This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you are better prepared for what to expect, what not to expect and can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Skopje. To help you make friends with Skopje before you visit, we've included a few helpful and fun things you should know about the area. Enjoy!
Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, has a population of more than five hundred thousand (about twenty-five percent of Macedonia’s total population). The city is located on the Vardar River. Skopje has been inhabited for more than six thousand years and it has great cultural and architectural heritage. The Roman and the Byzantine influence can be seen in many of the remaining artifacts from Roman and Byzantine times.
There are also many religious monuments in Skopje, such as the Church of Holy Salvation, the Church of Saint Demetrius at the Marko's Monastery, the Church of the Holy Mother of God, the Isa Bey Mosque, and the Mustafa Pasha Mosque. Other interesting sights are the Skopje Fortress, the Macedonia Square, and the Millennium Cross. You also need to visit the Old Town (many Skopje hostels are not far from it), which houses most Skopje landmarks including Turkish baths, a bezisten (covered market), and centuries-old inns such as Kapan An and Suli An.
There are enough places to go out although nightlife in Skopje is nothing special. Be careful, as there have been tensions between Macedonians and Albanians, so do not make any ethnic comments and try not to provoke locals on such topics. Otherwise, local people are friendly and you will not have any trouble. But train and bus connections to Skopje are not very convenient and you may have trouble traveling to and from Skopje. There is an international airport that serves different international routes.
A lot of Skopje hostels, while located in the center, are not easy to find, so be sure to write down the address and if you need assistance, ask locals for directions. There is also a second concentration of Skopje hostels next to the Gazi Baba Park and there are hostels in different parts of the city.
Written by local enthusiast for Skopje hostels
George Traveller
