Booking Skopje hotels can be daunting. This isn’t just due to the difficulty of finding one, but it’s also because most of us want a good balance of budget and comfort. Good news: this post is here to help!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy/book something through one of these links, I will receive a commission, at no extra cost to you!
So what’s the lowdown on hotels in Skopje?
Well honestly, for my time in Skopje…I just stayed in an Airbnb!
There are tons of beautiful Airbnb locations in Skopje, most of which are much cheaper (and sometimes nicer!) than hotels!
However, as I was in Macedonia for a wedding, plenty of the other guests stayed at various other accommodations, so I can provide some insight from their experiences, as well as my own!
Skopje Hotels Vs. Airbnb’s
So do you choose a hotel in Skopje, or go for an AirBnb?
Honestly, I think that depends on your budget and personal preferences!
If you’re going to be staying awhile, a hotel can be nice because you get room service, whereas AirBnb is more DIY, bedding doesn’t get changed, etc.
However, if you want to cook for yourself (which I don’t know why you would, since restaurants in Skopje are such a big part of being there) then go with AirBnb.
Also, Airbnb may save you some money, as it tends to be cheaper than the good hotels.
There are cheap hotels, but from what I heard (both from visitors and from my Macedonian friends), the cheap ones are quite old and many of them run down.
But Marriott in the center of the city, for example, seemed satisfactory to the wedding guests I met who were staying there. It’s pricier than an AirBnb, but some people just prefer hotels, and that’s fine!
Registering with Local Police: Hotels Vs. AirBnbs
Another point to consider: all guests (whether AirBnb or hotels) are required to register their presence with local police. As far as I am aware, a hotel will complete this registration for you.
Our AirBnb host was also amazing and registered for us, as well. But some of my friends who stayed at a different AirBnb didn’t get so lucky, and had to register themselves, which I’m not sure how they did.
So hotels do provide more services for sure, but ultimately, where you stay mostly depends on your preferences!
What To Look For in an AirBnb in Skopje
We chose our AirBnb based on several things:
- Location (which was about a 10 minutes walk from downtown)
- Terrace (many AirBnb’s have gorgeous terraces with lovely views — a huge perk!)
- Cleanliness & newness (our AirBnb was recently renovated and super clean!)
AirBnb (if you don’t already know) provides lots of photos of each BnB, so we were able to browse and narrow down to the one that felt nicest to us.
In the end, we had a beautifully decorated, fully equipped AirBnb with a lovely enclosed terrace that provided a stunning view of the city, as well as the Millennium Cross!
What Location To Book Your Skopje Hotel In
We stayed about a 10 minutes’ walk east of the city center (near Ulica Leninova) and though we didn’t mind the walk, there just wasn’t much to do in that area.
Honestly, staying near the city center is the best choice, in my opinion. You’re within a 10 minutes’ walk of the Grand Bazaar and many of Skopje’s biggest museums, not to mention the beautiful city center!
Granted, there will be more noise near city center, as that’s where the nightlife tends to be. But my friends who stayed directly in the center in AirBnb’s and Marriott all said the liked the location.
The good news about Skopje is that it’s relatively small, so to get from most Point A’s to most Point B’s, you won’t spend more than 20-25 minutes walking. Still, it’s nice to be close to all of the action.
So whether you book a place near city center, or stay a ways outside of it, it’s pretty hard to go wrong. But if I were to go back, I’d definitely book something near city center.
Skopje Hotel REcommendations
Having done some research, as well as talked with friends who stayed at hotels in Skopje, I’m pleased to report that I do have several to recommend to you!
If we hadn’t used AirBnb to save money, I would have definitely booked through Trip.com.
And I’m not just recommending them as an affiliate! I used Trip.com for YEARS before even starting this blog. They’re just the best, in my opinion, because it’s easy to build rewards, and their customer service is fantastic.
That being said, here are three recommendations from Trip.com, all of which are right near Skopje’s city center!
Marriott Skopje: Classic COmfort
Right at the center of the city, my friends who stayed here said the hotel was comfortable and of the standard they expected. Plus they had the convenience of being in the most accessible spot for going out!
If you’re someone who likes to play it safe when visiting new places, Marriott is a super steady, standard way to go. It will feel familiar, and provide a level of service that you’ll be comfortable with.
Rooms at Marriott did cost about 3x more per night than our AirBnb costed us, so that’s something to consider. However, if you want a nicer stay for your time in Skopje, Marriott may be right for you!
Ibis Skopje City Center: Crisp and Modern
Also near the city center, but with a lower pricetag, Ibis Skopje provides cozy rooms, a fantastic breakfast buffet, and according to the reviews, above and beyond service!
We noticed this kind of Macedonian hospitality most places we went. People were more than willing to help us get around, or to recommend dishes and sites to see. But it seems that this hotel has especially kind hosts!
Honestly, if we hadn’t found such a beautiful AirBnb for such a great price, this hotel would have likely been the one we ended up booking!
Hotel Senigallia: The Boat Hotel!
Okay…I didn’t learn about this hotel until after we’d arrived to Macedonia, but I would have honestly been super tempted to stay here although it’s not as new looking. Why? Because it’s a BOAT!
Yep–and for a price that isn’t even backbreaking (cheaper than Marriott!). Guests stay in vintage looking rooms on a boat harbored in the river that cuts through Skopje.
Even better: there’s deck-level dining! Plus, it seems that the hotel has its’ own restaurant.
In other words, you can dine in style surrounded by the lights and structures of downtown Skopje. Sounds pretty amazing!
Summary
Whether you go the AirBnb route, or book a hotel, there are so many beautiful options in Skopje.
Unless you’re not a “downtown” kind of person, I highly recommend that you stay near the center of the city. For the time it saves you, and the accessibility to all of the best local sites, it’s worth the higher cost in my opinion.
And again, the city isn’t too large, so as long as you book in the general vicinity of downtown, you’ll be within walking distance to most everything.
Enjoy your Skopje hotel!!
I hope this little guide has given you more insight for your trip to Macedonia! Still have questions about Skopje hotels? I’m happy to answer them in the comments!
You may also like:
Macedonian Currency: What to Know Before You Go
Matka Canyon and Millennium Cross: Macedonia Day 2 Travel Blog
Skopje Airport and Beyond: Macedonia Day 1 Travel Blog
