Skopje and Surroundings

Most visitors to Macedonia pass through Skopje at some point during their trip, but few linger there for very long. It's true that when you are faced with Skopje's rows of concrete apartment blocks and scruffy areas of waste ground, a quick escape to Ohrid can seem like a tempting proposition. But it would be a mistake to write off Skopje too quickly. Its attractions include one of the most authentic bazaars in the Balkans, a pair of churches containing some of Macedonia's finest examples of religious art, a clutch of laid-back cafes, and a varied range of possible daytrips.