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Written by The place Meals Takes Us
Skopje, the capital of newly-named North Macedonia, is without doubt one of the most underrated cities in Europe. A small space surrounded by many neighbors, North Macedonia’s historical past is historic and intriguing, and there’s no higher place to expertise it than Skopje. With its controversial monuments and statues speckled concerning the metropolis and among the Balkans’ finest meals, Skopje is a must-visit capital metropolis in Southeastern Europe.
We’ve created this 3-day itinerary for Skopje with historical past and tradition in thoughts, however, most significantly, we discuss concerning the meals too! So let’s dive into the small print of methods to spend an superior 72 hours in Skopje!
A Fast Tip on When to Go to Skopje
There isn’t a “unhealthy” season to go to Skopje. Nonetheless, some instances of the 12 months are higher than others. After all, spring or fall shall be your finest guess for excellent climate. It gained’t be too sizzling or chilly, and the crowds shall be pretty gentle. Granted, we visited throughout July and August and by no means felt crowded by fellow vacationers. Once more, Skopje is underrated!
Regardless that we skilled sizzling climate within the lifeless of summer season, the evenings have been cool, and the town heart was beautiful within the night.
Locals advised us to keep away from the winter months since fewer points of interest (excursions) are open and the climate isn’t the perfect, although you will discover concepts on what to do in Macedonia within the winter right here. That stated, we’re sure Skopje shall be enjoyable any time of 12 months. Low season journey shall be cheaper too!
A Weekend in Skopje – Your 3 Days Itinerary
Day 1 – Morning
Free Strolling Tour.
Like all European metropolis, a free strolling tour is one of the best ways to kick off your keep in Skopje. Study concerning the metropolis’s historical past, issues to see and do, and get some tips about the place to eat.
Get your bearings of Skopje’s geography as you stroll round city for a few hours and see the key sights. There shall be loads of locations you’ll wish to return to later!
Is the tour really free? Form of.
These excursions are solely primarily based on ideas, which implies you permit what you deem match on the finish. A mean quantity to depart your information is 10 euros per particular person. Your ideas are how they function!
We used Free Skopje Strolling Excursions, and it was incredible! Be at liberty to achieve out to them on their web site or Fb if in case you have any questions on assembly instances, and many others.
The tour will final a few hours, after which your day transitions completely into the afternoon for a scrumptious lunch and a few extra exploring.
Day 1 – Afternoon
First cease: lunch!
Crossing the Stone Bridge (constructed within the fifteenth century) into the Previous Bazaar, Restaurant Pivnica An is a superb place to begin your North Macedonian meals journey.
It might assist in case you tried the shopska salad, which consists of an enormous portion of recent greens, together with cucumber, tomato, and onion. And to high it off, it’s coated in white cheese, an actual North Macedonian delight.
Salads aren’t sometimes identified to “hit the spot,” however a shopska salad is large and is a superb dish to share! You also needs to attempt the sarma, which is minced meat rolled in cabbage or grape leaves. You may’t go improper right here!
For another concepts on the place to eat and what to attempt, try our record of the ten finest eating places in Skopje!
Previous Bazaar
Appearing as the primary commerce and commerce heart of Skopje since at the least the twelfth century, the Previous Bazaar is the proper place to get lost the remainder of your afternoon. You’re actually strolling the place folks have walked, talked, and shopped for hundreds of years, which may be very attention-grabbing in itself!
Outlets and eating places line the streets however pay particular consideration to “Gold Avenue,” which has been promoting gold for a whole lot of years and nonetheless is in the present day.
Each avenue used to promote a specialty, whether or not gold, silver, spices, and many others. Nonetheless, most of those streets are drastically totally different in the present day, scattered with random outlets. Regardless, the bazaar continues to be a taking place spot in Skopje and one which you must return too many instances throughout your 3 days on the town. Why? Among the finest meals could be discovered right here!
Discover Restaurant Merkez for a style of kebap, a well-known Turkish meat dish. Throw in some Macedonian flare, and also you’ve bought an awesome meal. And don’t overlook to order a chilly Shopsko beer to clean all of it down.
Have money with you whereas within the bazaar as most locations desire it; nevertheless, don’t carry an excessive amount of! You by no means wish to have some huge cash on you in a vacationer space since there are pickpockets.
Kale Fortress
Bordering the Previous Bazaar on a hill is Kale Fortress. The truth that this fortress has its roots within the fifth century is cause sufficient to go to. Nonetheless, at first look, the fortress could seem just a little lackluster to the primary time customer.
Sadly, this fortress has been considerably ignored and desires a variety of tender love and care. But it surely’s nonetheless value a go to!
Entry is free, and you will get among the finest views of Vodno Mountain and all of Skopje.
Day 1 – Night
Because the solar units behind Vodno mountain, get pleasure from a beautiful night in Skopje’s essential sq.. Not like extra in style locations in Europe, Skopje’s metropolis heart isn’t overly touristy or overpriced. You’ll discover loads of locals out and about, particularly throughout the summer season.
We don’t sometimes advocate consuming in essential squares since costs are normally larger, however that’s not the case in Skopje! Take pleasure in great-tasting meals with low-cost value tags whereas admiring Skopje’s essential sq..
Listed here are some concepts on methods to tip whereas consuming out in Macedonia.
Warrior on a Horse and Sundown
Finish your first day in Skopje on a excessive observe by discovering a spot to calm down below the town’s most eye-catching statue: Warrior on a Horse (Alexander the Nice). As night time darkens, Skopje’s sq. lights up. Have some ice cream (a number of distributors close by), and if it’s sizzling sufficient, have a run by way of the fountains.
Day 2 – Morning
Discover All of the Statues
As you’ll have already observed by this time, there are A LOT of statues and monuments in Skopje. However have you ever seen all of them but? Your free strolling tour will take you by most of them, and also you’ll additionally get a useful rationalization as to why there are such a lot of.
All of those monuments (some unfinished) could seem quirky to some and actually cool to others. No matter which aspect you’re on, make certain and hold your eyes peeled as you traverse Skopje.
Memorial Home of Mom Teresa
Skopje is the place Mom Teresa was born. Though her home isn’t there for us to understand in the present day (there’s a plaque instead), the memorial in her identify is a incredible attraction proper within the coronary heart of the town.
It’s free to enter and takes guests by way of Mom Teresa’s life, highlighting her many achievements. All descriptions are in English.
Whereas strolling round Skopje, hold your eyes peeled for plaques with Mom Teresa’s quotes. You’ll have some assist discovering them on a free strolling tour!
Day 2 – Afternoon
Archaeological Museum of Macedonia
For a walkthrough of historic historical past in one of the vital grand-looking buildings in Skopje, step into the archaeological museum. Whether or not you’re simply escaping the afternoon warmth or have an curiosity in Byzantine, Roman, or Phonecian historical past, you’ll discover 1000’s of artifacts inside, like some cash from Alexander the Nice’s time.
Discover extra museums in Skopje right here.
Day 2 – Night
Debar Maalo
Escape the town heart and discover a really native space by merely strolling just a few blocks. It is going to really feel such as you’ve left Skopje’s essential points of interest, however you’re proper subsequent door!
Why go to Debar Maalo? The meals!
This is without doubt one of the finest areas on the town to attempt Macedonian specialties. Our suggestion for a restaurant is Chardak. After all, the meals is budget-friendly, nevertheless it’s additionally among the finest Macedonian meals we tried throughout our keep. We advocate making an attempt a number of smaller dishes so you possibly can style extra genuine dishes. Cheese-stuffed peppers, tavče gravče (baked white beans), seize just a little little bit of every thing, and depart happy!
Day 3 – You’ve Acquired Choices, Select One
Your third day in Skopje can go a few other ways. Need to keep on the town? There’s additionally Vodno to ascend and views to be loved, or you possibly can attempt among the finest wine on this area of Europe.
But when these three days in Skopje are all you’ve gotten in North Macedonia, you may be concerned about seeing different elements of the nation. So we’ve included a day journey to lovely Ohrid as properly.
The choice is yours!
Day 3 Possibility 1 – Day Journey to Ohrid
When you have an opportunity to go to Ohrid, whether or not only a day journey or multi-night keep, then you must go! Whereas we solely had someday in Ohrid, we cherished each second of it.
Fantastically located on the large and pristine Lake Ohrid, the city appears throughout towards Albania within the distance. Take a dip within the lake, go to the well-known Church of St. John and stroll alongside the fortress partitions. There’s by no means a uninteresting second.
For tips about methods to get there and what there may be to do, try our full information to a day journey to Ohrid from Skopje!
Discover extra day journey concepts right here.
Day 3 Spend The Day In Skopje
Head to the Prime of Vodno
Vodno gives the perfect view of Skopje and is the proper place to unwind with a little bit of nature. There are a number of choices to get to the highest, however the simplest way is by cable automotive.
Bus 25 (leaving from the primary bus station) will drop you very near the raise. Please observe that the bus is free on the weekends on the time of penning this!
Admire the Millenium Cross and Skopje from above earlier than discovering a spot for a picnic. We extremely advocate bringing your individual foods and drinks as choices atop the mountain are restricted. Nonetheless, we’ve been advised that there are plans for a rotating restaurant. We’ll see!
There are many hikes/paths to trek as properly. A few of these trails descend into Matka Canyon, so in case you’d wish to spend your complete day exploring open air, then the paths are an awesome possibility for you. In any other case, get pleasure from your day trip and put together for a tremendous finish to your 3 days in Skopje.
Kartal Vineyard
We’ve been to wineries within the US, Italy, and wineries in lots of different nations. Nonetheless, a really particular vineyard in our journey recollections is Kartal Vineyard in Skopje.
Kartal Vineyard is owned by two brothers who occur to be among the most hospitable hosts we’ve had the pleasure of assembly.
This wine tasting is a really real expertise. It’s a variety of enjoyable, too! Kartal Vineyard is a smaller operation, so it gained’t be flooded with vacationers. Have a tour of the place and finish it with an intimate tasting.
Their tastings run from 20-30 euros, relying on the bundle you select. Some packages embrace a whole meal, so make it a incredible final dinner in Skopje!
We hope this itinerary has helped you together with your journey planning, and we want you an superior keep in Skopje, North Macedonia!
Discover concepts on the place to remain in Skopje right here.
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