Karpoš

Karpoš (Macedonian: Карпош) is one of the ten municipalities that make of the City of Skopje. It has the largest concentration of places of interest outside the city-centre.

Understand

Karpoš is roughly the geographic centre of the ten municipalities that make up the Macedonian capital. It is divided into 14 communities, of which all but one are urban. The vast majority of residents are ethnic Macedonian and Orthodox Christians.

Get in

By bus

• Karpos can be reached via lines 3, 9, 14, 24, 57 and 60.

See

The Millennium Cross in winter

Monastery of St Pantaleon

• 1 Scupi (Скупи). Not a great deal remains of the ancient Dardanian and Roman city of Scupi. It was once the capital of Dardania and then fell under Roman rule when Dardania was annexed by the Romans. It was abandoned in 518 after an earthquake destroyed most of the city. The residents likely moved to what is now the Skopje Fortress. Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, a Skopje-area native, is believed to have used materials from Scupi to construct the new settlement at today's fortress. The remains at the site include gravestones, walls, and some pillars. Some of the remains contain interesting detail and inscriptions but Scupi should only be on your list of places to see if you have an excess of time in Skopje. Many of the major findings, such as the statue of Venus, can be found at the Museum of Archaeology. (updated Aug 2016)
• 2 Skopje Zoo (Зоолошка градина Скопје), ☏ +389 2 322 0578. Daily 09:00-18:00. Founded in 1926, the Skopje Zoo now boasts roughly 300 animals from 85 species. It covers 12 hectares (30 acres) right next to the City Park. After a history of poor living conditions for animals, in 2008 the city invested money in bringing animal habitats up to European standards, making the zoo a much more enjoyable place to visit. (updated Aug 2016)
• 3 Macedonian Museum of Natural History (Природонаучен музеј на Македонија), Bull. Ilinden 86. Next to the Skopje Zoo. (updated Aug 2016)
• 4 Hıfzı Pasha Lodging (Хавзипашини конаци), village of Bardovci. One of the more prominent examples of monumental residences in the country. This complex of buildings dates from the 19th century, built for Hıfzı Pasha. It consists of three building and eight guard towers enforced by a stone wall. The east side contained the harem. Construction of the complex was led by noted artist Petar Filipov. The buildings features wall painting and carved ceilings. (updated Apr 2020)
• Historic State Archive of Skopje (Историски архив (Скопје)). Established in 1951, the former archive holds many photographs and other documents from Skopje's history, particularly around the 1963 earthquake. The building itself was built following the earthquake in a Brutalist style. (updated Apr 2020)

Mount Vodno

5 Mount Vodno (Водно) (take bus Millenium Cross (without line no.)). Vodno, the mountain visible from all of central Skopje, stands southwest of the city centre with its highest peak at a height of 1,070 m (3,500 ft). A destination for recreational activities, it is also home to major places of interest. The Millennium Cross sits on its highest peak, which is accessible via a 1.75-km (1.01-mi) long cable car. A 12th-century monastery is located in one of the villages that dot the mountain. There are also natural sights, such as waterfalls, streams, and springs. (updated Aug 2016)

• 6 Millennium Cross (Милениумски крст), ☏ +389 70 806 626. The massive cross, erected in 2002, stands on Vodno's highest peak. It was built to commemorate 2,000 years of Christianity in the world. It is 66 m (217 ft) tall and has an elevator within it. It also now has a restaurant and souvenir shop next to it. As it sits on the most prominent peak in the area, it provides expansive views of the city. (updated Aug 2016)
  • 7 Millennium Cross Cable Car (Жичница „Милениумски крст“). Opened in 2011, the Millennium Cross Cable Car runs from Middle Vodno, home to Hotel Vodno and a relatively new monastery, to the cross. The 28 gondolas fit eight people each and can hold bicycles on the exterior. A city bus runs to the bottom station at Middle Vodno. 100 denars. (updated Aug 2016)
• 8 Church of Saint Pantaleon (Црква „Св. Пантелејмон“). About halfway up Vodno in the village of Gorno Nerezi is the monastery containing the Church of Saint Pantaleon. The church was built 1164 and much of its frescoes, as well as the marble iconostasis, remain intact. The frescoes in the church are famous examples of Komnenian-era Byzantine art, notably depicting the Passion of the Christ. One scene appears on the Macedonian 50 denar banknote. The cross-shaped church has one main dome. The position of the monastery makes it an excellent location for a view of Skopje. There is a restaurant on the grounds with a terrace overlooking the city. (updated Aug 2016)
• 9 Macedonian Village (Македонско село), ☏ +389 72 220 600. Within the village of Gorno Nerezi, this complex is a reconstruction of the traditional architecture and buildings found within a Macedonian village. It has a restaurant and the complex's location on Vodno gives it great views over Skopje. (updated Aug 2016)
• 10 Telecommunication Tower (Телекомунациска кула). Under construction next to the Millennium Cross is a telecommunication tower. It is planned to have a twist shape with multiple circular pods. (updated Aug 2016)

Do

Sports

• 1 Boris Trajkovski Sports Center (Спортски центар Борис Трајковски), ☏ +389 2 308 9600. A modern arena home to the Macedonian national basketball, handball, and volleyball teams for both men and women. It also hosts concerts. Its maximum capacity is 8,000 for sports events. (updated Aug 2016)

Buy

Skopje City Mall

• 1 Skopje City Mall (Скопје Сити Мол), ☏ +389 2 325 3990. Daily 10:00-22:00. Skopje's large indoor shopping mall home to stores like Zara, Nike, etc. It also features a food court and cinema. (updated Feb 2019)

Eat

• 1 Cafe Li, Ankarska 23, Taftalidze, ☏ +389 2 3074 569, kafe.li@yahoo.com. 
• 2 Enriko Pizza, Leptokarija Shopping Center, T.C. Leptokarija, Blvd. Partizanski Odredi, ☏ +389 2 3061 273. The menu includes the most delicious, Italian specialties, pizzas, pasta, pizza sandwich etc. (updated Dec 2024)
• 3 Martini, Boul. Partizanski Odredi, TC Leptokarija sec.5, lok.2 (from the centre walk up Boul. Partizanski (3 km!) or even better, take the bus), ☏ +389 2 3061 127, picerijakid@yahoo.com. 10:00-01:00. Specialises in waffles, also does pancakes, salads, etc. Waffle + drink = 295 denars. (updated Dec 2024)
• 4 Restoran Aleksandrija 14, Londonska 6 (Taftalidze, near the green market), ☏ +389 3076411. A few minutes drive away from the cent of the city. Beside the traditional Macedonian food, macrobiotic and vegetarian dishes are available for the guests. (updated Dec 2024)
• 5 Balkanika, Oktomvriska revolucija 24 (across h. Aleksandar Palace), ☏ +389 2 3073 713, +389 2 3073 712. Ethnic food from Turks, Serbs, Albanians, Bulgarians, Vlaches, Greeks, Gypsies, Bosnians. Splurge. (updated Dec 2024)

Drink

• 1 VOX Night Club. In Karpoš. A nightclub usually crowded on weekends. (updated Aug 2016)
• 2 Havana. 
• 3 Marakana, City park. 
• 4 Minus 1, Branislav Nushikj street. 

Sleep

• 1 Hotel Kapistec, Mile Pop Jordanov 3 St., ☏ +389 2 3081424, +389 75 242 898 (Mob), fax: +389 2 3081425, hotel-kapistec@t-home.mk. €34/38. (updated Dec 2024)
• 2 Aleksander Palace (Palas), Bul. Oktomvriska Revolucija br.15 (5-minute drive from the centre), ☏ +389 3092-392. This 5-star hotel is probably the finest and most expensive in all of Skopje.