9 Best Things To Do In Bitola, North Macedonia

things to do in bitola
Corrine
Corrine 
Published
| 3 min read

Bitola is one of the oldest cities in Macedonia, and it’s also the second most-populated city in North Macedonia. It experiences a warm climate and rainy seasons, so the best time to visit is in August when there is the least amount of rainfall. To all history junkies out there, Bitola is the place to be. It has tons of spots that can ease your curiosity, like thousand-year-old mosques and towers made in the 15th century. But even those who want a peaceful and quiet vacation will surely enjoy this place. In Bitola, tourists can get an in-depth immersion into their culture and history. Is Bitola on your travel bucket list? Read on for the best things to do in Bitola, North Macedonia.

1. Wine and dine at Ciflik Winery

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Ciflik Winery on Sunday, October 14, 2018

Ciflik Winery is a hotel in Bitola known for its calm and cozy ambiance. A breathtaking view and tons of nature surround the winery. You can enjoy an overnight stay in their gorgeous suites or grab a bite in their 24-hour restaurant. Before you leave, make sure to give their unique wines a try!

Ciflik Winery

Address: 2 br.18 Brusnik, Bitola, North Macedonia

Website: Ciflik Winery

Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 8am - 1am; Sun - Thu: 8am - 12am

Visited this place?

2. Travel back in time through the ruins of Heraklea Lynkestis

The Roman Theatre, built in the early years of the emperor Hadrian's reign, Heraclea Lyncestis, Republic of Macedonia
Source: Photo by Flickr user Carole Raddato used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Heraklea Lynkestis is one of the historical attractions of Bitola built during the 4th century, but people lived here until the end of the 6th century. This place used to be an episcopal center and was strategically located. Today, you can walk through the ruins and see Roman baths, ancient mosaics, a theatre, and more.

Heraklea Lynkestis

Address: Bitola, Pelagonia Statistical Region, North Macedonia

Opening hours: April - October: 9am - 6pm (daily); October - March: 9am - 4pm (daily)

Price: 150 MKD (3 USD)

Visited this place?

3. Dive into the culture of Bitola at Ishak Çelebi Mosque

Isak Džamija, Bitola
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Pudelek used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Ishak Çelebi Mosque is the biggest mosque in Bitola. It has tons of beautiful features like its Ottoman architecture style, a minaret, and a wooden gallery. Some people visit mosques to channel their inner peace or to pray, but one can also visit the mosque to admire its ornaments and architecture. Always keep in mind to respect the space and follow their rules.

Ishak Çelebi Mosque

Address: Boulevard 1st of May b.b., Bitola 7000, North Macedonia

Visited this place?

4. Get lost in nature surrounding the main landmark of Bitola, The Clock Tower

Clock tower in Bitola
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Veraumka used under CC BY-SA 4.0

The Clock Tower in Bitola, with a height of 32 meters (105 feet), is one of the landmarks in the city. It’s also known as Saat Kula and can found in the middle of the city. An enchanting park surrounds the tower. This tourist spot is open 24 hours a day so tourists can come by at any time. Fun fact: this is a functional clock, which makes it easier for onlookers to tell the time.

The Clock Tower

Address: Jorgo Osmano, Bitola 7000, North Macedonia

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Visited this place?

5. Take a walk down history lane at NI Institute and Museum Bitola

NU ZAVOD I MUZEJ-BITOLA (1)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Tommyy882 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Before it became a museum, NI Institute and Museum Bitola used to be a Military Academy, a military gym, and an army barracks. Today, it houses thousands of artifacts from different eras. Talk about versatility! Want a sneak peek of their collection? Check out their website to see what they have on display.

NI Institute and Museum Bitola

Address: St Clement of Ohrid BB, Bitola 7000, North Macedonia

Website: NI Institute and Museum Bitola

Opening hours: April - October: 9am - 6pm (daily); October - March: 9am - 4pm (daily)

Visited this place?

6. Visit the heart of Bitola, Magnolia Square

Bilding Magnolia - panoramio
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Mister No used under CC BY 3.0

Magnolia Square is a park in the middle of the city. You can find buildings from both the Macedonian and Ottoman eras surrounding Magnolia Square. This public park is also near the Clock Tower, and it’s surrounded by trendy cafes and restaurants that you should try out! Also, landmarks like The Founder of Heraclea Statue and the Vergina Sun fountain are also in the area. This part of the city is one of the best places to take a stroll.

Magnolia Square

Address: Jorgo Osmano, Bitola 7000, North Macedonia

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

Visited this place?

7. Bask in the fusion of east and west in House of the Army

House of Army in Bitola
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Veraumka used under CC BY-SA 4.0

This building showcases a fusion of styles from the East and the West. The design of House of the Army resembles that of a fortress and a palace. Having towers and cannons in the buildings shows its fortress-like design while having high ceilings and windows gives the sophistication of a palace. Although this infrastructure was to be used by the Turkish, the building was not finished in time for it to serve them. Later, it became a spacious hall for any functions hosted in the area.

House of the Army

Address: Shirok Sokak, Bitola, North Macedonia

Visited this place?

8. Shop ‘til you drop at Stara Čaršija

Best things to do in Bitola
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Stolevski used under CC BY-SA 3.0

For all the shopaholics out there, this is a must-visit! Aside from the number of products available here, there are also tons of restaurants and museums that you can check out. To maximize the experience, it’s best to visit during the morning where there is fresh produce available and when it isn’t too hot to roam around. Stara Čaršija or Old Bazaar is the oldest and biggest shopping place in the area. It dates back to the 12th century, and structures from the Ottoman and Byzantine eras are still present here.

Stara Čaršija / Old Bazaar

Address: MK, Skopje 1000, North Macedonia

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 4pm (closed on Sun)

Visited this place?

9. Explore the gardens of Rezidencija Hadji-Kosta Milevski

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Rezidencija Hadјi-Kosta Milevski on Saturday, July 21, 2018

Rezidencija Hadјi-Kosta Milevski is located in the center of the city, and its enchanting structure and landscaping are its salient features. People often come here to do their wedding shoots or explore the gardens. Before you end your Bitola vacation, don’t forget to drop by.

Rezidencija Hadјi-Kosta Milevski

Address: Slavko Lumbarko 6, Bitola 7000, North Macedonia

Website: Rezidencija Hadјi-Kosta Milevski

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 8pm; Sat - Sun: 5pm - 8pm

Visited this place?

Looking for a culture-rich place to visit? Bitola is the place for you

Whether you’re a history nerd, a shopaholic, or a traveler looking for a slow-paced vacation, Bitola has it all for you! What are you waiting for? Plan your Bitola escapade now!

Visited this place?
Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

A freelance writer intermittently active since 2019, Corrine primarily focuses her writing endeavors on subjects encompassing English, history, and research. She also holds a degree in Chemical...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore Bitola
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.