Experience in Skopje, Macedonia by Maja

What is it like to live in Skopje? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

I recommend it to everyone who would like to a warm Balcan experience full with great food, cheap prices and easy-going people. Living in Skopje might be a bit chaotic because of the transport mostly and because of the air pollution that affects certain months in the year. The city is big enough, you can get anywhere you want with the bus, bike, cab or by foot. It has some architectural twist, with a combination of several types of buildings from baroque to contemporary etc. It also has a mountain, called Vodno that can be a really nice getaway from the urban jungle.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Skopje?

Student have relatively nice social life, having some benefits like a free year bus ticket, free entrance in theater every Thursday, free train rides every Thursday etc. The student dormitories are a bit poor and almost falling apart but also the rent is affordable so there aren't any problems. The studying system is a bit awkward, we face corruption, twisted bureaucracy, professor can be lazy too and ambivalent also... however one can survive the Skopje student life.

How much does it cost to live in Skopje?

If you are lucky to share a room or the rent, then you can easily have a nice and cosy life with €250-300.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Skopje? Is there any advice you can give?

Not difficult at all, all you must do is find some web pages with accommodation agencies and there are also a lot of nice and cheap hostels.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

The food is splendid. Traditional foods like tavce gravche, sarma, stuffed peppers with minced beef, etc. are easy to find because there are plenty of national restaurants. Also there are Italian, Chinese, Arabian, Mexican food that is delicious and very affordable. Plenty of pastry shops work 24/7 so you will never be hungry in Skopje.

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What places would you recommend visiting in Skopje?

• Kapan An
• Suli An
• The Old Bazaar
• The Kale Fortress
• Vodno
• Daut Pashin Hamam
• The aqueduct at the end of the city
• The breathtaking canyon Matka and many others

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Is it good to eat out in Skopje? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

• The Irish Pub
• Gorki Caffee
• Concept 37
• Vili
• La Delicious
• Plaza de Toros
• Star Ocean and many more are only a peak of the great restaurants, bars and lounge bars here in Skopje.

Is the nightlife good in Skopje? Where is good to go?

• Kapan An
• Marakana
• Havana
• Menada
• Radiobar
• Sotto
• Public Room
• Concept 37 and others are the best places where you can find good music, art, photography and other stuff.

What advice would you give future students heading to Skopje?

Be ready for your crazy, heart warming and endlessly beautiful journey in Skopje.

P. S. Take some summer clothes.... you will need them.