Shopping in Skopje

This Skopje Shopping Guide gives some detail on what the shopping scene is like in Skopje. General information about souvenirs or goods that you may wish to pick up whilst shopping in Macedonia can be found by visiting our Macedonia shopping guide. And, if all this shopping is making you hungry, why not stop in one of the many great Skopje restaurants?

Skopje Shopping Guide

The Pazar is an open air market that is filled with fresh produce and local specialties. Some peasants sell their own homemade ‘sirenje' or goat cheese and marinated olives at Pazar. In summer time the place smells divine here with the fragrance of sweet cherries and melons. If you enjoy cooking or are a foodie then a stop at Pazar is a must for that ultimate culinary experience! Whatever be the season, it is recommended that you bargain with the seller if there is no price tag on the item else you will end up paying too much.

Currency

The currency of Macedonia is the Macedonian Denar. You can withdraw cash from one of the many ATMs in the city centre. 61.5 denars is approximately 1 euro, 39 denars is approximately 1 U.S. dollar, and 77 denars is approximately 1 British Pound. Be cautious not to withdraw too many denars at once, as not many places will exchange them for you when you leave the country.

Gradski Trgovski Centar

This is one of the biggest shopping malls in Skopje. During warm summer days and cool evenings, young people meet up to chat over coffee and eats in one of the small coffee houses. The mall has a small music shop ‘Jugoton' where you can find the latest Macedonian music.

Leptokarija

The Leptokarija Mall is much smaller than the Gradski Trgovski but it is cosy and comfortable. You can shop for gifts, clothes, groceries and flowers. Take a break from shopping at one of the small cafes and watch the world go by.

Old Skopje Bazaar

Located in the oldest part of Skopje, across the Vardar River, this bazaar is where East meets West. This market place or 'Carsija' still reflects Skopje's ties to Islamic culture from the days of the Ottoman Empire. It is choc a bloc with bustling shops and is an ideal place for tourists to mingle with locals. You can find everything from strong Turkish teas and lovely laces to small tin sculptures and cheap jewellery. The old bazaar is also where the locals do their shopping in Skopje and go about their daily lives at shoe stores, bakeries, and sewing shops. The bazaar blends history and fun, which is why it is a popular tourist hangout. Manoeuvring through the winding lanes and cobbled streets of the market can be tiresome, especially on days when the service is on at the local mosque.

The bazaar has experienced several changes over the years with respect to its appearance and layout, but what is unchanged is the spirit of the past. Skopje's handicraftsmen, tailors, cobbler, quilt makers, shoe makers, tinsmiths etc. can still be seen in the small innumerable handicraft shops. The old market place is still alive and bustling with a vivid atmosphere which radiates from these small shops, and coffee and tea rooms that are perpetually filled with tourists.

Shopping Times

Shop timings are Monday to Friday, from 8:00 to 20:00 and on Saturday from 8:00 to 15:00. Most traders on the Old Turkish Bridge offer low quality goods. The choice and quality of goods is much better in the historic district.