How to Find Cheap Hotels in Skopje Macedonia

Skopje, Macedonia, is home to cheap wine, good food and modern shopping; it's also home to medieval-style bazaars and centuries-old ruins. Well-known hotels can be pricey, but there is a large mix of alternative cheap accommodations. Macedonia's hero is Alexander the Great, a classical figure who inspires interest to this day.

Things You'll Need

• Passport
• Computer with Internet access to make reservations

Instructions

Get to Skopje, Macedonia

1. Fly into Petrovec Airport, just outside Skopje. Flights from New York City cost around $900; flights from London and other major European cities cost around $500.

2. Take the train from Belgrade, Serbia or Thessaloniki, Greece. The ride from Greece is truly spectacular, although you will have to get off the train to go through a passport checkpoint.

3. Consider bus travel from Belgrade for the cheapest mode of getting to Skopje.

Find a Cheap Place to Stay in Skopje, Macedonia

1. Obtain a hostel membership card and stay in dorm-style accommodations for $25 per person per night. You can also choose a double accommodation for $38 per person per night.

2. Seek out a bed and breakfast or family-run hotel, most of which cost $20 to $40 per person per night. You'll want to brush up on your Macedonian or Albanian, since not many folks speak English.

3. Try out a service apartment. Many have a variety of amenities and prices that begin around $80. Ask for discounts, particularly on weekends.

4. Consider local chain-style hotels where standard accommodations start at $40. Breakfast and Internet service are often included, as is a television set.

5. Stay outside Skopje's borders at a beach campsite. Prices are as low as $40 for an entire party. The beach's opening and closing dates vary by season, although you can generally plan on them being open from April through October.

Explore Skopje, Macedonia

1. Discover the Holy Savior Orthodox Church, built in the 17th century. Set deep in the ground (because no churches at the time were allowed to stand above a mosque), it houses a wide variety of icons.

2. Visit Kale, the 6th century fortress that sits on a hill above Skopje.

3. Walk over the 15th century Old Stone Bridge, which links the Old Bazaar to New Skopje.

4. Take a day trip to the beaches of Greece, which are easily accessible by bus and train.

5. To book accommodations in Skopje, Macedonia, call Exploring Macedonia at [phone] or visit the link below.

Tips & Warnings

• A visa is not required for stays of less than 90 days.

• The sun can be intense--wear sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.

• There are no dress restrictions in Macedonia, but remember to cover your arms, shoulders and thighs and remove your shoes when visiting a mosque.

• Do not confuse the country of Macedonia (the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia FYROM, of which Skopje is the capital) with the similarly named region of Northern Greece.

• Be prepared for possible political tension at the Kosovo and Albanian borders.