Skopje In its 2 500 years old existence, Macedonia’s welcoming capital city has had many different looks. All of them from Roman to Byzantine, from Ottoman to Yugoslav have left permanent traces on the city as is evidenced by Skopje’s varied architecture and its mix of cultures. Yet in addition to its strong historical associations, Skopje is a forward-looking city offering an abundance of modern amenities and attractions. The concentrated complexity of Skopje today attract visitors offering a great variety of things to see and do, constantly reminding the public of the city’s storied past.
Skopje is undergoing a transformation unlike any city anywhere, regarding his architecture . The city centre holds concrete masterpieces sitting alongside every possible era of architecture from the last two millennium. Here is a perception of how one tourist sees the architecture of Skopje: ,,An ancient Castle fortress looks down from one side, and the worlds biggest cross sits atop an inner city mountain on the other. On one side of the Vardar river that cuts through the city centre, is a ancient neighbourhood (Old Bazaar) that could be straight out of Istanbul. On the other, the city square with an enormous “Man On a Horse” statue (Alexander the Great) is a pleasurable and walk-able area normally bustling with activity. Connecting the two areas, is the Stone Bridge, built about 700 years ago – on top of much older Roman foundations. The layers and the contrast is unique for any city of this size. I love this city. If you visit Skopje, I’m pretty sure you’ll love it to. It’s changing very fast at the moment. It has something for everyone the prices are low, the locals are extremely friendly, and you will just not believe your eyes when you get here.
Nightlife in Skopje Thrilling nightlife is offered in Skopje all week long. A busy social life is part of the Macedonian tradition. A coffee break with friends during the day is mandatory. Numerous discotheques and clubs featuring world famous DJs until the wee hours of the morning are known as the best in South-East Europe. Taverns have an abundance of excellent music, singers and orchestras as well as tables covered with delicious traditional food. International restaurants ensure variety of choices for everyone's enjoyment. Macedonian leaves the impression of a country that never sleeps, while the capital city of Skopje is a metropolis - urban heart beating 24/7 - ideal choice for your City Break!
Old Bazaar The old part of the city is called the Old Bazaar or Carsija in Macedonian. It’s a very pleasant area to wander around. Many say there’s something magical there. Here you will find lots of tiny, square little one floor shops that string themselves along the narrow cobbled streets, each of them with a different story. You can buy almost everything- from jewelry, handmade leather shoes to kebabs. The place has an Oriental feel, having in mind that nearby there are many historical sites ( most of them Muslim) like the Mustapha Pasha Mosque, Cifte Amam, Daut Pasha Hamam (hamam- bath), Kapan-Han, Kursumli An, Ishak Bey Mosque as well as the church St.Spas
Millennium Cross The Vodno Mountain is located only 3km south from the city center, making Skopje one of the few capitals to have nature so close to the core of the city. On its highest point there is the Millennium Cross one of the newest tourist attractions of the city. It was built in 2002 by the Macedonian Orthodox Church in order to celebrate 2000 years of Christianity in the World and on Macedonian soil. With its height from 66 meters, it is one of the biggest crosses in the world and can be seen from 30 km away. There is an elevator inside the cross so you can climb and have even better panoramic view of the whole area..
The Stone Bridge The Stone Bridge was built in the 6th century by the Byzantine emperor Justinian. Since then it has been the symbol of the city. It connects the old and the new part of the city, so when you are crossing it, you pass from the new to the old, from the Westernized site of the city into the more Eastern influenced area and the Old Bazaar. The Stone Bridge spans the Vardar River is a bridge with twelve semi circular arches carved out of stone.
Kale Fortress The Kale Fortress stands on the highest hill in the Skopje valley and offers great views over the city. Popular with domestic and foreign tourists, the fortress has well-tended gardens and places to relax in. It dates from the 6th century, about the same time period as the Old Stone Bridge. Some stone blocks were used from an old Roman city known as Scupi. It has been partly damaged in the earthquakes in 518 and 1963, but today it is completely restored.
Matka Lake & Canyon Only 20 minutes away from the city you will find yourself in a peaceful, beautiful scenery and a lot of breathtaking nature. Lake Matka was created by a dam, which you will see as you walk along the trail, and is very impressive. There is a picnic area as well as a restaurant that serves fresh fish. You could rent small boat and go through the canyon where you have a possibility to visit the Vrelo cave system that’s considered to be Europe’s deepest underwater cave. The beautiful St. Andrew church is found next to the restaurant by the lake.
Ohrid Distanced for only 183 km (113.71 miles) or 2 hours 18 min (by car) from Skopje, you have the opportunity to spend your weekend in one of the most beautiful cities that our country has to offer….
The city of the immortal Ohrid is the sublime lakeside point that for many represents the culmination of the Macedonian experience, a kingdom of light and water, a repository of ancient ruins from Macedonia’s earlier kingdoms.
The uniqueness of Lake Ohrid and the city’s historical architecture has been attested by UNESCO, honoring it with an official designation as one of the few places on the cultural institution’s list “World Inheritance”.
A mysterious three million year old lake fed by underground spring water. A compact city with a preserved history thousands of years old, including castles, historic churches, and monasteries. Great value accommodation. Developed tourist infrastructure. Range of restaurants, nightclubs, nature walks, lake-front cafes, all in an old town of winding streets paved with cobblestones and stunning Ottoman-era architecture. Friendly laid-back locals, seasonally good weather, swimming, snowcapped mountains, boat rides, roman amphitheatres, and plenty of day-trips. One of the very few places on Earth with two UNESCO listings – for both culture, and natural environment.
Kokino Observatory The Megalithic Observatory Kokino is located about 30 kilometers northeast of Kumanovo. This site has a diameter of 100 meters and is scaled on two levels underneath the mountain peak Tatikev Kamen at an altitude of 1013 m. When discovered in 2001 it was believed to be a special mountain sanctuary from the Bronze Age. A detailed arheo-astronomical research carried out afterwards showed that the locality has all the characteristics of a holy place but also of an older observation of celestial objects. In 2005, the American Space Agency NASA, ranked the Megalithic Observatory Kokino in 4th place on the World’s Ancient Observatories list.
Shopska
Burek
Baklava
The land of sun is the land of the tastes. Macedonia is the land of the gourmands and true fans of a good meal. From appetizers, main dishes, salads to desserts, Macedonian cuisine can offer numerous traditional dishes for every taste. The traditional Macedonian cuisine combines Balkan and Mediterranean characteristics, inherited largely from Turkish tastes that prevailed during long centuries of Ottoman rule, then our neighboring Greece, and to some extend Italian and Austrian cuisines, which makes it a heterogeneous. Here, every good meal starts with fresh salad. We call it “mezeâ€?, and whenever you mention meze in Macedonia, it means a perfect mix of fresh vegetable , sometimes combined with white cheese. Also, different variations of eggplant, zucchinis, brine, cream are served‌ Rakija and Mastika are the most popular drinks that are usually consumed with this kind of appetizer.
Sarma
Trout
Tavche gravche
How much should I take? Pricelist • • • • • • • • • •
Coffee = 80 denars Beer= 70 denars Non-alcoholic drink= 80 denars Alcohol in bars = 100-200 denars Average fast food meal = 150 denars Average meal in restaurant= 200 denars Average breakfast pastry = 40 denars Cigarettes = 50-150 denars Bus ticket= 35 denars Taxi= 25 denars per kilometer; 40 denars start
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1 euro = 61.33 denars
15 Things you must do in Macedonia • • • • • • • • • • • •
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Try the traditional Balkan drink- rakija. Go out in a kafana (traditional restaurant). Visit the Kale fortress. Climb to the Millennium Cross on a Sunday morning. Try ajvar- a Macedonian relish. Try burek (it tastes better at 5 AM after a long night out ) Visit the Matka Canyon and have lunch with an amazing view there. Try the most famous Macedonian beer Skopsko. Have a glass (or more) of red wine from a Macedonian winery. Visit the city of Ohrid and see all of its attractions. While in Ohrid, try gjomleze- a type of pie typical only for Ohrid. Order Turkish coffee or tea and eat baklava at the Old Bazaar. Go to a restaurant and order a traditional Macedonian dish (tavche gravche, pastrmajlija, sarma). Visit the Kokino Observatory and the archeological site. Learn how to dance Oro- the traditional Macedonian dance.