Beautiful capital city that’s Europe’s ‘least known’

Despite many people never even having heard of this European capital city, Skopje has an absolutely astonishing history.

It has belonged to an array of empires – including Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and most recently Yugoslavian.

But in 1991 it was all change again as North Macedonia gained its independence and Skopje became its capital city.

By the 300s the city was the capital of a province of the Roman Empire but, despite its age, the city looks modern for a tragic reason.

In 1963 a catastrophic earthquake destroyed 75 percent of its buildings and killed more than 1,000 people.

But the city rebuilt and 61 years on it has become a rising star for tourists who are encouraging others to make the journey to what the Telegraph has dubbed Europe’s “least known capital.”

It’s known for its many, many monuments. Other visitors are attracted to explore its mega market – Old Bazaar – which is one of the Balkans’ largest markets.

And although there isn’t a coastline – as it’s a landlocked country – there is a stunning lake nearby: Lake Matka.

Travel blogger Kami – who runs website Kami & The Rest of the World – explained more about the city that keeps pulling her in.

She said: “While most of the city is just a random area with blocks of flats and houses strewn around with no actual urban planning the center is a real playground for me.

“The old but new buildings trying to resemble the golden old past, the uncountable number of quirky statues and on top of that the real gems of brutalist architecture.

“And if you go a little bit further you’re suddenly in the bazaar area, so different than anything else! There are just so many things to do in Skopje that they can keep you occupied for at least 2-3 days!”.

Fellow travel blogger – A Lady in London – agreed that Skopje is an amazing place to visit.

She said: “The capital of North Macedonia has an abundance of history and a rich cultural landscape to get excited about. 

“It’s one of the best places to travel in the Balkans.”

Other fans have taken to travel review website TripAdvisor to talk about their experiences of the city – including the market which is rated the second best thing to do in the city by the website.

One said: “The old Bazaar is more than just market stalls and shops. 

“Within this maze of cobbled streets and alleys, one can find galleries, mosques, museums, traditional and modern restaurants and bars, many cafes with great Turkish coffee, and of course traditional ware and souvenirs.”