Bitola, the second-largest city in North Macedonia, is one of the most intriguing places to visit in the region. Bustling with energy and packed with attractions, yet in the shadow of more popular tourist destinations in North Macedonia like Skopje or Lake Ohrid, Bitola should be on the radar of every traveler who visits the country.

I was lucky to visit Bitola twice, and each time, I was impressed with the city and its vibrant atmosphere. There are so many great things to do in Bitola that it’s worth spending at least a day there to enjoy them all.

I put together this Bitola guide so you can plan your own trip to this underrated city, too, and be impressed with all it has to offer, just like I was.

Where is Bitola, North Macedonia

Bitola, a city of around one hundred thousand inhabitants, is located in the very south of the country, near the border with Greece. Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, is 175 km north of Bitola. Lake Ohrid, one of the most popular attractions in the Balkans, is only 70 km away from Bitola.

Why visit Bitola

For such a random place on the outskirts of the country, there are so many cool things to do in Bitola that visiting the city is worth any detour in your itinerary.

In Bitola, you will find some fantastic ancient remnants as well as monuments dating back to Ottoman times. The city has a distinctive European vibe mixed with a taste of the Orient – a combination rather unusual for this part of Europe.

However, one of the best things about Bitola is its vibrant atmosphere, especially along the main pedestrian street, Sirok Sokak. You can spend the whole day there, just soaking the vibe, and you will not get bored.

Bitola is this underrated gem of the Balkans that might surprise you in the best possible way.

How to get to Bitola

Since Bitola is a large city, there are plenty of direct connections here from Skopje (both by bus and train) and from Ohrid. The bus and train stations are located next to each other, close to the center, and a ten-minute walk from Sirok Sokak.

You can visit Bitola as one of the day trips from Skopje or Ohrid, although public transport is not very efficient as it takes too long. It’s best to come here with a tour; here are some of the highly-rated options:

• Private Full-Day to Ohrid and Bitola from Skopje
• Full Day Tour of Bitola from Skopje
• Full-Day Private Bitola Tour from Ohrid

Where to stay in Bitola

There are some decent accommodation options to choose from. I recommend staying somewhere near Sirok Sokak so that you can be in the heart of the city and close to all the best Bitola attractions.

Here are some of the recommended places to stay in Bitola:

• Bela Kuka Hotel (9.1/10)
• Grand Central Hotel (8.8/10)
• Magnolija Apartments (9.7/10)
• and more!

Things to do in Bitola

And finally, here are the best things to do in Bitola in no particular order.

Enjoy Sirok Sokak

One of the most pleasant places to visit in Bitola and the city highlight is Sirok Sokak. This pedestrian street crosses the center and is a favorite hotspot for locals and tourists.

The street is lined with numerous cafes and restaurants, most of them having outdoor sitting areas. One of the best things to do in Bitola is to take a seat there, sip coffee, and observe the world as it goes by.

Sirok Sokak is such a fascinating place that you will not get bored there. The street is vibrant and alive all day long and until late at night, so no matter what time you are there, you will always find something interesting.

Along Sirok Sokak, you will see some beautiful townhouses, as well as the gallery and the theater. When strolling around, look up to see all the fine details of the buildings—they only add to the overall charm of the street.

Sirok Sokak is like a magnet. This is where you should start your Bitola sightseeing, and once you’ve seen all the city has to offer, I bet you will return there to enjoy the place some more. I spent most of my free time in Bitola there, and the vibrant atmosphere of Sirok Sokak constantly pulled me in.

Discover the bazaar

Another must-visit place in Bitola is the local bazaar area, located across the Dragor River from the center. The place has been the trade heart of the city since the 15th century, and still today, this is the second-largest bazaar in North Macedonia after the one in Skopje.

At the peak of its popularity, in the 19th century, there were over two thousand stores here, divided into over thirty bazaars. Still today, this is a bustling place focused more on the needs of the local community than tourists.

When wandering around, you can feel the true vibe of the city. It’s easy to get lost in the maze of the narrow lanes lined with the Ottoman houses, but that’s the joy of exploring Bitola’s bazaar. Besides shops, you can also find a few cafes and restaurants, mosques, and other cultural landmarks there.

Visit the Bezisten

Bezisten, the covered bazaar, is part of the commercial area of Bitola, located across the street from the main bazaar area. It was built in the 16th century and was home to almost one hundred stores focusing on more valuable and precious goods.

Today, only a small number of businesses remain here, including the souvenir shop and the post office. However, it’s still worth visiting Bezisten to get a feel of the old times when the place was bustling with life and shoppers. You will also find a restaurant and a cafe here.

See the consulates

Bitola is also known as the “City of Consuls,” as back in the 19th century, representatives of twelve European countries had their seats here. Still today, you will find many of them in the city, especially Magnolia Square and along Sirok Sokak.

The diplomatic popularity brought European taste and culture to the city; hence, you will see many of the townhouses built in the neoclassical style that is not very common in this part of the continent. The most impressive building is the one of the Russian consulate on Magnolia Square, but the French and Turkish ones aren’t too bad either.

Enjoy Magnolia Square

Located at the end of Sirok Sokak, Magnolia Square is one of the most pleasant places to visit in Bitola. The green square is where you will find some of the city’s highlights – Yeni Mosque from the mid-16th century or the statue of Philip II of Macedon – the founder of the city.

The Clock Tower, located on the side of Magnolia Square, is one of the symbols of Bitola. It was built in 1664 but was renovated to its current look in the 19th century.

Plenty of benches surround the Vergina Sun fountain in the heart of Magnolia Square, so you can sit down, relax, and observe city life. On the edge of the square, you can try local dishes at the restaurant Grne—I always end up there, and I’ve never been disappointed.

Visit religious places

You can clearly see the long and turbulent history of Bitola in its religious temples. You will find plenty of churches and mosques in the city, representing the city’s multicultural past.

While many churches were built in Bitola in medieval times, mosques date back to the time of Ottoman rule (around 70 of them were built in the city). It’s worth stepping inside them, too, as some of the places have really beautiful interiors and are of significant value.

Some of the religious places worth visiting in the center of Bitola are Yeni Mosque, Ishak Çelebi Mosque (the largest mosque in the city), Church of Saint Demetrius, Church of the Holy Mother of God, or Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on Sirok Sokak.

See the House of Army

One of the most beautiful buildings you will find in Bitola is the House of Army, located on the opposite end of Sirok Sokak than Magnolia Square. When wandering along the city’s main pedestrian street, it’s impossible to miss it.

The House of Army was built in 1912 to be used for representative functions, parties, and receptions. The design of the building was made by Italian and Austrian architects, giving the place a feel of “east meeting west” with its combination of European and oriental details. After the fall of Yugoslavia, the House of Army was neglected too and eventually fell into ruin.

Only recently, the building was renovated to its former glory, and now it is a real gem on the Bitola map. I’ve seen the place before and after renovation, and it’s amazing how stunning it looks now.

Visit the National Museum of Bitola

Across the street from the House of the Army, you can find another eye-catching building, a former military school. Today, it is home to the National Museum of Bitola, where you can see over two thousand artifacts from the history of the city and surrounding area.

The items on display cover periods from prehistory up to the present day, giving a complete overview of the city’s past. An interesting addition to the Museum of Bitola is the memorial room dedicated to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the Founder of the Turkish Republic, who attended the military school here in 1896.

Visit the ancient city Heraclea Lyncestis

One of the top Bitola attractions is Heraclea Lyncestis – the ancient city located some two kilometers away from Sirok Sokak. Founded in the 4th century BC by Philip II of Macedon, the name of the city commemorates the mythological hero Heracles.

The location of Heraclea Lyncestis was crucial, protecting ancient Greece from the north and west. Once it was conquered by ancient Rome, the location was again a key to success as Heraclea Lyncestis was on the popular trading routes.

The town was an important episcopal center in the early Byzantine period (4th-6th centuries AD). Still today, the most important remnants of the ancient Heraclea Lyncestis are religious buildings.

After the earthquake in the early 6th century, the town was slowly abandoned, and only ruins remain to this day.

But what an amazing remnant of the great past it is! There are many impressive ruins in Heraclea Lyncestis, including a theater, two water fountains, a courthouse, baths, a portico, the bishop’s palace, and two basilicas.

The biggest highlight of the place and the reason why it’s worth visiting Heraclea Lyncestis is the exceptional mosaics in the early Christian basilicas. Still today, they are in good shape, and you can clearly see the intricate work that was made here.

You can take a taxi from the center of Bitola to Heraclea Lyncestis or walk for two kilometers. It’s a pleasant stroll along the City Park, which is nice itself, too. Check the opening hours before visiting the place; there is also a small fee to enter Heraclea Lyncestis.

Find the neglected airplanes

This is a very random Bitola attraction that I discovered accidentally during my first visit to the city. When taking a picture of the surrounding mountains, I spotted two neglected airplanes on the hilltop not far from the center.

Of course, I went to check them out and almost rolled down the hill along the way, but eventually, I reached the place. It was worth all the effort as not only were the airplanes such a random and quirky thing, but the views from the hill where they were located were pretty good, too.

Until 1999, Bitola was home to an important military air base, which was crucial, especially during Cold War times. Once the base closed down, two jets were abandoned on the hill and still remain there, in rather poor condition.

If you would like to see them, too, during your trip to Bitola, here’s the location where you can find them.

Visit Pelister National Park

Bitola can also be a good base to explore the surroundings, especially Pelister National Park, located just outside the city. Established in 1848, this is the oldest national park in North Macedonia and surrounds the Baba Mountain massif with its highest peak, Pelister (2601 m, the third highest mountain in the country).

The park is known for its exquisite flora and fauna. It is also a perfect place for hiking, and its close proximity to Bitola makes it a popular nature getaway among locals. When wandering around, you can expect some amazing views. You can also visit two mountain lakes called Pelister’s Eyes.

Unfortunately, no public transport is available, so the best option is to drive yourself or take a taxi from Bitola.

Where to go next

From Bitola, you can continue your trip in North Macedonia either to the fantastic Lake Ohrid or to Skopje, the quirky capital, with stops along the way in Prilep, Krusevo, and Veles. You can also cross the border to Greece and continue your sightseeing there.

Further reading

I published many articles about North Macedonia that you might find useful when planning your trip there. Here are some of them:

• 19 Amazing Places to Visit in North Macedonia
• What to do in Skopje, the kitschy yet cool capital of North Macedonia
• Guide to Skopje Brutalist Architecture
• 13 Perfect Day Trips from Skopje, North Macedonia
• Matka Canyon – a perfect nature getaway outside Skopje
• 17 Best Things to Do in Ohrid, North Macedonia
• Tetovo, North Macedonia – Stunning Painted Mosque and More
• and more!

If you are looking for articles about a specific destination – check out the map with all the articles I’ve published (and their locations). You can also join my Facebook group about traveling in the Balkans and ask your questions there.

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