Skip to Content

15 Best Things to Do in Skopje, North Macedonia for a Memorable Trip

Sharing is caring!

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more

If you’re planning a trip to Skopje soon, or are intrigued by the city and what it offers, here is are some of the best things to do in Skopje to help you plan a trip like no other. From nature to history, cuisine to adventure, there’s something in Skopje for everyone.

Best Things to Do in Skopje

best things to do in skopje

Skopje is the capital city of North Macedonia, a country located at the center of the Balkan Peninsula. It’s a luscious, green city where gourmet food, drink, traditions, and culture are part of daily life. No matter how many times you visit Skopje, there will always be something new and exciting to see or do.

Courtesy of Milena, our local guide, we’ve composed a list of the 15 best things to do in the city. So, without any further ado, let’s take a closer look!

1 – Track Down as Many Sculptures as You Can

alexander the great statue - things to do in skopje

Skopje has many sculptures and statues of Alexander the Great, the most iconic being the one in the middle of Macedonia Square. There’s no way you can pass the Warrior on the Horse, the official name of the statue, without noticing it, due to its huge size. It’s 14.5 m tall, but it sits on a 10-meter tall vertical column. It’s quite majestic, so it’ll definitely catch your attention.

If you’re lucky, you may also see the small music show with fountains at night, which happens occasionally. Other than the biggest sculpture placed in the middle of the city square, you can find a number of other smaller statues around the city.

They mostly represent major historical figures, Macedonian artists, or random shoppers, beggars, or divers. Searching for statues is one of the best things to do in Skopje, and one of the most fun, too!

2 – Get Lost in the Old Bazaar

Get Lost in the Old Bazaar - things to do in skopje

The Old Bazaar is one of the most popular attractions in Skopje that’s full of vibrant sights and interesting smells and sounds. You can find the best and most versatile collections of Ottoman architecture in this area because it used to be an important center of commerce during the Ottoman period.

You can see around 30 mosques here, as well as a few Turkish baths or hammas, caravanserais, mausoleum tombs or türbes, and churches. The Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Macedonia is also located in this area. The Old Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest marketplaces in the Balkans.

If you ever visit Skopje, you must stroll the shops of this bazaar located in a labyrinth of narrow streets paved with cobblestones. There’s something from everything here, from copperware and small souvenirs, to jewelry and folk costumes. There are also coffee houses and traditional restaurants where you can eat kebab and drink Turkish coffee or tea.

On weekends, the Old Bazaar becomes even more lively with people coming to some of the many good bars in the area. This area is a strong contrast to the modern buildings and sculptures in the city square, which is only one bridge apart.

3 – Hike on Mount Vodno

Hike on Mount Vodno - things to do in Skopje

It may be a bit challenging to climb the mountain on Vodno, but it will be worth it in the end when you stand up on top of it while having a nice cup of coffee with the panoramic view of the city. Of course, you can use a cable car to get to the top, but I recommend hiking.

Vodno is an excellent option if you want to enjoy some spectacular views of the surrounding peaks or for short getaways to nature when you have enough of all the sculptures, noise, and buildings in the city.

There’s a 66-meter tall Millennium Cross built on top of the mountain that’s visible from any place in Skopje. It was built back in 2000 and symbolizes 2000 years of Christianity in the country.

Overall, Vodno is a great place for a picnic or enjoying the day while in Skopje. It’s definitely one of the best things to do in Skopje for people who love the outdoors.

4 – Go to ‘Kafana’

kafana - things to do in Skopje

Eating and drinking in some of the many local kafanas (traditional restaurants) in Skopje is one of the most enjoyable things you can do in this city. The traditional food here is delicious, and the national dishes served in these kafanas like ‘pinjur’ or ‘gravce tavce’ will make your mouth watering by just seeing and smelling their unique scent. The fresh, organic fruits and vegetables here are of top quality and taste wonderfully.

You can find many local kafanas throughout Skopje that serve grilled meats like kebabs, fresh salads like ‘shopska salad,’ traditional dishes like sarma, gravce tavce, pinjur, or zelnik, and desserts like baklava.

The Bohemian Quarter or Debar Maalo is an excellent place to find a good kafana and enjoy some authentic Macedonian food. You can see many people squeezing into the taverns and spilling onto their terraces on sunny weekends.

If you’re curious to learn more about Macedonian food and some of the traditional dishes, be sure to read our article Macedonian Food – 15 Traditional Dishes as Recommended by a Local to find out more about Macedonian food, and the country’s delicious cuisine.

5 – Visit Matka Canyon

Visit Matka Canyon - things to do in Skopje

Matka Canyon is a fantastic nature getaway that’s slightly outside the city center. You can easily get there by bus, which is very inexensive, or book one of the many tours available. It’s a region of green nature, mountains, and water from the oldest artificial lake called Matka Lake.

There are so many things you can do here besides staring at the stunning views of the canyon. You can go hiking along the canyon, boat riding, or kayaking. You can visit the 15th-century old church or explore the treasures of the deepest cave in the Balkans and the second deepest in Europe called Vrelo.

The Matka Canyon is rich in endemic species of flora and fauna, including 77 species of small Balkan endemic butterflies and 18 more that are new to the science.

If you prefer a more relaxed experience, you can drink a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and eat a delicious meal at the beautiful veranda overlooking the Matka Lake in one of the restaurants here.

Click here to find the cheapest flights to Skopje
Click here to book a room in Skopje
Click here to get a free travel insurance quote

6 – Visit Mother Teresa Memorial House

Visit Mother Teresa Memorial House - things to do in Skopje

We all know Mother Teresa and how great a humanitarian she was, but not many people know that she was born in Skopje. That’s why there’s a memorial house in this city built in her honor on the very location she was baptized.

There are memorabilia, photos, and documents following her religious work and life. You can even watch a documentary about the humanitarian work of this Nobel Peace Prize laureate in the multimedia center located below the museum.

Admission is free, and it’s open every day. However, you may want to check the working hours, which are different during weekends.

7 – Walk Across the Stone Bridge

Walk Across the Stone Bridge - things to do in Skopje

Stone bridge connects the two sides of Skopje divided by the Vardar river. In fact, it links the new part of the city, the Macedonia Square, with the old part, the Old Bazaar. It was first built under Roman Emperor Justinian’s rule, but it was destroyed and repaired many times during the Ottoman period.

The 214-meter long bridge was built of solid stone blocks, hence the name Stone Bridge. It’s a pedestrian bridge, although in the past it was also accessible for vehicles.

You can enjoy the architectural beauty of the bridge built over five centuries ago while you walk on it or sit in one of the coffee bars or benches near the bridge. If you enjoy architecture, it’s one of the best things to do in Skopje.

8 – Walk Across the Art Bridge

Walk Across the Art Bridge - things to do in Skopje

The Art Bridge is located in the center of Skopje across the Vardar River, a few meters from Stone Bridge. It’s also a pedestrian bridge, but it doesn’t have a history like the previous one. The Art Bridge was built in 2014, as part of the Skopje 2014 project.

The most interesting thing about this bridge is that it includes 29 sculptures of artists, composers, writers, and historical figures placed on both sides of the bridge, one of which is in the center. It may not have a long history, but it’s surely one impressive bridge that’s even more spectacular at night.

9 – Visit the Kale Fortress

Visit the Kale Fortress - things to do in Skopje

Kale Fortress is located at the highest point in Skopje, in the old part of the city, so you can get spectacular views of the city and the Vardar River from the top. It’s really amazing to be able to see the view that the guards used to see back in the days when the wall was key to the defense of the area.

It was built in the 6th century during the reign of the Roman Emperor Justinian I, but it was later damaged during the Ottoman period. The lighting on the Kale Fortress gives a quiet and serene dignity at night.

10 – Visit the Church of Saint Panteleimon

Visit the Church of Saint Panteleimon - things to do in Skopje

The Church of Saint Panteleimon is located 17 km south of the center of the city in the village of Gorno Nerezi situated in a monastery complex. It dates from the 12th century, and it’s an amazing example of Byzantine architecture.

The dramatic composition, coloring, and purity of expression depicted in the frescoes are incredible examples of the country’s medieval monumental painting. They display the life of Jesus, including the Raising of Lazarus, the Transfiguration, the Entry into Jerusalem, the Presentation of the Mother of God, the Birth of the Mother of God, and the Descent from the Cross.

Both the monastery and the church are dedicated to the patron saint of physicians, St. Panteleimon. This is one of Macedonia’s oldest and most beautiful churches that are worth visiting.

11 – Relax in the Skopje City Park

Relax in the Skopje City Park - things to do in Skopje

There are many parks in this city, but the biggest one is the Skopje City Park occupying around 500.000m2. The park began to take shape in the 19th century, and today it extends between the Boulevard October Revolution from the west, the Leninova Street from the east, the Illinden Boulevard from the south, and the Vardar River from the north.

The Skopje City Park includes the National Sports Arena, the Skopje Zoo, the laser tag arena, many summer night clubs, an amusement park, three beautiful lakes, few restaurants and coffee bars, tennis fields, and a garden variety of similar amusements.

There are two parts of the park, old and new. The old one is wilder and has more nature, including bigger lakes where you can go kayaking. The new part includes bars, clubs, restaurants, and the national stadium.

12 – Visit the Park Woman Warrior

Visit the Park Woman Warrior - things to do in Skopje

This park is smaller than Skopje City Park, but it’s closer to the center. In fact, it’s in the strict center so you can come here and rest from the long tours. There are many monuments here, including the Woman Warrior monument placed in 1970 in honor of all Macedonian women who participated in the WW2.

You can rest on a bench under the deep shades from the trees and drink cold water from the few fountains in the park during the hot summer days.

People here consider this park as a revolutionary park because all of the social cause gatherings and political protests begin or end right here, the Macedonian parliament being right across the street.

13 – Go to Rock Kafana Rustikana

Go to Rock Kafana Rustikana - things to do in Skopje

“Combining the incompatible” is the slogan of this kafana/traditional restaurant that serves delicious national dishes for any time of the day, accompanied by the sound of rock, jazz, blues, or soul music.

It’s located in the center of the city, and it’s a really great and trendy place with a cozy atmosphere. Their menu includes traditional dishes, barbeque, mezze, sandwiches, cocktails, flavored rakija (their national alcohol), breakfasts, desserts, and other inventive bar snacks.

14 – Wine Tasting in Chateau Kamnik Winery

Wine Tasting in Chateau Kamnik Winery - things to do in Skopje

The Chateau Kamnik Winery offers a different, relaxing, and elegant wine tasting in a cozy, yet modern atmosphere with a view over the city.

You’ll get the chance to try some of the finest quality wines while enriching your knowledge of wine production and viticulture. With both an amazing view and location, it’s one of the best things to do in Skopje for any wine enthusiast.

15 – Go to the Escape Room

Go to the Escape Room - things to do in Skopje

If you’re in Skopje and it’s raining, or it’s scorching hot, which is common during summer, there are plenty of fun indoor activities. Partaking in an Escape Room is one of them.

An Escape Room is a room where you’re trapped for an hour until you solve certain puzzles and riddles so you can finally escape the room. You can play with up to six players, and the rooms have different themes. There are even some rooms with horror themes, so it’s best to ask for the right one that’s suitable for all members, especially if there are kids. But don’t worry, there are family-friendly themes as well.

It takes a lot of thinking and logic to solve the puzzles, but the whole concept is well-thought, and there’s good storytelling. You can find a few Escape Rooms in Skopje, but the price depends on the room and theme. If you like indoor activities, an Escape Room is one of the best things to do in Skopje.

Best Things to Do in Skopje Summary

One final time, here’s a roundup of our 15 best things to do in Skopje. If you do visit this wonderful city, we’re sure you’re going to have a fantastic time!

1 – Track Down as Many Sculptures as You Can
2 – Get Lost in the Old Bazaar
3 – Hike on Mount Vodno
4 – Go to ‘Kafana’
5 – Visit Matka Canyon
6 – Visit Mother Teresa Memorial House
7 – Walk Across the Stone Bridge
8 – Walk Across the Art Bridge
9 – Visit the Kale Fortress
10 – Visit the Church of Saint Panteleimon
11 – Relax in the Skopje City Park
12 – Visit the Park Woman Warrior
13 – Go to Rock Kafana Rustikana
14 – Wine Tasting in Chateau Kamnik Winery
15 – Go to the Escape Room

Book Activities in Skopje at GetYourGuide.


Looking to book your trip to Skopje, North Macedonia? 

Check out the following services for your trip:

You Might Also Like to Read:

North Macedonia Travel: A Local’s Expert Must-Read Guide
Macedonian Food – 15 Traditional Dishes as Recommended by a Local
Renting a Car in Europe

Save and Pin for Later

Are you planning a visit to Skopje soon? Save this article by pinning it to a board on your Pinterest, so that you can re-visit it later.

best things to do in skopje

Images licensed from Shutterstock

Author

  • Hey there! We are Dale and Doina, the founders of Nomad Paradise. We traveled full-time for over three years, and while we now have a home base in the U.K., continue to take trips abroad to visit new places and try new cuisines and foods. Our food guides are curated with the guidance of local foodies, and their contribution is indicated under each article. We also cook the foods we try abroad, and you can discover how to make them in our 'recipes from around the world' category.

Sharing is caring!