Skopje Audio Tours

The historic centre is compact and walkable. Macedonia Square, the Stone Bridge, and the Old Bazaar are all within easy walking distance of each other and from most central hotels. The Vardar River divides the newer downtown from the Ottoman Carsija quarter and the bridge crossing is a five-minute walk.

The Carsija, Skopje's Ottoman bazaar district, is the most atmospheric part of the city. Narrow lanes wind between mosques, hammams, and workshops where craftsmen still work in traditional trades. The 15th-century Mustafa Pasha Mosque and the Bezisten covered market are the architectural highlights. The bazaar is also full of good cheap restaurants serving Macedonian and Turkish food.

Skopje is generally a safe city with low violent crime against tourists. The main tourist areas including Macedonia Square, the Stone Bridge, and the Old Bazaar are well-patrolled and comfortable to walk at night. Standard petty theft awareness applies near busy areas.

Tavce gravce, white beans slow-cooked in clay pots with onion and paprika, is the national dish and is better than it sounds. Shopska salad, a mixture of tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and white cheese, appears on every table. Ajvar, a roasted red pepper paste, accompanies almost every meal. The old bazaar has good cheap restaurants serving these dishes alongside baklava and Turkish coffee.