Skopje is the capital city of the Republic of
Macedonia and is its largest city. The ancient city is crowned with architectural designs, both of the modern touch and some from ancient eras. Located in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula, Skopje has grown through various rules, including that of the Roman, Ottoman, and Byzantine, to become the modern city it is today.
The main landmark in Skopje is the stunning white stone bridge that connects Macedonia Square in the south to the Ottoman Old Bazaar in the North. Visitors use the bridge to visit both sides of the city, including the legendary Alexander statue planted in the south. Overlooking the Vardar River is the glorious Skopje Fortress that is also known as Kale, which been used as a defense spot for the city in centuries.
The Old Bazaar has stunning attractions, including the Mustafa Pasha Mosque that dates back to the fifteenth century, which is one of the critical spots in Skopje.
Crown the visit to Skopje with a tour up the Mount Vodno aboard the cable cars, from where the city is visible in panoramic scenic views below. Hiking through the many trails on the mountain is a common activity, as is biking and photography.
More on the history of Skopje is available within the Mother Teresa Memorial House, located to the southern part of the river. Here, her works of charity and life history are captured and preserved.
The city of Skopje experiences a continental sub-Mediterranean climate that is classified as Cfa in the Köppen climatic classification. The general characteristics of the climate are short, cold, and wet winters, mild springs, and autumns, long hot, moderately dry, and low humid summers. The general rainfall is moderately minimal and evenly distributed across the year, barely reaching above 50mm (2") even on the wettest months.
Winter remains cold and moderately snowy, extending from mid-
November through
February. The temperature reads highs of 6.3°C (43.3°F) and lows of -2.6°C (27.3°F). The night temperature might drop below -6°C (21.2°F), albeit on occasional days, but the days get mildly cold with up to three hours of sunshine. Snowfall is received for up to five days per month, but the accumulation remains low and does not last for more than a few days on the ground.
Summer is warm and pleasant, stretching from
May through
September. The temperature hits highs of between 24.5°C (76.1°F) and 31.6°C (88.9°F) and lows of 13.8°C (56.8°F) and 16.3°C (61.3°F) on average. The days are moderately dry, with the rain gauge collecting only 35mm (1.4") per month averagely. Humidity levels remain at 56% on average, and most days have approximately ten sunshine hours.
The best time to visit Skopje is between
April and
August, from late spring through summer. This period has a warm and pleasant temperature and the best weather for all outdoor activities and encompasses most of the popular events and festivals celebrated in Skopje.
Some of the popular events in Skopje are the September Macedonia Independence Day set upon the Pella Square, and the Skopje Jazz Festival in
October that attracts concerts and performances from both local and international jazz stars. Another event in Skopje is the Taksirat Festival, usually held between November and
December for excellent electronic music, rock, and pop concerts in many venues across the city.