Skopje Old Bazaar

The basics

As one of the older historical landmarks in Skopje, Skopje Old Bazaar is a regular fixture of tours showcasing city highlights. Most tours allow 10-20 minutes to explore the area and do some window shopping, but curious travelers may find they need more time. Following a walk through the Old Bazaar, visitors can continue on to other attractions on this side of the city, including the Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Museum of Macedonia, and Skopje Fortress Kale.

Things to know before you go

• Shoppers will find souvenirs, gold, and jewelry among the shops and stalls in Skopje Old Bazaar.

• There are multiple paid parking lots south of the bazaar with access off Boulevard Goce Delchev.

• Restaurants serving Balkan cuisine line the main street through the Old Bazaar while cafés are clustered along Salih Asim Street.

How to get there

Skopje Old Bazaar is located northeast of Skopje center and has a direct pedestrian route running from it to Stone Bridge and Macedonia Square. Walking is usually the easiest way to reach it when sightseeing, but visitors can also take a variety of buses to the stop on Boulevard Krste Petkov Misirkov by its northern end.

When to get there

Generally, the best time to visit Skopje Old Bazaar is either first thing in the morning or in the evening. Both avoid the hottest part of the day if you're there in summer and are usually less busy, allowing for a peaceful stroll among mainly locals. Expect the bazaar to be busiest during the high season in July and August when tourists crowd the streets.

Cultural landmarks within the Skopje Old Bazaar

Among the shops and cafés of the Skopje Old Bazaar, some local historical and cultural landmarks remain. The History Museum & Academy of Arts fills an old Ottoman caravanserai near the heart of the bazaar, while down the road lies the Cifte Hammam, which now houses an art gallery. Keep your eyes also peeled for an arch with an inscription on it, marking the site where the covered market, or bezisten, once stood.