The image shows a bridge with street lamps running over a river. Pink flowers can be seen in the foreground. On the other side of the river are three striking beige buildings.
The image shows a bridge with street lamps running over a river. Pink flowers can be seen in the foreground. On the other side of the river are three striking beige buildings.

Skopje – Balkan Pearl Between the Orient and Occident

Published: 25 July 2024, 11:00

The Republic of North Macedonia is situated between Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece and is a charming Balkan country that is definitely worth discovering. The capital, Skopje, the cultural and economic centre in the north of the country is the best place start. The largest city in North Macedonia looks back on an eventful history, which is still recognisable today thanks to its interesting mix of different architectural styles. Ancient buildings and medieval fortresses are just as present as Ottoman mosques and Orthodox churches. Skopje was and is still a melting pot of different peoples and cultures. Tradition and modernity join together in the seemingly oriental-like streets of the old town. Trendy neighbourhoods such as Debar Maalo are great for going with the flow and spending time in the hip cafés. Visitors can shop to their heart’s content in the old bazaar district.

Numbers, data, facts

  • Time difference: none
  • Population: 526,000
  • Official language: Macedonian
  • Currency: Macedonian denar (MKD)

Ten Skopje highlights

Deserted cobblestone street with predominantly small, pink buildings. A pointed tower be seen in the background.
Just like the olden days: the bazaar district in the old town with its small shops, mosques, stalls and snack bars is characterised by the Ottoman period. © badahos/stock.adobe.com
View of a bridge with arches over a river, in which several water fountains can be seen, at twilight. On the right the picture are striking, illuminated buildings.
Built in the 15th century, the arched Stone Bridge over the River Vardar connects the old town with the modern part of Skopje. © SJ Travel Footage/stock.adobe.com
View of a white arched bridge on which several street lamps and statues of people can be seen. The bridge goes towards two striking buildings. On the left is a round building and on the right a larger, rectangular building, both beige coloured.
Art on the bridge: crossing the Vardar River on foot will take you past statues of famous Macedonian artists and musicians on the Art Bridge. © rh2010/stock.adobe.com
View of an unusual beige-coloured house with several small sections and extensions, a pillar and an outside staircase. To the right is a church with three domes.
Did you know? Mother Teresa was born in Skopje. A memorial house commemorates the life and deeds of the saint. Next to it is an Orthodox church. © GeniusMinus/stock.adobe.com
View from below of a fortress on the hill with a wall and three watchtowers, each flying a flag. The fortress is surrounded by green shrubs and trees.
Once a place of defence, today the city’s landmark: the historic Kale Fortress offers a magnificent view over the river and the entire city. © Matyas Rehak/stock.adobe.com
View of a mosque with a large domed roof and minaret. The mosque is surrounded by two yellow buildings, a lawn and trees in the foreground and other buildings in the background, which merge into a forest and a mountain panorama.
One of the most important Ottoman monuments in North Macedonia: the impressive Mustafa Pasha Mosque above the old town can also be visited by non-Muslims. © Matyas Rehak/stock.adobe.com
View of a striking church building that resembles a mosque with domed roofs. Golden crosses can be seen in the windows of the uppermost dome. There are multi-storey residential buildings behind the church.
Macedonia’s largest Orthodox church is in Skopje. The Church of Saint Clement of Ohrid, inaugurated in 1990, impresses with its special architecture. © uskarp2/stock.adobe.com
View of the upper part of an old stone building with several small green domes on the roof. A pointed tower (minaret) can be seen in the background.
Once a hammam, now an art gallery: the former Turkish bath Daut Pasha with its many domes is an impressive old building from the 15th century. © capa34/stock.adobe.com
View of a maintained urban square, in the centre of which stands a golden equestrian statue on a pedestal. In front of it are small water fountains and a light-coloured floor with black embellishments. The square is surrounded by multi-storey, partly round buildings.
Modern Skopje: Macedonia Square is the heart of the city. Shops, cafés and bars can be found around the central square with the equestrian statue of Alexander the Great. © zm_photo/stock.adobe.com
View of a white, striking building with many columns, which stands directly on the river, over which a light-coloured bridge runs. Flags are flying on the roof. There are other white buildings to the right of the museum building. In the foreground is a riverside promenade with steps and a platform with sculptures of people.
Impressive architecture: the city was redesigned as part of the Skopje 2014 project. This included the construction of the antique-style archaeological museum. © Jan Schuler/stock.adobe.com

The beauty of North Macedonia

The turquoise-green Lake Ohrid, the densely forested Galicica National Park, the Matka Canyon, the colourful mosque in Tetovo and countless Orthodox monasteries: North Macedonia is characterised by a beautiful landscape and interesting cultural sites. The almost unspoilt nature is a hiker’s paradise.

There is a very special vibe to the UNESCO town of Ohrid, which is located on the lake of the same name, the deepest and oldest lake in Europe. There are said to be no fewer than 365 churches in Ohrid itself. One of these is the church of St John of Kaneo, which stands at the edge of a cliff and offers a unique view over Lake Ohrid, which is also perfect for swimming. On the other side of the lake, close to Albania, is the UNESCO Monastery of Saint Naum, which was built in the 9th century. Those who take the time to explore the Balkan country from Skopje will be richly rewarded with interesting impressions and warm hospitality.

Monasteries, mosques and nature parks

View of an Orthodox church, which stands on a cliff on a lake surrounded by flat mountains. The church is surrounded by green trees and various stone formations.
Magical lake: Lake Ohrid with the Orthodox St John Kaneo Church from the 12th century is a very special place. Albania can be seen when the weather is good. © zm_photo/stock.adobe.com
View of an impressive monastery complex surrounded by cobblestones with three towers against a blue sky. Several arched passageways can be seen on the ground floor of the monastery.
Sacred place: no less interesting is the Monastery of Saint Naum, built in the 9th century. The cross-in-square church is located near the Albanian border on Lake Ohrid. © saiko3p/stock.adobe.com
Boat with a sun sail roof on a turquoise-green river surrounded by tree-covered mountains.
Deep ravine: the Matka Canyon is perfect for boating and hiking. It is only 15 kilometres from Skopje and can be reached by local bus. © Andrew Myovskyy/stock.adobe.com
View of a mosque with various embellishments on the outer wall. There is a small wall in front of the mosque with the flat roof and a minaret can be seen behind it. Buildings and trees can be partially seen on the right.
Colourful mosque: one of the world’s most ornate mosques can be found in Tetovo. Built in 1495, the place of worship is intricately and colourfully decorated. © Sailingstone Travel/stock.adobe.com
View from above of a vast, green mountain landscape in the centre of which lies a blue lake. There are clouds in the blue sky.
Natural paradise: the Galicica National Park around Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa offers terrific views and hiking trails. The Magaro (2,255 metres) is the highest mountain here. © bajlo/stock.adobe.com

Skopje from BER

Flugzeug kurz vor dem Aufsetzen auf die Start- und Landebahn

Wizz Air

Piktogramm Info-i

Skopje International Airport (SKP)

Five travel tips for …

1. National dish no. 1: “sarma” (stuffed cabbage rolls) 

2. National dish no. 2: “tavce gravce”, beans baked in a pot 

3. Ottoman tradition: “moussaka”, a casserole with minced meat

4. Hearty snack: “börek”, filo pastry rolls with spinach and cheese

5. Sweet snack: “baklava”, filo pastry filled with pistachio nuts

1. Topical and modern: The Museum of Contemporary Art

2. Tragic past: The Holocaust Centre

3. In a former railway station: The Skopje City Museum

4. About a unique life: The Mother Teresa Memorial House

5. In an old hammam: The National Gallery

1. Enjoy the view of Skopje from the local mountain Vodno

2. Experience the magic of silence in the monastery of St Pantelejmon

3. Take a boat trip on Lake Matka

4. Walk with the goats along the old aqueduct

5. Visit the ruins of the Scupi archaeological site

Picture Source title:
© Andrew Mayovskyy/stock.adobe.com 

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