Online research would suggest Skopje is not high on bucket lists. Indeed, this is a Balkan destination for the traveller who likes to get a little deeper. Skopje might not be so well known, but it doesn’t make it uninteresting. In fact, North Macedonia’s capital, is filled with surprises. And there are no shortage of things to do in Skopje.
Being one of the cheapest cities in Europe, you’ve got a great long-term travel destination or an affordable European break. And we needed somewhere to explore after a lengthy trip getting here!
So what to do in Skopje, this lesser known capital? Here’s our top 9 things to do in Skopje.
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#1 Project 2014 monuments
Weird. Wonderful. Plentiful. These are some of the words you might describe the plethora of monuments you see around you in Skopje.
You would be forgiven if you thought the ancient Macedonians loved nothing more than building monuments. So you might be surprised to learn that the majority of monuments you see today are actually less than a decade old. In fact, some are even brand new.
In 2008, the Government announced a plan improve the aesthetic nature of Skopje. It was recognised as being quite drab with limited sights to see and things to do. Investment went into hundreds of millions of Euros. Commissioned artists and architects built new buildings, statues and monuments. All with the goal to improve the look and feel of the city. Now I didn’t visit before the project, but it has undoubtedly had an impact on the city’s facade.
At the outset, locals were sceptical of the project. Many also remain aggrieved that the cost blew out some ten times the original budget. Oh, and even in 2019, Project 2014 initiatives still continue to await completion!
I can appreciate what the Government was trying to do. I’m a believer in civic investment that make cities more enjoyable to inhabit and to visit. It’s fair to say there was budget and timeline negligence and it could could have been scaled down. But it has had a positive impact on tourism, giving rise to an industry that didn’t really exist before. So on that measure you’d have to say it has been a winner.
Personal favourites of mine are the ‘Wall Street bull’, Arc de Triomph and the girl diving into the river. If you are a fan of statues and monuments, you’ll love Skopje. There are plenty to admire and there are definitely some odd ones about!
#2 North Macedonia Square
The jewel in the crown of Project 2014, the Square is now a hub of activity. Formerly used as a car park with no real square to speak of, it now is the centrepiece of ‘New Skopje’. A statue called ‘Warrior on a horse’ is the key monument here. Perhaps you recognise the man of the horse? It looks like Alexander the Great.
When this statue was erected, it was indeed opened to honour Alexander. Greece took exception to this and via the EU, Macedonia were encouraged to change its name.
There is ongoing dispute between North Macedonia and Greece over Alexander’s heritage, and the name Macedonia. So much so, there was recently a referendum held to vote on a name change to ‘North Macedonia’. I learnt the passion attached to this on Instagram, making some neutral comments on Instagram about the statue. I saw very quickly the strongly held opinions. It’s a topic close to the hearts of many. Despite 2 years of ancient history at school, I am not well positioned to debate.
[EDIT: In February 2019, Macedonia formally changed its name to North Macedonia. Further reading on the topic is interesting, but I’ll leave it for you to discover.]
The Square itself and its monument (whatever you call it) is a great spot to visit. I’d recommend a visit in the day and evening to see two different sides. By night, enjoy some ice cream as you watch the colours dance in the fountains. By day, enjoy the hustle and bustle of everyday Skopje life.
#3 Free walking tour
Like any good European city, one of the best things to do in Skopje is of course the free walking tour (reward generously with tips!). Our guide, Zoran is a geography teacher who conducts regular walking tours. He’s very knowledgeable, has a bag full of jokes and is a genuinely nice guy to have show you around Skopje. He has some wonderful anecdotes to share. This can be a great way to orient yourself with the city too.
#4 Wander with the stray dogs
When you think about what to do in Skopje, this one sits firmly on the quirky side. You’ll notice quite a few stray dogs. Friendly and not the aggressive type. Weirder still, they attach themselves to groups of people. So at times, we’d be walking with a couple of dogs. In the case of the walking tour, we had 15 with us by the end of it! A note though, the Grand Bazaar shopkeepers aren’t dog lovers, and won’t like you wandering if you’ve dogs in tow. The dogs also aren’t fans of cars. They’re not afraid to run into traffic either and bark at drivers – very bizarre!
#5 Visit the Old Bazaar
Speaking of bizarre (boom-tish!) but, Skopje is home to the second largest bazaar in Europe after Istanbul’s. Skopje shares deep roots with Turkey dating back to the Ottoman empire. The bazaar is an ongoing legacy of this period. You’ll find all sorts of trinkets here. My favourite were the thrift shops selling old army uniforms from the last century. Amazing souvenirs for a collector!
You’ll also find some great food here, and best of all, it’s cheap! You must try some cevapi accompanied with a shopska salad. It’s basic, but tasty fare and easy on the wallet. What more can you ask for?
#6 Grab a craft beer
Inside the old Bazaar, why not stop for a cold beer? Old Town brewery serve up some delicious craft beers. I know Skopje might not be well known for its lagers, but I promise you, they are pretty good! You can also do a tour if you want to go a little more in depth into the quality of beer they’re serving up.
#7 Check out the old train station ruins
1963 saw a horrific earthquake cause widespread devastation throughout the city. Over 1000 people died and more than 200,000 people were left homeless.
Frozen in that moment of devastation, the clock at the train station is stuck at 5.17 when the earthquake struck.
The city was rebuilt shortly after. The rescue effort is well worth reading about. It sounds like it was a proper collaborative international effort. The ruins of the train station remain as a memorial and a poignant reminder of that disaster.
#8 Skopje Fortress
One of the most popular things to do in Skopje is heading up to the fortress. This fortress sits behind the Old Bazaar and offers great views over the new and old parts of the city. Built in the 6th century, it is mentioned in many historical accounts of Skopje. It didn’t escape the earthquake either, being partly destroyed. Check it out at sunset for a splash of colour back over the new part of Skopje.
#9 Mother Teresa’s museum
Mother Teresa is possibly the most well known Macedonian of all time. How many people know she is from Skopje though is debatable! Born and raised in Skopje, the museum was built in 2009 to honour her life. Given her contribution and profile, I’m surprised there aren’t more monuments in her honour. The museum was closed when we visited Skopje for renovations. Like Mother Teresa, entry is charitable and free.
Where to stay in Skopje
Like the Balkans more broadly, Skopje is a very cheap destination. In fact, some guidebooks will tell you it is the cheapest amongst the region. And our experience tells us that is a difficult claim to dispute.
There is no doubt you can pick up a room in a hostel or apartment for very cheap. However, we liked the idea of staying right on Macedona Square in the newly renovated Marriott Skopje. This is about as luxurious as it gets in Skopje, and we were really impressed with this property. Aside from the enormous room which felt almost as big as our 2 bed apartment in Sydney, it is well located and has the most amazing spa, sauna and indoor pool facilities for you to use.
The Marriott Skopje was an unexpected highlight of our year long travels, particularly the spa.
BOOK NOW: Marriott Skopje || From €75
I hope you now know what to do in Skopje if you find yourself in the Balkans. With plenty of things to do in Skopje, the added benefit is that most major attractions are very cheap or free. Everything is within walking distance in this truly unique city.
Have you visited Skopje? What did you enjoy? Let us know below!
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