Skopje Travelers Recommend

With two days to experience Macedonia’s energetic capital, combine city sightseeing with trips into the countryside. You’ll walk winding streets in the Old Bazaar, sip Macedonian wine, sample local cuisine, visit Skopje landmarks, and check out a scenic canyon outside the city. Use these tips to make the most of your time.

Day 1: Skopje Sightseeing and Wine

Morning: Make your way to the Old Bazaar, a maze of shops and landmarks that’s best explored on foot. Take your time to browse for souvenirs, or join a tour to learn about local history, pausing to visit Mustafa Pasha Mosque, the clock tower, centuries-old Turkish baths, and more.

Afternoon: Choose from the many restaurants in the Old Bazaar for a leisurely lunch, then discover the unique flavors of Macedonian wine. Options include wine tastings in the city and guided vineyard tours that go straight to the source—don’t miss out on some of the unique local grape varieties, such as vranec.

Night: Skopje nightlife goes from laid-back jazz clubs to all-night parties, but for a taste of traditional culture, head straight for a kafana. In these traditional taverns you’ll find classic Macedonian foods, a welcoming atmosphere, and folk music on weekend nights; visit the Debar Maalo neighborhood to find a wide selection.

Day 2: From Macedonian History to the Countryside

Morning: Pick a Skopje history museum and peer into Macedonia’s past, whether you’re browsing the Museum of Natural History, the Archeological Museum of Macedonia, or the Museum of Skopje. At the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle, learn about Macedonia’s long fight for independence.

Afternoon: When locals want to escape the city, they head for scenic Matka Canyon, where you’ll find a lake just half an hour from downtown. By joining a half-day tour to the canyon, you’ll add a few other landmarks to your excursion, including the Millennium Cross.

Night: With your final night in Macedonia, focus on food. Dine at a local restaurant, or get hands-on at a cooking class where you’ll learn how to bring classic Macedonian flavors back to your home kitchen.

Stone monuments are larger than life in Skopje, and a closer look at this city reveals ancient history, colorful cuisine, and energetic nightlife. If you have one day in Skopje, set out on foot to explore essential sites, then meet some locals over traditional delicacies or a glass of Macedonian wine. Here’s how to plan your trip.

Morning: Explore Skopje’s History

Start the day at a traditional Skopje café, sipping a tiny glass of the Turkish-style coffee that’s beloved in Macedonia. Next, meet up with a guide for a walking tour of the city’s key sights, from the fountains of Macedonia Square to winding streets in the Old Bazaar. Along the way, cross the impressive Stone Bridge, learn about a local saint at Memorial House of Mother Teresa, and check out city views from Mustafa Pasha Mosque. Some walking tours also include the Byzantine Kale Fortress, whose ruined stone ramparts perch high above the city center.

Afternoon: Visit a Museum

Dive deeper into the aspects of Skopje that interest you most, whether you’re all about art, intrigued by history, or want to delve into the Holocaust’s legacy. Creative travelers shouldn’t miss the National Gallery of Macedonia, which houses its collection in a 15th-century Turkish bath. The Archeological Museum of Macedonia displays artifacts that date back to the Bronze Age. And, both moving and informative, the Holocaust Memorial Center uses multimedia exhibits to tell the story of the Balkan Jewish community from ancient times through the 20th century.

Evening: Taste Macedonian Culture

Now that you’ve covered history, return to the present day for a delicious tour of Macedonian flavors. If you want an evening of food and drink, options range from cooking classes to folkloric shows featuring traditional music and dance. Since Macedonia’s been a cultural crossroads for thousands of years, you’ll find dishes that blend a range of traditions. Look for moussaka, a rich dish of baked meat and vegetables;sarma, cabbage rolls stuffed with rice; and ajvar, a flavorful red pepper spread. Wine lovers should try some of Macedonia’s distinctive wines: The most famous grape is vranec, but you’ll also see zilavka, grasevina, and rkatsiteli.

If you have three days in Skopje, combine the best of the city with a trip that goes farther afield. After getting the basics of Macedonian history and culture, hit the road for the gorgeous Ohrid region, where medieval churches line a picturesque lake. Add some food, wine, and modern art for the perfect 3-day trip. Here’s how to plan.

Day 1: City Sightseeing and Traditional Culture

Since Skopje’s historic center is packed with sights, you can cover key spots in a day of exploring; guided tours offer a window into the deeply layered history here. Along the typical route, you’ll see the winding streets of the Old Bazaar, which is packed with souvenir shops, mosques, and Ottoman-era baths. Then, cross over the landmark Stone Bridge into Macedonia Square. Other highlights include the hilltop Kale Fortress, the Memorial House of Mother Teresa, and the Warrior on a Horse statue. In the evening, keep the energy high with a trip to one of Skopje’s traditional restaurants, dining on hearty Macedonian fare. Some taverns, known as kafanas, also feature singers and dancers, which can turn a simple meal into a fun night on the town.

Day 2: Ohrid Region Day Trip

The waters of Lake Ohrid make a scenic backdrop for this area’s historic churches and fishing villages, making Ohrid among the best day trips from Skopje. To cover as much ground as possible, consider a guided tour to minimize time spent in transit. While options vary, popular stops include Tsar Samuel’s Fortress, Saint Sophia church, the National Ohrid Museum, and the Byzantine artwork on display in the Icon Gallery.

With narrow, cobblestone streets and traditional architecture, the lakeside town of Ohrid is another highlight: Stroll the Old Quarter to find charming cafés, souvenir shops, and hundreds of churches. From there, make your way to one of Ohrid’s beaches, which are ideal for enjoying a sunset drink before returning to Skopje.

Day 3: Food, Drink, and Art

With your final day in Skopje, delve into the city’s creative cuisine and artwork, starting with a tiny cup of Turkish-style coffee at an old fashioned café. Next, choose a Skopje art museum—options range from classic to contemporary. You’ll find cutting-edge works at the Contemporary Art Museum of Macedonia near the Old Bazaar, while the National Gallery of Macedonia has paintings, icons, and abstract art housed in Chifte Hamam, a 15th-century bathhouse. After the museum, check out some local galleries. Their frequently changing exhibits keep a fresh perspective on local art, and favorites include the Acanthus Gallery and the Gral Gallery. In the afternoon and evening, focus on food and drink, whether you’re visiting local bakeries for savory pastries, taking a cooking class, joining a gourmet walking tour, attending a wine tasting, or securing tickets for a dinner show.