Skopje city break 5 days

Skopje is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Macedonia located in the north of the country on an elevation of 240m above sea level. It is situated in the center of the Balkan Peninsula and halfway between Belgrade and Athens. The capital has around 500.000 inhabitants and the majority is Christian Orthodox. Skopje is the cultural, educational, political and economic center in the country. During the Roman times was named Scupi, meaning “observer” related to its position on a high position from which the whole place could be observed. Many civilizations left their traces on the city and its remarkable environment. Skopje will always stay remembered as the “city of solidarity” when many nations were donating to rebuilt the city after the devastating earthquake in 1963. Today, Skopje is known as “city of monuments”, as a result of the controversial project “Skopje 2014” that is going to change the entire look of the center of the city. Macedonia’s longest river Vardar that flows in the Aegean Sea divides the city into two parts, the oriental - inherited from the Ottoman Empire and occidental - that includes the modern features of the city. The symbol of Skopje, the famous Stone Bridge that resisted all the misfortunes of the city, is the communication between these two separated worlds. Experiencing the Old part of the city means walking through the narrow cobbled streets, getting familiar with the cradle of the traditional crafts, visiting the monuments from the Ottoman period or simply tasting the delicious Macedonian and Turkish cuisine. On the other hand, modern Skopje signifies the noise of the crowded pedestrian street “Macedonia”, the square “Macedonia” dominated by the highest statue of Alexander the Great, the marble plaque showing the birthplace of Saint Teresa of Calcutta and the Memorial House dedicated to her life and the numerous cafes and restaurants of all types.

The capital is the religious center in the country where the seat of the Macedonian Orthodox Church is located. The Millennium Cross, situated on the top of Vodno Mountain and accessible by cable car, was constructed to serve as a memorial of 2000 years of Christianity in Macedonia and the world. Skopje includes all the variety of the country. It is a real mosaic of different cultures and religions and together with its environment, deserves to be visited.

In the environment of Skopje, the Canyon Matka is spreading its natural beauties. It is one of the most desirable places for escaping the city noise, enjoy the walks in the breath-taking nature and delicious dishes at the same time.

Ohrid  is located in the south-west part of Macedonia, on the shores of the Ohrid Lake, one of the oldest lakes in the world, on an elevation of 695m, above sea level. The town has around 50.000 inhabitants and the majority is Christian Orthodox. In the antiquity known as Lychnidos, or “The City of Light”, Ohrid is a never ending story that started in the prehistory and lasted through many periods up to the present. Ohrid is one of only 28 sites that are part of UNESCO’s World Heritage that are cultural as well as natural sites.

Stobi winery is the newest and most modernly designed Macedonian winery, located in the Municipality of Gradsko, next to the ancient site Stobi, where it gets its name from.