Top 10 attractions in Skopje

more than a year ago

Unlike many other Balkan capitals such as Belgrade, Sofia and Zagreb, which only grew to importance during the 19th century, Skopje is an ancient city dating back several millennia. As such it’s made up of many fascinating and often contradicting cultural and historical layers detectable in everything from the architecture to the food to the language. Many of the city’s museums are stuck in a Tito-era time warp, but don’t let this put you off. It’s impossible to come away from any of the sights listed below without having gained a deeper insight into the beautiful and exquisitely complicated country that’s Macedonia.

Skopje Fortress

Archaeological excavations show that people have been living on the hill above what’s now the Old Bazaar since at least the Bronze Age. A town was first founded here in the early Byzantine era during the 6th and 7th centuries. Read more....

Stone Bridge

If you stop and think for a minute about how many people from every echelon of society and representing so many diverse cultures have walked over this relatively small bridge connecting Plostad Makedonija with the Old Bazaar since its original construction over 550 years ago you’ll understand why it’s one of the main symbols of the city. Read more....

Mother Teresa Memorial House

Built on the site of the former Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in which she was baptised and located inside a like contender for the title of the world’s ugliest building, this is an interesting diversion for some and compulsory pilgrimage for others. Read more....

National Archaeology Museum

Built as part of the Skopje 2014 project but with some 90 years as an established institution, the National Archaeological Museum, which also houses the National Archives, is laid out on three floors representing the huge diversity of Macedonian life and culture from prehistory to the Ottoman period and beyond. Read more....

Mustafa Pasha Mosque

Towering above the Old Bazaar and featuring a mighty, 42m minaret, the elegant Mustafa Pasha Mosque was built in 1492, and has somewhat incredibly survived every historical disaster Skopje’s managed to throw at it. Read more....

St Clement of Ohrid Cathedral

Just west of the centre stands Skopje’s modern Orthodox Cathedral building, also known as the Ministry Temple, with Saint Clement of Ohrid as its patron. Read more....

City Park

Originally laid out at the end of the 19th century, this large public space to the north and northwest of the city is an extremely popular place during the warmer months of the year. Good for walking, cycling or picnicking in. Read more....

Museum of Illusions

To experience just how much your eyes and brain can be deceived, go check out the fascinating and informative Museum of Illusions. Best enjoyed by groups so you can see each other be transformed. Read more....

Millennium Cross

Built to celebrate 2,000 years of Christianity and situated on the highest point on Mount Vodno overlooking the city, the 66m Millennium Cross is rather dull to be honest, although the journey to reach it’s a lot of fun. Read more....

Matka Canyon

The stunning Matka Canyon is a good reminder of how close the mountains always are in Macedonia. Situated just 15km southwest of the city, the 5,000ha site features a wide range of things to see and do from enjoying a leisurely lunch on the terrace at the Canyon Matka restaurant to going on a boat tour from the neighbouring small harbour. Read more....