by colorful lights, casting a romantic and enchanting atmosphere over the city.
The bridge also offers an incredible view of the river and the surrounding mountains as well as a direct sight of the gargantuan statue of Alexandar, the Great located in the middle of Square Macedonia which we will be visiting next.
7. Hang Out at Square Macedonia
Square Macedonia is a vast public space that serves as the city's central gathering place and right at the center, you will find a giant statue of Alexandar, the Great, the biggest statue in the city standing over 22 meters (72 feet), towering all the surrounding buildings in the square.
The statue is a point of pride in Skopje but also a point of debate that fueled the ongoing conflict between Greece and North Macedonia and its claim over the name Macedonia which is historically located somewhere in the northern part of modern-day Greece.
Despite the politics, the square remains one of the most impressive sights of the city as the square is also surrounded by some of Skopje's most impressive architecture that was part of the Skopje 2014 campaign to uplift the city's aesthetic.
At Square Macedonia, you will also find plenty of restaurants and cafes you can enjoy making it great for lunch or dinner. At night, the square is especially lively with people coming out in droves, hanging out around the square, and enjoying each other's company while the street performers keep us entertained throughout the night.
It is one of the liveliest places you will find in Skopje so be sure to drop by Square Macedonia after sunset and enjoy all the perks the square has to offer.
8. Admire the Beauty of Macedonia Gate
As we crossed the Vardar River and explore the modern part of Skopje, you are going to stumble upon the Macedonia Gate, a triumphal arc built in 2011 to commemorate the country's 20th anniversary of independence from Yugoslavia.
The structure stands at a height of 21 meters (69 feet) and is made of white marble and glass, featuring a number of decorative elements, including carvings of historical figures and events, as well as Macedonian motifs and symbols.
At night, the Macedonia Gate is illuminated by colored lights, creating a stunning visual display that can be seen from all over the city so be sure to drop by Macedonia Gate after sunset.
9. Learn the History of Mother Teresa at the Memorial House of Mother Teresa Museum
Fun fact, Mother Teresa, the nun who became a saint and received a Nobel prize for her effort to help the poorest of the poor, once saying that they "lived like animals but die like angels", was born and raised in modern Skopje in North Macedonia which was once a part of the Ottoman Empire.
With such a deep root in this city, the house where Mother Teresa was born and raised has been converted into the Memorial House of Mother Teresa Museum, dedicated to the life and work of Mother Teresa, featuring a collection of photographs, personal items, and memorabilia related to Mother Teresa's life and work, as well as a reconstruction of her childhood home.
In addition to its historical significance, the Memorial House of Mother Teresa is also a place of pilgrimage for those who admire Mother Teresa and her selfless devotion to helping others. The museum attracts thousands of visitors each year, many of whom come to pay their respects to the beloved humanitarian.
The museum is open from 9 AM to 8 PM every day and the entrance is free. If you want to learn more about Mother Teresa and her devotion to helping people, be sure to drop by and check out the museum.
10. Admire the Beauty of the Macedonian Church St. Clement of Ohrid
Not too far from Skopje's city center, you will find the Macedonian Church St. Clement of Ohrid, one of the most unique-looking churches in the city featuring a modernist design with a massive domed roof at the center and 4 domed roofs covering the corners of the building.
The church was built in 1970 and is dedicated to St. Clement of Ohrid, a medieval Bulgarian saint who is considered the founder of the Macedonian Orthodox Church.
Inside, you will find colorful and impressive frescoes covering the entire domed ceiling as well as every single inch of its walls. It is one of the most impressive churches I've seen in North Macedonia and it will truly take your breath away the moment you walk inside its domed central hall.
The church is also home to a museum that houses a collection of religious artifacts and artifacts related to the history of the Macedonian Orthodox Church so be sure to drop by here while you explore the modern part of Skopje. It is open from 8 AM to 8 PM every day and the entrance fee to the church is free.
11. Track Down Old Brutalist Buildings
Now that you have been walking around Skopje for a while, you have probably noticed some really cool-looking modern architecture, but what really impresses me about Skopje is not these over-the-top buildings but the Brutalist buildings you often find scattered throughout the city.
Buildings like Skopje's Post Office, the Museum of the Republic of Macedonia, and the lion sculptures that adorned Goce Delchev Bridge are some of the remnants of a bygone era where these grey pieces of concrete were considered trendy and there are a ton more of these Brutalist buildings across the city still waiting for you to discover.
If you love these types of buildings as much as I do, be sure to spend some time and walk around Skopje, tracking down these old buildings, and share what you find in the comments below.
12. Check Out the View from Millennium Cross
If you have time to spare, you can also visit Millennium Cross, a massive monument located on the summit of Vodno Mountain with an incredible vantage point over Skopje and its surrounding areas.
To get there, you are going to have to catch the double-decker bus #25 from this bus stop to get to Sredno Vodno. The bus runs from 8 AM to 4 PM every day except Mondays and it should cost you around 60 MKD for the ticket if you buy it from the driver, and around 35 MKD if you buy it with an app or a card.
Once you arrive at Sredno Vodno, you can catch the cable car from the cable car station for around 100 MKD and it will take you straight to Millennium Cross in about 6 minutes. The cable car is open from 10 AM to 5:30 PM every day except on Mondays so be sure to plan your visit accordingly. You can also go there with an organized tour as part of a bigger trip to visit Matka Canyon, another place you shouldn't miss if you have time to spare in Skopje.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for North Macedonia
- For a complete itinerary in the Balkans, check out: 2 Months Backpacking Balkans Itinerary.
- For a complete itinerary of North Macedonia, check out: 5-Day Backpacking North Macedonia Itinerary.
- Looking for a nice, relaxing lakeside town in North Macedonia? You can't go wrong with Lake Ohrid! Here are the 10 Best Things to Do at Lake Ohrid.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
- To view all the articles about North Macedonia, visit the North Macedonia Travel Guide page.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Balkans Travel Guide, Eastern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, Southern Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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