Where to Stay in Skopje ✔️ 6 Best Areas (by a Local)

Macedonia’s capital city is one of those places that you won’t forget easily! With a rich history, numerous landmarks, and plenty of fun activities, Skopje is a one-stop destination. So, if this sounds like a great spot for your next holiday, it’s time to think about where to stay in Skopje! 

I am a proud Macedonian, and I know Skopje like the back of my hand (and love it!). In this post, I compare all the Skopje areas, as well as all the accommodation options in the city. I made a list of the 6 best neighborhoods in Skopje, hand-picked the top-rated hotels, and sorted them by price. 

In short, the City Center is undoubtedly the best area to stay in Skopje, as it has the main attractions and the best Skopje hotels, but those aren’t the only options! 

By the way, since this is the capital city, I highly recommend booking your hotels in advance, as the city is always full of tourists!

Let’s dive in!

Quick Picks for Your Stay

If you don’t have the time to go through the whole post, then check out the list below; it has the best hotels in Skopje, all situated in the city center:

Check out the map below if you need a bit of help visualizing the 6 Skopje neighborhoods I’ll be talking about in this post:

1. City Center – where to stay in Skopje for the first time

Planning your Skopje trip? Well, let’s start from the beginning! If you’re traveling here for the first time, the best area to stay in Skopje is the lively and bustling city center. 

Home to all the major attractions like the Stone Bridge (map), the Kale Fortress (map), and the Park of the Woman Warrior (map), this area is the perfect spot to start your Macedonian adventure!

As a city bathed in so much rich history, Skopje in North Macedonia is the kind of place that you’ll want to come back to over and over again!

Whether you’re exploring the famous Macedonia Square (map), where you can admire the grand statue of Alexander the Great, or enjoying a coffee in a chic café on the Vardar riverbank, you’ll want to savor every moment spent here!

TIP: The best way to explore the city center is on foot. The area is very walkable, and exploring on foot will give you a chance to see how the locals live, admire all the amazing architecture, and spot all the cool shops.

It’s true, there are many things to do in Skopje as you’ll see for yourself, but don’t forget that you also need to find fabulous accommodation in the city! Luckily, I did all the research for you! And all there’s left to do is to make sure that you book them in advance!

Other accommodation options in City Center

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Hotel Alexandar II – since there are so many great hotels in Skopje City Center, I wanted to offer you one more option. This place comes at a good price per night and has elegant decor, a shared lounge, and a terrace. 

Things to do in City Center

• Explore the famous Macedonia Square
• Cross the beautiful Stone Bridge and snap some photos at the Art Bridge (map)
• Soak in a city skyline view from Kale Fortress
• Visit the Memorial House of Mother Teresa
• Snap a pic of the Macedonia Gate (map)
• Go on a relaxing walk in Woman-Warrior Park

2. Old Bazaar – the best place to stay in Skopje for culture

Once you get here from the city center (it’s just a 5-min walk West), you’ll probably feel as if you’ve arrived in a whole different town! The Old Bazaar is a place bustling with life and history, where the architecture here dates back to the Ottoman period (and you may even notice some elements from the Byzantine period, too!

As you can probably tell from the name, there’s a market here where you can find basically anything you want, from clothes to food to lots of cool souvenirs that you can buy for memories! And if you like Turkish food or want to try it for the first time, then this is definitely the place to do it, as you’ll find the most delicious baklava and kebabs in town! 

NOTE: Always have some cash on you! Most vendors accept cards, but some smaller shops might not accept card payments. As soon as you get into the city, exchange some money into the local currency – the Macedonian denar. 

Once your bellies are full and you’ve had enough Turkish coffee (it’s super strong, trust me), then you can visit the cool attractions in the area where you can learn more about the city’s history under Ottoman rule. So definitely stop at the National Gallery Chifte Amam and the History Museum & Academy of Arts “Suli An.”

Other accommodation options in Old Bazaar

Things to do in Old Bazaar

• Admire the art at the National Gallery of Cifte Amam
• Grab a drink at Rakija Bar Kaldrma (map)
• Get some souvenirs from the many stores in the Old Bazaar
• Eat delicious Turkish food at Gallery 7 (map)
• Visit the History Museum & Academy of Arts Suli An

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3. Debar Maalo – for the bohemian vibe

Located a 15-min walk North of the main square in the city and the Stone Bridge, Debar Maalo is a unique neighborhood with this bohemian vibe that all tourists love! You can sense the laid-back atmosphere and spot the countless bars and restaurants as you move away from the Center and walk toward Debar Maalo (Debar neighborhood).

If you love to try as many places to eat and try different international cuisines, then this is the place for you! Yep, foodies will have the time of their lives here, trying traditional Macedonian food and drinks as well as international dishes.

The main avenue here is called Bohemian Street/ Boemska Ulica (map), and it’s packed with great restaurants where you can eat some of the best food in town. If you’re going during the weekend, you’ll probably encounter a lot of crowds since everyone likes to hang around this area, so making lunch and dinner reservations is highly recommended! 

If you want to have a taste of the local culture in town, then definitely look for some hotels here – I’ve listed the best Skopje hotels below!

Other accommodation options in Debar Maalo

Things to do in Debar Maalo

• Eat a yummy meal at the Japanese Restaurant SushiCo (map)
• Admire the views of River Vardar
• Check out the restaurants on Bohemian Street
• Go visit the Church of St. Clement of Ohrid (map)
• Enjoy a walk in Skopje City Park (map)
• Buy some souvenirs from the small shops in the neighborhood

4. Prolet – where to stay near the train/bus station

If you want to visit other places in Macedonia or go on day trips, then you may consider staying in Prolet, which is set right near the central train and bus station. This lively area is just a 20-min walk South of the city center, which means you’ve hit the jackpot when it comes to transportation, as you can easily go wherever you want in no time! 

As one of the smallest settlements in Skopje, North Macedonia, you won’t find big attractions here, but hey, as we’ve seen, the city center is right around the corner! However, the area has a few restaurants, some shops, and bars.

The hotels are also a bit more affordable here, and you can actually get a taste of the authentic local atmosphere of the city, away from all the grand statues and museums.

Sometimes I think that’s so fascinating because as tourists we only get to see just a side of the places we’re visiting!

Now, let’s check out the hotels in Prolet!

Other accommodation options in Prolet

Things to do in Prolet

• Enjoy a traditional dinner at Gostilnica Lezet (map)
• Head to the bus station and take a day trip
• Go for a swim at the Olympic pool ‘Center’ (map)
• Visit the attractions in the city center

5. Near Sredno Vodno – where to stay for families

Taking the whole family on a trip to Skopje? I know it’s hard to plan a holiday with all members of your crew, but hey, I’m here to help you with that! I found a fantastic quiet area near the Sredno Vodno (Middle Vodno), located on Vodno Mountain and a 20-min drive West of the city center. 

The Middle Vodno park (map) is pretty big, and there are lots of things to do here! Plus, the kids will have all the room they want to run around, jump, hike, and enjoy the green side of Skopje, North Macedonia.

INSIDER TIP: You’ll need a way to get around the city if you’re staying in Sredno Vodno; unfortunately, public transport is not super reliable, and although renting a car is an option, Skopje traffic can get a little hectic. Taxis are a good way to get around and are not too expensive – when I’m in town, I always use Taxi Global! 

Many people go on hikes here or mountain biking, and there are a few picnic tables where you can relax and some shops, too. I would also recommend this area to people who aren’t big fans of the urban vibes. The park is the perfect place to get away from all the city noise!

Other accommodation options near Sredno Vodno

Things to do near the Sredno Vodno

• Go hiking around Vodno Mountain
• Enjoy dinner at Vila Veranda (map)
• Grab a coffee at Point Café (map)
• Go on a tour of Vodno Mountain & Matka Canyon
• Take the kids to the Laserhunt Fun Center Macedonia (map)

6. Karposh – best place to stay in Skopje for tranquility

Nestled by the Vardar River, this area is perfect for those of you who don’t want to stay where all the crowds are! Although set a bit further away from the city center (around a 40-min walk Northwest), this area is peaceful and quiet and among the best places to live in Skopje. 

You’ll still find restaurants and bars, plus the Debar Maalo neighborhood is right after it as you go towards the Center, so you can always head there for some action. 

But while you’re here, you can explore the streets of the quiet neighborhood, check out the authentic local atmosphere, and even go shopping if you’re in the mood.In Karposh, you’ll find the Skopje City Mall (map), where you can watch a movie, grab a bite, or just browse around the many stores!

Other accommodation options in Karposh

Things to do in Karposh

FAQs about where to stay in Skopje

📅 How many days do you need in Skopje?

I’d recommend spending at least 3 days in Skopje, North Macedonia, that way you can explore the city and see all the attractions like the Stone Bridge and the museums.

🤔 Which is the best area to stay in Skopje?

🔝 Is Skopje, North Macedonia, worth visiting?

Yes, Skopje is an amazing city and the best place to stay in North Macedonia for the first time. The city has lots of attractions, a rich history, and super exciting architecture.

🌃 Which places to stay in Skopje, North Macedonia, have nice views?

Final words on the best places to stay in Skopje

We’ve reached the end of this guide on where to stay in Skopje, so hopefully, you will have a better idea of the best place for your stay in the city. 

And if you can’t decide which one to pick, then check out my 2 favorite Skopje hotels below, both set in the city center: 

• Skopje Marriott Hotel – this modern boutique hotel offers an indoor pool, a fitness center, and a spa where you can relax after a long day of exploring the town
• Hotel Senigallia – one of the best hotels in Skopje that’s set in a stunning boat and which has a restaurant and 2 terraces with views of Vardar River

We went through quite a long list of hotels in all 6 Skopje districts, but although the number is high, I still recommend booking your favorite place in advance, as this capital city is packed with tourists all year round! 

It’s been so fun telling you all about this incredible city in Macedonia! Enjoy your Skopje visit. As always, if you need more information about Skopje or where to stay in Macedonia in general, you can just drop me a comment below, and I’ll answer as soon as I can! 

Safe travels, 

Hristina

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