Skopje between the Vardar, history and nature

Skopje stretches along the banks of the Vardar River. Its riverside setting is complemented by historic sites, museums and nature-related attractions in the City of Skopje area. You can shape your trip around the city’s history, cultural offerings or nature.

City history by the river and in the Old Bazaar

Kale Fortress is considered the historic core of present-day Skopje. It stands on Kale Hill in the city centre, on the left bank of the Vardar. The Stone Bridge connects Macedonia Square with the Old Bazaar; according to historical sources, it was built during the reign of Sultan Mehmed II, between 1451 and 1469.

Skopje’s Old Bazaar has been part of the city for more than seven centuries. The Old Bazaar is home to craft workshops, restaurants, kebab restaurants, cafés and teahouses; individual businesses may change. The Daut Pasha Hamam is a former bathhouse and a monument to Islamic secular architecture. It is located in the city centre on the left bank of the Vardar, near the Stone Bridge and at the entrance to the Old Bazaar.

Museums and educational attractions

The Museum of the City of Skopje holds more than 40,000 museum artefacts, a large proportion of which have been displayed and published. The Archaeological Museum of the Republic of North Macedonia exhibits more than 7,000 artefacts spanning prehistoric archaeology, antiquity, medieval archaeology, numismatics, anthropology and the lapidarium. Its collections thus range from early cultures and antiquity to coins, anthropology and stone artefacts.

At Skopje Zoo, educational programmes, workshops, campaigns and events promote awareness of biodiversity, nature conservation and responsible treatment of wildlife. Dino Park Skopje offers a different focus, with 41 dinosaur replicas from the Cretaceous and Jurassic periods, along with educational content about various animal species. Tumba Madzari is an open-air museum and an archaeological site of scientific, educational and tourism significance.

Matka Canyon and landscapes in the City of Skopje area

The City Assembly of Skopje declared Matka Canyon a natural monument in 1994. A section of the Matka walking trail runs from the Monastery of St. Andrew to Visok Rid, opposite Vrelo Cave. As trail conditions can change, check them before your hike. On October 20, 2023, the City of Skopje announced the start of repairs to the walking trails in Matka Canyon, with the aim of improving conditions and accessibility for visitors.

Vodno, with the summit of Krstovar (1,066 m), is one of the mountains in the City of Skopje area. Gazi Baba Forest is protected as a characteristic landscape by a decision of the City of Skopje. Together with the canyon, these places show different facets of the landscape to consider when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations

Oreshani, Skopje, Gorna Matka, Struga, Municipality of Zhelino, Municipality of Pehchevo, Valandovo, Bogdanci

For the broader travel overview: Macedonia.