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Wanderlog staff Updated • updatedApr 7, 2023
How long is the drive from Pristina to Bansko?
The direct drive from Pristina to Bansko is 214 mi (345 km), and should have a drive time of 4 hrs 51 mins in normal traffic.
If you’re going on a road trip from Pristina to Bansko, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Skopje, as well as top places to visit like Albanian League of Prizren and Prizren Fortress, or the ever-popular Sinan Pasha Mosque.
Skopje, North Macedonia's capital and largest city, serves as the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic hub. The area has been inhabited since 4000 BC with Neolithic settlements located within the historic Kale Fortress. Skopje also boasts hidden gems such as its old bazaars in Skopje and Bitola offering a glimpse of 17th century architecture while Lake Ohrid to the south showcases stunning orange-roofed houses on a hillside.
Most popular city on this route
9 minutes off the main route, 27% of way to Bansko
Best stops along Pristina to Bansko drive
The top stops along the way from Pristina to Bansko (with short detours) are Old Bazaar, Rila Monastery, and Lake Matka. Other popular stops include Newborn Monument, Macedonia Square, and Prizren Fortress.
The Sinan Pasha Mosque, an impressive Ottoman mosque, was constructed in 1615 with intricate designs of Quranic verses and floral patterns adorning its walls and dome. The vicinity around the mosque offers coffee and souvenir shops to visitors. It is a sight not to be missed when visiting Prizren as it boasts serene cleanliness and beauty that is equally breathtaking during both day and night time. Ramadan provides a unique opportunity for those seeking an unforgettable experience at the mosque.
The Sinan Pasha Mosque is an Ottoman mosque, it was built in 1615 by Sinan Pasha.
One of the most beautiful mosques and it's surrounding, where can be found coffee and souvenir shops.
Lutfi Muaremi — Google review
One of the oldest Ottoman era Masjids in Prizren. Interior is well decorated. Simple,typical Ottoman style. We prayed their during our stay in Prizren. It is located right in the middle of the old town.
Jami Karim — Google review
The Sinan Pasha Mosque is very beautiful, clean and very peaceful. Definitely must see place in Prizren.
ilker erdem acer — Google review
Built in the sixteenth century by Sinan paşa, this typical ottoman era architectural style mosque is a masterpiece in Prizren. It was restored by tıka and in good condition now. This mosque is a must to see when visiting the city and it is the only place out of Turkey where the Friday prayer speech is given in Turkish to the local community
Hsyn Shn — Google review
stunning to see during the day and night time! worth an experience during ramadan.
Sophie Wachholz — Google review
Nice mosque, you can enter leaving your shoes at the entry
Pedro Vera Obrador — Google review
A wonderful example of the golden years of Ottoman architecture in the Balkans. For visitors to Prizren, this place is a must.
Ruslan Trad — Google review
Traditional design mosque. There are some benches around to sit. On the other side it's mainly surrounded by some stands selling souvenirs. You can take some good pictures. The road up to the fortress starts around the corner
Thomas Vermeulen — Google review
A traditional-design mosque, nothing outstanding, but still impressive-looking from the outside and in a good location for photos of the city. You can go inside if you take your shoes off and are modestly dressed. Inside there are a few nice decorations on the walls, but like most mosques it's relatively plain, as worshippers are expected to focus on praying.
Stephen Psallidas — Google review
I didn't see anything special about this mosque, other than the fact that it was built of the stones from a old church. Not particularly beautiful inside or outside, but it's situated at a good location and makes a good backdrop for a photo of the bridge.
Jan Smith — Google review
Amazing historical heritage which makes Prizren very precious!
Azay Jalil — Google review
Sinan Pasha Mosque is an Ottoman mosque that was built in 1615 by Sofi Sinan Pasha, bey of Budim. The mosque overlooks the main street of Prizren and is absolutely breath taking!!! You must visit!
The Albanian League of Prizren, also known as Muzeu Lidhja Shqiptare e Prizrenit, is considered the birthplace of modern Albanian nationalism. The museum complex is housed in the buildings where the league met and showcases paintings and sculptures depicting the Albanian national struggle.
1 euro entry, some interesting articles , but not much information to read and learn about in contrast to the comments in the reviews.
Learnt about the main figures and that was about it. There is an ethnographic museum and a gallery of images depicted of mostly that era.
Building has been recreated in the ssme location as you will see on the plaque
Jinn — Google review
Happy to have seen it.
Provides a glimpse of Albanian history, heroes and traditional pieces left by the times gone past.
The Turkish guy inside served me a cup of coffee, chatted for almost an hour and witnessed his astonishing wit!
Harun T. — Google review
Very small museum housed to two buildings on opposite sides of the compound. Good historical paintings upstairs in the larger one. The compound is open 24H but the museum is just open a few hours in the late morning into the afternoon.
Don Moore — Google review
This was not worth much of a visit 😅
We paid 1€ per person to see some clothes and painting.
I wouldn’t personally recommend visiting.
Rayan Ali — Google review
Small museum with two buildings. One has some interesting regional costumes. I love the woolen socks
Jan Smith — Google review
A very small museum (1 euro entry) about the history of Albanian nationalism in the 18-19th century. There are some nice original photos and some telegrams/documents in English, but very little interpretation. According to a sign on the ground floor, the original building was bulldozed by Serbian forces in early 1999 but rebuilt in the same style later the same year.
Stephen Psallidas — Google review
En. - The Albanian League of Prizren was an Albanian political organization officially founded on June 10, 1878. At the meeting the Albanian leaders emphasized their intention to preserve and maintain the territorial integrity of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans by supporting the "to struggle in arms to defend the wholeness of the territories of Albania". This initial position has changed radically and resulted in demands of autonomy of Albanians and open war against the Ottoman Empire.
Razvan Gaspar — Google review
I visited Prizren in July 2015. It’s a small city which has combination of mountain view, river, well planned houses and roads as well as all other amenities that a modern vibrant city should have. All famous restaurants are located near the river side. The city is an hour distance from Prishtina, capital city of Kosovo. You will surely feel more buoyant in such picturesque city.
MM Opel — Google review
It was a very small one. Nothing very special but since the enterance fee is 1 eur you may check the place
Duygu Seyman — Google review
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6P6V+HG6, Sheshi i Lidhjes, Prizren
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The Prizren Fortress, formerly the capital of the Serbian Empire, is a medieval castle situated on a hill with picturesque views. It is highly recommended to visit while in town and it's surprising that entry is free without tickets required. The castle offers a calming atmosphere for visitors to sit and enjoy stunning views of the city from above. Its blend of original and reconstructed features showcases its phenomenal evolution through history as seen on informative plaques around the fortress.
Highly recommend to visit when you are in town. It takes only 15 minutes to reach the point and the most surprising thing is that it’s free!!!! No ticket required.
I stayed in Prizren for 3 nights and I went every day. It’s just so nice and calm to just sit on the castle and look the city from the top.
It reminds me of the castle in Naples, Italy. Definitely one of the best sunset in the world!
Hannah Chiu — Google review
A must visit for tourists and locals.
1) the location overlooks the city and the forest
2) the location is difficult to get to due to the steep uphill walk. Yet it’s not impossible if the sun wasn’t hot.
3) beautiful views and buildings from within the walls
4) it has access to hiking paths within the forest
Highly recommended
Hassaan A. — Google review
The fortress offers a variety of points of interest to explore. The Prizren Fortress is a captivating historical site that offers a glimpse into Kosovo's past while providing stunning views of the city and its surroundings. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a photography lover, or simply seeking a peaceful spot to admire the scenery, the Prizren Fortress is a must-visit destination in Prizren.
Sadaf Haidari — Google review
Amazing views of the town and only 15-20 minutes. I’ve tried to post photos of the route in order. It’s an ok fortress, but the views are fantastic
David de Pater — Google review
In this castle 🏰 all by myself was the greatest meditation I've experienced in awhile. The mixture of original and reconstruction is phenomenal. The plaques allow the understanding of the fortress, history and the evolution.
Susan Slavik — Google review
I took the long loop along the river and through the forest. Took an hour at a nice leisurely pace. You can see the trail on google maps. Totally worth it if you have the time vs the 20min steep walk up from the town. You can walk down that way rather. Highly recommend timing this to arrive for a wonder and then sit to watch the sunset. Fantastic views.
Ceyda Soral — Google review
Such a lovely view from the top. It’s only a 15 min walk from the center and there’s a snack shop at the top or even a hotel part way up if you want a beer on the way back down.
Michael Johns — Google review
Needs updating as walkways are dangerous in places. No charge to get in, but I would rather pay a small fee if it could be used to maintain the place
Steep walk up and treacherous coming down, but worth it for the views.
Steev Allan — Google review
Exceeded expectations. The highlight is the brilliant views in many directions, but it's also nice to wander around over the walkways and learn more about the fortress' history through the information signs (although some were unreadable due to wear and tear). The walk up there is steep and probably slippery when it rains / strenuous if it's very hot.
Corine Bos — Google review
Its a breathtaking place where you can see the whole city from up! High recommended!
Lirim Thaci — Google review
To get there is one heck of a climb. While arebically challenging, it is well worth the 30 minutes or so to get there. Longer if you need to rest and am guessing the grade for the first half to be about a 40% tilt. The history contained at the top has has some modern touches such as electrical and plumbing conduits installed and that takes away some of the third century feel seeing modern touches added directly through thr ancient walls and outsides. The views are breathtaking to say the least. The view of Prizren and the surrounding area is something you will not forget. Well worth your time to visit.
Marty Hogan — Google review
Prizren Fortress.. my favorite place in Prizren. I visited it 3 times on my 1.5 day stay. It’s free and the view is incredible!! You see all of Prizren, the surrounding towns and distant mountains. It’s the best place to watch the sunset. Also you can climb up on different wall sections. Different ways to get there… the shortest way (but steepest way) goes through cobbled streets in old town and keep climbing, past Trini cafe, and a few more meters of incline until you get to the fortress entrance. They is route takes about 15 mins, depending how often you take breaks. There is also a nice walk through a tree covered path about 2.85 mile long, during the first half you’re following the river, then by Panorama restaurant you take the unpaved/gravel path on a gradual incline to the fortress. The path is wide, shades gray trees and there’s at least 2 natural springs/drinking spring along the way. I’ve also seen some people drive up in cars, ATV and mopeds, but I think walking is still the best option and you feel so accomplished when you get to the top.
I went up on a rainy day, in the early afternoon and at sunset.
joy asumen — Google review
The castle itself may not be much to look at, but the 15 minute walk from the old city is worth it for the views of the mountains and plains. See how the river provided a natural barrier from enemies and take a few pictures. Count the minarets across the city below. It's a magical vista.
Kevin D Sherman — Google review
It is a VERY steep walk uphill to reach the fortress. It took about 15 minutes to reach. The path is clearly signed. I wouldn’t want to do this walk in rain or cold weather where the path would get slippery and dangerous, especially on the way down. The fortress itself is cool, and has a fantastic view across Prizren and the surrounding mountains. It is free to enter. It’s a really special view. There are a few information signs but they are quite limited in information. There are some broken planks in the walkways so be careful when exploring the fortress.
J K — Google review
Beware: it’s quite a walk uphill 🥲
It’s around 2 km uphill, and it was quite tiring for us (non hikers).
The view is quite spectacular, I definitely recommend to go up when it’s cloudy, as it gets quite overwhelming when it’s sunny.
We liked the fortress but there wasn’t a tour guide around, nor signs or posters to tell us more about the place itself.
Overall nice though.
Rayan Ali — Google review
Breathtaking views for such a short hike. There is no entrance fee, but the premises are clean and well maintained.
Eldion Nevruzi — Google review
Look for the guy that works at the fortress. He'll show you around and tell you some fascinating historical facts. It's a bit steep climb so dress appropriately.
Shpend Sadriu — Google review
This is a nice fortress with a wonderful view. If you can get there during a call to prayer it is phenomenal to hear all of the calls echo across town from each of the different mosques. It's not a long hike, but it is a steep one uphill. There's no way to drive there. The walk is not for anyone who is not in fairly decent shape.
Jan Smith — Google review
From the stone bridge this is about a 700 meter walk up a very steep but wide path. The path is paved with blocks and in good condition. It's not a bad walk except for being steep. There is a second path that comes up the mountain behind the castle. That path goes east a ways before descending to the valley and then doubling back to town along the river. That path is not steep at all. It's an easy walk but from the castle back to town is about an hour. If you are short on time take the front route up and down. Otherwise I would recommend climbing the front route and then walking the back route back to town. As to the castle itself, there are great views and it is very much worth the climb. As someone else mentioned, try to be here during the call to prayer. It's really something hearing the recitations coming from all directions while up there at the castle.
NEWBORN is a contemporary landmark located in the Center of Pristina that commemorates Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia. This monument, which was unveiled in 2008, is much larger than what most people expect. Tourists can visit this unique attraction anytime between 19:00 and 06:00 by taking an Auto Taxi called "MULI." The monument serves as a symbol of hope and resilience for the Kosovar population who fought hard for their independence.
Such unique monument to Kosovo's independence from Serbia in 2008 a lot bigger than I thought it was
william revill — Google review
It’s mostly symbolic than an attraction though it serves so for tourists.
1) very much accessible and easy to find near the city center.
2) the color theme is changed periodically
3) not worth altering one’s route to visit it, but it’s nice to stop by.
Hassaan Abdeen — Google review
An important image located in the center of Pristina. A sculpture that is frequently mentioned while telling or telling someone when you want to find direction. Also it has good story. BROKEN REPUBLIC
Erhan YÜCE — Google review
A nice historical place to visit in Kosovo, you can connect many other attractions near to this as it’s in centre and the same time you can see many nice historical sculptures as well as the library, Museums, old mosques 🕌 and in case of being tired you have many options to eat in Restaurants or cafes to drink something as there are many options which you can choose.
Mareena Jan — Google review
Apparently there is some dissent as the sign currently reads NONEWBR with BR standing for Broken Republic. Let’s hope that’s not the case!
Monika Gablowski — Google review
Cool monument. Apparently it's repainted every so often to reflect the current mood.
Corine Bos — Google review
Any time you fine my in this place ,
Center of Pristina 🇽🇰 From 19:00 to 06:00 a Clock 🕟
Auto Taxi " Ⓜ️ULI "
TAXI MAXI — Google review
Very cool installation, and I like how they change it to form new words and messages. Definitely worth stopping by!
Rett Perera — Google review
Our little NEWBORN is now a rebellious teen and looks like this... NONEWBR
NO NEW Broken Republic
Silva Gerveni Demirxhiu — Google review
This year's theme is Ukraine with no new born slogan. I think it's a beautiful way to express and remind people the country's indepence.
Berkay Soyluoglu — Google review
Just roaming around and we found a place to eat and they serve fast... Route 69
Jubert Tarre — Google review
As a landmark of the city it’d be silly not to pass by, but situated where it is and on a busy road means there isn’t a great deal else to do in the immediate area. However this does also mean (certainly every time I passed anyway) that it isn’t swamped with tourists continually and people taking photos. There’s not any signage explaining the significance which I spotted but with the ever changing design it’s something worth revisiting each time you’re in the city.
Steve Bintley — Google review
Symbolizing the new born independence of Kosova
Erdogan Aydın — Google review
What is good about this monument is that the change. It is being redesigned, re-colored according to important events.
Demet Satı — Google review
The idea is fine. But Prishtina still has long way from opulence and magnificence. Sometimes peace is more important than those.
Deus ex machina — Google review
Thé monument is Big and very colorfull
fanchon adam — Google review
An interesting monument, every now and then it changes colours that have some meaning.
SeKo — Google review
Cool monument , they change the paint every year , great meaning.
My favourite building in Prishtina. I've heard some people be negative about the design, saying it's like a prison or scaffolding, but the simple fact is that it is the most creative piece of modern architecture in all of Prishtina (and even all of the former Yugoslavia ). There is a lot of poor urban planning in Prishtina, and buildings that are over the top or just plain cheap, whereas this library is a valuable contribution to the urban landscape above all others.
Edward Alexander — Google review
Unique architecture - definitely see when visiting Pristina. Sadly was not allowed inside
Jamie Carr — Google review
Ranked among the ugliest buildings in the world. And from the architecture and interior I can’t but agree. However still it’s worth visiting or stopping by at on your way to the boulevard.
Hassaan A. — Google review
It's an odd-looking library from the outside. It has an American Center inside which appeared to be for children. Going inside the building is free to look around, but what kind of ruined our experience was a lady telling us we couldn't touch any of the books. They should put up a sign or something if it really is prohibited. They really should maintain it from the outside since it's full of graffiti.
David — Google review
The National Library in Pristina, Kosovo was designed by Croatian architect Andrija Mutnjakovic and opened in 1982. The library, with its 73 small domes, was supposed to be the focal point of the complex of university buildings.
From above, the library looks like a motley cluster of cubes, varying in size and height, rather like a village. The domes supply even, natural light to the reading rooms. The cube shape contributes to the compactness and the sense of protection, which is further reinforced by the aluminum net of hexagons that is draped over the building.
suad tosuni — Google review
Unique infrastructure on a global scale. Around a place where you can sit in peace from the hustle and bustle of the city. Something special.
SeKo — Google review
This is iconic building in the center of the city. Nice park around. Very recommended.
Jakub Komorný (Equaa) — Google review
You will not find a library or any building, for that matter, that looks like that. Some will hate it, others enjoy it. I imagine it's the sort of thing that gets more iconic as times goes on.
Robert Cooke — Google review
The National Library of Pristina, also known as the National Library of Kosovo, is a cultural institution and a landmark building located in the city of Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. The architect of the National Library of Pristina was Andrija Mutnjaković, a Croatian architect who won the international design competition held in 1971 for the building's design.
The library was built between 1982 and 1986 during the period when Kosovo was part of Yugoslavia. The design of the library is striking, with its unique shape, made up of 99 domes of various sizes and irregular shapes, and its outer shell made of aluminum panels. The interior of the library is equally impressive, with its large central atrium and its intricate network of staircases and balconies that connect the different levels of the building.
The National Library of Pristina was designed to be a cultural and intellectual center, not just a repository for books. It was intended to promote literacy and education, and to inspire creativity and innovation. Today, the library continues to serve as an important cultural institution in Kosovo, hosting a variety of cultural events and exhibitions, and providing access to a vast collection of books, periodicals, and other materials.
Visar Avdiu — Google review
Unusual architecture, cool to see. I actually find it looks better from further away, than close up
Thomas Vermeulen — Google review
A truly beautiful building that you just can’t take your eyes away from
Jarod Graham — Google review
SUCH a cool building. You can also go in - nice interior too!
Corine Bos — Google review
I was advised to visit this building as being “among the world’s 5 ugliest” and I must say that I, instead, found it to be SO Interesting and fascinating architecturally! I found this building to be an interesting mix of architectural engineering & political expression and I’d urge anyone with such interests to visit it when in the area.
bluedimitris — Google review
Love this building. Whether you like the architecture or not, this is a must see in Pristina.
Keltoum — Google review
Talk about striking architecture! I’ve never seen a building like it and whether you think it’s attractive or not it’s a great area to wander round, with lots of seating and a small open park next door. I didn’t get the chance to go in because it was closed when I passed, but it’s a landmark of the city and a must see when you’re visiting!
Steve Bintley — Google review
Architecture is impressive, but when you get closer you see the walls are vandalized by meaningless graffitis. Graffiti must be a part of art, not some random words. They should clean around. The inner side is cute. The woman who works at the top floor, who speaks German and Albanian is so warm and cute. We will remember her so good.
Alperen Acar — Google review
Weirdest building ever outside, beautiful in the inside. It's listed to be "the ugliest building in the world" but I guess it depends because I found it breathtaking.
The Ethnographic Museum in Kosovo is a must-visit destination for those interested in the country's cultural history. The museum is housed within two well-preserved Ottoman houses surrounded by a spacious walled garden. Visitors can join an informative tour conducted by English-speaking staff who will guide them through each of the properties, showcasing various unique items such as traditional clothing, weaponry, jewelry and household equipment.
Very nice garden. It’s free to enter and also there was a guide there as well. The guide service is also free. Very interesting culture. The only thing is that the location is wrong.
akdeniz sahin — Google review
@Google, this is in the wrong place. Please find a way to verify and change.
I’ve added a photo from the lonely planet which does have the correct location.
There was a friendly guide when I visited great to see the smaller house (large one is under construction).
David de Pater — Google review
Not so much to see and the biggest house is under renovation. They are around 300 years old during ottoman empire and used to belong to very wealthy family.
Yonathan Stein — Google review
After a long time walking the city to try to find it, we finally found it and it was closed. There are no hours of operation listed on the door and there is no website for where you can get information.
RAMSES LUQUIS — Google review
This is not the correct location for the Ethnological Museum. It’s actually very near the Green Market and Great Mosque.
Perhaps part of it was under renovation or preparing for the summer months because there was only one building, with no signage whatsoever. That was really quite disappointing. I had expected to learn more about Kosovo and traditional homes and practices. It was still nice to look at items and create stories in my mind, but these won’t be ethnologically accurate. It’s free to enter.
J K — Google review
Good guide & peaceful enviroment. Only minus that part off the museum was closed.
Heidi Miettinen — Google review
This visit is a must in Pristina. It's very interesting and the guide knows a lot about history and made the visit really worth it. He was very nice. The houses are really well preserved both inside & outside.
Pilar Ortega — Google review
The location on Google map is wrong, very faraway from where it is. Search for Henrik Bariç 25
Pristina, it is next to a local market
Hei Chit Lei — Google review
Seemed under construction when we visited (March 2024) - there was only a very small house to visit. This was nice but there were no information signs or a guide. Also, the museum is not where it is located on Google Maps, but close to the Big Mosque instead.
Corine Bos — Google review
Lovely small museum. You get a personal tour from it's keeper with an interesting view into Pristina's history. No entrance fee, pay as you like.
Pepijn Lemmens — Google review
Worth a visit and they deserve your support even though only one of the houses is open at the moment. I arrived on a rainy day and the guide was very attentive. He explained the houses' background and provided an extensive tour. The woodworking mesmerizes here. They can make more money turning the place into a glamping location.
Jack P. — Google review
Again. Both museums are located incorrectly in Google Maps. I tried to fix the Kosovo Museum but in the end Google Maps rejected my update. I’m giving up on finding the Ethnographic Museum. It’s too hot. I found it with the aid of the coordinates on this piece of paper. It’s small and not hugely interesting. However it is in one of the oldest built
jeremy kalous — Google review
The museum is currently under renovation, so we can only enter 1 of the 3 houses. The one that I entered is the 18th century style, small but very good to get a glimpse of how the house looks like at that time. No entrance fee but you can make donation for the restoration work.
Kitty Yu — Google review
Great place but GOOGLE must help them with the location issue. It causes major inconvenience for two separate businesses and has been left by the GOOGLE team for too long. Really great spot once you get there, staff was lovely and knowledgeable though current renovations make it something of a shorter experience.
Arabati Baba Tekke, established in 1538 by Ottoman dervish Sersem Ali Baba, is considered one of the finest surviving Bektashi monasteries in Europe. The large complex includes prayer rooms, dining halls, lodgings, and a marble fountain inside a wooden pavilion. In the 16th century, it was founded by Sersem Ali Baba and later expanded by Harabati Baba in the 18th century.
I went to visit for few hours from Skopje. The dervish is super friendly he speaks about 5 languages. I spoke to him in Turkish. The Dervish is very knowledgeable about the Tekke and his faith Bektashim. He also knows a lot about Alevisim. He was very hospitable offered me tea, coffee and chocolates. I recommend to visit this place. When you enter the Tekke it’s very spiritual, find the dervish. The dervish listens to you and answers the questions you might have. When you decide to leave please give some donation to the Tekke as it requires a lot more refurbishment. I totally recommend it, go and talk to the dervish and listen to him as well. It’s a great experience.
Huseyin Eroglu — Google review
Three women showed me the entrance. They have had their legislative differences with the government but the place feel safe and peaceful now. It’s beautiful. Definitely worth visiting
jeremy kalous — Google review
In the 16th century, the mother of Shahzadah Mustafa, the wife of Suleiman the Magnificent, was overlooked after Hürrem Sultan and was first sent to Edirne and then to Macedonia. Here his brother Sersem Ali Baba who was a court officer accompanied him.
Sersem Ali Baba founded the Tekke belonging to the Bektashi Order, of which he was a member, 500 years ago.
In the 18th century, Harabati Baba made great services and expanded him. Later on, Tekke is remembered for his name.
In the 19th century, Mahmud II closed the New Clay Quarry, which he saw as a great danger for the future of the country, and there were great massacres. As the New Quarry is traditionally Bektashi, the Harabati Baba Tekke falls into disrepair.
After the Balkan War in 20th century, Macedonia is lost. During the 20th century, the status of the country constantly changes. After Macedonia gained its independence in 1992, the Bektashis resettled in the Tekke. However, 10 years later, in 2002, the Sunni Muslim Albanians in the country, by arms, were able to capture Tekbasi and seize most of them. Today, in most of the Tekken, the Sunnis continue to exist in a small part of the Bektashis.
When Atatürk closed the Tekke and Dervish Houses in 1923, the World Bektashis were represented by the Bektashi Society in Tirana, the capital of Albania.
In the photographs, the Bektashi section of the Bektashi and the Bektashi Dervis, Abdülmuttalip Efendi, are seen. We chatted with him in close to 2 hours with pleasure, thank you again for the valuable information.
On the Sunni side of Tekken, I could not find an official and I could not find a chance to chat there.
Ismail Onal Morcul — Google review
Mystic and very peacefully
Aytekin Demircioğlu — Google review
Most quiet place in Tetova, Islamic Bektashian old monastery. Near the montain Sharr, full with trees, gardens, tall rock walls. Paradise!!
Genc Ahmeti — Google review
The place seems nice but dilapidated and as a woman I felt very unwanted and unpleasant and even dangerous to visit although I was dressed properly and I was accompanied by my husband. They asked us many times persistently why we were there. Avoid to go unless you are a man and a muslim
Christina Vasileiadi — Google review
This biggest and greatest Tekke in the Western Balkans!
Roni Kadriu — Google review
Very nice and tranquil. We were told by the security at the gate that anyone is welcomed and can stay overnight in the Tekke garden - better to verify this information directly with them and the inhabitants of Tekke - bektashi order.
The Шарена mosque, also known as the Painted Mosque, is a reconstructed Ottoman-era mosque located in Tetovo. The original 15th century structure was destroyed by fire in the 17th century and rebuilt with a vividly painted interior and frescoed facade in the 19th century. Its unique style is attributed to women's touch as both outer and inner walls are adorned with intricate floral patterns and geometric ornamentation.
In Tetovo. An absolutely amazing piece of human invention. Spectacular architecture and jaw dropping art inside. I was led round by a friendly man who showed me everything and everywhere, including the upper gallery used by ladies, the very best spot outside to photograph the building.and the direction of Mecca. I wouldn't have missed this for the world. I was asked for a donation that I was happy to give. Bus from Skopje takes roughly an hour and leaves from the main bus station. Bus was 120 denar each way and in Skopje cards or cash can be used. From the bus station in Terovo cash only.
Lewis Mindy — Google review
Šarena Džamija Masjid, Tetovo, North Macedonia 🇲🇰
This masjid was built in 1438 or 1495 by two sisters. I’ve never come across such a colourful, artistic masjid.It has a long history.
Address : Braka Milladinovi, Tetovo 1220, North Macedonia
Jami Karim — Google review
I didn't try to enter as a stupid turist but it looks really gorgeous outside!
Elizaveta Fedotova — Google review
The most beautiful mosque I've ever been in my life. Very good maintenance. You can tell that local people really cherish it.
Anne T. — Google review
The most beautiful mosque ever visited. I was made to feel very welcome, the ‘caretaker??’ - maybe - I’m not too sure who he was! Turned on all the lights so I take better photos!
Amanda Stephenson — Google review
Incredible mosque. Friendly relaxed atmosphere. Everyone welcome to this artistic marvel
jeremy kalous — Google review
The place is amazing and very beautiful
The people around are nice , very colorful and quite
Mohammad Altheeb (TSM) — Google review
Pasha mosque has a unique style which is due to the touch of women. Outer and inner walls are all covered with beautiful ornaments. We have been to countless mosques and masjids but this is a must see.
Seri Gezginler — Google review
Very nice mosque from the 15th century accessible for tourists apart from the time of pray. Don't forget TROUSERS (shorts below knees aren't enough) and if you are a woman take a head cover. It's mandatory to be covered accordingly.
Ladislav Velebil — Google review
That's an amazing mosque with interior out out side instruction is great decorated with many colours and drawings.
Haydar Levent — Google review
The Colorful Mosque in Tetovo, North Macedonia, is a mesmerizing fusion of history and artistry. This magnificent mosque, dating back to the 15th century, showcases intricate paintings that blend Ottoman, Persian, and Byzantine influences. Its vibrant colors, geometric patterns, and calligraphy create an awe-inspiring visual experience. Beyond its aesthetic beauty, the mosque exudes a peaceful and spiritual ambiance. A visit to the Colorful Mosque is a captivating journey into the region's multicultural heritage and artistic legacy.
Andreea Szasz — Google review
Very beautiful mosque. It was colored by two sisters. Maybe the the unique mosque in the world painted by women
Aytekin Demircioğlu — Google review
An exceptionally beautiful late medieval mosque hidden away in the city of Tetovo, which is not high on the list of tourist destinations.
Instead of grandeur, it impresses with its rich colours and decoration. Virtually every detail on the walls is stunning. The locals are welcoming and keen to tell the history behind the place. The courtyard and the whole place are very well maintained.
Well worth the short trip from Skopje to see the nicest example of the country's Ottoman heritage.
oneofthebhoys — Google review
Very beautiful mosque in the town Tetovo. When me and my family visited we felt very close to Allah! 🙏 There is only one flaw; the muezzin (the man who calls people to come to Allah) has a terrible voice! Other than that, amazing place. 🙏❤️ I'll be back 😉
Simon Stojanovski — Google review
Very very very beautiful mosque that is so unique. Although I have visited a lot of different styles of mosques, this one was just so exceptional to me when it comes to art.
Ayse — Google review
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5.0
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2X48+7PM, Braka Milladinovi, Tetovo 1220, North Macedonia
Lake Matka is a charming man-made lake in a scenic canyon, stocked for fishing and with an underwater cave. The region around the lake is full of historic sites, including monasteries, churches and settlements from the former Matka fortress. There are also dozens of caves nearby - including the Vrelo Cave, Krshtalna Cave and Ubava Cave - making this one of the most popular alpine climbing centres in Macedonia.
Absolutely stunning place! Highly recommended for exploring. I also recommend taking a boat trip (30 minutes costs 200 MKD per person), however, be aware of how much they charge you in € as some of them fool you and put the prices up when it comes to €. So I suggest having some local money on you. Regardless, it is a beautiful place to visit. You can take bus #60 from Skopje Central Bus Station and use your Skopska Card to travel. Fabulous place!!
Moniqa — Google review
Definitely visit this place! Lots to see and so peaceful! If you have the chance, get on the boat ride and visit the cave as well!
Gar Yos — Google review
Amazingly beautiful setting.
CIN ID TV — Google review
The best tourist attraction recommended by George
George Stojkovski — Google review
I made a boattrip there. Costs where 500 mkd. It was a great expierence. Started counting butterflies the whole trip. I think i saw 9 types. The only boring thing the cave midway the boattrip.
NoryaMaria — Google review
Super beautiful over there! Definitely go here when you are in Skopje!!!
Rosalie B — Google review
Lake Matka is a must-visit for nature lovers. The lush greenery and natural views are stunning, and you will be mesmerized by the serene atmosphere. Take the #60 Bus from a central Mall to get there. It's recommended to avoid taxis due to scams. Visit early in the morning and stay until late evening. There are plenty of coffee shops, bars, fresh juice stalls, and good restaurants to keep you fueled up. A boat tour is a must-do activity to fully appreciate the beauty of the lake. Overall,
Sabur Shah — Google review
Remarkable nature, they should outlaw littering though, guests seem not to respect it and thow their trash on the ground
Alexander Tsalos — Google review
Lake Matka, nestled amidst the lush greenery and rugged terrain of North Macedonia, is a tranquil oasis that beckons travelers seeking solace in nature's embrace. Carved by the Treska River, this picturesque reservoir captivates visitors with its serene waters, framed by towering cliffs adorned with verdant foliage. Surrounded by the Matka Canyon, a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, the lake offers a myriad of activities, from leisurely boat rides to adventurous kayaking expeditions. Rich in biodiversity, the surrounding landscape is home to diverse flora and fauna, adding to the enchanting allure of this natural gem. Whether exploring the ancient monasteries dotting its shores or simply basking in the serenity of its tranquil waters, Lake Matka promises an unforgettable journey into the heart of Macedonia's untamed beauty.
Vignesh Devamulla — Google review
Nice place, but very poorly maintained. A lot of waste and signs of neglecting nature are seen at every step. Parking is a serious issue and police is making iz more complicated.
Emir Kadusic — Google review
One of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. The water of turquoise colour and the giant mountain beside look gorgeous!
The Warrior on horse statue is a bronze sculpture of Alexander the Great located in Skopje, Macedonia. The statue demonstrates all the power and authority of the ruler of the Roman Empire.
4.0
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Macedonia, Skopje 1000, North Macedonia
I'll never travel to Bansko without this trip planner again
The Memorial House of Mother Teresa in Skopje, Macedonia, is a museum dedicated to the famed Catholic nun and missionary who lived and worked in the city for more than 50 years. The house contains displays of personal effects and memorabilia from Mother Teresa's life as well as sculptures depicting her and her family. It opened to the public in 2009.
It’s worth a visit to see how Mother Teresa made an impact on the world. The Memorial House is located right on the main pedestrian street near the main square.
There’s a monument of her next to the Memorial House. Her birth place is right in Skopje. There is no fee to enter.
Melanie E — Google review
Small museum in the centre of Skopje. A bit of a haven in the hubub of the city. It was actually more interesting than I had originally thought probable. I only really went in out of curiosity and was well rewarded. Free entry to this little place.
Lewis Mindy — Google review
A lovely memorial in a very busy and built up area. You’re free to wander round as you wish and while there was a lot of construction taking place next door on the day of my visit, it’s a relaxing spot giving opportunity to reflect. If this is something you think will interest you then it’s worth hunting down.
Steve Bintley — Google review
FREE entrance. Quick visit. Nice photos of Saint Mother Teresa. It is on the site of the old church that was destroyed in the 63 earthquake.
Tae Yoo — Google review
Free of charge. A good exhibition with pictures. Good to show the world how a ordinary girl from Macedonia went and created such a big impact in a country far away: India, through her kindness.
Rahul Kurup — Google review
I loved the place, I wish they had the souvenir shop open same opening hours as the house. Entrance is free and you can see a lot of Mother Teresa’s history
Daniela Valdivia Gutierrez — Google review
Very nice and quiet location. Inspire the visitors to be better. Also brings you with the legs on the earth underlining the poverty in the world. There you realize that if yoi have the chance to visit this house you are lucky (compering with other people from all over the world that don't even have access to water)
So...a good shower that brings you to reality!
D D — Google review
A memorial house dedicated to Mother Theresa. Located near the Macedonia square. Easy to walk to from the city center.
Tomson Chan — Google review
It was free to visit there and I liked the place that was actually a museum. With statue of mother Theresa in real size. And many great photos during her life.
M?hdi — Google review
Very small memorial, its free to visit. On the groun floor there's a souvenir store, on the first a museum and above it is a small chapel. It was interesting to visit.
M V — Google review
A really great memorial museum dedicated to the life of Mother Teresa. There was so much to read up on about her life from the beginning to the end with lots of photos throughout her life.
Nicky Burt — Google review
Small house, a little history and information. 5 min for visit and take some pictures. Nice AC inside.
Natalia Valenta — Google review
Learnt that this is mother Theresa's hometown. Simple yet beautiful house. There are two floors and a souvenir shop exists on the ground floor.
tskumar — Google review
Not a lot of people know that Mother Theresa was born in Skopje. Its museum is located in the strict center of Skopje. The entrance is free, and you can learn a lot about her life and life journey.
Definitely recommended sightseeing, and you can dedicate 0.5-1h to better enjoy the museum. There is also museum shop.
Danco Dimkov — Google review
Beautifully displayed and a sacred place to see Mother Teresa’s birth place. A small chapel in the museum with historical displays. A sweet little museum shop. Entrance fee is voluntary. If you admire Mother’s Teresa encourage you to visit and be inspired to do good while you live.
Lotus Prins — Google review
Nice little house if you are interested in the life of Mother Theresa. It was nice to see although I had expected a bit more informative/ interactive museum here. Still worth visiting here if you are in Skopje.
Humeyra Ilgazli — Google review
Mother Teresa is an important figure for humanity, this house has copies her letters, clothes, and personal belongings. They are not original but still one way to pay the respect.
Ömercan Kömür — Google review
This is one of the most bizzare and "kič" places one can see. It has nothing to do with Mother Teresa in any sense, architecture is delusional, everything is absurd to the limits of human mind. And that's why you should visit it!
Stevan Stancevic — Google review
Well this place is totally dedicated to her life and you will find most of the information about her life with photographs. Even the childhood photos which are so reminiscing and cherishing in its own way. Thanks to people who look after this place.
NAUSHAD KHAN — Google review
Hailing from Kolkata, this memorial house was indeed emotional for us since we know how much Mother Teresa means in our city and in India.
Good place to know the history and the journey of the great Saint.
However one needs to check the timings effectively before visiting this place. Google timings are not updated.
Ziva David — Google review
A quiet place dedicated to Saint Mother Theresa. The museum has a collection of Mother Theresa's life and works, her writings and what Jesus meant to her. Also displays the Nobel prize certificate she had received.
There is also a picture which outlines Mother Theresa's timeline from her birth and highlights special achievements.
A place worth visiting. Do keep a note on opening times.
Ashish Deepak — Google review
Small memorial museum with a small chapel on the top floor. Free entry. It was good to explain to the kids who St Teresa was and how she progressed to being declared a Saint. It doesn’t take long to go through the exhibit but it was interesting and we all learnt something.
Skopje's main square is one of the city's most popular tourist destinations, with a large statue of Alexander the Great in its center. Around it are numerous shops and restaurants, making it an ideal starting point for exploring the city.
Located in the heart of Skopje, the Stone Bridge hotel offers river views and two eateries. The indoor pool and spa are also popular attractions.
beatiful place but regarding covid 19 is closed and after pandemic is stll closef
goran desovski — Google review
Should just be a 3 stars hotel rather than a so-called 5 stars hotel! Everything seems old and out-dated. There was no air-conditioning in the room. The room was stuffy. I opened the window but it was very noisy owing to people activity in the square outside. Some of the lamps in the room were not working. The shower room door was broken. There was no electric kettle and coffee or tea in the room. The room was small and there was not enough room to open my 2 luggages and placed them flat on the floor without hindering the walk way in the room. The breakfast is just so-so. Except the good location, I would not recommend this hotel.
Steven Ng — Google review
Location is fantastic couldn’t be better right in the square with great views of river and castle
The shower was awful and very old and didn’t function correctly. More water on the bathroom floor than in the shower, food in bistro was cheap and tasty service was good. Gets very warm in room during the night and if you open windows it’s extremely noisy from people on the square. Did not sleep well and kept waking up due to noise.first impression of room was it’s quote nice but on closer inspection it’s very old and dated.there are no usb phone charging sockets in rooms and reception said they couldn’t help. Couldn’t get the television to operate at all. breakfast wasn’t great and just very basic mainly cold food and some fruit.
Generally ok for the price but should be listed as a 3 star rather than 5 star hotel.
stuart da — Google review
Nice clean hotel in excellent location. A bit overpriced for what they offer but I guess you are paying from the name. The restaurant on the top floor has a great view over the river (albeit partially blocked now due to a new building being constructed), but you can get much better food in this town for those prices (but it is OK). The gym is really bad for a hotel this price and expected rating (only three machines, TCC Plaza Hotel has a much better one), this is the main reason they are not getting a full 5 start rating from me, but they have a pool and jacuzzi.
Ricardo Tejada — Google review
Hotel may be have been good in the past. But no renovations are made. Room smells, bathroom was not clean. Shower cabin was broken and very dirty. Windows dont isolate noices from outside. All night you can hear people talking on the square. Also at 5:20 at the morning muslim mosque starts to "sing" and all dogs on the square start to howl.
Stefan Botsev — Google review
Very nice and clean hotel. Perfect location within few steps you can reach all the attractions places to visit. Good breakfast and high quality service . Highly recommended
Joseann Bigeni — Google review
I had been a guest at Stonebridge for 4 days. Luxury rooms, warm and always available staff. No 5 stars because the breakfast, that was anyway good, could be better with a wider range of choice. Highly recommended hotel.
Marco Buscema — Google review
Nice hotel. Lovely location and views. Price is also excellent. No ironing board and washrooms could use an update. Breakfast is 8/10. Location 10/10. Staff 10/10. Comfort 9/10.
Muhammad Usama Iftikhar — Google review
This bridge seems to be so solid and strong that you think it will be around here even five thousand years later. And it has already been around here for 600 years!!! A beautiful gem from the Ottomans...
Kenan Koray Caglar — Google review
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1, Кеј Димитар Влахов број, Skopje 1000, North Macedonia
The Old Bazaar in Skopje is a popular tourist destination with its beautiful architecture and mix of Ottoman and European culture. It's the perfect place to find antique items at incredibly low prices, as well as enjoy a variety of precious gold jewelry. The market also offers a fascinating mix of modern and ancient technology, handmade crafts, luxury jewelery and more.
Lovely area for spending some quality time in central Skopje indoors and out. Lots of amazing architecture of various sorts in and around the Old Bazaar too from churches to mosques to museums and shops, restaurants, coffee shops and more. It's all winding streets so ambling is your best bet. Go, explore, get lost and find yourself again later.
Lewis Mindy — Google review
Located in the heart of Skopje, a place rich with history and cultural heritage. Warm and welcoming to tourists. Local food abounds as well as fashion, jewelry and anything you can primarily think of.
Amazing and a sight to see. Just like any busy tourist place. Watch your belongings and keep safe.
Prince Andrew Ardayfio — Google review
The Old Bazar is a must see when in Skopje. Dating back to the 12th century, this is a place full of life filled with culture and history. Filled with shops, restaurants, cafes, mosques, and museums. You can transform your self back to a day gone by filled with people enjoying a day out and or earning a living for them or their families. See little shops with tiny apartments above where people would work during the day and live their lives at night. See the old bath houses. Just an amazing place. I loved my visit.
Michael Mack — Google review
Old part of town that surprised me with its size, I expected something tiny, but then got lost in a maze of streets before managing to find my way.
Here you can find basically everything you need as a tourist for really good prices.
The best local food is also found here, look no further.
Ivica Lazi? — Google review
A great selection of small winding streets with a wide range of shops and restaurants. One of the nicest aspects is that none of the shop keepers are forceful or hassle you when walking past, and it doesn’t have any of the expected pressure you’d imagine when reading up on the area. There’s clearly a lot of history and some nice monuments as you’re passing through, and with plenty of cafes and restaurants you can easily spend a whole day exploring at a leisurely pace. Definitely one of the highlights of the city.
Steve Bintley — Google review
Kind and warm people. Old ottoman vibes. Best area for traditional foods. We visited in December and the weather was being dark around 5 pm. Shops are closing earlier and many of them do not serve on Sunday. If you be careful about timing
Muberra — Google review
Nice vibrant heritage bazar, good for food and shopping.
A lot of places selling good foods and plenty of shops.
You will find nice suites for men’s and well as gown for women’s and beautiful gold jewellery’s.
Mohi Uddin — Google review
This is the “Old Town”, historic pedestrian area of Skopje, across the Stone Bridge, headed away from the main square, below the fortress. Lots of meandering cobblestone alleys, & interesting stores selling antiques & souvenirs & other bric-a-brac. It’s completely dead/ semi-closed on Sundays (don’t bother), but during the week, it’s jammed full of folks shopping, & others selling their wares.
At the far end, there’s a big central market that’s really interesting to check out. Lots of fresh fruits & vegetables, along with locally sourced meats & fish & nuts & mushrooms & stuff.
The perimeter is lined with small make-shift vendor store-fronts, if you want to buy cheap goods & lots of pirated knock-offs.
Has a bit of a sketchy vibe, & there are plenty of Roma begging in the area, which can get a little depressing. Keep a close eye on your goodies, as this looks like a prime place to get pick-pocketed (though I thankfully had no issues, personally).
A “must see” in Skopje, as it’s been here forever, & while the goods being sold may have changed, the concept of a major commercial hub for the area, has not.
adrian m (Minimogul) — Google review
Amazing!!! Went there few times. A mix of culture and ambiance. Use all your senses when you walk around. Different languages, prayers from mosque and church ring, all products. Very organized and clean. Evening strolls are the best. Despite being popular tourist spot, the prices are local unlike other such places in countries.
Rahul Kurup — Google review
The Old Bazaar is by night still full of life and is definitely worth going to.
While some of the narrow streets are empty and the shops are clothed, there are some still full of life. People drinking, eating, playing, and one can enjoy the beautiful combination of the dark night and lights.
It felt perfectly safe to roam the Old Bazaar even though we sometimes we did not see any person in some of the narrow streets.
!The only watch-out are the stray cats and dogs!
Also: locals recommended to not go up to the castle by night, so we definitely did not do that.
Niklas Gatz — Google review
A nice place to walk around, the deeper into the market the cheaper. You have to watch out for vendors who often want to sell more expensive just because you are a tourist. You can see the multiculturalism in this place and that's cool
Kitsune — Google review
Definitely worth a trip here. Walk over from the Alexander the Great statue in the middle of town over the old stone bridge and then walk through the old bazaar - it’s got a Middle Eastern, North African vibe going on. Lots of restaurants and shops and just overall good ambiance. Different to the other parts of the city. Cool vibes here!
Tom Ford — Google review
One of the coolest attractions in Skopje is great Old Bazaar, where you can buy literally everything.
Balkan cheese, sausage, rakija, fruit, clothes... A must-see and shop for me 🤩
Great place, payment by cash only
Monika Karlińska — Google review
It is a very authentic region. There are touches of Turkish culture everywhere. The meatballs they call kebab are amazing. You can eat at Kozmos restaurant or Destan Restaurant. You should definitely try Trileçe dessert, one of the important flavors of the region.
Cuneyt Mumcu — Google review
Easy shopping market to maneuver, great Turkish tea spots a lot of eatery places and jewelry shops and one can easily purchase a couple of things there.
There is a side with all sorts of vegetables and fruits. It was really enjoyable to walk around the place.
Irene La — Google review
Very nice traditional Turkish market. You can find delicious Turkish food döner, börek, meatball
İnan Ünsal Unat — Google review
Nice old bazar on a cobblestone old city roads , transits you to old era , has cute traditional csfes. Gold jewellery shops, se real handicrafts, carpets, souvenirs shops alongside the roads. Nice mosques & churches nearby . Several tiny lanes to walk & explore. Very enjoyable experience overall .
Mamata Bait — Google review
Very beautiful place where you can find everything you need: food, tea, coffee, sweets, gold, presents and so on and so forth. And good prices. People are also very pleasant.
Svitlana Olenets — Google review
Its still an adventure….. a great walk if you take your time and check out some of the shop windows. This old part of the city never ceases to amaze me with its old look….. Destan “the original “ is still there…. Entrance on side now but kebab is exceptional as always. Washed down with a cold Skopsko, perfect
Briden Earle — Google review
Skopje Old Bazaar is a happening place
Good food
Good shopping
Good Gold & Silver shopping
Shoes, T-shirt, Suits and more
Plenty of ladies dresses Formal & casual
It's a must visit
Allow plenty of time to enjoy don't rush this experience
Enjoy
Kokino is an ancient, Bronze Age observatory situated atop a volcanic hill with archaeological ruins. This megalithic site was constructed around three and a half thousand years ago using metal architecture during the Iron Age. The observatory made use of cracked volcanic rocks to mark the positions of the sun during various astronomical events such as solstices and equinoxes.
Rediscovered in 2001, the observatory dates back to Early european Bronze Age and it was included in NASA's list as one of world's oldest observatories. It is easily accessible with car and then by foot. A truly magnificent place worthy of a visit.
Petar Avramoski — Google review
If you’ve seen something in the world already, this place would probably not impress you that much. It’s nice, beautiful, in the middle of nowhere, it has a history (which is famous for)… It can be nice to sit there and relax, looking at the sky / mountains / clouds. But on my opinion it isn’t worth lots of efforts to get there. And the entrance costs 5 € for foreigners (I don’t understand what I paid for🤷🏻 - no transport, no even simple toilet ).
The easiest way to get there is by car.
Another way - to take a bus from Skopje to Kumanovo, and then another bus to tiny village Kokino (if you’re lucky - there are only two buses per day) and then walk up few km.
Or you can take taxi from Kumanovo, which costs a bit more than 20€ one way
Nick — Google review
You're just a short walk away from this very interesting sight, used as an astronomical observatory and a ritual place. Learning about how Kokino might have been built and used was fascinating. The views from up there are great, too!
Agata Seabright — Google review
Beware of a scam.
A small guy requested strongly to pay a fee of 5 euros from foreigners.
He is a fraudster!!! Now fee to be paid whatsoever.
Antonin Culek — Google review
Magical place with unforgatable view and definitely one must visit this place!!!
Danica Stoshevska — Google review
Breathtaking views and the place itself is ancient. Travelling there is a bit tough, but definitely worth it!
Filip Mishevski — Google review
Well, the views are beautiful ;-))
I’ve went up - very short walk - at 6 am and was the only one there. Nobody to collect the entry fee which is €5 for foreigners, 60 Dener for an adult and 30 for a child.
There’s no refreshments so make sure you bring your own. Otherwise - I couldn’t find any proof of any megalithic history - no showcase. There were just beautiful rocks with beautiful views. I enjoyed the sun rise with still reasonable temperature (otherwise it’s very hot during the day)
There are also no facilities ((
Natália — Google review
Beautiful place dating back to 2000BC. There are boards explaining what they have found there in a few languages (I remember Macedonian, English and French). A beautiful place to watch the sunset.
Olivia Laverick (hopelesslynomantic.com) — Google review
THE SUNSETS! You have to visit kokino during golden hour. The view is breathtaking. It's a bit windy, and once it gets dark it can get a bit cold, so I'd suggest bringing a jacket with you. If you want to go by car, there's a free parking area about 200-300m away from the observatory.
Sara Kalachevska — Google review
A spot that should that definitly be visited.
Picturesque nature, majestic views.
From the parkong spot two routes lead up to the top of the spot. Dificult and short one, and easy but longer one. Any way the walking distance is not dificult.
From distance, the spot looks that it steap and dangerous but the routes lead you up easily.
Once that you climb up, to the "platforms" you can enjoy the majestic views. The view is panoramic. For a moment you feel like you are on the top of the world 😊.
We had no guide, but I assume that the visit would be complete wit a speaker who would explain everything.
The sunset is undescribable.😊
Mihajlo Risteski — Google review
Place of power.
During the winter time we couldn't find the tickets office 🤷🏼♀️
"The Stone Dolls" in Macedonia, also known as Kuklitsa, is a natural wonder featuring stone blocks that have eroded over centuries to resemble bizarre dolls. The valley is a quiet and beautiful place worth visiting, with a paved but narrow road leading to it. The information center is run by a friendly person who shares the history of Kuklica. There are two stories about its creation, and visitors can enjoy the Etno restaurant for meals.
This beautiful place is a true wonder of nature, and it’s definitely worth visiting and seeing it.
The road is paved but narrow, so drive careful. The parking fee is only 30 denars. The information center is run by a very friendly person Milosh that is very helpful and will tell you about the history of Kuklica.
There is two stories about the creation.
It’s really nice because it’s quiet and get away from the city or every day life.
The Etno restaurant Kuklica is a great place for lunch or dinner.
Little info: Kuklica, "Stone wedding" or The stone town is an area consisting of over 120 naturally formed stone pillars, located in the village of Kuklica, 8km northwest of Kratovo. The stone dolls called "The Bride and groom" are the largest in the area and center oriented.
Legends: There are two main legends surrounding the formation of the strange stone pillars in Kuklica. The most famous legend is that of a man who could not decide which of two women he should marry. So, the man planned to marry each woman on the same day at different times. When the first wedding was in progress, the woman to marry the man second went to see who was getting married on the same day as she. When she saw her future husband marrying another woman, she cursed all in attendance at the wedding and turned them into stone.
Second: Another popular legend is that there was once a forest in the area, but due to battles it was burned down. Then, the area became a wasteland. The temperatures were very low and when the army passed through the wasteland, all of the soldiers turned into rocks.
Formation: Aside from mystic stories and legends, the earth pyramid in Kuklica was formed as a result of natural erosion processes in the Holocene, during the past 100,000 years. Differences in the erodibility of the volcanic rocks of the area are the main factor for the pillars creation. Thus, soft tuffs rocks on the base are overlaid by solid, sturdy andesites and ignimbrites on the top, which are nearly 30 million years old.
Dragan Ange — Google review
Just several oddly shaped stones.
Possible to get there only by car. There’s only one bus a day from Skopje
Nick — Google review
The access is free after few kms where you should hope not to meet another car. The stone formations are impressive, different shapes, and you can let your imagination run wild about similarities. Toilets are awful.
Cristi — Google review
Really beautiful area with interesting rocks. There were also a couple of tortoises that we spotted! Sadly the footpaths are not that well maintained. We were there around 4pm and there was no one there to take an entry fee (which is a shame, due to the maintenance issue). But overall worth a visit for half an hour.
Olivia Laverick (hopelesslynomantic.com) — Google review
A place so creatively thought of, which would be boring otherwise. These are dolls made out of rocks that have been there for 10000 or 20000 years, as the info plate says. Someone thought of the idea to name them "Stone Dolls" and give them roles in a family. So, there's a bride, a groom, bridesmaids, groomsmen, distinguished guests and family. It's a very interesting concept that has drawn attention to lots of tourists, so the point is made. These dolls have appeared in music videos of Macedonian artists. It's worthy of a visit and a couple of photos.
Stefan Mitikj — Google review
Very beautiful natural creation. There is no entrance fee at the moment, however it will be ok if the tourist pay some symbolic amount 1-2 eur. The Road ca. 3 km from the main road is narrow but not difficult to drive. I recommend a visit to the Stone Dolls together with a visit to Kratovo.
J. M. — Google review
Beautiful place, with very friendly host. The statues are formed by erosion, but there's a nice legend about this place. If you stay till after dark, sometimes you can still hear the wedding bells...
Tim Verschraegen — Google review
we walked 3.5km there and 3.5km back because the bus couldnt go any further but i definitely recommend going with a car the walk KILLED me when we got there it was pretty, great story and view we walked around a bit then went back
tizz! — Google review
Nice place, the enterance is free of charge, but if you want a guided tour, it will cost 120mkd per person.
It is enough 1 or 2 hours to see the place. Make sure to take some snacks with you - there is no coffee/food available in the area (off season).
Roksolana Gaivoronska — Google review
Visitors might wish to know that this is not a large area, but it is nonetheless a quite spectacular natural rock formation that evokes comparison to places like Cappadocia, albeit on a very modest scale.
The benches and facilities show signs of having been around for a while - and the access to climb on the various formations is perhaps more liberal than one might expect. On the other hand, the lack of restrictions makes it easier and nicer to take photos.
The area seems to be nice for hiking and bicycling.
Stein Runar Bergheim — Google review
This was much better than I expected. There was something very calming about walking around these formations, very impressive to see in person. It was a highlight of our trip, well worth going.
Stobi is an ancient city with a rich history, originally a Paeonian settlement that was later taken over by the Macedonians and eventually became the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia Salutaris. Located near Gradsko, North Macedonia, Stobi sits at a strategic crossroads connecting various important cities. The archaeological site offers visitors a glimpse into centuries of history and is also known for its connection to wine production.
So cool to see history spanning over centuries. If you go during spring time, you’ll enjoy fields of wildflowers! Don’t miss out!
Eva Banova — Google review
Supposed to be very important ruins but we were alone inthere. You can park directly infront of the entrancecwhere is also small bar with wery reasonable prices and you can pay with Euro, also entrance fee can be payed with Euro and you get back Euro.
Also wifi awailable and friendly people.
Ja?a Engelman — Google review
The city is very ancient and has a tremendous amount of work and time invested to discover it and make it visible. It is breathtaking and provides a nice imagination of how people lived in the past ancient times. Great work and thanks to everyone for making it publicly available for visitors! Great job and keep it up in the great and untouched shape 👍
Maxim Novikov — Google review
Must visit.
Great archeological location.
Lot's to see and enjoy.
Beautiful
Trajche Dimkov — Google review
The best preserved ancient city in Macedonia. You can even get for free (ticket just 100 anyway) but if it's closed just walk next to the walls and you'll see that you can jump or just find an entrance next to the big flag. Don't miss your opportunity to visit. Taxi round-trip from Gradsko is around 300-400 MKD.
Yonathan Stein — Google review
Absolute gem of a place. Still being excavated when funding is available. Very historic site with lots to see. Great place to visit if you are visiting the wonderful country of North Macedonia.
Legends l — Google review
Amazing site!
Takes some time to see everything so I suggest you go in the colder hours of the day.
Veselin Krstovski — Google review
Stobi is an ancient Paeonian town, later conquered by Macedon, and finally turned into the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia Salutaris. It is located near Gradsko, North Macedonia, on the main road that leads from the Danube, Singidunum to the Aegean Sea, Thesaloniki and on the crossroad Via Egnatia, connecting Heraclea Lyncestis with Pautalia and Serdica. Stobi was built where the Erigon (Crna River) joins the Axios (Vardar), making it strategically important as a center for both trade and warfare. Stobi developed from a Paeonian settlement established in the Archaic period. Located on the northern side of a terrace, the early town covered an area of about 25,000 m2. Nearby Mount Klepa was a lucrative source of marble. The initial Paeonian population was later supplemented by other immigrant groups.
It is believed that in 217 BCE, Philip V annexed Paionia during his campaign against the Dardani who had entered Bylazora, the largest Paeonian town. After Roman conquest, it became the largest city in the northern part of the Roman province Macedonia, later capital city of the Roman province Macedonia Secunda, an important urban, military, administrative, trade and religious center of two large empires: Roman and Early Byzantine.
Located in the heart of Macedonia, on the crossroads between the Aegean World and the Central Balkan, during the whole period of its existence it was a place where cultural achievements of the ancient world gathered in a unique way.
Nitro Computers — Google review
A really fascinating site with some beautiful mosaics and an impressive amphitheater. A must visit when in Macedonia. Pair this with a trip to the Stobi winery for a perfect day of sightseeing.
Daisy D — Google review
I now understand why despite the relevance of this historical site, they don’t have many visitors. The ancient Capital has so much history but unfortunately they don’t have enough investments from the government to maintain and complete the archaeological excavations.Perhaps if more tourists show interest, they will reevaluate the site
Gar Yos — Google review
I strongly recommend visiting this archaeological site to everyone visiting Macedonia. Probably one of the best kept and organized historical places you can visit. The ticket is only 120 MKD per person, or 2 EUR. There's an app that you can download on your mobile device and get an audio guide throughout all the findings. After finishing here, you can visit the Lazar Winery which is less then 5 minutes drive.
Flet — Google review
Encontramos este sitio por casualidad y me pareció precioso
(Translated by Google)
We found this place by chance and I thought it was beautiful
Arnau — Google review
The place is quite hudge. Every remains of the building has their own information board.
You can buy tickets in the souvenir shop in front of the archealogical site. There is also coffee shop and toilets.
madalena grambova — Google review
It's a great place with a lot of history. Especially the amphitheater is great while it's still intact.
Steve — Google review
Espectacular!!! Si te gustan los yacimientos arqueológicos claro. Tiene muchísimas restos de la cárcel, baños, sinagoga,templos.... Lo más espectacular el baptisterio y lo que más me gustó el camino desde la puerta que iba a Heraclea al interior de la ciudad y los mosaicos .
La ciudad se entiende estupendamente. Me encanto. Ha sido un hallazgo!.
Es grande: Se tarda entre una hora y hora y media.
(Translated by Google)
Spectacular!!! If you like archaeological sites of course. It has many remains of the prison, baths, synagogue, temples... The most spectacular thing is the baptistery and what I liked most is the path from the gate that went to Heraclea to the interior of the city and the mosaics.
The city is well understood. I loved. It has been a find!
It's big: It takes between an hour and an hour and a half.
Macedonian Orthodox Monastery Saint Joachim Osogovski
Monastery
Sights & Landmarks
Orthodox monastery & church complex with elaborate frescoes, a natural spring & a restaurant.
One of the most peaceful place on earth! You are also able to stay here for very reasonable price.
Trajche Ilijeski — Google review
One of the most peaceful place on earth! You are also able to stay here for very reasonable price.
Trajche Ilijeski — Google review
Peaceful place surrounded with wonderful nature.Recharge your energy!
You can buy beautiful souvenirs and handmade things.
(the entrance is free of charge)
Suzana Mahmudovska — Google review
Good monastery, they have morning prayers and everyone is welcomed. They offer accommodation and have a great restaurant for dining.
Mende Lazarovskik — Google review
Joakim Osogovski Monastery in Macedonia is a hidden gem, nestled amidst the scenic landscapes. Dating back to the 11th century, this monastery exudes historical charm and spiritual tranquility. Its architectural elegance, characterized by red brick and artistic details, speaks to centuries of cultural significance. As you explore the monastery's grounds, surrounded by lush greenery, a sense of serenity prevails. The picturesque setting and well-preserved frescoes within create a captivating atmosphere, making it a destination where history, art, and nature converge seamlessly. Joakim Osogovski Monastery stands as a testament to Macedonia's rich heritage, inviting visitors to embrace its cultural and spiritual allure.
Bisera Chauleva — Google review
Wonderful Orthodox monastery with the relics of Saint Joachim the Wonderworker of Osogovo mountain and a holy spring inside the church of the Nativity of the Mother of God.
Lilia Petkova — Google review
Wonderful Orthodox monastery with the relics of Saint Joachim the Wonderworker of Osogovo mountain and a holy spring inside the church of the Nativity of the Mother of God.
Lilia Petkova — Google review
It is the largest monastery in Macedonia, with tons of history.
Overall it is amazing place, highly recommend.
Trajche Petrov — Google review
Very nice monastery, perched on the cliffs. Magnificent view over the valley and the surroundings. Beautiful frescos in the church. Nice cafe on the top serving beer, coffee, soft drinks and lunch dishes.
Violeta Markova — Google review
Gorgeous place in a mountain setting!
There's also a wonderful selfserve restaurant with outside sitting, offering a panoramic view over the monastery and surrounding nature.
You can get here by car (free parking at the location) or you can walk, the road is uphill, but surrounded by a lovely forest.
There is hotel accommodation, but it's best to book it in advance. I'm also not sure if the restaurant works during weekdays.
It's a place of worship, so it's important to be respectful of noise levels in the monastery yard.
Slagyana Ranevska — Google review
Great Location and very quiet surroundings.
Not a crowded place except for weekends and special prayer days.
There is a nice restaurant there too for those willing to climbing 50-70 steep stair steps.
Small but beautiful monastery of orthodox Church, as most in the shole area.
Arun Kumar — Google review
Probably the most amazing monastery in this part of Europe. The hole place is calming and beautiful. Facilities are superb and the access road is good. Higly recommended!!
MZ A — Google review
Absolutely beautiful monetary, maybe one of the best in Macedonia. If you're nearby it's a must visit.
Nenad Subotic — Google review
It's an amazing place!! I really enjoy time there.
Marija Velkovska — Google review
A very beautiful place to visit in Macedonia.
The nature, the fresh air, water, sun everything is so nice and refreshing. Macedonia connects with churches and monasteries due to history and religion. It is one of those places you need to see just like Jovan Bigorski or Saint Naum.
Important historical site, preserving the memory of the Bulgarian politician Dimitar Peshev who has enormous merit for the salvation of the Bulgarian Jews during WWII.
Together with representatives of the civil society in the city of Kyustendil, he did something really historical.
Georgi Stankov — Google review
Very interesting information about such an important part of Bulgarian history.
Vesela Smilova — Google review
Totally worth visiting! Take the guided tour in English if you do not speak Bulgarian
Bogomil Svetoslav Georgiev — Google review
Historical place tells the story of saving bulgarian Jewish people must see
eli egosi — Google review
Special place for Bulgarian bravery :)
Zdravko Velinov — Google review
important place for History lovers
Hagit Gal — Google review
Life changing experience!
rashellest — Google review
(Translated by Google) The house is not authentic, it was built for a museum and contains some personal belongings and furniture used by Dimitar Peshev.
(Original)
Къщата не е автентична, построена е за музей и съдържа малко лични вещи и мебели използвани от Димитър Пешев.
Vasil Panchev — Google review
4.6
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4.5
(13)
Kyustendil Centre, ул. „Цар Симеон“ 11, 2500 Kyustendil, Bulgaria
Serine place with small sisterhood, impressive views of Strumica plain, spiritual and very holy place, nearly 1000 years old monastery... Must visit when you are in Strumica
Blaze Popov (Tour Guide) — Google review
Peace, soul, Orthodox Christianity.
Most beautiful place.
Trajche Dimkov — Google review
Yet another masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. It is located în a very beautifull landscape, with a great view across Strumica plain.
Alexandru Berzovan — Google review
The heavenly place for soul 🧡🙏🏻
Olena Dyhun — Google review
Such a serene monastery. No question about it one of the best views of the whole valley. The beautifully arranged garden fits perfectly with the old church. Get a drink of the mountain spring water while you're there, just makes the whole experience great. Thanks to the nun there we had a great guide and enjoyed the bounds of information she had to offer.
The road up to the monastery is quite steep and tight, at places only one vehicle can squeeze through the buildings. You can drive all the way up, but if unsure, best to take a taxi or park somewhere along the road before the tight bends start.
There isn't much parking space, one or two cars can park outside. It's not prepared to be a huge visit area, and honestly it shouldn't be. We had the luck to be there with only several other guests at the same time.
In the summer it gets very hot, so bring water if you decide to take a taxi and continue by foot.
Will visit again if I'm ever in the area.
Boris Kupusovic — Google review
Great place to visit. The monastery is located 8 km west of Strumica in the village of Veljusa. The road is asphalted trough the village is narrow and steep and is not suitable for buses and larger vehicles. There is a small parking lot in front of the monastery.
Off-Road Macedonia — Google review
The monastery is very well maintained, very quiet and peaceful. It's a treasure for the village and this part of the country. The east side has a great view of the Strumica valley. It's a 10 minute drive from the city. This place is a must see if you are closeby.
We made a spontaneous stop at Medi Valley Winery while driving to Sofia and were pleasantly surprised by the exceptional wines and service offered. The winery boasts a modern facility, producing high-quality wines that left a lasting impression on us. It is advisable to book tours in advance as they do not offer spontaneous visits, requiring reservations. Overall, we found Medi Valley Winery to be a truly delightful place with new facilities and excellent wines of great quality.
We were there by curiosity on our way to Rila. The owners don't speak english but were very nice. We were the only one and he offered us some white wine. We couldn't buy bottles because of our cabin luggage on the plane otherwise we would have make it for sure. Wine and place were very nice! We can only recommand this stop.
Agnès Lachasse — Google review
Came here on 4th September - the front desk lady tried her best to explain to us that it’s currently closed under renovation and only the shop is open which was totally ok , not an issue. She then kindly called someone else to speak to us in English to explain better however this second lady was so rude and unkind - felt like she checked us out and decided we were not worth her time so couldn’t be bothered to explain more when we asked just one more question about the wine which left a bad taste we ended up leaving without purchasing any. Perhaps this place is more suitable for local instead of non Bulgarian speaking folks / tourists ? Or they only entertain tours groups so don’t bother going on your own.
Two stars only cause the front desk lady tried her best else would have given just 1 star. Not worth the time
Amanda Ho — Google review
Good quality wines and modern winery. We stopped in our way to Sofia while driving and were pleasantly surprised by the quality of wines and service. Remember to book any tours at this winery in advance as the winery doesn’t do them spontaneously and requires reservations.
Vera Gordon — Google review
Really nice place. New winery with very good quality wines.
Georgi Georgiev — Google review
I was here 15.07.23
On reception we met employee, who couldn't say hello with a positive attitude. Then we understood that she even doesn't know english. We didn't receive justified answer on a standard question "which wine would you recommend?"
The most unpleasant situation was with security man (maybe russian), who slept on few chairs when we come in near 10:30 AM. After he saw us, he woke up and started watching some russian military movie on PC and smoking in a hall (is it allowed?), looking very angry that we woke him up.
We bought 2 bottles of wine, which we chose almost without recommends. With better relationship it could be 5-8 bottles.
Hope that administration will do smth with their staff((
Oleksandr Khimich — Google review
Stopped by randomly after several locals recommended this winery. I checked they were open and saw that their website offered tours and tastings. I decided to drive 1.5 hours to check it out. However, when I got there, they did not offer any tastings even though they had a beautiful tasting room all nicely set up. I was a little perplexed and translated the question a few times to make sure they were not misunderstanding me. I'm not sure why they would advertise all these services on such a nice, but deceiving website. I'm assuming this service may only be for large tour groups or exclusive parties. Either way, if they want people to buy their product, they should at least be able to taste it, so you may decide what you would like to purchase. In the end, I purchased 5 wines anyway, so the trip was not a total loss. I'm assuming they taste good, but solely based on the recommendations from locals.
ANTHONY TINTELNOT — Google review
First "NO" was for tasting which is presented in website, not possible instead of the fact that there is huge "tasting room". Second "NO" when we asked for list of wine with price list. We bought some wine just by "blind"...absolutely NO customer approach ...very disappointed.Winery looks good so we absolutely didnt get it...🤔😒
Radka Wachfaitlová — Google review
Stopped by this winery on the way to the Rila Monastery, they wouldn't let us taste anything at all before buying. Staff were rude. I'm not complaining there was no English spoken, but if someone is trying to buy your products, maybe be polite enough to say hello in your native language and look up from your phone once in a while. Bought three different bottles, have very little idea what they will be like. I suggest you try other wineries for a positive experience. Maybe the quality of the wine and the scenery will be worth it after we finally get to try their wine.
Pine trees, blue water and lovely pedestrian walking zone around the lake.
Such a shame that there are state objects that are collapsing, and unfortunately are not being used for more guests to come and enjoy the lovely nature.
Igor — Google review
Beautiful walk around the lake. Although it is an artificial lake, it still idyllicly blends in with the surroundings and makes reflections of the forest and sky that are impressive.
Elena Tomeska — Google review
The road that leads to the lake is not particularly easy to find (especially if you rely upon Google Maps), but asking anyone around couls point ylu to the right direction as it was my case. 😁 The lake itself is not exceptionally special, but the nature surrounding it is amazing!
Goran Nikolov — Google review
Very calm and quiet, especially at winter and when its sort of windy, this is a must visit place
High Lime — Google review
The restaurants nearby, loud music and improvised bazaar are numbing down the enjoyment in this gorgeous place, but if you find a quiet place you can actually relax and soak in the surrounding beauty.
Julijana Mladenovska — Google review
Amazing view
Nisuma Maharjan — Google review
Beautiful site for a day's visit. But the surrounding offers wonderful hikes and experiences.
Bojan Rantasa — Google review
Nice place with lots of nature worth visiting
Dime Boceski — Google review
4.7
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North Macedonia
23
Rafting base "Rafting BG"
Rafting
Tours
Kayaking & Canoeing
River Rafting & Tubing
Canyoning & Rappelling Tours
A great experience rafting in Bulgaria, very nice route with the addition of cliff jumping and zip lining and rope garden as added bonuses. Chachi was very good at instructing and guided us well. Very recommended, will come back again in April/May
Mohammad Ahsan Ullah Khan — Google review
Omg what an experience haven't laughed this much in a long time. Highly recommend you do this. Today was our first time and our crazy guide Marsha from Russia made our experience worth ever second, she was funny, energetic but mostly had our safety at all times. You get to swim in the rapids if you wish (go ahead do it) it was amazing.
Debbie Mackay — Google review
The greatest world level service!
In short, the company and stuff are super foreign and people friendly, to explain their kindness, I will need to use this formula: “the most kind human ever multiply on eternity”. For my side, they did extra efforts to help me to find them, to book the trip, to support me while I was on my way. On the place you will be welcomed in the mountain cottage where you can order the food, coffee, wait for you rafting session.
The rafting crew is not some people separated from the visitors, they are the people who will help you along the way and become your friends throughout the trip.
You will get the equipment from the top to toes, you will get the whole instructions on how to paddle, on how to behave in case you got out of the boat and etc. Crew are reliable, they are professional rafters themselves.
The rafting is fascinating , because the location is just from the Narnia movie, you go in the boat thorough the unbelievably beautiful walls of layered mountains that seems just like a flat wallpaper, you go through the enermous rocks, the river itself is running fast and it’s pretty extremely.
The best part is of course the instructor’s jokes 1and stories.
I would definitely suggest you to choose guys!
Daiana Charkina — Google review
An amazing place and people.
The stuff was very kindly and experienced.
There is a bar also, so you can have something to eat or drink a beer after the rafting.
The experience has an adrenaline rush, but absolutely safe even for children.
I would also highly recommend the air trolley.
Ivan Krasimirov — Google review
Very friendly staff. Beautiful trail. The price too high
salame zahereldeen — Google review
This was cool, the river and the mountains around are beautiful. So peaceful there during summer.
Yaron Doppelt — Google review
Updated for June 2023 visit: Excellent experience! Thanks to the excellent guide Tisho! 5 stars again!
June 2022: 5 star recommendation for the coach Dobry & the organisation of the rafting event. We were a team of 11 people. Great experience!
I T — Google review
We enjoyed the rafting and the service.
Keep in mind that the rafting in August is very quiet (probably level 2).
Sandra Moscovici — Google review
Wow! We had a great experience. Our guide was amazing and it was just a pleasure time. Highly recommended if you wish for some wet nature experience.
Gilad Steinberger — Google review
Fantastic experience. As at this time of year the river is lower so the rapids are a bit calmer which was great for our first time rafting! Highly recommended
Rosemary Mansfield — Google review
Best experience ever!!! Maria is a super guide, very helpful responsive and speaks English/Russian/Hebrew(and maybe some other languages) book in advance so you will know when to arrive
Rila Monastery is a popular cultural site with vibrant frescoes and a museum. The monastery stands out against the green mountains, offering stunning views. While reaching the monastery can be challenging, renting a car for the trip is recommended. Visitors can explore the church adorned with beautiful paintings and also visit the museum, kitchen, guest rooms, ethnographic museum, and tower by purchasing a combo ticket. The complex includes magnificent rooms with wood carving and painted ceilings as well as local clothing exhibits from different regions.
Very beautiful! Totally recommend if you are visiting Sofia and enjoy beautiful architecture and Bulgarian History.
Selina Sand Engberg — Google review
If one visits Sofia for more than 2 days, I would recommend to visit the monastery. We went by renting a car, which is really cheap and worthwhile. Just for the trip up there, the trip is worthwhile. The monastery itself is stunning. The church is jaw dropping. I get "anxious" in a place so filled with "stuff", but it's still interesting to see. We went to the restaurant right outside of the monastery, and had a drink. Definitely worth recommending. The views are amazing and the staff very friendly.
kris duarte — Google review
It was a beautiful day to visit the monastery. Amazing architecture and so much history behind. It’s public holiday but not busy in the morning, we arrived at 10am, crowd came around 11:30-12:00. There’s some souvenir stalls/shops around and the monastery is surrounded by amazing scenery and nature, truly relaxing. We also visited a smaller monastery along the river/falls just outside the Rila monastery.
Keren Golea — Google review
Looking for a great place to visit in Bulgaria?
This ancient monastery is still being used today. It’s a great piece of Bulgarian history hidden in its mountains.
To get there, you’d go by tour or drive. But let me tell you, it’s sooo worth it.
It’s like you were sent back in time. Definitely a must see on your Bulgaria bucket list.
I came here with my best friend and went on a road trip in Bulgaria. So we decided to check this place out.
Be prepared to pay a parking fee. And be sure to bring a bottle water to get some water from the fountains there.
Reminder there is no photos inside the buildings and be mindful of what you wear.
I definitely recommend trying the monastery bread when you get there
Michelle Mariano — Google review
The most iconic place to see if you are in Sofia. A little far from the center but the driving and the bus don't cost much. The frescoes are beautiful and the facades are beautifully decorated. Unique architecture between stone and wood decorations. Inside the guard staff is the rudest person seen in all of Bulgaria. You can't have your hands in your pockets :)
Adriano Bova — Google review
The Rila Monastery is one of the symbols of Bulgaria, included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List. Amazing atmosphere, beautiful nature and crystal clear air. You feel the positive energy of the place as soon as you cross the threshold of the monastery. Definitely a location that is a must visit, especially if you are in the area.
Svetozar Boykinov — Google review
Very beautiful and spiritual place. The ride to the Monastery is calm and enjoyable. The place itself is quite inspiring. There's some trails, restaurants, souvenir shops. Parking is paid - 5BGN, but it's a question of lick whether you'll find a spot there. It is definitely worth the visit. Recommend.
Georgi Kunchev — Google review
Amazing temple. Beautiful designs. The way to the monument is great. The toilets are awful and smells very bad. They collect 5 lev. For the parking, too high.
salame zahereldeen — Google review
A beautiful monastery from the tenth century, UNESCO world heritage site. Everything is big and impressive and colorful, and it's worth coming here even if you're not in the area. The entrance is free, the parking is not free and behind the monastery there is a bakery that sells a classic Bulgarian pastry (Mekitsa) that you need to try while you're here
Shachar Pinkas — Google review
Super worthy visit, the most beautiful frescos I ever seen. Entrance is for free, you need to dress accurately to enter ( no shorts or showing shoulders ), there are little fountains with drinking water and few toilets. There is also a small bakery in the other side outside the monastery, she speaks Spanish and they take euros too if you don't have Bulgarian cash (they don't take cards)
Beatriz Garc?a Mart?n — Google review
I had visited Rila a couple of times before, but this time was special .. Some scenes and traditions are just different from any other monastery.. We got back in time to 1873 year old.
Just one concern , 😟
The public bathroom must be renovated asap .. 🙏
Lighting candle, hearing the prayers, the bells 🔔 of the church and many other things made me feel like crying..
Randa Bibar — Google review
A Sofia must visit if you're in Bulgaria. Located a short distance from downtown, this is a truly magnificent place.
An ancient Orthodox Christian monastery that has some beautiful architecture, murals, craft work and more. You can walk around and take in all sights and explore the mountains too. The painting in the main building is truly amazing.
Grab some snacks if you get hungry too.
Free entry. Donations are welcomed. Please dress respectfully
Joe Macpherson — Google review
Just amazing. Worth the drive and the wander. Be sure to get the ‘breakfast’ bread from the back of the monastery. There is also a restaurant and more parking back there. We arrived around 1230 and it was very busy and chaotic. By 2 it was 1/2 the people.
Ninette — Google review
Worth day trip when visiting Sofia, best for us was taking an organized tour in a small group with a tour guide (in our case Traventuria). The frescos in the Monastery are very well preserved and they are restoring some of them, you can even stay the night in there.
Carlos Oubi?a — Google review
Such an amazing place to visit, peaceful and beautiful. The journey till there takes around 2 hours from Sofia but completely worth it.
Super interesting place, interesting history...definitely an obligatory stop if you visit Sofia.
Lu?s Correia — Google review
You should definitely buy the combo ticket with visits to the museum, the kitchen, guest rooms, ethnographic museum and the tower! For 20 leva (10€) per person, you get the private tour to a huge kitchen complex, then upstairs some magnificent rooms with wood carving and painted ceilings, local clothes per region. Then climb the tower which is the oldest building (in 1300's) with beautiful fresco on the top floor!
Yich Hg — Google review
I am giving 4 stars because there's no bank machine at the restaurant / souvenir shops outside of the monastery walls and they don't have any way to use credit or debit cards. however, it was an amazing place to visit just bring cash with you
Davin Wright — Google review
‼️BRIEFLY 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟I think it has been probably one if not the best building I ever visited.
It has bright colors that against the green of the mountains around allow it to float in the space.
You cannot visit the houses of the monks but you have the option to visit a museum and the church.
The church is kinda dim but it is brightly covered on the outside walls by beautiful paintings.
❗KEEP IN MIND: getting here is not easy. I would recommend getting a car for one day as organized tours are quite expensive.
Luca Peranzoni — Google review
Beautiful monastery nestled in the woods of Bulgaria.
We arrived from Sofia, with a rental car, it's not too far away: an hour and a half journey, through the beautiful landscapes of Bulgaria.
The monastery is stupendous and has a mystical air, it is still inhabited by monks. Outside the secondary door of the monastery there is a pleasant path that leads to the ancient cemetery where the monks are buried, a quiet place because few people go there. Recommended visit!
André A. Duiella — Google review
A scenic drive from Sofia taking approximately 1.5 hours into the Rila Mountains. Arrive early to avoid the bus loads of tourists!
The church is covered in incredible paintings, many of which have been restored to bring out their bright colours. Keep a look out for the icon to the left as you walk in which includes the relics of many saints.
Having a guide will be advantage to learning the history of the place and seeing the main highlight. There is a fee to enter any of the museums.
NSLondon — Google review
Amazing place... Really shows how the eastern churches haven't changed much over 1000s of years. The similarities between this monastery and any Coptic monastery in Egypt are striking...
Michael Habib — Google review
Highly recommended. We went via a tour from Sofia and loved our time there. It is now a bit touristy, but truly is a beautiful place with the frescoes and natural scenery. We skipped the museum just given the tour’s timing, but spent time looking more closely at the church and frescoes, went up to the tower (just ok), and ate the infamous meketse pastries with jam and honey (super tasty). Note this is just outdoor seating.
Facility wise there are toilets but note they are squatty potties without paper so bring your own. There is also a bookshop, souvenirs, and not overly busy car park (in March at least).
Becky T — Google review
Very nice and peaceful place. Must go if you are going to sofia on vacation. Getting there is difficult without a private transport or trip planners. We rented a car which was quite cheaper than day tours.
purnima kashyap — Google review
No wonder this is a UNESCO World Heritage! Rila Monastery is an absolute must-see if you happen to visit Bulgaria! This place is magical, very hard to describe in words or display in pictures, you have to feel it! It is cultural gem, very spiritual and an architectural splendor! I recommend that you spare a day here and also enjoy a few wonderful hikes in the area. Peaceful surroundings, vibrant frescoes, detailed murals, wonderful colors! Plan a day, don’t miss!
J • B • — Google review
Visiting Rila Monastery in Bulgaria on a sunny winter day was a captivating experience. The serene atmosphere and stunning architecture left a lasting impression on us. The snow-covered surroundings added a magical touch, making it a truly memorable visit. Highly recommended for those seeking a peaceful and culturally rich excursion.
Extremely interesting exposition, although the English grammar in the descriptions of exhibits is quite strange sometimes. The lady at the reception is extremely kind and helpful and speaks very good English! The entrance fee is symbolic 5 lv.
Jan Smělý — Google review
Great museum, nice assortment of various pieces found in the region and I learned that Spartacus was from the region!
David Hilario — Google review
Great expirience, love this city so much!!!
Be Chic — Google review
You can basically see half of the museum from the window.
Stanislav Yordanov — Google review
If you are interested in historic sites take a look. Nothing mind boggling though.
Ivan S — Google review
Good
Liudmil Ivanchev — Google review
Very nice museum on the main pedestrian strip. You should visit it if you visit the city.
Vlad Krem — Google review
Immersive experience. Fascinating ruins. Terrific public presentation.
Kenneth Bleyer — Google review
4.6
(568)
•
4.0
(22)
Tsentar, ul. "Makedoniya" 55, 2800 Sandanski, Bulgaria
Rupite is a village which includes a small mountainous protected area in the southeastern part of Blagoevgrad Province, Bulgaria, 11 kilometers northeast of Petrich, Petrich Municipality, on the western bank of the Struma River. It is best known as the place where alleged Bulgarian clairvoyant Baba Vanga lived. Wikipedia.
4.5
(55)
2863, Bulgaria
28
Pirin Golf Hotel And Spa
Hotel
Outdoor Activities
Golf Courses
Laid-back retreat with warm quarters, a golf course & a spa, plus 5 restaurants & a sports center.
Overall a very good complex to stay with your family. Only downside is that the food isn't what it used to be and the some of the buildings could use a bit more exterior maintenance
Ivaylo Ivanov — Google review
Disappointing. I had made the payment through the bank before arrival. Then I was charged again a surcharge at arrival. When I checked out the wanted even more money, claiming they had never received my initial payment.
They overcharged me and then disappear, not giving any communication about the refund. I had to take action now after one week and sending them all details of communication and payment. It is not the customers job to search for the payments you received...You exist thanks to customers. Not the other way around.
Buffet is ok for omnivore, for 5 star however not really the standard.. no salad served, only few raw items, only imported, unripe fruit with pesticides available and not even a fresh juice for breakfast. Everything costs extra although the booking is including food.
The staff was friendly and trying to be polite...but still... not a 5 star hotel. Dated furniture. Nice bathroom and good heating. The spa is ok, with infrared cabin and one sauna.
The hotel is not used to welcome people with disabilities. They made an effort but not sensible and not educated enough. And not willing to compromise when a misunderstanding arises.
I would not go back.
Discover Your Feminine Power — Google review
Probably the worst hotel experience in years. Bad food, staff is clueless and obviously untrained. To say the spa is tiny is understatement. It has practically one sauna and one half functional steam room.
If you want to go for a massage, you're better off rubbing your back against a tree. At least the tree will not complain about its life.
Everything in the rooms is old.
Georgi Valkov — Google review
Lovely resort, offering villas, apartments and hotel rooms with different pricing options available for almost everyone to choose and enjoy it here. The spa center is spacious and clean, overall the personell is very professional and polite. The only remark that I have this year (compared to the years before as we are their guests for more than 7 years) is about the food - the breakfast and dinner offering is like 3 stars hotel and the rooms are cold! Definitely needs improvement about the taste and variety of the food and heating!
Ivana Krsteva — Google review
Not covering the star certificate in terms of rooms.
Food was not that good, only the breakfast could be called decent.
Very slow service on the reception and it was not high season. I can't imagine what happens in the winter.
Definetely not my choice for future stays.
Теодор Минчев — Google review
We went for 2 nights and left after the first one.
The hotel is like a maze - no signs, no one tells you that you can access the SPA from a specific wing when you check in.
The staff is friendly but badly trained.
Since the 4-star rooms didn’t have AC (just the hotel rooms have that, guess that’s a 5 star luxury these days) we asked for a fan. While they quickly provided one it’s front safety net was gone so it was super unsafe for a room with a toddler in it.
All the pools at the hotel are 1.6m deep so not suitable for kids.
There were nice playgrounds and the water was nice but that’s about all the good things I can say.
We got HB and while the breakfast was okay, the dinner was the worst I’ve had in a supposedly good quality restaurant in a long time.
If we ever go back we’d be staying in a private apartment or villa. The surroundings are beautiful and there is a lot of entertainment for little kids. However the hotel is very very overpriced for the quality they provide.
Kristina Ivanova — Google review
Overpriced for sure. The entire district needs to be renewed and refreshed. Food, Spa and Rooms are absolutely mid.
Boyan Stoyanov — Google review
Stayed for two nights with friends for a BD celebration and it has been a total disappointment!
We visited the hotel ten years ago and occasionally visited the golf club and were delighted! Unfortunately now we found out a true decrease of the quantity it should offered to the visitors! Very slow service , started from the reception, rooms not maintained properly, tv is not working, door of the bathroom is not closing, wind coming from the windows, no beds lamps, the rooms cleaners rushed through the door, without excuse! It seemed that besides the degradation of the rooms , the staff is left totally without any upgrade! As a trip adviser consultant I would not recommend to spare money , sorry and a pity for the beautiful Pirin mountain, surrounding and the views!
Vihradam — Google review
I visited only for a drink in the lobby bar but I was impressed by everything: the beautiful atmosphere, the kind staff, the relaxing music. The fire place.I loved it!
Nancy Tsertou — Google review
Overall terrible experience, not recommended for anything but the area where it’s located. The hotel is outdated, the rooms are stuck in 90s, the spa is so small compared to the capacity of the hotel. Most rooms are looking into the other buildings, not towards the mountains. The staff was extremely unprofessional and rude. Only the ladies on the reception were pleasant to talk with.
In general, this place isn’t worth your money. There is far better places in Bansko where you can enjoy the beautiful views and a good spa.
Alby Nikolova — Google review
The rooms, at least that we were in, were extremely hot during the whole day. The room facilities were also amortized, some refreshing is needed.
The food at the European and Greek restaurants was very good. There were some minor issues with the service in the Greek restaurant, but those were attributed to an unexpectedly large group dining.
The children amenities are great, the outside pools at the hotel were very warm, all of them 1.6m deep.
I was looking forward to doing some golf training, but i never managed to get to it, so i cannot comment on that, other than it looked very beautiful.
Hammer — Google review
Good hotel, great common areas, very clean and green, however the service should be better!
The waiters in the restaurant don’t wait even to finish your meal and take the plates. The most common question is “have you finished”?
Fresh and delicious food in the main restaurant
Vast alpine area with 120 glacial lakes, hiking trails & skiing, plus 20+ chalets & lodges.
This place delivers!! Nature at its best 👌. Great mountain facilities all over...Refuges and the ski Center.....One of the best mountain areas in the Balkans
Emmanouel Armoutakis — Google review
Very beautiful national park, we took the lift and walked for 3 hours around the lakes.
The temperature was great, though it might get very cold on a windy day.
The walk is suitable for children as well, but the initial 30 min climb might be tough for people with disabilities.
Eitan Erez — Google review
It was nice. When we were there, there were very few people and the scenery here was also very beautiful. It still had some ice in the top of the mountain!
Very nice place for hiking
Ziling Ma — Google review
Stunning landscapes
Very beautiful and wild mountain range
Dave — Google review
A beautiful national park, I was only able to visit the seven lakes hike but hoping in the future to come and explore more of the park.
Alex Hoare — Google review
The Rila Mountains in Bulgaria boast a collection of stunning alpine lakes, each with its unique charm. The "Seven Rila Lakes" are a captivating natural wonder, tucked amidst the picturesque landscape. Situated at varying altitudes, they form a mesmerizing chain, drawing hikers and nature enthusiasts alike. The tranquil beauty of these lakes, named The Tear, The Eye, The Kidney, The Twin, The Trefoil, The Fish Lake, and The Lower Lake, paints a serene portrait. They offer a rewarding trek through lush forests and rocky paths, providing a glimpse into the awe-inspiring diversity of Bulgaria's natural splendor.
Joe Macpherson — Google review
Absolutely gorgeous mountains, absolutely gorgeous lakes, absolutely gorgeous scenery. Kept very clean, has great, challenging and easy to follow trails and has many different huts you can spend your night in!
Omri Frank — Google review
Absolutely stunning views, easy trails suitable for all levels, not too crowded (we went in the beginning of July). Plus, it’s lovely to start and end the hike with a peaceful ride on the ski lift.
Zoe — Google review
Very beautiful nature. The huts are very old and no maintenance.
Тодор Христов — Google review
Epic scenery, challenging hikes, different views and landscapes as you hike through different parts of rila national park. We did a 2-day hike from the start of the lift place (skipping the lift) to the famous *place name* waterfall, and then slept at ivan vazov hut. Next day hiked down to the rila monastery. Total amount 25 km, but with an ascension of more than 1,5 km on the first day and also down 1,5km the next day, in combination with some very steep routes, so don't be fooled by the relative low amount of hiking kilometres.
TL:DR you can plan awesome multi-days hikes here, as well as just visit the 7 lakes if you take the lift
Vihren is a majestic mountain peak towering at an altitude of 2,914 meters that boasts breathtaking views of alpine flora and fauna, including birds and chamois. While it offers an amazing hiking experience, it is not recommended for beginners as extreme climbing skills are required. The ascent takes around 3-3.5 hours via the classical route from the south ridge with no facilities along the way.
An amazing peak to climb with breathtaking sights. The trails to the peak are moderate as difficulty and can be done in about 3h - 4h (it depends on training).
Costel Stancescu — Google review
We recommend hiking Bulgaria’s second-tallest mountain! The views were spectacular. Keep in mind, that you cannot drive to the trailhead between 8 am to 6 pm (at least when we went in July), we opted to rent a car from Bansko the night before to start the hike so we could start around sunrise 5:30 am. Clouds tend to form by noon/afternoon, so an early start may be helpful to avoid no views and high winds. We parked at Vihren chalet. There is also a bathroom available at the trailhead, just make sure to bring some toilet paper. Hike consisted of a lot of rocky terrain and was a slow and steady incline the entire way up until the summit. We recommend trekking poles for this hike, especially for the downhill. We decided to do a loop and descend to Lake Muratovo which took just over an hour to reach from the summit, but keep in mind there is a lot of scrambling and it is not a direct route. We share our hiking experience on YouTube @HelenandTimTravel
Helen and Tim Travel — Google review
Takes about 8 hours to do the full circle. Some places are steep and require a bit of scrambling but otherwise it's not too tough. Decent view from the top
Roger Allen — Google review
Great peak to climb. 2914 metres. You will have a great experience on this amazing day hike to the top of Vihren. It is the highest peak in the Pirin Mountains in Bulgaria.
Everyone who manages to climb it is rewarded with outstanding and unique mountain views. From Vihren peak there is a amazing views of the neighboring towns, mountains and landscapes.
Sergio B — Google review
The route from chalet Vihren to the top is a very beautiful one. The first part starts with a more demanding climb, but one that does not pose much problems. Later the road climbs when smoother, when harder to the base of the peak itself, from where the last steeper part begins. On the way we were lucky and we met a lot of black goats, which were grazing near the path. Recommendations: high on the ridge and on the top the wind blows very strongly, so it is advisable to have at least a cap or a fez. Ideal would be a hooded sweatshirt. P.S. The vuew from the top absolutely justifies all the effort.
Eduard Barbu — Google review
Went to the peak for sunrise. It was 2h ascent with a head light from the Vichren hut. I took the shorter trail and it was easy to navigate even in the dark. In the last part I got a chance to meet a herd of a Ibexes. I wish you the same luck!
NOTE that the road to Vichren hut becomes one way road from the time of 8pm till 16pm as the parking slots are limited. I guess this is the way how to prevent overflow of the cars. The sign is about 1h walk from the hut down the road, where is another parking.
Ladislav Velebil — Google review
It took us 6hours to reach the Vihren peak and back and with the stop on the top 7 hours. The path to the peak it is difficult for us 😂 and you need to follow '' white red white '' You need a good fhysical condition because Ascent lasts 3 hours
The peak is very beautiful. Parking is complicate on the Vihren hut and the path is start after parking zone.
Nyy Koo — Google review
Amazing hike that starts from Vihren challet. It takes about 3- 3.5 hours at the classical route from the south ridge. Be prepared with hiking shoes or at least something with good grip as the last 30 mins is on slippery surface. You can take a loop route through Kazanite, but be prepared for a steep climb/descend.
Ivan Getsov — Google review
Extreme climbing, not suitable for beginners. Rocks&stones event with excellent views. 3h - 3.30h non stop uphill with no mercy going back down as well. Have in mind that facilities of any kind are not available on the path.
Be prepared for a great satisfaction , nature payback & incredible taste of the beer 😘 at the GRAN FINALI of this achievement.
Didi Group — Google review
Beautiful views! We hiked the steep trail to the top and same way back. Took 4h 45min.