Car & Van Hire - Skopje

Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, is one of Europe's few remaining hidden gems. This Balkan city is a magical hodgepodge of cultural treasures. As you walk along its streets, you'll be struck by the architectural sights. Skopje has a quirky and sometimes bizarre mix of old and new, and it's common to see several completely different styles of architecture in just one street. As part of the Skopje 2014 urban renewal project, many buildings were constructed in a classical style, along with a huge number of statues - some of which are rather strange. Just wandering through the streets of Skopje is a remarkable experience and will help you appreciate this city's unique, off-beat vibe.

Fans of architecture are in for a real treat in Skopje. This is one of the best places in the world to see buildings in the brutalist tradition. The city was largely destroyed by a 1963 earthquake and rebuilt in this unusual, uniquely 20th-century style. You'll find examples all around the city, but some of the best include the post office and the GTC shopping centre. Perhaps the best of all is the Soborna Crkva church. This is a remarkable-looking church, with its distinctive dark domes and classic iconography. Be sure to go inside to admire the frescoes. There's an incredible mural of Jesus Christ covering 70 square metres.

Like many cities in this part of the world, Skopje has a traditional bazaar. You can easily lose yourself in this labyrinth of tiny, narrow streets lined with stalls selling all kinds of treasures. You can pick up street food for lunch, find souvenirs, buy spices, handicrafts, clothes, and jewellery - just about anything you could imagine! It's worth taking your time to explore the bazaar, which feels like it's in a different century from the rest of the city. To relax, seek out the hammam hidden deep within its maze of streets and spend a soothing afternoon enjoying some spa treatments.

Use car hire in Skopje to take a day trip to nearby Mount Vodno. You can't miss it, thanks to the enormous cross right at the top of the mountain. The cross, built for the new millennium, is almost twice the size of Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer. It's a remarkable monument, and the mountain itself is just as inspiring. From way up here, you'll have the best views over the city and the surrounding area. There are also some great hiking trails around the mountain, making it a top choice if you're looking for some fresh air.

Another great day trip with a car or van hire in Skopje is Matka Canyon. This is an adventurer's playground, with hiking, kayaking, boat rides and more. The pristine, unspoiled nature of the canyon will take your breath away.

Parking in Skopje is divided into three different zones, with Zone 1 being the most expensive. For peace of mind, leave your car in the underground car park at the GTC shopping centre. This central location makes it easy for you to explore the city on foot. Be aware when parking in and around Skopje that you should carry cash. In some locations, there will be a parking attendant who takes care of payments. In others, you will need to go into the nearest shop and buy a parking ticket. Meters are not common. It is also possible to pay for a parking space by SMS, but you will need a North Macedonian phone number to do this.

When driving in Skopje, it's a good idea to navigate with GPS. Signage is often thin on the ground, with street names missing. For drivers who are new to the city, it can be rather chaotic. A good GPS navigation tool will make your life far easier.

If you are planning a road trip from Skopje, you will need to pay tolls. There are tolls on the A1 and A2 motorways. North Macedonia's toll booths are of the traditional style, and you can pay with cash or a card. It is possible to avoid tolls by keeping off highways and taking country roads instead. However, this presents a number of problems. North Macedonia's back roads are often in bad condition, with potholes, poor lighting and few signs. Your journey may be significantly longer than it would be on the highway, and it's easy to get lost.

By law, you are obliged to keep your headlights on in North Macedonia at all times of day and night. You will be fined if you are caught driving without headlights.

Skopje is very close to the border with Kosovo. Officially, this border is for locals only. It is guarded, and drivers will be asked to show documentation. If you would like to embark on an international road trip, make sure you speak first with your Enterprise Rent-a-Car agent.