The city is remarkably walkable - there will be no need to take public transit or taxis once you've dropped your bags at your hotel - but there are a few key things to know when visiting Skopje, including the best places to get rakija, the historical sites that'll help you understand the country better and where to find the best speakeasy-adjacent casinos.
National Geographic's newest documentary "The Tale of Silyan" explores the heartwarming story of a down on his luck farmer's unlikely bond with an injured stork. While chatting with On The Red Carpet, director Tamara Kotevska revealed the meaning behind the title, "'The Tale of Silyan' is a very popular tale in Macedonia. It's (as) popular as Snow White, you know. And uh, we grew up with this tale. This is the first story I heard from my farming grandparents."
Although the elections are meant to focus on municipal issues, the campaign has been dominated by national questions: identity, minority rights, and the stalled EU accession process. In the capital, Skopje, pressing local challenges remain unresolved. The city of about 520,000 people still lacks a wastewater treatment plant and has no public transport alternatives to buses. The next mayor will also need to adopt a long-delayed "General Urban Plan for 20222032" and oversee preparations for "Skopje European Capital of Culture 2028."
