About

Located in the northern part of the republic of Macedonia or FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), Skopje, the country’s capital city and largest urban centre, is a pleasant and quaint city deep in the heart of the Balkans that is still relatively free of mass tourism.

A city of almost 700,000 inhabitants it sits on the river Vardar that divides the city in town. Though not a typical tourist destination, the city has much to offer the tourist and forms the first entry point for most people into the country either by air or arriving by train.

The city is small enough to visit in a couple of days, can be explored on foot and is probably one of the best value cities in the Balkans, with all the characteristics of a Balkan city; with great food and a café culture in small manageable dimensions.

Skopje also makes for an easy gateway into the rest of Macedonia; in the summer, it’s easy to drive the 3 hour or so drive south along the well built motorway to the country’s “Internal Sea” and enjoy the magical Lake Ohrid with its famous summer festival which runs at a similar time to Skopje’s own Cultural summer festival. The Skopje Jazz festival is another of the many events and festivals that annually bring tourists from all over the world to the city.

Things to see and do

•The Kale Fortress Build by the Byzantines in the six century BC, the walls are visibly light at night and can be seen from most points in the city. The Fortress makes for great backdrops for photos. This is probably the #1 thing to see in Skopje as a tourist.

•Stone Bridge Build by the Ottoman ruler Mehmed the second, the bridge connects the old Ottoman town across the river, to the new town – you can walk from the Old bazaar to the city’s main square (Macedonia square) across this bridge. The bridge is also well light at night and another great backdrop for a photo opportunity.

•The Old Bazaar Stepping across the river and into the Old Bazaar transports you to what feels like old Istanbul, with a maze of Mosques, Turkish baths, a clock tower and churches as well.

•The commemorative house of Mother Teresa Skopje was the birthplace to the world famous, near saint; the nun known as Mother Teresa of Calcutta. The house, in which she grew up in, stands as a monument to one of the city’s most famous citizens.

•The Millennium Cross on mount Vodno A large crucifix stands on the tallest point to commemorate 2000 years of Christianity in the city and can be see form many locations in the city. It measures over 66 meters in height.

•The Alexander the great statue fountain Controversially claimed by both Greece and the Republic of Macedonia as their national hero – the legendary Alexander the Great is commemorated in Skopje with a huge statue and fountain in the main Macedonia Square in the city centre.

•Museum of Macedonia Traces the history of the Republic of Macedonia

Getting to and from

Skopje’s Alexander the Great airport is located approx 22 kilometres from the city center. Taxis are available around the clock (no advanced reservations are necessary) and the cost is around €20 into Skopje city center. There is also a bus that runs from the airport terminal stopping at various points in the city.