How to get to Skopje from Sofia?

Published by Free Sofia Tour at January 24, 2020

To Skopje by BUS

The bus ride between the Bulgarian and North Macedonian capitals takes approximately five hours if you are lucky enough to avoid the annoying traffic at the border checkpoints. The busses of MATPU company leave every day from the Sofia Central Bus Station at 09:30 and at 14:00. Alternatively, you can opt for Kaleia company, with its busses departing from Sofia every day at 07:00, 17:30 and midnight. Tickets can be purchased both online and on the spot prior to departure. Ticket prices are around 30BGN (15 euro) one way.

To Skopje by CAR

Busses usually follow the fastest car route – south down the “Struma” highway before exiting at the 60^th kilometer towards the town of Kyustendil. Just before entering Kyustendil there is a right turn into something like a ring road around the city. You are now on your way to the checkpoint at Gyueshevo as you drive up the Osogovo mountain. Once you enter North Macedonia, you have technically covered 1/3 of the total distance. The two bigger towns to pass through on the way to Skopje are Kriva Palanka and Kumanovo. The last part of the journey from Kumanovo to Skopje allows you to hit the highway again.

Things to do in Skopje

Now that you have finally made it to the North Macedonian capital, make sure you:

Walk around the grandiose city center. Locals love joking that sometimes the historical monuments outnumber the amount of people you could meet in the streets. Largly built as part of the Skopje 2014 project it is now part of everyone’s visit to the city.
Have a stroll around the Vardar river.
Do not miss exploring Skopje’s Old Bazaar which happens to be one of the largest on the Balkans and а fascinating remnant from the Ottoman times.
And of course, get a great view of Skopje from the Kale fortress

Explore more of North Macedonia

If you are passionate for beautiful natural sights, you should not leave the Republic of North Macedonia before visiting:

Matka Canyon

This breathtaking natural sight is located only 20 minutes away from the city center by car. There is also a bus (number 60) that can take you there. Taking a taxi from Skopje to Matka Canyon is also a popular option. Once you’re there, there are plenty of things to do such as kayaking, hiking, boat riding, touring the caves around it and visiting St Nikola’s Monastery.

Ohrid lake

Should your North Macedonian adventure last longer, take a trip to the magnificent Ohrid lake – among the oldest ones in Europe and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you are traveling from Skopje by car it will take you around 2.5-3h to get there. However, if you have the time we strongly reccomend you go there as this is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places on the Balkans. Apart from visiting the lake Ohrid offers plenty of other sights such as the Ohrid bazar, the Old town, Samuel’s Fortress and so much more.