Skopje City Tour

Itinerary

Skopje

Skopje is the capital and largest city in Macedonia. It is the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic center. The territory of Skopje has been inhabited since at least 4000 BC; remains of Neolithic settlements have been found within the old Kale Fortress that overlooks the modern city center. River Vardar, the longest Macedonian river is dividing the city into the old part, located on the left bank of the river and the modern part of Skopje, located on the right bank.

Memorial house of Mother Teresa

The Mother Teresa Memorial House, dedicated to the humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mother Teresa, can be found in her hometown Skopje, where she lived from 1910 to 1928. Construction of the house began in May 2008. The project was financed by the Government of Macedonia and carried out by the Ministry of Culture. It is a modern, transformed version of Mother Teresa's birth house with a multifunctional but sacral character. Inside the house, part of her relics are preserved, which were transferred to Skopje with the support of the Roman Catholic Church of Skopje. There is a museum that includes realistic sculptures of Mother Teresa and members of her family. One sculpture shows Mother Teresa as a ten-year-old child, sitting on a stone and holding a pigeon in her hands.

Skopje Old bazaar

Walking tour with our local guide.

The Old Bazaar is situated on the eastern bank of the Vardar River, stretching from the Stone Bridge to the Bit-Pazar.] As one of the oldest and largest marketplaces in the Balkans, it has been Skopje's center for trade and commerce since at least the 12th century.

Beside its importance as a market place, the Old Bazaar is known for its cultural and historical values. Although Ottoman architecture is predominant, remains of Byzantine architecture are evident as well, while recent reconstructions have led to the application of elements specific to modern architecture. The Old Bazaar is still home to several active mosques, two churches and a clock tower.

Skopje fortress Kale

The Fortress Kale is located on the eponymous hill, in the very center of Skopje, on the left bank of the river Vardar and partly in the western part of the bazaar. According to the information so far, the area on which today's fortress is located was inhabited since the prehistoric times, i.e. sometime around IV to III millennium BC. The fortress was again inhabited sometime around the 7th to 6th century BC. This settlement was protected by walls and existed sometime until the IV or III century BC.

Vodno mountain

Vodno mountain is located to the southwest of the capital city Skopje. The highest point of the mountain is at Krstovar peak on 1066m where so called Millennium cross was built at year 2000. Vodno is a favorite destination for all Skopje citizens for hiking, trekking or simply walking in the nature.

St. Panteleimon church

Near the village of Gorno Nerezi and only 20 min drive from Skopje city center, high on the forested slopes of Vodno mountain, the 12th century church of St. Panteleimon is founded. It is one of the oldest and most important churches in Macedonia, built and painted in 1164 under the patronage of Byzantine Prince Alexios Komnenos whose name is made immortal by being carved in marble, right above the entrance in the church. It was dedicated to St. Panteleimon, the protector of health.

Cable car "Millennium cross"

Cable car starts from the middle of Vodno mountain riding to the top and so called "Millenium cross". Ride takes less than 20 min one way. 

Ride is optional and possible only on Friday departures - Monday closed. Cable car fee (2 EUR) not included in the price

Sights you will see during the tour

• Memorial house of Mother Teresa (inside) and her statue at the main pedestrian zone in Skopje;
• Remains of Old Skopje railway station, today the City museum (from outside);
• Gate Macedonia and the main square in Skopje;
• The Fountain and the sculpture of The Warrior on Horse representing Alexander the Great;
• The Macedonian parliament and the park dedicated to a woman;
• The Stone bridge – symbol of Skopje;
• The new Archaeological museum (from outside);
• The Museum of Macedonian struggle (from outside);
• The Old Skopje Bazaar with its unique architecture and craftsman shops
• Church of St Spas (The Holy Salvation) (from outside)
• Skopje Fortress Kale (inside);
• St. Panteleimon monastery at village Nerezi (inside, admission fee not included) only on Friday departures – Monday closed;
• Cable car ride to the top of Vodno mountain (optional, cable car fee not included in the price)only on Friday departures – Monday closed;
• Millennium cross on the top of Vodno mountain;