Bitola - city in North Macedonia

Bitola (Macedonian: Битола) is a grand old town that still bears the marks of its turn-of-the-century importance as a center for diplomacy – while also exemplifying the country’s time-honored cafe culture. Bitola is nicknamed “City of Consuls” and is the second largest city in North Macedonia, with a population of over 70,000 in the city proper and nearly 100,000 in the larger Bitola Municipality. Near the border with Greece, it straddles the Dragor River at the foot of Baba Mountain in Pelister National Park.

Understand

Bitola is quite nice, and it is favourite city for the Macedonians, since it has the most European atmosphere. It was a seat of consuls in the 19th century and with them they brought the European culture and influenced the local aristocracy, who started living in European fashion and building their houses in mixed neo-classical styles. Bitola is a nice place to visit since Pelister National Park is close, the ancient city of Heraklea is there, it has nice Ottoman architecture and 19th-century romantic architecture, so some good examples of everything. It can all be done in a day including enjoying coffee on Shirok Sokak, but you have to put aside a separate day for Pelister National Park.

The friendly and helpful Tourist Information Office is on Ulice Sterio Georgiev, just a few metres from the clock tower (though it has at times been closed). There is a tourist map billboard on the city square (at the river end of Shirok Sokak), but this appears to be the only tourist information in the city out-of-season (October 2011).

History

There are important metal artifacts from the ancient period, from the necropolis of Crkvishte near the village of Beranci. As Heraclea Lyncestis (Greek: Ηράκλεια Λυγκηστίς - City of Hercules upon the Land of the Lynx), it was an important settlement from the Hellenistic period till the Middle Ages. It was founded by Philip II of Macedon by the middle of the 4th century BC, and named after the Greek demigod Heracles, whom Philip considered his ancestor. As an important strategic point it became a prosperous city. The Romans conquered this part of Macedon in 148 BC and destroyed the political power of the city. The prosperity continued mainly due to the Roman Via Egnatia road which passed near the city. Several monuments from the Roman times remain in Heraclea, including a portico, thermae (baths), an amphitheater and a number of basilicas. The theatre was once capable to house around 3,000 people.

In the early Byzantine period (4th to 6th centuries AD) Heraclea was an important episcopal centre. Some of its bishops have been noted in the acts of the Church Councils as bishop Evagrius of Heraclea in the Acts of the Sardica Council from 343 AD. A Small and a Great (Large) basilica, the bishop's residence, a Funeral basilica near the necropolis are some of the remains of this period. Three naves in the Great Basilica are covered with mosaics of very rich floral and figurative iconography; these well preserved mosaics are often regarded as fine examples of the early Christian art period. Other bishops from Heraclea are known between 4th and 6th century AD. The city was sacked by Ostrogothic forces, commanded by Theodoric the Great in 472 AD and, despite a large gift to him from the city's bishop, it was sacked again in 479 AD.

It was restored in the late 5th and early 6th century. In the late 6th century the city suffered successive attacks by Slavic tribes. It was finally taken over by the Slavs and lost its importance by the end of the century.

In the 6th and 7th century the region around Monastiri experienced a demographic shift as more and more Slavic tribes settled in the area. They also built a defence fortress around the settlement. Monastiri was conquered and remained part of the First Bulgarian Empire from late 8th to early 11th century. The spreading of Christianity was assisted by St. Clement of Ohrid and Naum of Preslav in the 9th and early 10th century. Many monasteries and churches were built in the city.

In the 10th century, Monastiri was under the rule of tsar Samuil of Bulgaria. He built a castle in the town, later used by his successor Gavril Radomir of Bulgaria. The town is mentioned in several medieval sources. John Skylitzes's 11th-century chronicle mentions that Emperor Basil II burned Gavril's castles in Monastiri, when passing through and ravaging Pelagonia. The second chrysobull (1019) of Basil II mentioned that the Bishop of Monastiri depended on the Archbishopric of Ohrid. During the reign of Samuil, the city was seat of the Bitola Bishopric. In many medieval sources, especially Western, the name Pelagonia was synonymous with the Bitola Bishopric, and in some of them Monastiri was known under the name of Heraclea due to the church tradition, namely the turning of Heraclea Bishopric into Pelagonian Metropolitan's Diocese. In 1015, tsar Gavril Radomir was killed by his cousin Ivan Vladislav, who declared himself tsar and rebuilt the city fortress. To celebrate the occasion, a stone inscription written in the Cyrillic alphabet was set in the fortress where the Slavic name of the city is mentioned: Bitol. Following battles with tsar Ivan Vladislav, Byzantine emperor Basil II recaptured Monastiri in 1015. The town is mentioned as an episcopal centre in 1019, in a record by Basil II. Two important uprisings against Byzantine rule took place in the Monastiri area in 1040 and 1072. After the Bulgarian state was restored in late 11th century, Bitola was incorporated under the rule of tsar Kaloyan of Bulgaria. It was conquered again by Byzantium at the end of the 13th century, but became part of Serbia in the first half of the 14th century, after the conquests of Stefan Dušan.

As a military, political and cultural center, Monastiri played a very important role in the life of the medieval society in the region, prior to the Ottoman conquest in mid-14th century. On the eve of the Ottoman conquest, Monastiri (Manastır in Ottoman Turkish) experienced a great boom, having well-established trading links all over the Balkan Peninsula, especially with big economic centers like Constantinople, Thessalonica, Ragusa and Tarnovo. Caravans of various goods moved to and from Monastir.

During Turkish rule it developed as a trading centre and the Turkish travel writer Evlija Celebija who visited Bitola in the middle of the 17th century wrote that were 900 shops, 40 cafes, a bedesten, 70 mosques, a number of medreses (theological school) and a law school. Near the beginning of the 19th century, a large number of Vlahs from the Janina region in Greece settled in the city. During the 19th century, the city was at its peak, being the second largest city in the European part of the Ottoman empire and an important trading centre, with over 2000 stores with goods from Vienna, Paris, Leipzig, and London. Twelve consulates were opened in the city, and the consuls brought Western influences with them. Towards the end of the 19th century, Mustafa Kemal "Ataturk", the father of the modern Turkish nation, studied in Bitola at the military academy. Abdul Pasha Kerim, governor of the city for six years (1896-1902), accomplished much during his short term. He finished the drainage system and built the docks on the Dragor river, the city park, the theatre, and the ball hall. Milton Manaki, who in 1905 brought the first camera to the Balkans and made the first movies there, also lived and worked in Bitola. After the Balkan wars in 1913, when Serbia occupied present-day North Macedonia, Bitola lost its importance to Skopje, which was named the capital of the province.

Get in

Even though Bitola and Florina in Greece are very close to each other, there is no direct connection between them. The 30 km journey costs about €50 by taxi (2011). Greek taxi drivers are not permitted to pick up a return fare in North Macedonia. A cheaper (but riskier) option would be to get a Greek taxi to the border, then walk 800 m between the border posts, and get a Macedonian taxi from the border. A taxi from Florina train station to the border is about €20, though could be bargained down to €15 (2017). Walking across the border on foot is no problem (2017).

Some taxi drivers are not willing to go from Bitola to Greece (more details under Florina).

By train

There are couple of trains connecting Bitola and Skopje that stop in Prilep and Veles. From November 2022 there will be a cross-border service from Florina, in Greece.

• Bitola railway station (Железничката станица „Битола“), 41.0196°, 21.3427°. 2022-10-20

By bus

There are a dozen buses between Bitola and Skopje (3 hours) that stop in Prilep and Veles, and a couple of buses connecting Bitola and Ohrid (1.5 hours) that stop in Resen. A bus leaves Sofia at 20:00, arriving in Bitola at 03:00. Buses also leave Bitola daily at 20:00 and arrive in Sofia at 05:30.

• Bitola bus station, 41.0200°, 21.3418°. 2022-10-20

Get around

Walking is the best way to get around Bitola as all the sites are in a line one after another: first the old bazaar, then the city square, then Shirok Sokak street, then the city park, and last the ancient city of Heraklea.

By taxi

Average cost €1-2.50.

By bus

Cheapest way to get somewhere in Bitola is by bus which costs flat rate of €0.30.

The most useful bus line is #1. Although there are two categories of buses #1, the differences are non important as they both stop at the railway station, near hospital and near the medical high school.

Other bus lines go to suburbs and nearby villages (Brusnicka, Bukovski, Dovledzik, Streliste, Dulie, Orizari, Dihovo, Nizhe Pole, Bistrica).

See

Bitola has been a major city in this region for most of its history, evidenced by ancient Macedonian and Roman ruins, a significant bazaar and other Ottoman monuments, multiple military cemeteries, a dozen consulates, and important churches. The city is known for having perhaps the most neoclassical architecture in North Macedonia, giving it a more European feel than elsewhere in the country.

• Clock Tower (Саат кула), 41.030839°, 21.333894°. The clock tower is the pride of the people of Bitola and a main symbol of the city. It was built in 1664 but got its present appearance in the 19th century. Standing 33 m (108 ft) tall, it is south of the Dragor River, between the old bazaar and Magnolia Square, on Širok Sokak. The square tower is capped with a small dome, on which a cross stands. 2017-10-08
• Širok Sokak (Широк Сокак; Maršal Tito Street), 41.0286°, 21.3358°. Širok Sokak, meaning "Wide Alley", is a pedestrian street lined with colourful romantic and neo-classical buildings. It runs from the Dragor River in the north by the clock tower to the city park in the south, eventually continuing to Heraclea Lyncestis. It is roughly divided into three parts and even though the first part has the best-preserved buildings, it is worth walking all the way to the end. The street is very lively and lined with cafes which are excellent for relaxing and people-watching, especially since the ladies from Bitola are supposedly the most beautiful in North Macedonia and they love to parade up and down the street dressed in their Sunday best. Širok Sokak ends with the old barracks, where the military academy where Atatürk studied was situated, and today serves as the city museum. Opposite it stands the ball hall. Across the street as a continuance of Širok Sokak the City Park stands, where the old Sokolana (physical education building) for the students of the former military academy is. For more nice houses walk in the streets left of Širok Sokak. 2017-10-06
• Yeni Mosque (Јени џамија), 41.03075°, 21.335°. Located in the centre of Bitola and one of the city skyline's most prominent features, the Yeni Mosque was built in 1558. It has a square base with a dome-capped roof and one minaret. "Yeni" in Turkish means "New", suggesting that the mosque was built atop an older mosque or church. Today, the mosque is used as an exhibition space. 2017-10-08
• Magnolia Square (Плоштад Магнолија), 41.030145°, 21.334966°. Located on the northern portion of Širok Sokak, Magnolia Square is the most prominent square of Bitola. Its centerpiece is a statue of Philip II of Macedon, the city's ancient founder, as well as a fountain with the Vergina Sun surrounded by shields and spears. Surrounding the square are historic buildings, with the Clock Tower park directly to the north. 2017-10-06
• Church of Saint Demetrius (Црква „Св. Димитриј“), 11 Oktomvri Street, 41.0299°, 21.3339°. The cathedral church of Bitola and the most beautiful example of the so-called “revival period” churches in Macedonia. The Ottomans rarely allowed the building of new churches during their occupation, but as the empire was weakening in the 18th century, they started granting such permission to keep the population happy. There were many rules to be followed, like the exterior had to be without decorations and the floor of the church had to be at least one meter below the ground so the church wouldn’t dominate the skyline of the city. It was built in 1830 as a three-naved basilica with galleries and five chapels. While they had to keep the exterior modest, the interior is lavishly decorated with woodwork. The huge icon screen was made in 1845. A prominent bell tower was added in 1936. The church is just west of Magnolia Square. 2017-10-09
• Church of the Holy Mother of God (Црква „Св. Богородица“), 41.0304°, 21.339°. A basilica church built in 1872. This church is a triple-flight church with an octagonal cupola with an onion dome on the west side. Under the west entry door, there is a magnificent iconostasis made by a master woodcarver from the western North Macedonia. Bitola's second-largest church, it also houses a nice collection of frescoes. It is located a short walk east of Širok Sokak. 2017-10-09
• Prespa-Pelagonia Diocese (Преспанско-пелагониска епархија), 41.030241°, 21.339784°. This building houses the administrative headquarters of the Prespa-Pelagonia Diocese of the Macedonian Orthodox Church. It is a grand neoclassical building constructed in 1902. The four-story building houses a library and a couple exhibition rooms. It is adjacent to the Church of the Holy Mother of God. 2017-10-08
• Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (Црква „Пресвето Срце Исусово“), 41.0286°, 21.3358°. This Catholic church is the co-cathedral of the Diocese of Skopje. It was established in the 19th century but the current church was built in 1909 in the neo-Gothic style. It stands in one of the more historic sections of the pedestrian street Širok Sokak. 2017-10-08
• Officer's Hall (Офицерски дом), 41.024167°, 21.337222°. Considered an architectural gem of Bitola, the Officer's Hall was built in 1911 by Abdul Karim Pasha to host receptions and parties. It is located in the middle section of Širok Sokak, just north of the city park, and is owned by Bitola Municipality. It has been fully renovated. 2023-02-27
• National Museum of Bitola (Народен музеј - Битола), ul. Kliment Ohridski 66, 41.023611°, 21.335556°. Located in central Bitola in a former military school, opposite the Officer's Hall, which Turkish Republic founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk attended in 1896. Atatürk's family originates from the village of Kodžadžik in western North Macedonia. The museum today house a memorial room for Atatürk. In addition to its main building at the old military school, the museum also possess the Jewish Cemetery, the Memorial House of Stiv Naumov, the Memorial House of Goce Delčev, Heraclea Lyncestis, and the Memorial Museum in the village of Smilevo. 2017-10-08
• Consulates. Bitola didn't earn its "City of Consuls" nickname for nothing. It is home to 13 consulates, of which two are general and 11 are honorary. Most of the consulates are housed in neoclassical buildings around central Bitola. The Russian Consulate is one of the most prominent, on Magnolia Square. The French, Montenegrin, Romanian, Serbian, and Turkish consulates are on or just off Širok Sokak. Other countries with consulates in Bitola include Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, and Ukraine. Countries that used to have consulates in Bitola include Croatia, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom. 2017-10-08
• Along the Dragor River. Many nice buildings can be seen on a walk along the quay of Dragor River, including Josip Broz Tito High School, Bitola City Hall, the Bulgarian consulate, and the building of the Dean of St Clement of Ohrid University. 2017-10-11
• Krkardaš (Кркардаш), 41.039949°, 21.335348°. This spot, at an elevated location above the northern part of the city, is said to have been the place of a battle between 40 local Macedonian fighters and a greater number of Ottoman Turkish soldiers. All 40 perished in the fight and, today, there is a church dedicated to those men. The Church of St Archangel Michael is also nearby. The site is mostly of interest for the view above Bitola. 2017-10-09
• Bitola Zoo (Зоолошка градина Битола), 41.014575°, 21.342029°. Opened in 1950, Bitola is home to North Macedonia's second zoo. It houses about 200 animals from about 40 species. Efforts have been made to bring the facilities up to European standards. Covering 2 hectares (5 acres), it is a relatively small zoo. 2017-10-08
• Džepane (Џепане), 41.0118°, 21.3588°. Also described as Bitola's fortress, Džepane is the site of fortifications built in 1876 under Ottoman rule. The barracks were used in both world wars and suffered some damage but four buildings and their surrounding wall remain standing in good condition today, though the site is essentially open to trespass. 2017-10-09
• Heraclea Lyncestis (Хераклеа Линкестис), 41.0112°, 21.3432°, +389 47 235 329. Founded in the middle of the 4th century by Phillip II, father of Alexander the Great, Heraclea Lyncestis ("the city of Hercules on the land of the lynx"; Lyncestis being an ancient moniker for Upper Macedonia, mountains of which are still home to a number of lynx) is one of North Macedonia's most important archaeological sites. While it was founded by ancient Macedonians, most of the ruins that can be seen today date back to the Roman and early Christian periods. Only a relatively small portion of the city has been unearthed including a theatre, two water fountains, a courthouse, baths, a portico, the bishop's palace and two basilicas. One of the more significant features at the site are the mosaics of the big basilica, made in the 5th century. The floor mosaic in the narthex is the most complete presentation of the world as it was understood back then. In the centre of a rectangular field, there is a fountain out of which a grapevine comes (as a symbol of Christ's teachings) and peacocks and deer are gathered around (as symbol of eternal life), meaning if you accept the teaching of Christ, you’ll have eternal life. On the left and on the right there are 5 trees rich with fruits with birds flying around (representing the garden of Eden and the afterlife), and a huge red dog called Kerber (Cerberus) is guarding the entrance. Below the trees, animals like deer are presented attacked and eaten by wild animals (presenting the suffering of the Christian soul in Earthen life). The field is surrounded by water with medallions in which 28 water animals are presented. The mosaic has been made with little stones in 27 different colours (the only “richer” mosaic is found in Pompeii - a wall mosaic made of stones in 32 colours). There is a small museum (no extra fee) on the grounds with a few artifacts (more or less limited to a couple of ancient stone masks) and a nice scale model of the city at its peak. A leisurely stroll around the ruins will take 45–50 minutes. 100 den, photography permit is for 300 den extra 2017-10-06

Old Bazaar

Old Bazaar (Стара чаршија), 41.031916°, 21.336669°. Bitola's old bazaar is the city's historic commercial centre. It is situated north of the Dragor River, opposite the clock tower and Magnolia Square. In its narrow streets, it is home to examples of traditional Turkish architecture including important religious and cultural buildings. Bitola achieved its peak importance during Ottoman rule and had a large bazaar. While the size of the bazaar has declined over the years, it remains an active centre of commerce and life in Bitola. 2017-10-10

• Bezisten (Безистен), 41.03183°, 21.33483°. A bezisten is a covered bazaar where more precious goods were typically sold. Bitola's bezisten was built the 16th century but has seen changes over the course of its history. It has four large metal doors and its roof has numerous cupolas. It remains a building of commerce today. It is on the north bank of the Dragor River, opposite the clock tower.
• Ishak Çelebi Mosque (Исак џамија), 41.031944°, 21.333889°. Located just west of the bezisten, Ishak Çelebi Mosque was built in 1508, commissioned by local judge Isak Çelebi Ibni Asa. With its 50 m (164 ft) minaret, it is prominent in the city skyline. It is also Bitola's largest mosque. 2017-10-08
• Deboj Hamam (Дебој амам), 41.0336°, 21.3381°. Located in the northern end of the old bazaar, this hamam (Turkish bath) was built in the 15th or 16th century. It was a double hamam, meaning there were separate male and female sections, each beneath one of the two domes. No longer functioning as a public bathhouse, it has been a commercial building since 1990. Go in a shop and check out some of the details of the former hamam. 2017-10-10
• Gazi Haydar Kadi Mosque (Ајдар Кади Џамија), 41.033637°, 21.337067°. This mosque was built in the 1560s, designed by noted Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. After falling into disrepair years ago, it was renovated with the help of the Turkish government in 2016. Due to the decrease in size of the old bazaar, it is now at the northern edge of the district. It has a single dome with three additional domes above the portico. It also has a single minaret. Following restoration, the mosque is once again an active religious building and is now fully illuminated at night. 2017-10-07

Cemeteries

As a city with a great deal of history, Bitola is home to multiple cemeteries containing the final resting places of individuals from different religious communities or military groups.

• Church of Saint Nedela (Црква „Св. Недела“), 41.040556°, 21.348611°. This church was built in 1863 and features a large icon of Sts Cyril and Methodius on the interior. Its large cemetery is home to several notable burials including those of revolutionaries Pavel Šatev, Dimko Sarafov, and Aleksandar Turundžiev. 2017-10-09
• French Military Cemetery (Француски воени гробишта), 41.040408°, 21.359297°. Over 13,000 fallen French soldiers of the Macedonian Front of World War I are buried at this cemetery. It was established in 1923 and has a large monument at the entrance. 2017-10-10
• German Military Cemetery (Германски воени гробишта), 41.0358°, 21.3174°. 3,406 German soldiers who were killed fighting in the Macedonian Front during World War I are buried at the German Military Cemetery in Bitola. The cemetery opened in 1936 and contains numerous interesting monuments and memorials. It also occupies an elevated position above the city, making for nice views of Bitola. 2017-10-09
• Jewish Cemetery (Еврејски гробишта), 41.040278°, 21.345278°. The cemetery of Bitola's historic Jewish community was established in 1929. It is at the northeast entrance to the city and is easily recognizable with its large, white gate. The memorials and tombs at the cemetery are in varying condition. 2017-10-10
• Serb Military Cemetery (Српски воени гробишта), 41.013447°, 21.307983°. This cemetery contains the final resting places of 1,321 Serbian soldiers killed during the Balkan Wars and World War I. Crosses mark the graves of most soldiers, while others have more elaborate memorials. It is 2 km (1.2 mi) south of central Bitola, on the road towards the village of Bukovo. 2017-10-10

Further afield

In addition to the City of Bitola, the Municipality of Bitola contains 65 villages. Malovište and Nižepole are two historic primarily Vlach villages on the slopes of Baba Mountain notable for their traditional village architecture. Kažani is another historic village and a recreational gateway to Pelister National Park.

• Bukovo Monastery (Буковски манастир), village of Bukovo, 40.985°, 21.329167°. Established in 1837, this monastery is dedicated to the Holy Transfiguration. Bukovo is a village of a few thousand residents with a large diaspora in Rochester, NY. The main church of this monastery complex has artistic details on its exterior, including around the windows and on the roof. The church is capped by a dome. The monastery accepts guests for overnight stays. 2021-02-07
• Church of the Holy Transfiguration (Црква „Св. Преображение“), 41.121033°, 21.125859°. This large church sits in a deserted village that used to be inhabited by Vlachs. Known for their building skills, the Vlachs of Gopeš constructed an impressive church with seven arches on the main facade. 2017-10-05
• Velušina Monastery (Велушки манастир), 40.927877°, 21.340191°. Situated on a hillside overlooking the Pelagonia plain, this monastery was established in 1839. The monastery church, a small three-nave church, is dedicated to St George. The grounds also contain a stone bell tower. 2017-10-05
• Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Црква „Успение на Пресвета Богородица“), 40.931666°, 21.357999°. Built on the ruins of a pagan temple, this site is home to traces of multiple basilicas. The main church was built after 1259 but abandoned during the Ottoman era until 1792 when it was first renovated. The church has had its current appearance, inside and out, since about 1879. 2017-10-06 Villages to the northeast of Bitola Municipality fall into Mogila Municipality.
• Church of Saint George (Црква „Св. Ѓорѓи“), village of Vašarejca, 41.176944°, 21.401667°. Situated in the villages northeast of Bitola, within Mogila Municipality, is this church built from 1862 to 1883. Its high quality frescoes completely cover the interior. 2019-06-19 Southeast of Bitola Municipality is Novaci Municipality, a heavily depopulated area. The country's largest thermo-electric plant is located in Novaci. The bulk of its places of interest are found in its share of the Mariovo region. The mountain peak of Kajmakčalan is also located here, as well as the Skočivar Gorge, which begins in the eponymous village and runs northwest to Tikveš.
• Church of Saint Peter (Црква „Св. Петар“), village of Skočivar, 40.930556°, 21.786111°. The highest peak of the Nidže Mountains, Kajmakčalan reaches a height of 2,521 m (8,271 ft). The frontier between Macedonia and Greece runs across the summit. A battle was fought here as part of the Macedonian Front during World War I between Serbia and Bulgaria; it resulted in a tactical Serbian victory but at a great loss to both sides. A church was built atop the summit in commemoration of the dead Serbian soldiers. An ossuary contains their skulls and other remains. 2019-06-23
• Mariovo. Novaci Municipality covers a large portion of this historic region, now largely deserted.

Do

• Bitola Metro Zoo, Tumbe Kafe (Тумбе Кафе b.b.) street, +389 47 222 956.
• City Park, Gradsko Šetalište, 41.02075°, 21.33972°.
• Culture House, Pece Matichevski б.б. former Leninova, 41.02785°, 21.33482°.
• Olympic Swimming Pool, City Promenade, 41.0183°, 21.3392°.
• The Champions Park, Gradsko Šetalište, 41.02089°, 21.33825°.
• Sport Hall for Children, 41.02189°, 21.33692°.
• Stiv Naumov Park, Pecő (Пецо Божиновски), 41.028996°, 21.326811°.

Events

• The International Cinematographers Film Festival "Manaki Brothers" - the festival is a member of the ECFF/European Coordination of the film festivals and has precious collaboration with it. The main part of the festival's programme belongs to “Camera 300” - Official Competition of Long Feature Films from the most recent European and world production, whose Directors of Photography contend for the Golden, Silver and Bronze Camera 300, awarded by the festival's International Jury. Held on a third week of September every year since 1979.
• Interfest - an international festival of classical music, held 2–12 October every year since 1992. The 10-day festival gathers prominent musicians and renowned soloists from all European cultural centres.
• BitFest - a music festival with over 100 events takes place from the 2nd half of June to the end of August.

• Bitola Shakespeare Festival presents Shakespeare plays and adaptations played by theater troupes from different countries. Usually takes place on 19-25 July.

Buy

Wide Alley (Macedonian: Sirok Sokak) or Marshal Tito is the street where you will find any kind of clothes, books, wines, antique items and jewelry, and decorations for home.

• Vero, Ignjat Atanasovski(Игњат Атанасовски b.b.) (SW), 41.02663°, 21.31261°, +389 47 258 288.
• New Bazaar, General Vasko Karangjelevski (Генерал Васко Каранѓелевски b.b.) (SW), 41.02730°, 21.31418°. Elektromak (+389 47 521976)
• Green Market, Road Sterjovski Gjorgji - Dzhodzha (Стерјовски Ѓорѓи - Џоџа), 41.031549°, 21.319462°.

Eat

Bitola also has a good selection of bars, pubs and restaurants with fair prices.

• Grne. Is recommended, near the clock tower, local specialties, grill.
• Kus Kus, Sts. Cyril and Methodius, 41.0294°, 21.3345°. Salads, French cuisine, local specialties.
• Pita Giro. Best gyro in Bitola.
• Pizza Bure. Has the most tasty pizzas in Bitola.
• Ravenna. Excellent Italian fare, on Shirok Sokak St, below the Catholic Cathedral.
• Art Caffe. Elegant food, e.g. popular Macedonian baked pasta (called "Mekici") . Also sweets, for instance, cheesecake, or Nutella cake. pasta 0.25 cents, sweets €1-2
• Manaki Lounge Bar (formerly "Solun"). One of the oldest restaurants in town. Offers delicious food, decorated in a modern style. €2-10
• Belvedere. Quiet atmosphere. €1-10 for the drinks, and €4-25 for the food
• Fish Restaurant Mountain House, s.Bistrica, 40.979418°, 21.351826°, +389 77 840 544. 2020-01-23
• Restaurant Oskar, s.Nizhe Pole, 41.039114°, 21.263950°, +389 78 230 633, diksabt@gmail.com. 2020-01-28

Drink

Try local beers - Skopsko and Zlaten dab (Golden Oak), local brendy called "rakija" (Antika, Antika 5, Bovin). Macedonia is famous for its wines, and you should never leave the country without trying or buying. There are a lot of varietal wines such as Merlot, Pinot Noar, Riesling, but you should try the local ones red wine Vranec and white ones Traminec and Temjanika.

Produced in North Macedonia, the Vranec wine T'ga za Jug is semi-dry and ruby-red in color. It has been described as being similar in taste to the Italian or Californian Barbera. You can have it in Special selection or Limited edition.

Pubs

• Porta Jazz. Coffee and a night pub. Like the name says it offers a nice jazz atmosphere. The pub is designed in retro and modern textures.
• Kamarite. This is a coffee and night pub. Kamarite and Porta Jazz are official coffee places for Brothers Manaki film festival and Bitola Fashion Week.

Night clubs

Bitola has good night life and offers good parties, except for minors; people under 18 are not permitted to enter the clubs.

• Intermezzo. It offers great parties for the weekends and nicely atmosphere for the daytime. The music selection is always different: pop, ex-yu (music from Yugoslav pop and rock groups), DJ selections, romantic music.
• Positive Night Club. This is one of the most visited clubs exclusively on summer time. Music hits, R'n'B and Hip Hop music are part of the music sections.
• Rascekor. It is also one of the most visited clubs. Music: Macedonian pop, Serbian pop, turbofolk, music hits.

Sleep

• Hostel Domestika, Ivo Lola – Ribar (A few hundred meters from the train/bus station), 41.0218°, 21.3412°, +389 47 230715. 400 den or €7 p/p night, for a room with lots of space. Only open during the Holiday season -mid June till mid September.
• BOEM Guest House, Hostel, Nikola Tesla bb (next to Hostel Domestika), 41.0217°, 21.3417°, +389 75 427 268.
• Hotel de Niro, Sts. Cyril and Methodi (Св. Кирил и Методиј) 5, 41.0290°, 21.3345°. - is in the heart of Bitola. It has 6 double, 7 triple and 2 luxury equipped suites. The hotel is 10 km from Pelister National Park. Every room is built in the old spirit and has all conveniences.
• Shanti Hostel Bitola, Str. Slavko Lumbarko 15, +389 47 552034, hostelshantibitola@gmail.com. In historical, quiet and central area. 15 minutes to the bus and train station. The old part of the city is 2 minutes walk from the hostel. Young, friendly and English speaking staff, free city maps. Breakfast included in the price. Free bus and train station pick ups.
• Chola Guest House, Stiv Naumov 80, +389 47 224 919, +389 75 522 555. Large peach colored building across the street from DVD Club "Dju". Very nice rooms with TV and free wifi. € 13 per night 2022-07-02
• Hotel Epinal, Shirok Sokak б.б., 41.0273°, 21.3358°, +389 47 224777. This four-star hotel is the largest in Bitola. It is near Shirok Sokak Street, and is the tallest building in Bitola.
• Hotel Tokin House, Marx i Engels 7 (OOpp. Hotel Epinal), 41.02760°, 21.33680°, +389 70 250 272. Very central - 20 m from Shirok Sokak Street. single/double/triple/quad €23/38/48/58 including breakfast. 2027-10-08
• Via Apartments, Elpida Karamandi 4, 41.0264°, 21.3374°, +389 75 246261.
• Hotel Viktorija, near Magnolia Square (opposite the Cultural Center Magaza.), 41.0301°, 21.3351°, +389 47 609442. 27th March 10. Exclusive location in the centre of the city
• Villa Diamond, 11-ti Oktomvri 4 (4, 11th of OCtober), 41.0295°, 21.3341°, +389 47 251 632. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. next to Sv Dimitri. Nice double room with ensuite and breakfast €35 [June 2010]. € 35 per night incl breakfast (2010)
• Hotel Kapri, 41.03840°, 21.29695°, +389 47 256 500. 506 б.б.
• Hotel Teatar, Stiv Naumov 35, Bitola 7000, North Macedonia, 41.025611°, 21.331361°, +389 47 610 188, info@hotelteatar.com. Well-maintained small hotel, with an attached dining area, as well as nearby apartments in the event of unavailability. 2019-10-14
• The Green Apartments, s. Magarevo, 41.042329°, 21.234358°, +389 75 458 639, thegreenapartments@gmail.com. 2020-01-20
• Kompleks Rajska Gradina, village of Nizhe Pole, +389 78 353 880, teotodd@hotmail.com. 2020-01-20

Learn

• St. Clement of Ohrid University is one of four state universities in Macedonia. It is mainly in Bitola, but has other institutes in Ohrid and Prilep. It was founded on 25 April 1979, but the name St. Clement of Ohrid was not given until late 1994. It has more than 15,000 students.

Cope

Consulates

• 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, Str. 1 Maj Nr. 53, +389 47 202963.
• 🇫🇷 France, Str. Marshal Tito Nr. 42, +389 47 223 192.
• 🇬🇷 Greece, Tomaki Dimitrovski 39, +389 47 237350, grofficebitola@mfa.gr.
• 🇷🇴 Romania, Str. 29 Noemvri Nr. 4/2, +389 47 233 937.
• 🇸🇮 Slovenia, Str. 29 Noemvri Nr. 4/II, +389 70 207959.
• 🇹🇷 Turkey, Str. Anesti Panovski Nr. 10/1-8, +389 47 254944.
• 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, Str. Marsal Tito Nr. 42, +389 47 228765.

Post

• Macedonia Post - Bitola, 41.0298°, 21.3368°. Безистен б.б. ,+389 47 212 526

Go next

• Pelister National Park
• Brajčino
• Prilep - about 45 km NE. Several buses a day (130 den, or €2). A taxi is about €10.