Skopje, North Macedonia
Skopje is the capital of North Macedonia, and it’s a city that surprised me. It’s small enough to cover the centre in a day, but there’s something about it that sticks with you — the bars at night, the Turkish-style architecture in the old part, and the absolutely bizarre number of statues everywhere you look.
Time of Year I Visited
I went in June. During the day it was very hot — think short sleeves all day. At night, a light jacket comes in handy, but only just.
Did I Feel Safe?
Yes, I felt safe. Skopje is generally considered a safe city, especially in the centre and the popular nightlife areas. The main things to watch for are the usual: pickpockets in crowded spots, and taxi scams — always agree on the price before you get in, use an app like Wizi or BeeRide (the two most popular ones there), or ask your hotel to arrange one for you, which is what I usually did. At night, stick to the well-lit, busy areas and you’ll be fine.
Where I Stayed
Hotel Arka: Good hotel, friendly staff, well located. The room felt like it was stuck in 1950 — not exactly updated with the times — but a solid option overall.
I also stayed at Bushi Resort and Spa, which I chose because I was using Skopje as a base before and after visiting Ohrid — and before flying home. Beautiful, modern, really well located. If I had to choose, I’d stay there every time.
What’s Worth Doing
The statues: Skopje has over 284 statues scattered across the city — literally everywhere you look. The reason is a government project called “Skopje 2014,” which spent an estimated €500 million on statues, neoclassical buildings and monuments to give the city a distinctive identity and boost tourism. Locals were largely outraged — many considered it a waste of money for a country with economic struggles. Whether you love it or find it absurd, it gives the city a bizarre, unforgettable character. I found it funny, and kind of charming in its own strange way.
Church of Saint Clement of Ohrid: The largest Orthodox cathedral in North Macedonia, and one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. You can walk there from the centre. Worth stopping by just to see the exterior — all domes and arches, very striking.
The bars at night: The centre comes alive at night, with bars that have a strong Turkish influence — beautiful settings, very lively, really nice to explore on foot.
Lake Matka: About 25 minutes from Skopje. You can get there on an organised excursion, rent a car, or take a taxi. I arranged a taxi through my hotel — they waited for me and brought me back, which cost around €40 all in. It’s an artificial lake surrounded by a dramatic canyon, with hiking trails, a lovely little bar right by the water, and boat tours that take you through the gorge to Vrelo Cave — one of the deepest underwater caves in the world. I did the boat tour and visited the cave, but honestly the cave itself didn’t do much for me — I was in and out in about five minutes. The lake is genuinely beautiful — the views, the walks, the atmosphere. I went alone and stayed about two to three hours, which felt right. If you want to make the most of it, rent a kayak and explore the lake, or go hiking along the canyon trails.
Things to Know
North Macedonia is incredibly cheap — one of the most affordable countries you can visit in Europe. Hotels, food, taxis, everything. Even the higher-end hotels I stayed at were very reasonably priced compared to what you’d pay elsewhere. It’s the kind of destination where you get a lot for your money without even trying.
One fun fact that surprises most people: Mother Teresa — known worldwide as Mother Teresa of Calcutta — was born in Skopje in 1910. She grew up here before leaving for Ireland and eventually dedicating her life to humanitarian work in Calcutta, India. The city has a memorial museum in her honour, right in the centre, built where her family home used to stand.
How Long Did I Stay?
3 days — one to explore the city centre, one for the day trip to Kosovo, and one for Lake Matka. Each day had its own thing, and between the three, I felt like I got a real sense of what the area has to offer.
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