During our time in Macedonia, we learned a lot, and if there’s one piece of advice we can give you, it’s to be aware of the country’s name dispute before you visit. Some call it Macedonia, while others refer to it as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).
Once you get that sorted out, you’ll be ready to explore Macedonia and its vibrant capital, Skopje. We tend to compare places we visit, and Skopje reminded us of Ashgabat in Turkmenistan or Astana in Kazakhstan—cities with massive renovations and grand, sometimes out-of-place architecture.
Recently, Skopje has seen significant development in its city center, which cost around 300 million euros. This has left some locals unimpressed, as they would prefer more jobs over elaborate fountains and statues. On the other hand, this revamp has attracted more tourists, which might eventually benefit locals working in tourism.
Whether you agree with the changes or not, Skopje is a must-visit city. We arrived there after an easy bus ride from Sofia, Bulgaria, and checked into Hi Skopje hostel. We chose this hostel because of its great reviews and inviting photos. It had a cozy communal area, a warm fireplace, and pre-heated rooms.
We were welcomed by Marina, one of the owners, who decided to open the hostel with a friend in their early 20s. The place was decorated with travel memorabilia from around the world, and our room was comfortable and nicely furnished. Marina, being a traveler herself, knew exactly what backpackers need, from fast Wi-Fi to a communal kitchen and clean rooms. Plus, the hostel had an adorable Golden Retriever named Zhile.
After settling in, we set out to explore Skopje. The city is divided by the Vardar River, with a modern area on one side and the old Ottoman-era bazaar on the other. A short taxi ride took us to the city center, where we entered through the Mother Theresa gate and saw a 22-meter high statue of Alexander the Great.
The area around the statue was bustling with shops and restaurants, and the Christmas lights strung up for the season made it even more festive. Although the marble ground looked nice, it was quite slippery in the snow and rain.
We crossed the Vardar River via a beautiful 15th-century stone bridge, which took us to the Old Bazaar. Here, we found an Austrian project offering hot wine and rum for a dollar—a perfect way to warm up.
The Old Bazaar and Ottoman neighborhood are great for wandering through cobblestone streets and sampling local dishes like Tavče gravče (spiced beans) and burek (stuffed pastry). We also found wine bars, a local brewery with live music, mosques, churches, galleries, and the second oldest bazaar in the Balkans.
Overlooking the bazaar is the Tvrdina Fort, built in the 6th century AD. Despite the cold and wind, the views from the fortress were worth it.
After three days of enjoying Skopje’s food, drink, and sights, we picked up a rental car and headed to Lake Ohrid, another tourist hotspot. Stay tuned for more about our adventures there!
A word of caution: be careful with taxis in Skopje, as some have rigged meters that overcharge. Always check the expected fare before you start your journey. A taxi from Hi Skopje Hostel to the bus station should cost around 100-150 MKD, and about 100 MKD to get to the city center.
We had a fantastic stay at Hi Skopje Hostel, and we highly recommend it. From the airport, you can take a shuttle bus that costs 175 MKD and takes about 30 minutes to reach the center or bus/train station. A taxi from the airport will cost around 20 euros.
Thank you to Marina for hosting us and for having our backs when a taxi driver tried to overcharge us. All our thoughts, opinions, and reviews are our own.
