Skopje, Macedonia: The Top Ten Tourist Attractions

East Meets West in This Unique Balkan Capital

The resilient city of Skopje, capital of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, has seen its share of triumph and disaster since ancient times.  Ruled by Romans, Ottomans, and the Yugoslav conglomerate before Macedonia’s independence, Skopje has taken a beating and continues to come back for more, making it a rich tourist destination with numerous attractions of archaeological, architectural, and cultural significance. The city has reinvented itself twice, once after a scorching fire by a 17th century Austrian general and again after a devastating earthquake in 1963. Visitors to Skopje today find a city actively trying to celebrate and preserve its past while preparing for the future.

Here are my top 10 recommendations for tourist attractions in Skopje, Macedonia.

1. Old Skopje Bazaar

Reflecting Skopje’s ties to Islamic culture from its days in the Ottoman Empire, this marketplace or “Carsija” is full of bustling shops that beckon visitors. Balancing a tourist orientation and a practical quality, the Old Skopje Bazaar is where visitors mingle with locals. Shoppers looking for souvenirs can find everything from strong Turkish teas and lovely laces to small tin sculptures and cheap jewelry, but they’ll also encounter Macedonians going about their daily lives at shoe stores, bakeries, and sewing shops. Located in the oldest part of Skopje, across the Vardar River from modern-day Skopje, this bazaar is where East meets West. In my opinion, few other Europeans cities have markets with such a special legacy, and no tourist attraction in Skopje blends history and fun this well. Note: the winding, cobbled streets are especially busy when services at the nearby mosque end.