Things to do in Skopje
FOOD:
You can find our comprehensive guide to food+brunch+drinks+coffee spots throughout Skopje here
ACTIVITIES:
Hikes: Hike up to the cross on Vodno from the city center (trails are outlined here).
If you want a longer nature fix in the days before or after the wedding, get in touch with us about visiting Matka Canyon, 30 minutes outside Skopje.
Old Bazaar: On top of exploring the small shops, see the National Gallery, Holy Savior Church, and Mustafa Pasha Mosque as you pass through. A short walk takes you to the Kale fortress.
Walks in Skopje: One option is to explore the brutalist architecture of the city (possible route). Another is to walk along the “Kej,” the path along the river Vardar, which is a super fun way to see the city. Start at Central Park, walking east towards the Old Bazaar.
Museums: visit the Museum of Skopje located in the old train station, the Mother Theresa museum, or the Holocaust Museum. You can skip the rest.
Don’t miss visiting the Church of St. Clement
For the kids: If you’re coming with children, check out the Adventure Park, a ropes course in the middle of the city. Mishel also loves the Skopje Zoo.
The (Macedonian) Greatest Hits
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Ohrid
A UNESCO world heritage sight, (accolades, Little Jerusalem, The Lake Tahoe of the Balkans, The Pearl of the Balkans), only a 2.5hr drive from Skopje, this is the Macedonian destination to see, especially if you’re interested in exploring an ancient city with 365 churches on top of a beautiful lake. It is pretty easy to navigate as a tourist + won’t be super crowded in early June!
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Bitola + Pelister
A good nature/urban combo is the city of Bitola located in the valley of the Pelister National Park. The city, formerly the culture and fashion capital of the Balkans, is now a quaint town full of cute cafes, meandering streets, and ancient ruins (like the city ruins of Heraclea Lyncestis). Pelister National Park is a stone’s throw away with its lush forests of endemic pines and glacial lakes. It doesn’t hurt that it’s right on the border with Greece, too.
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Korab
The tallest peak in Macedonia (and Albania), Korab, is a great day trip for our mountain-loving friends. Since it is located in Mavrovo National Park, there’s plenty else to explore in the surrounding area. The 19km route is doable in a day, but could be made more challenging by combining it with other peaks form the High Scardus Trail.
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Bigorski Monastery
On the way to Ohrid, visit the Manastir Bigorski. Teeming with gravitational, spring water fountains and perched over the Radika River Valley, Bigorski is a must see pit-stop in the Mavrovo National Park. Read more here. Also nearby are the Duf Waterfall and the bridge Elenski Skok.
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Makedonium + Krushevo
The Ilinden Monument (Makedonium) is worth visiting both as an important monument and as an interesting brutalist structure. Krushevo, where it’s located, is a gorgeous alpine village with lush nature and great views. For the bold, there are amazing paragliding opportunities.
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