Skopje is generally considered a safe city for tourists, with relatively low crime rates compared to many European capitals. However, like any city, it’s wise to take standard precautions. The areas most frequented by tourists (such as the historic center, Macedonia Square, Debar Maalo, the Old Bazaar, and most other tourist attractions) are all safe during the day and are generally safe at night, although it’s recommended to be more alert at night in the winding alleys of the Old Bazaar. The Transportation Center Skopje is also not recommended for loitering at night, though transiting as one normally would from a train or bus to a taxi is considered fine.

Some tips that you should be aware of that relate specifically to Skopje: Keep your valuables in secure places on public transport and in crowded areas, as pickpocketing can occur. Keep your wits about you at night, but not to an excessive degree as well-lit areas of the historic center are safe to walk at all hours. Pay attention to the hallmarks of licensed taxis in Skopje, because ones that are unlicensed do operate and have ripped off tourists. In short, your biggest concerns as far as safety on this trip would be perhaps a petty theft or being overcharged by an unlicensed taxi. Remember the taxi rules outlined in our getting around Skopje section.

The currency in North Macedonia is the Macedonian denar, abbreviated in pricing and on signs as “den” (either in Latin or Cyrillic text). The plural of denar in North Macedonia is “denari” and not “denars.” The U.S. dollar is not legal tender here and very few tourist-centered businesses will accept them (the ones that do will give a very disadvantageous exchange rate). Pay in the local Macedonian currency, and outside of tourist-heavy areas, the chances of using a credit or debit card decrease dramatically. ATMs can give you funds directly in denari and are pegged to the international exchange rate (save for any fee from your financial institution), making it the best option for getting the most denar for your buck.

In Skopje, you’ll find varying levels of English proficiency depending on where you are. Hotel staff, airport staff, workers at tourist attractions, people under the age of 35, wait staff at upscale restaurants, employees at the major shopping malls, and tour guides will speak English with great proficiency.

Now the same can’t be said for older Macedonians, those working in the local markets or bazaars, smaller shop owners, staff on public transport, or those operating traditional restaurants. Their English skills will most likely be limited or nonexistent. Taxi drivers know key English phrases relating to their job but otherwise might not be able to hold a conversation with you.

We recommend downloading a translation app like Google Translate or a similar one that allows for translation of signs, so you can take a photograph and translate quietly to yourself before asking questions at a shop or a restaurant. Note that in Skopje, signs will be in Cyrillic as a default as Macedonian is written in Cyrillic.

Here are some basic phrases in Macedonian that might help. Note: The letter “c” is pronounced like “ch” in “chair”, and “š” is pronounced like “sh” in “shop”.

Hello = Zdravo (ZDRAH-voh)
Goodbye = Cao (CHAO) or Doviduvanje (doh-vee-DOO-van-ye)
Excuse me = Izvinete (iz-VEE-neh-teh)
Please = Ve molam (veh MO-lahm)
Thank you = Blagodaram (blah-GO-dah-rahm)
You’re welcome = Poveli (PO-veh-lee)
Where is…? = Kade e…? (KAH-deh eh…?)
Where are the toilets? = Kade e toaletot? (KAH-deh eh to-AH-leh-tot?)
How much is this? = Kolku cini ova? (KOL-koo CHI-nee O-vah?)

Numbers 1-10:

1 = eden (EH-den)
2 = dva (dvah)
3 = tri (tree)
4 = cetiri (CHE-tee-ree)
5 = pet (pet)
6 = šest (shest)
7 = sedum (SE-doom)
8 = osum (O-soom)
9 = devet (DE-vet)
10 = deset (DE-set)

Skopje offers both traditional and modern shopping experiences, with the Old Bazaar standing out as the most atmospheric place for traditional souvenirs. This centuries-old market area is especially known for its beautiful filigree jewelry, a Macedonian specialty where silver is worked into delicate patterns. Here you’ll also find traditional textiles, handmade copper items, local spices, and artisanal soaps. While shopping in the bazaar, expect to bargain; it’s part of the experience.

For modern shopping, East Gate Mall to the east of the historic center is the city’s largest and newest retail destination. It houses both international brands and local boutiques, and is a great place to spend the day if it’s raining outside. The more centrally located Skopje City Mall, while smaller, offers a similar mix of local and international shops and is very popular with Skopje residents.

For those specifically hunting for Macedonian specialties, several areas deserve attention. The Bit Pazar is perfect for local food products, particularly ajvar (a beloved red pepper spread) and traditional cheeses. Around Macedonia Square, you’ll find higher-end shops, while the area near Stone Bridge has numerous tourist-oriented gift shops. The Debar Maalo neighborhood hosts several art galleries featuring works by local artists. Among the most worthwhile purchases are bottles of Macedonian wine (the local Vranec variety is particularly notable), traditional woven textiles, and Orthodox icons from licensed shops. Local honey and decorative bottles of fruit-flavored rakija also make excellent gifts. While you’ll need to negotiate prices in the Old Bazaar, the modern shops and malls operate with fixed prices.

Skopje’s nightlife typically kicks into gear around 11 p.m. and continues well into the early morning hours, with many venues staying open until 3 or 4 a.m., especially on weekends. The city offers a surprisingly diverse after-dark scene relative to its size, actively catering to various tastes and age groups.

The Debar Maalo district serves as the city’s primary nightlife hub, packed with bars and kafanas (traditional taverns). These kafanas offer a uniquely Macedonian experience, featuring live traditional music, local food, and plenty of rakija, often staying lively until the early hours. They’re particularly busy on weekends, when finding a table without a reservation can be challenging. For those seeking a more modern experience, the area around Macedonia Square hosts several contemporary bars and clubs. These venues typically feature international DJs, electronic music, and a younger crowd. During summer, many clubs relocate to open-air locations, particularly around City Park, creating a festival-like atmosphere.

The Old Bazaar, while primarily known for daytime shopping, transforms after sunset. Several bars here offer a mix of traditional and modern tastes, often with live music. This area tends to attract a diverse crowd of both locals and tourists, with venues typically operating until around 2 a.m. For a more laid-back evening, numerous café-bars around the city center stay open late, serving both coffee and alcohol. These offer a more relaxed alternative to the high-energy club scene and are popular meeting spots for locals.

Cover charges are relatively uncommon except at the largest clubs or for special events. Drink prices are generally reasonable by European standards, though they’re higher in more tourist-oriented areas near Macedonia Square. It’s worth noting that smoking is permitted in many venues, which can be surprising for visitors from the U.S. where smoking in bars only occurs nowadays in a handful of states and virtually no state allowing smoking in restaurants.

Clothing, shoes and leatherwear are the items to buy in Barcelona. The quality and value of leather goods is superb with leather shoes, belts and coats being particularly good buys. Barcelona is also renowned for its vibrant design culture so decorative objects and house wares here are original and well made and can be found in the shops around the MACBA and the Museu Picasso. Artisan pieces such as ceramic tiles and earthenware bowls and plates are cheap and plentiful.