The Old Bazaar in Skopje Old Town is a place that could be a charming dive into the city’s Ottoman past, but it ends up being an overwhelming and uncomfortable experience. The architecture is undeniably interesting, with its narrow cobblestone streets, old stone buildings, and remnants of a bygone era that give it a certain historical allure. The preserved shops, caravanserais, and traditional facades offer a glimpse into Skopje’s past, and for history buffs, this could be a highlight. However, the atmosphere is marred by issues that make it hard to enjoy. The area is overcrowded with gypsies, some of whom engage in persistent begging that feels intrusive and, at times, intimidating. This detracts significantly from the experience, turning a leisurely walk into a stressful navigation through constant solicitations. Additionally, the strong presence of Muslim culture, including frequent calls to prayer echoing from what feels like countless mosques, can be jarring for visitors not accustomed to it. While this is part of the area’s cultural fabric, the sheer volume and intensity can feel overwhelming, especially when combined with the chaotic crowds. The bazaar’s authenticity is a double-edged sword—it’s vibrant and bustling, but the lack of order and the aggressive street interactions make it feel less like a cultural gem and more like a disorganized mess. The absence of visible efforts to manage the crowds or maintain a welcoming environment for tourists only adds to the frustration. For every moment of architectural charm, there’s an equal dose of discomfort that makes the visit feel like a chore. In short, the Old Bazaar has the potential to be a fascinating stop in Skopje, but the intrusive begging and relentless noise from nearby mosques make it far less appealing. It’s a shame, as the historical elements deserve better presentation.

The Old Bazaar in Skopje was an unforgettable experience that truly captured the charm and spirit of the city. Walking through its narrow cobbled streets, I felt surrounded by history, with Ottoman-era architecture, old inns, and beautiful mosques creating a unique and timeless atmosphere. The blend of cultures and traditions gave the place a vibrant and authentic character. I loved browsing the small shops filled with traditional crafts, jewelry, and souvenirs, and the aroma of local food and coffee made the visit even more delightful. The lively yet welcoming atmosphere made it easy to spend hours exploring. The Old Bazaar was a perfect mix of history, culture, and everyday life—a highlight of my trip to Skopje.

historic marketplace that has been a hub of trade and culture since the Ottoman period. Lined with mosques, hammams, and artisan shops, it blends Eastern and Western influences, offering a vibrant glimpse into the city’s multicultural past and living traditions. Enjoy walking and around but be aware - on Sunday only few shops and restaurants are open, most of the shops are closed.

Visiting this place is like taking a trip back in time. It is one of the largest and oldest bazaars in the Balkans, dating back to the 12th century. The narrow cobblestone streets are filled with Ottoman-era architecture. The atmosphere is vibrant, full of craft shops, jewelers, cafes and restaurants. I found it great for a stroll, buying simple souvenirs and soaking up a genuine atmosphere.

A very interesting place, calm and vibrant in the same time. Worth to give it some time, both during daytime and in the evening, not only for shopping or having a beer or a coffee, but for a slow walk, to enjoy its history and spirit.

Charming bazar with great food, but watch the weather Visited on 26 October 2025 and spent about 2 hours exploring and trying food. The Old Bazar is a cute, small, historic area full of character, with lots of different things to try — perfect for wandering, taking in the architecture, and sampling local treats. We especially enjoyed some lokma at Lokmades Skopje, which was absolutely delicious! It was a bit rainy during our visit, and some roads had standing water due to poor drainage, so I’d suggest visiting on sunny days for a more comfortable experience. Overall, a must-visit spot for those wanting a taste of traditional Skopje and local flavors. ✅ Recommended.

The Old Bazaar in Shkup is simply phenomenal. The variety of shops, traditional craftsmen, and inviting restaurants is truly impressive. Walking through its narrow streets feels like stepping back in time, as if the modern world briefly fades away. This place isn’t just historically significant — it also carries the unmistakable cultural heritage of the Albanian people. A visit is always worth it.

A must-see if you’re visiting Skopje. Unfortunately the bus timetables are very reliable and the buses don’t seem to follow it, and taxis will haggle you aggressively while you are walking out or waiting for the bus. When you leave, make sure you walk further out to reach the bus stop. The trail itself is beautiful. It takes you along the water, and you get amazing views of the Canyon. Unfortunately at the end the trail ends abruptly, though opposite the cave you can’t see anything. Nonetheless the views are worth it! Even better if you can rent a kayak or take a boat.

It’s a must be there place when the temperatures are high. You can either take a boat, pedal boats, kayak or jump and dive from the rocks like all the locals. Make sure you go where the locals go to be safe when jumping into the water. So crystal clean and refreshing artificial lake. It has been built for the Dam that produce free energy for Skopje. By the side to the Dam you could see an opening where the soldiers camp to protected the Dam during the II World War as it has been a target to be destroyed which has never happened. The Cave is such a nice and cold stop with a fresh air, nature shaped walls and lake inside. Many of this cave is still not discovered as some places are very narrow. Very high steps leading to the cave, slippery surface and rails inside due to the nature of this place and some small uneven stones, so make sure you do not fall while admiring the cave. And use a torch 🔦 to see where you going while your eyes get used to the darkness. Not recommended for elderly or unfit people. I nearly made it 😂 (Only shows how unfit I am at the moment). However the boat trip is for everyone who loves being by the water. And after you can enjoy a drink or food at a local restaurant that serve fantastic food.

The Matka Canyon is so beautiful. We went there with a tour (we got the tour from getyourguide website and we left the tour with pleasant memories) the weather unfortunately wasn't sunny but even with this kind of weather, the view was amazing. The boat trip was fun.

Very enjoyable trail, only 30 minutes by car from Skopje..we chose the st. Nikola trail…quite easy for us, it brings you to a church where you can also do a picnic, then you can continue after the church, going down and rescue a point where a boat will come and pick you up to go on the other part o the lake…to call the boat, you need to ‘ring a bell’ which is actually just a piece of wood and a piece of metal. The ride (just a couple of minutes) was free of charge but we left some money to the driver of course …we loved it there! Very much advised for some hours of hike in the nature

Great place to visit in Macedonia. You can do a boat tour that brings you to a cave, get inside and visit it. There is also a path to walk around the canyon but I recommend the boat.

wonderful place for chill-out, picnic, hiking, outdoor activities... didn't walk the entire trail, we went to the Cave with a boat. Yhe cave is astonishing and well preserved (a bit slippery, but worth the trip!)

One of the natural highlights in North Macedonia. The canyon is beautifully located close to Skopje. It is, however, quite busy and touristical. Don't expect to be alone: come early to have a good parking spot. Don't drive to the furthesr parking spots because the street will get very narrow and difficult to drive because of all pedestrians. There are some restaurants and there are also rental companies for kayaks. You can also walk next to the canyon.

This could be so much more of a tourist attraction for Skopje, but has been left to fall into disrepair and has no facilities anymore. Having said that the views are still worth the climb up! Even before you enter there is a great view of the stadium from the car park. Inside just head for the wall on the right and follow to the highest point overlooking the city and river. Here you can see all the sights from an elevated perspective and hopefully benefit from a cooling breeze too!

One of the landmarks of the city, not greatly maintained. Offers old walls and amazing views but real pitty there is not even a small exhibition or tables that would tell you a bit more about its history and importance. Nice for a Saturday sunny walk but guess not more. Free entrance.

This fortress, also called Kale, sits atop a hill and offers the best panoramic views of the city and the river. Entry is free, which is great. The walls are of Byzantine origin (6th century) and were expanded by the Ottomans. You can walk along large parts of the walls, which makes for incredible photos. The terrain inside is a bit uneven, so it's good to wear comfortable shoes. It's well worth it for the view and the history.

It is located in a very beautiful spot that makes it visible from the whole city. You can walk on the walls of the fortress. However, inside the fortress you encounter an image of abandonment, the area is quite unkempt, with large grass everywhere and wild trees that have grown in every corner. Several of the wooden structures that exist for pedestrians are rotten, there are some modern buildings inside the fortress that we were informed that they were used as exhibition spaces but are now abandoned and in poor condition. The view of the city is wonderful, panoramic and unobstructed. I recommend a visit to the spot just for the walk on the walls and the wonderful view.

well let me just start with the fortress: nice ancient walls are great for an afternoon stroll…the upkeep is quite poor but hey, I still liked my visit. beautiful views of the city and its architecture and attractions. on the other hand, we have the so called security team who let you in at the entrance… p e r v central station. run!

Beautiful fortress , just few mins walk away from Old Town. some of the area not maintained and lots of rubbish. Hope they can improve the maintanance. Overall a great visit if you in Skopje.

Old fortress not looked after, overgrowth in many areas. Not open 24/7 but entry is free when open. Good views

An absolute gem in Skopje. Reservations are strongly recommended. We had some great local dishes and some of the local liquor too. The staff are amazing and we loved every moment of our visit.

We had an absolutely delightful experience at this gem of a restaurant in Skopje! The food was nothing short of spectacular and also the service was equally impressive. The staff was warm, attentive, and genuinely passionate about making our dining experience memorable. The ambiance was cozy yet vibrant, perfectly complementing the lively spirit of Skopje. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this restaurant is a must-visit for anyone craving delicious food and top-notch service. Highly recommended!

Amazing traditional food. Very good service, super fast and professional. The food is extraordinary, from the meat to the salads and starters. Definitely take one of tehe traditional dishes - the meat is really tender and well cooked, no bones or pieces of fat. Great atmosphere with live music - not loud at all and very entertaining.

We had a really nice time. The food was great, the service perfect and supportive. We asked for gluten free food and ate very good, without any gut problem.

At Skopski Merak in Skopje, I enjoyed authentic Macedonian flavors — fresh goat cheese, tasty Pastrmajlija, and a Gurman burger. The ingredients were top quality, the atmosphere warm, and the staff highly professional and attentive. A truly excellent dining experience!

I ate here by myself and it was very tasteful. Pretty busy on a Tuesday, both with locals but also plenty of tourists like myself. I underestimated how upscale this place is.

Oh man, the food at this place is absolutely incredible. They have an amazing selection of dishes including traditional food. There are so many dishes that are must to try such as the grilled meats and in particularly the Pastrmajlija!! You must visit this place! 🤤

Pretty good menu with good dishes, this time the toast goes for the Cobb salad 🥗 which was very delicious. Mango juice lemonade was also a hit. Visit them in the center of Skopje in one of their first locations and enjoy Tex Mex food and bites.

Great Mexican food in the centre of Skopje! We enjoyed our last night here. We shared the fajitas with beef, which were amazing and definitely more than enough for 2! We also had some red wine, which was great too. The waiter that served us was the nicest guy. My boyfriend asked for some lemon for on his fajitas, and he brought us a huge whole lemon, cut in 4. We also had the guacamole which was super good as well. Definitely recommend going here if you’re looking for Mexican cuisine in Skopje.

One of the best restaurants we tried in Skopje. Simple but amazing Mexican food, very fast service, great friendly staff!! And food super delicious. Loved it!!!

Amigos in the Center is a small place with limited space, but unfortunately, that’s one of the few things going for it. We ordered the Nachos Enchiladas—beef and chicken—but they tasted nothing like authentic Mexican food. Both were severely lacking in flavor and definitely overpriced for what we got, rating about 1.5 out of 5 each. The chocolate frita was also disappointing; it looked nothing like the photo in their advertisement and was extremely hard and overly sugary. The churros didn’t impress either. The service was another low point. We waited 50 minutes for the nachos, and when my girlfriend politely asked the waitress about the delay, she responded with a rude, irritating attitude, saying “I will tell you now where it is” in a very unpleasant tone. Despite the small size of the restaurant, when we tried to order a second round of drinks, no one was available to take our order, and we ended up waiting about 15 minutes just to pay. Throughout the meal, the waitress was consistently unprofessional, slamming food down on the table and being generally disrespectful. Given the price and quality, the experience was more than disappointing—especially having to wait so long and deal with impolite staff.

Love this Mexican restaurant! Really good food, nice staff and a great spot! Also the prices were nice. We ate the nacho’s, they were perfect. This is how nachos should be. And we had the nacho enchiladas with grilled veggies. Good taste, lot of chicken and cheese🤩. We would like to take this place at home😁.

If youre looking for good food with caring staff and a warm environment then this place is for you. Kiko was amazing, super friendly and helpful. It's Thursday and they had the gourmet burger in the grill today and I'm not exaggerating but it was one of the best burgers I've ever had. Amazing place. I would come back if I wasn't going to Ohrid tomorrow. Would highly recommend!

Super tasty! Great margaritas- the Mexican food is not the most traditional If you’re from a place with great Mexican food, but it hits the spot! We got quesadillas and slow cooked pork tacos and enjoyed them

The best restaurant in Skopje! My husband reserved a table to celebrate my birthday and it was a truly wonderful experience. Igor recommended a wine and the perfect dishes to pair it with one of the best suggestions we’ve ever had. Excellent value for money. Our waiter, Bobby, gave us the best service: always attentive and kind. We enjoyed it so much that we came back two more times, and every visit was just as amazing. We highly recommend the paella, the seafood dishes, and their delicious desserts. They are truly excellent at what they do. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit, you won’t regret it!

A very nice ambiance with excellent music. The service was excellent, our waitress Ivona was very attentive. The food was beyond our expectations though. The most expensive beef on the menu felt a bit rubbery, the foie gras was forzen and over cooked. The second main course pork belly was not what we expected but the aubergine purée was really delicious. So all in all a bit mixed feelings probably we should try more dishes on the menu.

Very nice place with good food. Previously had the steak and today with my son the pizza.

A Macedonian told me it was a top restaurant of Skopje. The woodwork in the ceiling is true art! The food is great and service was attentive and with a smile! Go enjoy!

Forza used to be so much better in the past, now I think the service has gotten worse while the already high prices went even higher. We had a reservation for three people, and they didn't even bother us to show us where we can sit, the lady just said "sit wherever you like". Asked for an English menu, got two in Macedonian, and since no one was paying attention to me for over 5 minutes I had to stand up and go to the entrance to ask for an English menu. The food was okayish but not warm, nothing worth the money that you pay. Two waiters changed during our visit, none of them was paying attention as they should. The only positive thing was that the toilets were clean, other than that I don't if I'd recommend this place, maybe for coffee.

It used to be a nice place to eat pasta, steaks, pizza and salads in Skopje. Last 3 visits however, show very opposite picture.. Unfortunately today I wanted to give another chance to this place and ordered “Spaghetti with shrimps” for a dinner.. you can see on my pictures (attached) how the pasta looked like.. It was horrible.. How can you serve your client pasta like this? These spaghetti were stuck and probably boiled during the day and I got some leftovers that were just warmed in microwave and added to the shrimps.. The Cook should clearly get some lessons how to cook pasta. And this is already for the 3rd time I’m getting such disappointment at your place guys. Perhaps is the time to hire some proper cook and start delivering a Good food , not just on pictures and menu but in the reality too.. I left hungry, angry and disappointed. This review is to show the Restaurant owners tat something is going wrong with the personnel, so perhaps it will give a better idea..

Just eaten the BEST squid ( Lignje) we have ever had anywhere. Cheese cake dessert was good too. Not the cheapest place in town but more than reasonable given the surroundings and food ( NOT if one is a beer drinker, prices extortionate for beer) although there is a huge choice of wines at reasonable prices. Shame about the service which can be a little hit or miss. Would be nice to have the odd smile from the ( Majority) of staff. Perhaps it was the weather? (Extreme Thunder, lightning, rain and hail) Made another visit (six days later) Service even worse than before and STILL not one member of staff able to raise a smile. Perhaps it was the weather? ( Quite Hot)

What an incredible experience! The melted cheese is to die for and pastrmajlija was delicious! The whole interior of the place is peaceful, with inside fountain, traditional Macedonian clothing displayed and the traditional music was very pleasant to listen to. The staff are very warm, welcoming but also incredibly professional and attentive. The toilets are clean and well maintained. J cannot recommend this place enough!

They had some really good food at reasonable prices. Service was fast and very good. There was a physical menu, but they also had a QR code on the table where when scanned, you can see the dishes in photos with slightly more information than the physical menu. Wi-fi was available as well. Ambience was also pretty good with lots of natural light coming in from the roof which had some parts that let sunlight in and from the terrace which had glass doors if they needed to be closed. However, do note that because there are a lot of smokers and ventilation isn’t so good, it may be a bit uncomfortable for some non-smokers.

Firstly thank you for finding us a table with no reservation. This restaurant is fantastic, the food and drink is amazing, the house wine was fantastic. Would definitely return. Had the tuna salad and a chicken caesar along with the Pork Pastrmajlija! Fantastic! Would definitely return regularly if I was local.

Absolutely delicious food, worth every cent! Only 7’ walk away from Holiday Inn (where I’m currently staying) I went for early lunch, based on the very positive reviews. I chose the baked beans and veal casserole with okra and other veggies, this latter was just so nice! Portions are quite big and filling. Total ‘damage’ with a big bottle of sparkling water and an espresso MKD 1,080. Nice ambience (although be ready to have some neighbours smoking, but apparently it’s perfectly allowed in N. MKD) super friendly and professional service by all the waiters. Cards accepted, 100% recommended!

The best restaurant for me in Skopje. The price might be a little more than other areas, but it was great food and drinks while I was there for lunch. I had the Macedonian salad, which was fresh and crispy. The garlic bread was really nice with great flavors( i live in Korea and it is sweet here 🫣). The main dish was the casserole and the meat was cooked perfectly and had a really nice rich taste. My server played my food for me.and took care of me. However I did end up waiting a long time, and they apologized and said they forget me. So they gave me a dessert on the house so I got the homemade apple strudel with icecream. It was really nice and I wasn't in a rush so everything was ok. The weather was hot, like 36c, so i was happy to have a beer and rest inside. The inside is very traditional in style and lovely place to eat. They have a breakfast menu until 1pm! And the place was pretty busy. I would come back here again! Just remember smoking is allowed inside, so if thats not good for you, eat outside or in the area with the open doors.

Good food in comfortable surrounds. Efficient service. A little more expensive than other ethno restaurants but worth the overall experience.

Friendly service from all the wait staff, especially Dennis. Food is best ordered using the QR code, has an English option, and every dish has a photo. We ordered Pork Shank and the Casserole, and shared. Both were excellent. For dessert we ordered Baclava and Black Pancake, again both were excellent. All served in a relaxed and comfortable environment. Highly recommend.

I think they did a good job making Italian food. If you never had any Italian food then you will be satisfied. Their lava cake was delicious. They had good service. The atmosphere is great, but I wish they had a separate section for smoking. I had to move because the guy behind me was smoking cigar. But this seems to be everywhere in Skopje and hopefully they change this.

I must say, i had one of the best pasta there. So much flavor from the tomatoes and bacon, smokey, incredible. No fancy styling, just really good food. Restaurant has large seating area, outside but covered, with nature decoration, pond and a mill wheel. Very nice atmosphere. Only one issue was the staff, which was unattentive even though we were pretty much the only people there.

A beautiful restaurant with a calming outdoor area for traditional dining in Skopje. We dined on a very warm day, but with the breeze and fans, it was comfortable outdoors. They have a wonderful wine list and the food was excellent, service was attentive with great staff. Started out with a lovely fresh salad, followed by perfectly cooked Tagliata, it was delicious. The restaurant was definitely a local hotspot and full of businessmen and was the place to be. Definitely recommend, very good pricing, a little above most, but absolutely worth it.

This place is just phenomenal. We came here on a recommendation from a friend from Skopje and we were amazed with what this restaurant offers. Authentic ambient, beautiful terrace, traditional food, great red wine,.. we highly recommend it and we will come again. Many many thanks!

Pretty much every single dish made here were fantastic. It is no small wonder that the review ratings are so high. Our party sat outdoors to enjoy the cool spring evening. The table was very large, and readily capable of supporting all the food we ordered... And boy did we order. Slice of pecorino cheese. Yum. Salads. Fresh. Mussels in white wine sauce. Plump. Grilled prawns. Heavenly. Baby cow steak. Juicy and tender. Parma prosciutto. Authentic. Rakia. Smooth and strong. Coffee. Robust and tasty. Need I go on? The garden setting created a great atmosphere for our group. The waiter was competent and speedy with orders and refills. He was stunned by how much we ate. Come eat here. Your won't regret it.

Good food and great service

The restaurant has very good reviews, so we definitely wanted to try it. We didn't make a reservation, but we could get a table. I wasn't very pleased with the waitress woman lack of kindness, maybe we got her in the wrong moment. We waited for a menu maybe 10 minutes, while nobody looked at us. But the waiter guy was friendly and smiley. And the food is AMAZING. I saw a review about a Sicilian pasta, so I didn't hesitate, it was my choice. It was really, really good. My friend chose a pasta with shrimps, also good. Its a bit more expensive than the restaurant next to it, I don't say this one is better, but it certainly fancier. Both are great, visit both!