Skopje, North Macedonia

• Skopje is North Macedonia's capital on the Vardar River. The city center has three very different areas within walking distance - the Ottoman Old Bazaar with mosques and craft shops, Macedonia Square with its giant neoclassical buildings and statues from the controversial 2014 renovation project, and the bohemian Debar Maalo district with cafes and bars. The architecture clash is jarring at first, but you get used to it.
• English works with younger people and anyone in tourism. Older locals speak Macedonian only. People sit in cafes for hours here, so eating alone is normal. Crime is lower than most European capitals, though pickpockets target tourists around the main square and Old Bazaar.
• The emergency number is 112 for police, medical, and fire services. Some operators speak English. Public buses cost 35 denars (about 60 cents) but you can only pay by card - no cash accepted. Taxis are cheap enough that most visitors use them at night instead of figuring out the bus routes.
• Stick to the city center and Debar Maalo after dark - both stay busy and well-lit. Locals will tell you to avoid Čair at night.

Macedonian is the main language. Younger people (under 40) and tourism workers speak English. Emergency number 112 has some English-speaking operators. Tourist area signs are in Macedonian, English, and Albanian. About 60% of people speak some English. You'll also hear Turkish and Russian.

• Cover shoulders and knees at religious sites and in the Old Bazaar. Skopje is more conservative than Western Europe - revealing clothes will get stares.
• Younger people and tourism workers speak English. Older locals don't. Learn 'zdravo' (hello), 'blagodaram' (thank you), and 'molam' (please). Signs are usually in Macedonian, English, and Albanian.
• Locals sit in cafes for hours over one coffee. Eating alone is normal. Lunch is around 1-3 PM, dinner after 7 PM - later than Northern Europe.
• This is a conservative country. Avoid excessive drinking in public, especially outside tourist areas.

• City buses cost 35 denars per ride and run 24/7. You can only pay by card or phone - no cash. Download the Skopjebus app to buy tickets. A 90-minute transfer ticket costs 60 denars, daily pass is 120 denars.
• Taxis are cheap - 50 denars to start plus 20 denars per kilometer. Use the BeeRide app for electric vehicles or Wizi app (formerly Cammeo) to pay through the app. Don't use unmarked cars.
• The city center is walkable - most attractions are within 20 minutes on foot. Macedonia Square, the Stone Bridge, and Old Bazaar connect via pedestrian areas. Debar Maalo is a 10-minute walk from the center.
• If you're planning day trips outside the city, consider renting a car.
• For peace of mind on arrival, book your airport pickup in advance.

Explore Skopje with local guides and curated experiences.