A Complete Guide to Visiting Skopje in Macedonia

Are you planning a trip to through the Balkans? Well, Skopje in Macedonia is one of the major cities to check out. It's mix of Ottoman and Greek vibes makes it the perfect place to base yourself for exploring some of the highlights of the country, and for stopping in between destinations in the surrounding countries.

We spent a weekend in Skopje, and found it to be the perfect amount of time to enjoy the city center, and the beautiful nature surrounding the Macedonian capital.

In this guide we're going to cover a little bit of everything, so that you can know all there is to know for your trip. So let's jump right in, and check out all you need to know for visiting Skopje in Macedonia.

📍 Where is Skopje?

Skopje is located in the north central area of Macedonia. The country of Macedonia lies north of Greece, West of Bulgaria, and East of Albania. Kosovo borders Macedonia to the north, and Serbia borders the country of the north east.

Entry Requirements for Macedonia

Before entering a new country, it's important to check the requirements. Here are both the visa and covid requirements for visiting Skopje in Macedonia.

🛂 Visa Entry Requirements for Macedonia

Macedonia allows visa free access to all nationals from the EU, UK, US, and Canada, for a period of up to 90 days. Any time exceeding that, you will need to apply for a visa at your local embassy.

Local Adjustments for Visiting Skopje in Macedonia

Whenever you are traveling somewhere new, there may be some things that you may forget about, which could differ from where you are coming from. Here are the local adjustments to keep in mind while visiting Skopje in Macedonia.

🗣 What Language is Spoken in Skopje?

The official language in Macedonia is Macedonian. It is very similar to the other Slavic languages in surrounding countries such as Croatia or Serbia.

The Macedonians use an adaptation of the Cyrillic script, so signs can be quite hard to read for those not familiar with this alphabet. Being that Skopje is the capital though, there are plenty of people that do speak English.

💶 What is the Currency in Skopje?

The currency used in Macedonia is the Macedonian Denar. Currently (October 2024) 1 USD is equal to 56 Denar, and and 1 euro is equal to 61.5 Denar.

Most hotels and restaurants actually only use cash, as well as street vendors. You'll need to make sure to withdraw plenty of cash, as it is what you'll be mostly using throughout the area.

🔌 What Plug Do I Need for Macedonia?

Macedonia uses the same outlets as the rest of Europe, which are for plug types C & F. The standard voltage in Macedonia is 230 V with a standard frequency of 50 Hz.

If you are from the US make sure to get an energy converter (not just an adapter), so that your electronics won't burn out.

🚰 Can You Drink Tap Water in Skopje?

Skopje has potable water, so you can drink from the tap or fountains in the city. We suggest bringing a reusable water bottle so that you can fill up and stay hydrated while exploring.

💸 Is Tipping Expected in Macedonia?

Unlike most other European countries, Macedonia actually doesn't have a real tipping culture. Some people don't leave anything at all, while others will leave 100 or 200 Denar for really good service.

It isn't typical to leave a tip anywhere except restaurants and bars. If you are particularly satisfied with the service you can leave up to 10%. 

Things to Do in Skopje, Macedonia

Now that you know the basics of visiting Skopje in Macedonia, let's get into the fun stuff! Here are the highlights of the city, and the best things to do in Skopje and around it.

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❣️ Enter the Old Town Via Macedonia Gate

The city center of Skopje is rather small, and all of the top things to do in the Skopje are actually right inside the city gates. There is actually a beautiful arched gate that marks the entrance to the old town, and it truly will give you those Western European vibes.

🚶🏻‍♀️ Walk Around Macedonia Square

As soon as you enter the Macedonia Gate, you will find yourself in a large square. This is Macedonia Square, which is the heart of the city of Skopje, and the largest square in the country. Is it anchored by a large fountain in the middle, and has shops, restaurants, and business buildings surrounding it.

This is a great place to start exploring all of the best things to do in Skopje, and a great meeting point for both locals and tourists.

🛍 Browse the Old Bazaar

The old bazaar of Skopje is truly one of the highlights of the city. On one side of the river, there are some serious Greek vibes, but once you cross the Bridge "Goce Delčev“, you will feel like you teleported to Turkey.

The bazaar has an Ottoman flair, and is full of cute winding alleyways full of shopping options. From small souvenir shops, to rows of wedding dress shops, there is so much to see in the Old Bazaar.

Also- did you know that many large brands like Lacoste and Adidas actually manufacture their clothing in Macedonia for super cheap and then slap on their label and hike up the price? Well, you can find some seriously good fashion in Skopje, and for some insanely cheap prices.

🏰 Explore the Kale Fortress

Another one of the top things to do in Skopje is to visit the fortress. Sitting just next to the Old Bazaar, the Kale dates back to the 6th century, and is the highest point of the city, overlooking the Vadar River.

🏛 Walk Along the Skopje Bridge of Civilizations to the Museum of Archaeology

In our opinion, this is the most beautiful part of the city center, and one of our favorite areas of Skopje in Macedonia. The bridge is covered with lanterns, statues, and marble. It leads you to the Museum of Archeology, a building that makes you feel like you're in a Greek fairytale.

🌁 Admire the Stone Bridge

Another one of the main bridges that connect one area of the city to the other is the Stone Bridge. This one is unique because it is 500 years old, and it connects the Old Bazaar on one side of the Vodna River, with Macedonia square on the other.

🎨 Stroll Along the Skopje Art Bridge

Another gorgeous bridge to check out is the beautiful art bridge. Similar to the Bridge of Civilizations, it is full of statues, lanterns, and some gorgeous architecture.

🇲🇰 Stop by the Government of the Republic of Macedonia

While we're mentioning beautiful architecture, another beautiful building to witness is the government of the Republic of Macedonia.

The giant white building is characterized by a triangular roof, tall marble pillars, and over a dozen flag posts. You can't visit inside or anything, but it is definitely a place to admire from the outside.

⛲️ Admire the Beautiful Architecture

Skopje has tons of amazing architecture, and one of the things that we loved was simply walking around and checking out the beautiful statues, fountains, and buildings.

So we definitely suggest wandering around and just enjoying the beautiful hidden gems that are scattered around the city.

Want to take a city tour to learn all about what everything is exactly? Here are a few that you can sign up for:

🚡 Take the Cable Car to Vodno

If you're in the center of Skopje one of the the things you can't miss is the giant cross sitting at the top of a mountain outside the city.

The mountain is 1,066 meters high, and can actually be reached by cable car, where you can admire beautiful views of Skopje down below.

🏞 Take a Day Trip to Matka Canyon

Now that you know the best things to do in Skopje, here's one of our favorite things to do in all of Macedonia. Matka Canyon is situated just a half hour south west of the city, and offers enough things to really enjoy an entire day outside of the city.

The most popular area to visit of Matka Canyon has a boardwalk going along the side of the canyon, where you can find maya rentals, boat trips, and even a restaurant hanging over the water of the canyon.

Matka canyon offers plenty of hiking trails, and a large area where families set up picnics and spend the day in the super cold waters to cool off from the summer heat.

There are plenty of kiosks and restaurants lining the canyon, making it a super fun place, and the best day trip from Skopje in Macedonia.

Want to take an organized tour to Matka Canyon? Here are a few different options:

Local Food & Drink in Skopje

Macedonia has an interesting cuisine that is a blend of flavors from Greece and the Balkan countries. Dishes are often full of tasty meats, thick and soft breads, and different types of cheeses. We'll be honest, we couldn't read most of the menus, so we just asked for recommendations, are were truly never disappointed.

Our favorite restaurant in Skopje is along the water, and called Senigallia. It is located right in the center, and is part of a boat that is also a hotel! The food was extremely delicious, the service fabulous, and the views incredible.

Where to Stay in Skopje

We ended up staying at a friends house in Skopje, and had a car, so where we stayed was absolutely perfect. However, we do think that the best area to stay in Skopje is waking distance from the old town, as all of the best things to do in Skopje are located in the same area. 

There is one accommodation in particular that we found which was super fun, and highly recommend. As we already had accommodation, we opted to have dinner here instead (which was also incredible).

Senigallia is actually a ship that is a hotel and restaurant, and is docked right along the river running through the center of Skopje. The staff are incredibly attentive and friendly, and it's truly unique place to stay.

Want to find a different accommodation in the same area? Simply check the map below:

Is is Safe to Travel to Skopje in Macedonia?

Overall, we did feel pretty safe in Skopje. Unfortunately, our experience didn't really reflect that though.

We parked in a private lot in the dead center of Skopje (the one next to the Holiday Inn), and despite paying for a private lot, and only being gone from the car for an hour for dinner (it was still light out), the window to our car got smashed and our belongings got stolen from the trunk.

The police weren't as helpful as we were hoping, and they told us that this is common, especially for that lot. While we don't think Macedonia as a whole is super unsafe, unfortunately there are bad people everywhere. We definitely suggest being extra cautious with your belongings, and while walking around at night.

Other Things to Know About Visiting Skopje in Macedonia

Now that you know almost everything there is to know about visiting Skopje in Macedonia, we have just a few final details to share.

☀️ Weather in Skopje

Skopje experiences all four seasons, with cold winters, hot summers, and pleasantly warm and mild weather in the spring and fall months.

📆 The Best Time to Visit Skopje in Macedonia

We definitely think the city itself is best to explore in the spring or fall. The temperatures are more mild, and has a bit more life to it.

When we visited in summer, we noticed that many locals had actually fled to neighboring countries or even to Lake Ohrid to relax by the water.

If you do happen to visit in the summer time though, you can find beautiful sunflower fields off of the side of the highway just outside the city.

🧳 Packing for a Trip to Skopje in Macedonia

As we love exploring Skopje on foot, we definitely think having a comfortable pair of shoes is key. You'll also want to have a reusable water bottle to fill up and stay hydrated while walking around, and a backpack or bag that zips fully.

• Reusable Water Bottle (we use this water bottle from Cafago because it holds the temperature)
• Comfortable shoes for exploring the city 
• Trendy clothing to wear out at night
• Bathing suit for Matka Canyon
• Zippered Bag or Backpack - take a look at these backpacks for travelers!
• Power Bank (we use Anker power banks, as they are super long lasting and sturdy)
• Travel Adapter (we use Insignia travel adapters as they are affordable and reliable)
• Camera (we use the Sony A7Riii)
• Standard Lens (we use the Sony GM 24-70)
• Wide Lens to capture great panoramas of the buildings (we use the Sony GM 14 F1.8)

🤔 Is Skopje Worth Visiting?

Like most countries, we certainly think the capital city of Skopje is worth visiting. Since it isn't so big though, you could definitely just dedicate a day trip or a weekend to visiting Skopje.

⏳ How Long Should I Spend in Skopje, Macedonia?

You can easily see the entire city of Skopje in just 1 full day. However, we'd definitely recommend spending a full weekend so that you can enjoy a day trip to Matka Canyon, as well as the cable car to Vodno.

Skopje in Macedonia is the perfect place to stop for a couple of days, and a great place to start your trip around the Balkans. We suggest 1 day to see the city (or even a half day), and a full day to experience Matka Canyon, with a stop in Vodno.

Want to check out other fun places in Macedonia or the surrounding countries? We have new articles every week for all different places in Eastern Europe.

Ready to start booking your trip? We can help! After 3 months of road tripping the Balkans, we can help you save both money and time with our customizable travel planning services. Want to learn more? Take a look at some of the travel planning packages we offer.

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