Shirok Sokak (Широк Сокак, Wide Street) is the main street in Bitola, a place where you go if you want to see someone in Bitola or to be seen.

Many travel writers and travelers passers, which passed Bitola through the ages, marveling at the beauty of the town and its main street noticed:

If you were in Bitola, and you have not walked through the Main Street, than you have seen nothing."

Fascinated by this street, many pronounced and unknown artists, especially poets and composers, made some of the most beautiful Macedonian songs.

Ако одам во Битола (If I go to Bitola)

Ќе прошетам по Широк Сокак (I will walk on Shirok Sokak)

А на Дембел чаршија (And on "Dembel" bazaar)

Кафе ќе се напијам (I will drink coffee)

....

The need, most of the public life to be in the center of the city, which always had an intense cultural and entertainment life, made this street a place where many representative buildings were built.

Bitola guests who usually come from the south side of the city (where the bus and train station are), from the city promenade up to the north, and can notice the beautiful buildings,

The architects from Bitola and Macedonia, with love and invention, made a perfect connection between the various European styles and domestic constructing tradition. Thus, they achieved remarkably harmonious relations, harmony lines, noble simplicity, functionality, feeling of elegance and taste.

In fact, Shirok Sokak is a recognizable everyday Bitola street space, where many of virtues and habits of Bitola can be seen, often loved and hated, welcoming and sending various common and prominent people: kings and emperors, sultans and Grand Viziers, bishops and missionaries.

Although the name of this street was changed many times, according to the various rulers: Abdul Hamid street (Hamidi, Hamidie – during Turkish rule), King Peter (During Serb rule), King Boris (during Bulgarian rule in WW2), Marshal Tito street (during the state Yugoslavia), the local name of the street stayed the same (which today is official) and Shirok Sokak today is the most representative feature of the city of Bitola. 

German Arte channel broadcast a documentary on the popular crushed pepper from the Bitola village of Bukovo. The short film about the famous Bukovka spice is focused on Ilinka Glavevska and her family, who explains the procedure on preparing the spice, and the main dishes it is used in.

Bosnian born German movie maker Mirjana Momirovic produced and directed the film that is presented Bukovka as a slow food specialty on Arte. Momirovic already worked on projects aimed to present the Macedonian ruby stone and on wines from the Vardar region. The Bukovka short film is part of a series of 200 episodes produced for Arte.

Full text on our German Tourism Blog

Free from the tourist hordes, ex-footballer Pece Cvetkovski’s Villa Dihovo offers a sweet retreat where you pay ‘what you like’ for his home-grown organic cuisine.

Macedonia? Why not? There’s something glorious about being a tourist in a place that attracts so few. The country’s abundant viti­culture and vast national parks have some­how been overlooked by tourists in favour of more glamorous Balkan countries such as Croatia, but slowly the nation is edging away from the shadow of Yugoslav rule. One of Macedonia’s main propo­nents of tourism is ex-footballer Pece Cvetkovski. Having played for the local team – as well as FK Skopje, in the capital, and in Denmark – Cvetkovski is something of a celebrity in these parts, and he invites guests to stay where he grew up, at Villa Dihovo, near the city of Bitola, in the southwest­ern reaches of the landlocked country.

Sounds remote. Yep. Don’t bother with trains, either; Balkan buses are more comfortable, and they run frequently from Skopje. Care hire is also a doddle (about €120/HK$1,000 for three days) and petrol is dirt cheap. About 7km from the unremar­k­able city of Bitola, you’re likely to be bowl­ed over as soon as you reach Villa Dihovo – literally – as Cvetkovski’s snow-white sled dog will no doubt jump up in excitement as you step out of the car, perhaps causing you to stumble into the meti­culously planted organic vegetable garden. Eek.

Organic vegetable garden? Cvetkovski is a certified producer for the Slow Food organisa­tion, which promotes clean eating, using only organic vegetables and very little meat. Macedonia, by the way, is still one of the biggest producers of organic food, so it’s common for residents to have kitchen gardens. Home-cooked food served in Villa Dihovo’s comfy dining room makes for a wonderful return after a long day’s hiking in the nearby Pelister National Park. Favourites include stuffed, dried and spiced rezha peppers, foraged mushrooms and the tavce gravce, a Macedonian dish of high quality beans baked in tomato sauce. Burrow underground, into Cvetkovski’s natural wine cave, to choose a bottle for dinner, at the suggested price – or “donation” – of US$10.

Can we take a bottle up to our room? Absolutely. Cvetkovski also brews his own (surprisingly, very good) beer and he’ll no doubt give you a few of those to see off upstairs, too. There are only a couple of rooms at present, and they’re decorated like a folklorean dream: wooden ornaments and rickety bedsteads forged from tree trunks stand opposite a window framing views of the national park. There’s blissfully little else to do other than eat, sleep and wander the grounds, performing a vege­table roll-call from one plant bed to another.

Wait, what’s that about a national park? Well, other than the Slow Food and the general feeling of abandon that comes with being in a Macedonian country house in the middle of nowhere, Pelister National Park is the main reason people stay with Cvetkovski. After a short but dramatic drive up the foothills of the Baba Mountain, the host (who offers lifts every­where) will leave hiking guests by the unashamedly 1970s Hotel Molica. Be sure to stop in for a drink and a gawp at the fabulous throwback block-green interiors and mini indoor lake. Park hikes last anything from an hour or so to a long, full day, and take in lofty panoramic views of Christmas tree firs on mountain sides that fold like layers of icing off into the distance. The ultimate hike leads you to natural lakes atop the mountain.

What are we looking at, price wise? One night at Villa Dihovo is €40, and for dinner and drinks, Cvetkovski asks that you “pay what you like”. A cookery school is scheduled to open at Villa Dihovo in time for the summer, as will additional rooms. Guests are encouraged to stay for two or three nights, and take part in foraging and fishing trips.

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Bitola is the second largest city in Macedonia with a history dating back to the middle of the 4th century B.C. Back then it was known to the ancient world as Heraclea Lyncestis, a city founded by Phillip II of Macedon (father of Alexander the Great). For this, Bitola is the oldest city in the Republic of Macedonia.

Modern-day Bitola is a veritable mix of old and new, where Ottoman constructions and ancient ruins intermingle with modern office buildings. Exploring Bitola by foot is the easiest way to take in the city’s sights and sounds. It takes about a day to see the main sights such as the many mosques, markets, and the Saat Kula 17th century Clock Tower. Plan to stay an extra night or two if you want to experience Pelister National Park. Things to do in Bitola include shopping, eating, and taking in the historical sites.

As is the case with most other Balkan countries, Macedonia has played host to several dominating powers throughout the centuries including Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Slavs, and Ottomans. Each has left a distinct mark on Macedonian culture that can still be felt to this day.

After spending an incredible 9 days exploring Macedonia with the support of Macedonia Timeless, here is my list for the top 5 things to do in the charming city of Bitola.

Stroll Širok Sokak Street

Širok Sokak Street (Wide Street) is the place to see and be seen in Bitola. This pedestrian boulevard is lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants. It begins in Magnolia Square, Bitola’s main square. From here you can already begin to see the old Macedonian and Ottoman-style houses. Once you’ve seen the nearby Saat Kula Clock Tower and Vergina Sun Fountain in Magnolia Square, start your stroll up Širok Sokak Street. Our guide made a point of saying that if you don’t make time to have a coffee and people watch at one of the cafes along Širok Sokak Street, it’s like you haven’t been to Bitola. They say that the prettiest girls in Macedonia parade up and down the street dressed in their best clothes.

Tour the Museum of Bitola

For those of us that love a good history lesson, visiting the Museum of Bitola is a great way to learn about the Balkan struggle for independence from the Ottomans. The museum itself is situated in a mid-19th century building that served as a military academy. In 1983 it was repurposed into a museum to honor its most famous student, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, a Turkish army officer and first President of Turkey.

He is credited with helping to overthrow the Ottomans and establishing the Republic of Turkey (the Istanbul airport bears his name). Atatürk was born is Salonica (modern-day Thessaloniki, Greece) and attended military school in Bitola.

In additional to a wealth of information on Atatürk’s life and military accomplishments, the Museum of Bitola also houses archaeological exhibits, reproductions of Leonardo Da Vinci, ethnographic materials such as traditional costumes, a reproduction of a traditional village home, and the Exhibition Hall of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk that contains examples of his written work, memorabilia from his private life, as well as battle strategies and a library.

Visit the Ruins of Heraclea Lyncestis

Heraclea Lyncestis was an ancient city in the kingdom of Macedon. Phillip II of Macedon founded it in the 4th century B.C. With the presence of Greeks and Romans throughout the Balkan Peninsula, each made their mark on Heraclea Lyncestis.

The ruins of Heraclea Lyncestis are a testament to their tangible influences and dominance. The ruins themselves are located just 2 kilometers south from the center Bitola, at the foot of Baba Mountain.

Though smaller than the original city, the archaeological site of Heraclea Lyncestis holds several important buildings and sites. These include the Roman theatre, Roman thermae (bath complex), small and large basilicas added by the Byzantines, Jewish temple, and intricate church floor mosaics that are fantastic examples of early Christian art.

Take a Day Trip

It would be a shame to come to Bitola and miss Pelister National Park, a 17,150-hectare nature preserve on the north side of Mount Baba. Its mild climate and gentle slope make it ideal for hiking and skiing. Pelister National Park is home to a unique array of flora and fauna, as well as natural springs, waterfalls, and glacial lakes. 29% of Macedonia’s flora and fauna are found in Pelister. Its most famous species is the Molika tree, which can grow up to 40 meters (131 feet) high and live for over 200 years.

Pelister boasts several established hiking paths and clearly marked nature trails, as well as horseback riding, picnicking spots, rock climbing, and skiing. Visitors can stay the night at one of the accommodations located within the park such as Hotel Molika or Kapri Hotel & Restaurant.

Another “must” when in Bitola is a day trip to experience Villa Dihovo, a family-run guesthouse in the small mountain village of Dihovo. Voted as one of Europe’s Secret Places by Lonely Planet, Villa Dihovo is an incredible dining experience and accommodation if you choose to stay the night in its traditional 1920’s Macedonian guesthouse. What makes Villa Dihovo so unique is that guests choose what they pay to eat and sleep there. You read that right – the guests get to pay what they want. The only thing at Villa Dihovo that has a fixed price is the alcohol.

From here it’s easy to access the nature trails and hiking paths of Pelister National Park. From the city center of Bitola it is only a 5-10 minute drive. A taxi ride will run you about 120-140 Macedonian Denars (2 €).

We didn’t spend the night but we came to try their delectable menu of homegrown organic veggies and daily Macedonian specials. Truly of the best things to do in Macedonia!

Shop for Souvenirs at the Stara Čaršija (Old Bazaar)

Bitola was a center of trade in the Balkans, which makes it no wonder why the Turks established a bazaar here during their rule. Stara Čaršija, or the Old Bazaar of Bitola, is one of the city’s most important cultural and social features. Walking the cobblestone streets it is easy to gain a sense of how the bazaar felt in its heyday – it boasted over 900 shops selling everything from housewares to farm animals. Historically, the Old Bazaar was the place where you could find anything you needed (soap, cobbler, silk, gunpowder, wool, leather, etc.)

Nowadays the Old Bazaar of Bitola is still a lively place for shopping, especially for souvenirs such as hand woven wool blankets and rugs. It is smaller than the bazaar in Skopje, but there is plenty to buy nonetheless.

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