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Writer's pictureMartin Koloski

24 Hours in Skopje (What to see)

Updated: Apr 6, 2023


Skopje at night
Photo: Skopje.IN

You may be in Skopje with limited time, so you are wondering how to make the most of your time and see as many things as possible in the city and experience the capital city of Macedonia as best you can.



Located right next to the city center, the Old Skopje Bazaar is definitely the place to visit in Skopje. The charm of the bazaar weaves through the historic streets that have maintained the spirit of the place for centuries.


Craft shops, food, entertainment, and art, are some of the things you can expect there.

Streets in the Old Bazaar Skopje
Photo: Aiva. / CC BY-SA 2.0

For more detailed information about what you should visit, we have previously put together a full guide which you can view here.

Recommended visit duration: ~1.5 hours


Stone bridge


Step in from the main square Macedonia to the Old Bazaar from the Stone Bridge, which is one of Skopje's most recognizable landmarks. This historic bridge, which dates back to the 15th century spans the Vardar River.


The Stone Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in Skopje, and a symbol of Skopje. It is one of the oldest structures in the city, and is the main element of the coat of arms of the city, which in turn is incorporated in the city's flag. It is long 214 meters.


Visitors can take a stroll across the bridge, taking in the sights and sounds of the river and the city.


Skopje Fortress


Once the road takes you to the Old Bazaar, another interesting place you should visit is the Skopje Fortress. The fortress is located on a high hill called Gradiste, above Skopje and overlooking the Vardar River, and has been of strategic importance for the city for centuries. Its walls built in Byzantine times (6th century) will surely take you back in time.

View of the Skopje Fortress
Photo: Skopje.IN

The Kale Fortress offers a stunning panoramic view of Skopje, making it a popular spot for photography and social media posts.


Near the fortress, you can also visit the Ascension of Jesus Church nearby. The church is a monument of culture protected by law, and is particularly significant because of its beautiful artistic carving in which the iconostasis and a large part of the church are made. In the yard, the sarcophagus of the revolutionary Gotse Delchev is located, and as part of the church, a room dedicated to this revolutionary.

Interior of Church of the Ascension of Jesus in Skopje
Interior of Church of the Ascension of Jesus / Photo: Adam Jones - CC BY-SA 2.0

Recommended visit duration: ~30+15 minutes


Museum of the City of Skopje


If you are interested in learning more about Skopje make sure to visit some of the museums in the city.


One of them, inevitable is the Museum of the City of Skopje.


Located in the converted part of the old railway station that was partially destroyed in the Skopje earthquake of 1963 which killed over 1.070 people, the Museum of the City of Skopje is located in the center of the city.


In the museum, founded in 1949, there are generally two displays, one dedicated to the earthquake in Skopje and one archaeological setting.


The Museum building itself, at the former railway station, has been declared a significant cultural heritage of Macedonia.


In front of the entrance of the museum, there are Roman tombstones and monuments.

Museum of Skopje
Photo: Rasho / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

You can also choose and visit museums such as - the Macedonian National Museum - one of the oldest and largest museums, consisting of several museums - archaeological, ethnological, historical and artistic.

Then, The Memorial House of Mother Teresa - a museum dedicated to the life and work of the world-famous Catholic nun and missionary, Mother Teresa. The museum's exhibits feature personal items, photographs, and documents related to Mother Teresa's life.


As well as The Holocaust Memorial Center for the Jews of Macedonia. The center is dedicated to commemorating the victims of the Holocaust and preserving the memory of the Macedonian Jewish community. The exhibits in the center aim to educate visitors about the Holocaust and the persecution of Macedonian Jews during the war. Also, the museum provides information about the resistance movements that opposed the Nazi regime in the country.

Recommended visit duration: ~40 minutes


Vodno


In the southern part of the Skopje valley, at an altitude of 1,066 meters above sea level, there is the medium-high mountain Vodno.


The mountain can be reached relatively quickly during the days of the working week. Get to the halfway of the mountain with public transport - line 25. If you have a car, you can park in the parking lot on Sredno Vodno which would cost you 100 Denars per hour - 1.6 Euros, for the first hour and 45 denars or around 0.7 Euros for every additional hour. Have in mind that during the weekend it can get really busy for parking and movement with a car.


Sredno Vodno is the last point where you can get by car or bus. So, if you want to visit the top of the hill at the Millenium cross, you can either get a cable car or take a walk/hike.

Vodno Mountain and the Millenium Cross in Skopje
Photo: Boredjohnn/ Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

The cable car operates from 10 AM to 5 PM from November to March, then 10 AM to 8 PM from May to September and 10 AM to 6 PM from April to October. Every Monday, and every last Tuesday of the month, the cable car doesn't operate. The ride, which offers breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding mountains takes about 10 minutes.

Recommended visit duration: ~2.5 hours (with transportation)

 

Have some extra time? Party with our Nightlife subpage!

Do you maybe want to take some rest? Check out some parks to chill in.

 

What would be your top pick for your short stay in Skopje?

  • Old Bazaar

  • Vodno

  • Museum of Skopje

  • Skopje Fortress


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