Prilep

Prilep (Прилеп) is a town on the Pelagonian plain in the south of North Macedonia, set beneath hills of huge rounded granite boulders. It is the centre of the country's tobacco growing, and its old bazaar, monasteries and dramatic rock landscapes make it a rewarding stop between Skopje and Bitola.

Above the town, the ruins of Marko's Towers stand among the boulders, the fortress of King Marko, a fourteenth century ruler who became a hero of Balkan folk songs. The surrounding rock formations invite walks and climbing. In town, the Old Bazaar with its clock tower, the Church of Saint Nicholas in the Varoš quarter and the Museum of Tobacco recall local history. Show more

High in the mountains above Prilep, the monastery of Treskavec stands on a rocky plateau, with Byzantine frescoes and wide views, reached by a steep track or a hiking trail. Tobacco leaves dry on strings outside the houses in late summer, a characteristic sight of the region. The town holds a lively carnival, the Prochka, and a beer festival in summer, and pastrmajlija and grilled meat are popular local dishes.

Prilep lies on the road and railway between Skopje and Bitola, about two hours from Skopje. One day suits the town and Marko's Towers, and a second day allows a hike to Treskavec. Spring and autumn are ideal, while summers are hot on the plain.