Where to Stay in Skopje, North Macedonia
Skopje, North Macedonia is probably one of the least visited capital cities in Europe. It’s a quirky, strange city, but one that is worth visiting. And this guide will show you where to stay in Skopje!
I have been to North Macedonia twice now, but I didn’t make it to Skopje until my most recent trip. The city itself is worth at least a day or two to explore. You can also use Skopje as a base for day trips, including visiting the nearby, equally underrated country of Kosovo or discovering the beautiful Matka Canyon.
The reason I say Skopje is a quirky and strange place is because it was almost entirely destroyed in a catastrophic earthquake in 1963. Approximately 20% of the city survived, but the rest had to be rebuilt. And in 2010, a new initiative began to construct outlandish, opulent buildings in Skopje.
The end result is a city with many identities: the historic Old Bazaar area that will make you feel like you’ve stepped back into the Ottoman Empire, the Communist architecture from when North Macedonia was part of Yugoslavia, and the flashy, classical-inspired construction of the early 2010s.
Best Hotels in Skopje, North Macedonia
Skopje is a fairly compact capital city, and you can easily walk to get to all of the tourist highlights. The city is split in two by the Vardar River, with the oldest part of Skopje located on the northern side.
Just south of the river is Macedonia Square, a very central meeting point in the city. I would use this as a landmark when looking at hotels in Skopje, and I recommend staying somewhere that’s no more than a fifteen-minute walk from there. All of the hotels below are quite central and stay within this radius.
I should also note that North Macedonia is one of the cheapest countries in Europe for travelers, and that extends to hotels. The prices here are much lower than what you’d find in, say, Western Europe. Even when it comes to Balkan destinations, North Macedonia is a lot cheaper than places like Croatia or Slovenia.
Here are my top picks for where to stay in Skopje, North Macedonia:
- Best luxury: Skopje Marriott Hotel
- Most unique: Hotel Senigallia
- Best on a budget: Osten Art Hotel
And here’s a full breakdown of the best hotels in Skopje.
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Skopje Marriott Hotel
The best luxury hotel in Skopje is the Marriott. This five-star hotel is located right on Macedonia Square, putting you in the heart of the city. The flashy facade fits right in with the quirky style of Skopje.
This hotel has spacious, comfortable guest rooms, many of them offering excellent city views. Amenities here include a fitness center and a spa with an indoor swimming pool, a hot tub, and a sauna.
Holiday Inn Express Skopje City Centre
Holiday Inn Express Skopje City Centre is where I stayed in Skopje, and while it was a perfectly adequate base for a few nights, it’s a pretty basic, no-frills hotel. There was also an issue with the first room I had because the air conditioning didn’t work, and it took some frustrating back-and-forth to get it resolved.
Overall, though, the hotel had a good location very close to Macedonia Square and the Stone Bridge to get across the river. I also enjoyed the included breakfast buffet spread at this hotel each morning.
Holiday Inn Skopje by IHG
The full-service Holiday Inn Skopje is a step up from the Holiday Inn Express where I stayed. Situated on the other side of the pedestrian center of Skopje, this hotel still benefits from a central location.
It’s still nothing too fancy, but the rooms here are large and comfortable, and it’s a convenient base for exploring the city, with plenty of restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops just a short walk away.
Hotel Senigallia
By far the most unique place to stay in Skopje is Hotel Senigallia, because it is literally an elegant wooden ship docked on the Vardar River, offering a unique vantage point of the city. How cool is that?
The rooms here are cozy and nautical-inspired, with rich wood paneling throughout. You’re situated minutes away from museums, monuments, and the 15th-century Stone Bridge. If you’re looking for something a bit different, this is an unforgettable place to stay! Breakfast is also included each morning.
Osten Art Hotel
If you’re looking for a nice, central, budget-friendly hotel in Skopje, look no further than Osten Art Hotel. Just steps away from Macedonia Square, this hotel puts you right in the heart of the city’s energy.
The rooms at this hotel are efficient and on the small side, but they offer bright pops of color and artistic touches. This is a great place to stay if you want a central location in Skopje at a good price point.
Hotel Macedonia Square
Finally, Hotel Macedonia Square is another great place to stay in Skopje. As the name suggests, this hotel has a prime location right in the main square, so you’ll be convenient to just about everything.
The rooms here are comfortable and elegant, and some feature private balconies with city views. Amenities at this hotel include a fitness center and a wellness center with a hot tub and a sauna.
Where to Stay in Skopje, North Macedonia
This guide showed you where to stay in Skopje, North Macedonia.
To recap, my top picks for where to stay are:
- Best luxury: Skopje Marriott Hotel
- Most unique: Hotel Senigallia
- Best on a budget: Osten Art Hotel
Have a great trip and enjoy your visit to Skopje!
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