Just arrived and fresh to this city, I am seeking food and drink to fill my Airbnb kitchen. I’ve gone to the grocery store and picked up a few essentials, now its time for a more local experience. The vibrant & lively Green Market in Skopje is the perfect next stop.
Getting There
Located at 11th October St 18, visitors will find this large covered market on the opposite side of the Vardar River than the Old Bazaar. This is a heavily residential area so there is a good chance you are staying in this part of the city.
Open seven days a week from 7am to 6pm, it will be least busy early in the morning, however not as many vendors will be open at that time.
Green Market
As soon as I entered, I knew I was in for an authentic treat. Not a tourist in sight, only locals going about their daily tasks. Green Market is one of two, local and historical markets that have been supplying the city with food for decades. Rows and rows of stalls, full of fresh foods, dried goods and even meat and cheese shops around the edges.
Walk to another side, and there are vendors selling all sorts of new clothes, shoes and household items. Several stalls have electronics and tools, and just about anything you could possibly need or want. This side of the market is definitely sleepier to wake in the morning, so if it’s clothing you are after, come later in the day.
Fresh Food
The best part for me at any market I visit in the world, is seeing the bounty of fresh food available. Picked by these local farmers, it’s fascinating to see what is available and what is popular in every destination. What? Yellow potatoes? How interesting!
Here, having such strong ties and close proximity to Greece and the Mediterranean, the vegetables of choice are definitely tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. I see Greek type salads in my near future. In fact, this is the most common salad in Macedonia too, topped with plenty of fresh and crumbly white cheese.
Being summertime, there is a plethora of fresh fruit. I can see that grapes are just beginning to make an appearance. In full swing are nectarines, peaches, berries, figs and prune plums. The largest watermelons I have ever seen and a more local yellow melon, similar to what we would think of as a honeydew in Canada.
Dried Goods
Always on my radar are the spices, nuts, herbs and beans and the Green Market does not disappoint. I see mounds of bright red chili powder, all different varieties too.
Beautiful almonds, loads of fresh raw walnuts, and peanuts! More peanuts than I’m used to seeing in fact, and coated with different flavourings. Don’t let me forget the honey, its golden colour lighting up the stalls like lanterns.
Other Goods
As I wander from the food area that dominates the Green Market, I begin to see all of the other things available and for sale. It’s interesting to view the different clothing styles, and watch as bargains are made. There are loads of luggage and handbags and even eyeglasses, something I don’t think I have ever seen at a market before.
If you are visiting Skopje and want a truly authentic shopping experience, this is the perfect market for that. To walk here from the touristy area near the Stone Bridge will only take about 15 minutes. Its worth it to see and experience the locals socializing in a culturally rich environment. You will be leaving with a bag full of something delectable, I can guarantee that.
