The Balkans are by far one of my favorite regions of the world. This southeastern part of Europe is so unique and so interesting—so I was thrilled to be able to go back there this summer! My first stop was Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. This place is weird and quirky and unlike anywhere else I’ve ever been. A lot of people skip over Skopje in favor of Ohrid or other places in the Balkans, because it’s “boring” and there’s not that much to do. But I think they’re wrong—I happily could have had longer in Skopje! Here’s what you should do on a trip to Skopje, the funky capital of North Macedonia!

What to See in Skopje

Skopje underwent a very controversial building project in 2014 to make the city center look gorgeous with impressive and fancy buildings and bridges. It cost €2.5 million, a huge proportion of the country’s income! There were actually big protests against some of the constructions, resulting in leftover paint stains. But here is what all you should see in Skopje!

The Bridges

Crossing the Vardar River, Skopje has some pretty amazing bridges to see. Definitely visit the bridges and make sure to give yourself time to stroll around them. The Stone Bridge is the oldest, which dates back to the 15^th-century. It was nearly demolished by Nazis in 1944, but luckily they gave up last minute.

The Bridge of Civilization has statues of historic figures lining the bridge. My favorite of the bridges was the Art Bridge. These look amazing lit up at night, with so many lights surrounding the statues! Also check out the Freedom Bridge, which more or less marks the beginning of the city center. By far my favorite thing to do in Skopje was just walking along the river and admiring all the bridges!

The Statues

You can’t visit Skopje and not notice it: there are a LOT of statues here! From massive figures to funky sculptures, you will see loads of statues in Skopje. There are two main statues to make sure to see on a visit to Skopje: the Warrior on the Horse (which is Alexander the Great), and the Founder of Heraclea (which is King Philip II of Macedonia, Alexander the Great’s father). The Stone Bridge is the connection between the two statues. Both statues have been controversial due to Macedonia’s claim of these historical figures (which Greece also claims).

I especially loved the fountain show in the evenings at the Warrior on the Horse!

All the Architecture

So much of Skopje’s city center is grand palace-like buildings. Make sure to give yourself some time to wander around, explore, and take some photos! Besides the bridges and the statues (and the buildings surrounding them), I also loved the Triumphal Arch of Skopje.

Mother Teresa’s House

Mother Teresa was born in North Macedonia in 1910 and you can visit the memorial house while in Skopje! This wasn’t the actual house she was born in (that was destroyed in an earthquake in 1963), but it is located at the site of the church where she was baptized. Mother Teresa was born to an Albanian family but she was born in Skopje! There are exhibits inside as well as a memorial chapel. It’s free to visit.

Old Town/Bazaar

If you want to get a feel for Skopje’s Ottoman influence, head to the city’s Old Town. Winding, narrow streets are full of shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars these days—but you can still feel how it used to be years and years ago. It is a great reminder of just how many cultures found their place in the Balkans!

Skopje Fortress

While the fortress today is mainly a shell, if you’re looking for a good sunset spot in Skopje, look no further. The fortress is free to enter, and you can wander the crumbling ramparts for good views. Note that it’s closed at 7pm—so depending on what time sunset is, you might not be able to make it.

Museums

There are quite a few different museums in Skopje, if you’re looking to get your history on. There’s the Museum of the City of Skopje, which is located in the old railway station (the clock is permanently stopped at the time of the earthquake in 1963). There is also the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle, the Archeological Museum of Macedonia, the Contemporary Art Museum of Macedonia, and the Museum of Macedonia.

Vodno/Millenium Cross

For a birds’ eye view of Skopje, take the bus (number 25) outside of the center to Vodno. From there, you can take the cable car up Vodno Mountain and see the Millenium Cross up close and personal! This is a great half-daytrip to get outside of Skopje’s city center. Note that the cable car doesn’t operate on Mondays.

Matka Canyon

I took a full daytrip to Matka Canyon during my time in Skopje, and can’t recommend it enough! You can get there by bus number 60 from the bus station, which takes about an hour to the canyon. You can go on a boat ride, rent kayaks, do hiking in the mountains, or just walk along the clifftops and enjoy the view! Read my full post on Matka Canyon here!

The Basics

Skopje is the capital of North Macedonia, which is a landlocked country in the Balkans. The population of North Macedonia is just over 2 million, and the city of Skopje has a population of about 545,000 people. North Macedonia changed its name in 2019 due to a long-standing dispute with Greece—it was formerly known as Macedonia, or FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). North Macedonia is not in the European Union, and the official currency is Macedonian denar. The language is Macedonian, which uses the Cyrillic alphabet (although many people, particularly in the tourism industry, speak English).

Getting Around Skopje

Skopje is surprisingly walkable. It only takes about 15 minutes to walk from the main bus/train station, and the center is easy to get around on foot. For half daytrips or daytrips, you can generally take a local city bus. A bus ride costs 35 denari, and you’ll need to load money on a Skopje public transport card (SKOPSKA) first. Some of the buses are red double-deckers, like in the UK! Taxis are also a very affordable way to get around (particularly if you’re traveling with another person or as a group). Lots of locals bike around the city, and the river has nice paths for biking.

Where I Stayed in Skopje

I stayed at Shanti Hostel for two nights in a private double room. This hostel was absolutely fantastic! The location was ideal, very close to the bus station (about a 5-minute walk away), and about 15 minutes away from the center. The staff were really friendly and knew loads about the area. It was great value for money, and included a basic free breakfast. I would definitely stay here again—you can read my full review here!

Planning Your Trip

Skopje is definitely worth a visit if you’re traveling the Balkans! I always find the best deals on flights using Skyscanner. You can search for hostels in Skopje here, or for hotels here! You can also sign up to and book accommodation on Airbnb here. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

Skopje is a funky and quirky city. A lot of people speed through Skopje on the way to Ohrid, or other destinations in the Balkans. But there is a lot to do and see in North Macedonia’s capital, and that definitely merits a few days exploring! This city is weird and I loved it—don’t miss it!

Have you been to Skopje or anywhere else in North Macedonia? What was your experience like?

You might like my other posts on North Macedonia:

Matka Canyon: A Perfect Daytrip From Skopje

A Guide To Exploring Lake Ohrid In North Macedonia

Hostel Review: Shanti Hostel, Skopje

How Much Does it Cost to Travel the Balkans For 2.5 Weeks?

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