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Things to do in Skopje

Our most recommended things to do in Skopje

From Skopje: Vodno Mountain and Matka Canyon Tour

1. From Skopje: Vodno Mountain and Matka Canyon Tour

Depart Skopje and travel in air-conditioned comfort to Vodno Mountain. Ride the cable car up to Millennium Cross on arrival, and enjoy panoramic views back across Skopje from one of the biggest Christian crosses in the world. Take the cable car back down Vodno Mountain to continue to the mountain village of Gorno Nerezi by air-conditioned vehicle. Visit the small 12th-century Church of St. Panteleimon on arrival and marvel at the historical frescoes of Byzantine art inside. Next, make your way to the Matka Canyon to enjoy a tasty lunch in a nice restaurant by the lake. Take an optional boat trip to the Vrelo cave or go for a nature walk along the many marked trails. Fill your lungs with fresh country air before the return trip to Skopje, and get dropped off at the triumphal arch of the Porta Macedonia on arrival.

From Skopje: Full-Day Kosovo Tour to Pristina and Prizren

2. From Skopje: Full-Day Kosovo Tour to Pristina and Prizren

This tour starts with a pick-up from your hotel in Skopje, traveling to Prishtina where your local guide will be waiting for you. First, visit Monastery Gracanica, and then arrive in Pristina where you will start a tour of Pristina. Your first stop in will be the Kosova National Library, an example of modern architectural design. Then make your way to the open air archaeological park with artifacts from the Neolithic period and Kosova Museum built by Austrians for the Turkish army in 1898, which has an extensive collection of archaeological and ethnological artifacts including the Neolithic Goddess on a Throne terracotta. Head to Çarshi Mosque, the oldest building in Pristina constructed in the 15th-century by the Turkish Sultan Bajazit. Afterwards, head to the Academy Building, a 19th-century Ottoman konak style private houses. Visit the Fatih Mosque or Imperial Mosque built in 1461 under the Turkish Sultan Mehmed II Fatih and the  Great Hammam – bath complex built in 1470 graced with 15 domes with small holes to let light stream in. Make your way to the Ethnographic Museum. The Emin Gjiku Complex is a extremely well-preserved building from 18th-century and it’s the only original building left in old bazaar area. The tour will finish with a visit of Gazimestan Tower. Contnue to Prizren for your walking tour of the city includes the attractive Ottoman old town, known for its gold and silver filigree craftsmen, the hammam, the Museum of Prizren League, the Helveti Tekke, Sinia Pasha Mosque and the Church of Our Lady of Ljevis. Prizren has the largest number of preserved Ottoman buildings in Kosovo, so simply wandering around the old cobbled streets admiring the town houses, mosques and tekkes is a delight. After a small break, return back to .

Day Tour from Sofia to Skopje, North Macedonia

3. Day Tour from Sofia to Skopje, North Macedonia

Discover Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, on this full-day trip from Sofia. During this day tour to Skopje, you will have the chance to explore the city's highlights and hear its rich history and culture from your guide.  Be picked up from your accommodation in Sofia and board an airconditioned vehicle. Relax, and take in the countryside on the transfer to Skopje. Once in Skopje, begin your walking tour of the at Skopje Fortress. Admire sweeping views of the city from the fortress before heading to the Church of the Holy Savior, home to fantastic iconostasis. Continue towards the Sultan Murat Mosque and the Old Bazaar, where you can witness the remnants from Ottoman Period.  Listen as your guide tells you about Skopje's history as one of the main trade centers in the Balkans. Stop a typical Macedonian restaurant where you can purchase a delicious lunch before crossing the Vadar River explore the other side of the city.  Visit the new neo-classical square and continue to the Mother Teresa memorial house. End your walking tour at the newly built triumphal arch Porta Macedonia. Journey back to Sofia and be dropped off at your hotel or accommodation. 

Half Day Tour from Skopje to Matka Canyon

4. Half Day Tour from Skopje to Matka Canyon

During this half-day spent in nature, you will feel removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. Matka Canyon is one of the most popular outdoor destinations surrounding Skopje. You will find many species of plants, animals and butterflies will make you want to come again! Sit back and relax by the lake with a spectacular view on the cliffs in front of you can rent a kayak and try your kayaking skills, or go on a boat tour and admire the tranquility of the canyon. Visit Vrelo Cave or simply explore the beautiful nature all around you. You can also enjoy a nice meal on the terrace of the restaurant overlooking the lake. 

Ohrid: Old Town Panoramic Boat Cruise

5. Ohrid: Old Town Panoramic Boat Cruise

This tour is common for the tourists who have limited time to spend in Ohrid, however they wish to experience Ohrid Lake on a boat. Regular departure point is the Ohrid central port located only 50 meters from the main square. It includes Ohrid Old Town, cruising close to the shore so you can have a detailed view, while on the way back the cruise will take you further from the shore, so you can enjoy a unique panoramic view of the entire Old Town. Most important things you will see are the Church of Saint Sophia dating from the 9th century, the fishermen settlement Kaneo, the Church of Saint John at Kaneo dating from the mid-15th century, it is the most famous and most photographed church in Ohrid because of its amazing location on a cliff overlooking the Ohrid Lake. Furthermore, you get to see the virgin beach Labino and the two so-called Caves of Love which are very popular within locals and getting a huge attention from tourist as well. On the way back you will see the Church of Saint Clement Pantelejmon at Plaoshnik, built on the foundations of an early Christian basilica back in the 9th century. On the top of the Old Town is the Tzar Samuel fortress from the 10th century which overlooks both the lake and the whole Ohrid area. End point of this tour is same as the departure, the Ohrid central port.

Skopje: Matka Canyon Sightseeing Tour

6. Skopje: Matka Canyon Sightseeing Tour

Discover the most beautiful landscape in the Skopje region on this scenic sightseeing hike and cruise of the Matka Canyon. Sail between vertical rocks, see ancient temples, medieval churches, and hilltop monasteries. Start at the 14th-century Monastery of Matka, dedicated to the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God, a religious festival celebrated on August 28 every year. Walk along the banks of the River Treska, famous for its kayak competitions, following the path past the Dam and manmade Lake Matka. Next, climb aboard a small boat to cruise along the 5-mile (8-kilometer) canyon, soaking up the surroundings and scent of flowers. Listen and look out for abundant birdlife, and keep your eyes open for wild boar and hare. On your return, stop opposite the Monastery of St. Andrew and climb up forested hills to the Monastery of St. Nikola. From the plateau, your efforts will be rewarded with breathtaking views. A hospitable church-keeper, who built the surrounding mountain huts, will welcome you inside the monastery for yet another perspective of this magical and mysterious land.

Skopje 4-Hour Walking Tour

7. Skopje 4-Hour Walking Tour

This 4-hour walking tour of Skopje usually starts on the plateau where the Museum of Contemporary Art is located. This offers a wonderful view of the central part of Skopje and here the story about the city begins. Afterwards, you will visit the Fortress Kale before visiting the Mustapha Pasha Mosque, the Church of the Holy Savior, and the small museum of Goce Delchev. Another optional visit is to the Museum of Macedonia which consists of 3 parts: an icon gallery, an ethnological department, and a historical department. Then you will continue your stroll through the Old Bazaar, where 2 more caravanserais can be seen as well as 2 Turkish baths: Chifte Hammam and Daut Pasha Hammam. The tour continues towards the modern part of the city. Before you cross the Stone Bridge, one of the oldest landmarks of Skopje, you can see the Holocaust Memorial Center for the Jews of Macedonia and the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle for Independence, IMRO and the Victims of Communism. On the other bank of the river is the main square, Macedonia Square, with a lot of new statues and monuments. You will walk along the main street, Macedonia Street, which connects the square to the old railway station. You will stay for a short visit to the Memorial House of Mother Teresa and end the tour in front of the Museum of the City of Skopje, situated in the building of the old railway station.

Skopje: Kartal Winery Tour

8. Skopje: Kartal Winery Tour

Upon arrival at the winery, learn about the winemaking process on a guided tour with one of the owners. Learn more about North Macedonian grape varieties, cuisine, and viticulture throughout the tour.  After the tour, taste a selection of wines produced on-site. Sample some varieties of Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Vranec paired with platters of local cheese, meat, olive oil, and bread.

From Sofia: Skopje and Matka Canyon Day Trip

9. From Sofia: Skopje and Matka Canyon Day Trip

Cross the border from Bulgaria and enjoy a day trip in Macedonia. Dive into the past as you explore Skopje's historic neighborhoods and see its attractions. Learn about the history of the Macedonians as you walk through the new part of the city, rebuilt during the Skopje 2013 project. After your visit to Skopje, head to Matka Canyon to take a break in nature. Your day trip begins with an 8:00 AM pickup from your accommodation in Sofia. Drive for approximately 3.5 hours and reach Skopje. During your drive learn about the history of the region from the Bulgarian point of view. Arrive in Skopje and have a 2-hour guided tour of the city from a local Macedonian guide. Learn about Yugoslavia and have the chance to compare the two historic perspectives of the region provided to you on this trip. During your guided tour of Skopje visit Skopje Fortress, Sultan Murat Mosque, and the Old Bazaar. Have the chance to see the caravanserais from the Ottoman period when Skopje was one of the main trade centers in the Balkans. Visit the new neo-classical Macedonia Square and be impressed by the statue of Alexander the Great and his father Phillip II. Continue on to the Mother Teresa Memorial House. In the house museum, learn about Mother Teresa's life story. Afterward, conclude your walking tour of Skopje at Macedonia Gate. Head to Matka Canyon where you will have approximately 1.5-hours to admire the beauty of nature. Have the chance to enjoy a boat trip inside the canyon and pass by one of the deepest underwater caves in the world. At about 4:00 PM, meet with the rest of the group and depart back to Sofia. On the drive back, discuss your day's impressions and ask your guide any remaining questions you may have. Unfortunately, the day trip's itinerary will not allow you to have free time for lunch in Skopje. It is recommended to take some fast food during the walking tour or bring some sandwiches with you. You can buy food from a petrol station before arriving in the city.

From Sofia: Kosovo and North Macedonia 2-Day Tour

10. From Sofia: Kosovo and North Macedonia 2-Day Tour

Start with pickup from your hotel or accommodation in Sofia at 8:00 AM. Travel for approximately 3.5 hours to the first destination of the two-day excursion, the city of Skopje, which is the capital of North Macedonia. During the drive, learn of the political history of the region.  Upon arrival in Skopje, enjoy a 2-hour city tour with a Macedonian guide. Explore both the old and the new parts of the city, seeing its major landmarks. After the walking tour, enjoy 1.5 hours of free time during which you will have the chance to rest and taste the local cuisine. Afterwards, continue the journey to Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, which will take approximately 2 hours. When you reach Pristina enjoy some free time to explore the highlights of the city after which you will travel to the cultural capital of the country, Prizen. Stay overnight in a 4-star hotel in the heart of the city.  On the second day, have breakfast in the hotel followed by a walking tour of Prizen at 8:30 AM. Explore the narrow cobblestone streets and authentic Ottoman buildings. Visit Mahmet Pasha Hamam, the 15th century stone bridge and the fortress situated high above the city. From here, get a fantastic view of the whole city. Then, begin the journey back towards Skopje for a lunch break, and subsequently onto Sofia, where you will arrive at approximately 3:00 PM.

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What people are saying about Skopje

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 572 reviews

The trip was perfect, exactly how we expected it to be, the driver was very friendly and took time to show us other places on the way to Macedonia that we should visit. Lena was an amazing local host, she knew so much about the history and took time to answer any questions we had. I would definitely recommend it for anyone else wanting to do a trip to Skopje

Skopje was a positive surprise for me! I didn’t think I would like it that much. The city is beautiful, diverse and different from everything I’ve ever seen in life. But I do wish we had more time in the city. When I took the tour, we only had 3h30 there and had to see everything in a hurry. Anyways, it was very worth it!

fantastic day out. would definitely recommend, our guide in Skopje lena was very informative and we had plenty of free time. the city itself was really interesting and very cheap! our Bulgarian guide Lubo was a fantastic guy and really helped make this such a great day so thank you

Phillip and Lena were excellent guides. We learned so much and we’re in good hands. Phillip reassured us during the border crossing and kept us informed with all the history. And Skopje was worth the drive. The culture and city were very good!

Vladimir was such a good tour guide, he explainedall the historical and cultural things there is to talk about and even made overall suggestion about my trip in Skopje. I definitely recommend it especially in winter because of transportation.