Packed to the rafters with bars, cafes and restaurants, no trip to Bitola is complete without a walk down Širok Sokak.
This thriving thoroughfare is the city’s main street and is regarded as the thriving centre of the area’s cultural and social scene. Whether looking for a morning espresso or an evening cocktail, Bitola residents make the daily pilgrimage to Širok Sokak in their tens of thousands to refuel, re-energise and reconnect with friends and family.
The immense street stretches for nearly one kilometre from north to south through the city. During our visit to Bitola, we couldn’t help but spend most of our time exploring everything Širok Sokak had to offer.
From our favourite cafes and restaurants to the best things to do, here is our guide to Širok Sokak.
Why you must visit Širok Sokak during your Bitola trip
1) It is possibly the most famous street in North Macedonia
During our travels around North Macedonia, we were lucky to chat with plenty of people along the way. Whenever we mentioned Bitola, we were asked if we enjoyed Širok Sokak. Our answer? “Of course!”
It was certainly our favourite street of the trip – a place where we felt relaxed, energised and at the heart of the city’s social scene.
2) It is pedestrianised
Busy roads and constant traffic jams can often be a feature of city centres in the Balkans. By contrast, Širok Sokak is entirely pedestrianised – except for a couple of main roads that dissect the street.
It is lovely to be in the midst of the city and not have to worry about the traffic. With the exception of the occasional bicycle haphazardly swerving among the crowds, Širok Sokak belongs to pedestrians.
3) The cafes are brilliant
Širok Sokak is famous for its cafes. At any one time, thousands of locals can sit shoulder-to-shoulder on small tables, spilling out across the pavements.
Some choose to sit with an espresso and a cigarette. Others nurse an iced coffee and a slice of cake. Regardless of your chosen drink, the cafe culture in Bitola will keep you coming back to Širok Sokak day after day.
4) Some of Bitola’s best sights are on or just off Širok Sokak.
Bitola is a wonderfully compact city, easily navigated on foot. Its star attraction – the ruined, ancient city of Heraclea – is tucked away on the outskirts. However, the remaining sights can be found within a few minutes walk from Širok Sokak.
Keep reading to get the low-down on our favourite things to see and do around Širok Sokak.
4 of the best cafes on Širok Sokak
From classic cocktails to excellent coffee, here are four of our favourite spots on Širok Sokak to enjoy the city’s cafe culture.
1) GT Caffe
Best for: A relaxed, family-friendly spot.
When we visited, we felt the GT Caffe had a more family-oriented atmosphere than other spots further down the street. Parents and grandparents sat with young children, keeping them occupied with smartphones or plastic toys.
The coffee was good, and they seemed to be doing a roaring trade in ice cream – even on chilly evenings.
2) Café Pajton
Best for: People watching.
Arguably the busiest cafe on Širok Sokak, Café Pajton is an ideal place to people-watch with an espresso. At street level, tables and comfy chairs are packed close together. Next to the windows, a slightly elevated section is home to tall tables and stools.
Most people come here to nurse a drink, smoke a cigarette and have a chat with a friend. For a quintessentially ‘Bitola’ experience, it doesn’t get much better than this.
3) Slatkarnika GT
Best for: Coffee and cake.
Probably the best place on Širok Sokak for cakes and pastries, Slatkarnika has carved out a loyal following among the people of Bitola.
From almond cake to cheesecake, you will likely find people nursing a sweet treat alongside an espresso or tea. During the summer months, the ice cream stand does a roaring trade.
4) Cafe Aero
Best for: A stylish hangout with great coffee and cocktails.
We came to Cafe Aero with our big bags before catching the bus to Krusevo. The service was very friendly, the coffee and tea were excellent and their fresh orange juice was ideal for a morning treat.
In the evening, Cafe Aero is a very popular spot for cocktails, with every table occupied.
Where to eat on Širok Sokak
Whilst most cafes and bars on Širok Sokak offer a food menu, keep in mind that people primarily come here to drink coffee or cocktails. Even if you grab yourself a table in a place packed with locals, there may only be one or two groups eating a main meal.
Indeed, we found that there were only a handful of places where the majority of tables had ordered food. Thankfully, the meals in those spots served good quality dishes in pleasant surroundings. Here are three of our favourites.
1) Pizza Sweden
Best for: Quick, cheap food you can eat on the go.
With just a couple of small tables outside, Pizza Sweden is primarily a takeaway. It does a roaring trade in the evenings, with countless people wandering up and down Širok Sokak clutching small pizza boxes.
If you’re looking to blend in with the locals on a warm summer’s evening, Pizza Sweden is an ideal spot to grab a quick snack whilst strolling around Bitola.
2) Kus Kus
Best for: A busy eatery serving international food.
A 30-second detour from Širok Sokak, Kus Kus is probably the best ‘all-rounder’ restaurant around Bitola’s main street. Tucked away down a side street, Kus Kus boasts a small outdoor terrace as well as plenty of room indoors.
The menu ranges from pizza and burgers to salads and risotto – there is something for everyone. Whilst it’s not mind-blowing, you will at least be surrounded by other people who are also eating.
3) Ravenna
Best for: Traditional cuisine.
Halfway down Širok Sokak, Ravenna is an ideal place to try some traditional Balkan dishes. While much of the menu is packed with pizza and pasta, there is also a good selection of Macedonian specialities. We had kebapi and two pork dishes, which were both excellent. Service was a little slow but generally friendly and helpful.
Note: The tables at Ravenna spill out onto the main street, which means you can occasionally expect a visit from a stray dog or two. There is plenty of room inside if you prefer.
Where to stay on Širok Sokak
It is worth keeping in mind that Širok Sokak is almost constantly busy. Indeed, it is at its most lively in the evenings. Therefore, it’s worth deciding whether you’re happy to have some city noise while trying to sleep.
There are plenty of options in Bitola that are a short walk away from Širok Sokak. However, if you want to stay on the main street, here are three of the best options.
1) Hotel Épinal
Best for: A reassuringly large hotel with food and drink options.
On the corner of one of the busy vehicular roads that crosses Širok Sokak, Hotel Épinal is at the heart of the action in Bitola. On the ground floor, the restaurant and terrace spill out onto the street, so you can enjoy your coffee without ever needing to leave. However, prices are a little higher than other cafés. Meanwhile, for those looking to keep up appearances, the hotel boasts an on-site gym and spa.
Note: As of late 2023, the rooms at the Hotel Épinal are undergoing renovations. The restaurant remains open.
2) Stone Bridge Apartments
Best for: A budget-friendly stay with great hosts.
For those wanting self-catering, Stone Bridge Apartments offers a selection of rooms halfway down Širok Sokak. Hosted by Stefan and Aleksandar, a stay here is a great way to connect with some Bitola locals who are happy to help you get to grips with the city.
The accommodation is simple and straightforward, with everything you need for a short stay. Rooms from £36 a night.
Note: The rooms are more like studios than full-sized apartments. This is normal for accommodation like this in North Macedonia.
3) Robevski Luxury Rooms
Best for: A touch of grandeur in the middle of Bitola.
Located towards the top end of Širok Sokak, Robevski Luxury Rooms is a family-run hotel offering opulent accommodation in central Bitola.
The hotel is housed in a historic building which has been painstakingly restored. Some of the fancier suites and rooms are themed around figures from Bitola’s past, including Atatürk.
Note: Due to the historic nature of the building, there are no elevators in the hotel. Be prepared to tackle a few flights of stairs. Rooms from £66 a night.
7 of our favourite things to do on Širok Sokak
When you’ve had your fill of strolling up and down, there are plenty of attractions to visit on and around Širok Sokak. From statues to museums, here are seven of our favourite things to do whilst exploring Bitola’s main street.
1) Visit the Manaki Cinema on Širok Sokak
Yanaki and Milton Manaki are two of Bitola’s most celebrated sons. During the early twentieth century, the Manaki brothers pioneered the adoption of motion pictures across the Balkans, with much of their work centred around the city.
In the 1920s, the Manaki brothers founded an outdoor cinema in Bitola. Before long, an indoor cinema was built, which ran for several years until it was gutted by a fire in 1939.
Today, the Manaki Cinema has been restored and stands as a symbol of Bitola’s cinematic legacy. When we visited, the cinema was still very much active. On one particular evening, a throng of smartly dressed locals queued up for entry to a screening.
The cinema also hosts the annual Manaki Brothers Film Festival, which celebrates cinematography across the Balkans and beyond.
2) Admire Bitola’s Clock Tower
The magnificent Clock Tower is a symbol of Bitola. At 33 meters tall, the square-based tower looms over a small patch of neatly mown grass and shaped hedges and is a popular spot for photographs and selfies.
Interestingly, there is no consensus as to the tower’s age. An information plaque outside explains that the general assumption is the tower was constructed around 1830.
Visitors often combine a trip to the Clock Tower with a visit to the Yeni Mosque and the statue of Philip II of Macedon. This informal cultural triangle stands at the northern tip of Širok Sokak and is popular at all times of day and night.
Our favourite time to visit is early morning, when golden sunlight illuminates the intricate clock face at the top of the tower.
A bonus extra: If you are so inclined, don’t forget to check out the “I love Bitola” sign right next to the tower.
3) Gaze at the Philip II of Macedon statue
Atop a galloping horse, a weather-worn figure stretches an arm towards the sky. Surrounding the 8.5-metre statue, a rusting fountain forms the shape of a shield, demonstrating the figure’s warrior credentials.
The man atop the horse is King Philip of Macedon, who founded the nearby city of Heraclea. The monument celebrates Philip’s role in the development of ancient Macedonia and his legacy in modern-day Bitola.
It’s an unmissable landmark in Bitola, if only because you cannot avoid it when walking around. The statue marks the northern edge of Širok Sokak and is worth a brief stop on any trip to the city.
4) Admire the architecture of the Ottoman-era Yeni Mosque
Next to King Philip’s monument is the Yeni Mosque, which translates to New Mosque.
Dating back to the mid-sixteenth century, the mosque has a history which belies its ‘new’ title. Historians believe the mosque was built atop the remains of an ancient church, and constructed in a manner that reflected the preferred style of the Ottomans during the 1500s.
Note: As of 2023, the mosque is currently under renovation and can only be viewed from the outside.
5) Grab a coffee from one of the many cafes on Širok Sokak
The best thing to do on Širok Sokak is to grab a coffee and watch the world go by. The cafes are particularly busy in the evenings, when thousands descend on the street to socialise and unwind.
Catch-ups with friends, dates, family meet-ups – everything happens over a coffee on Širok Sokak. Pick a table, place your order and join the crowds.
Read next: 20 brilliant things to do in Skopje.
6) Admire the House of the Army
The House of Officers – or House of the Army – is one of the best-preserved reminders of Bitola’s history as an Ottoman outpost. For nearly a century, the city was home to one of the Ottoman Empire’s most prominent military schools.
Constructed in 1909, the building was designed to be a blend of fortress and palace – simultaneously evoking both military power and upper-class grandeur.
During its heyday, the House of the Army was home to military officers. For decades, it hosted visiting dignitaries, evening receptions and parties.
Eventually, in the 1990s, the building was decommissioned. Today, the House of the Army has been repurposed and is now used as a cultural centre for Bitola, hosting dozens of intimate concerts and events each year.
Where to find it: The House of the Army stands towards the southern end of Širok Sokak.
7) Explore Bitola’s city museum
For a deeper dive into the history of Bitola, head to the city’s museum, which is housed in one of the old buildings of the Ottoman military school.
When we visited, it was one hour before closing. We had the entire museum to ourselves. It’s surprisingly large, with cavernous rooms packed full of archaeological finds and artefacts from Bitola and the surrounding region.
Unbeknown to us when we entered, the museum is also home to a permanent exhibition about the life of Atatürk, the father of the modern Turkish nation. Atatürk studied at the military school in Bitola, and the museum is a popular stop for Turkish tourists, many of whom leave heartfelt messages in the leatherbound visitor book.
How to visit: The museum is open from 8am to 8pm between April and October. Outside of those months, the museum shuts at 6pm. There is a small entry fee, payable in cash.
Read next: The best things to do in Prilep, just a short journey from Bitola.
Some final hints and tips from our experiences of Širok Sokak
The information listed above should be enough to ensure a great time when you explore the length of Bitola’s main street.
Below are some final hints and tips based on our experience on Širok Sokak.
Most ATMs are on the upper half of the street – and most locals use one specific ATM
Most restaurants and cafés on Širok Sokak only take cash. There are several ATMs on the top half of Širok Sokak, but none towards the bottom end of the street.
We noticed that the Stopanska Bank ATM was popular among the locals, with small queues forming. We’re unsure why this is, but we followed suit and had no issues. You can find the Stopanksa Bank ATM here.
Read next: Returning to Skopje, North Macedonia’s capital.
There are plenty of stray dogs – but don’t worry too much
Like the rest of North Macedonia, Bitola city centre is home to many stray dogs. Unsurprisingly, you can find many of them on Širok Sokak.
The dogs are generally pretty chilled out, although they will often approach people dining on the street and wait next to the table in search of food.
It’s worth noting that the dogs are at their most energetic at the start and end of the day. I went for a sunrise walk and found a large pack of dogs running down Širok Sokak. They paid no attention to me, but it could be a little disconcerting if you are alone or have a slight phobia.
Our final tip – spend some time walking around without a plan
Whilst there are plenty of things to see and do on Širok Sokak, we think the best way to experience Bitola’s main street is by just…walking.
For an hour or two, try not to make any plans. Head to Širok Sokak and just walk around, soaking in the atmosphere, maybe stopping for a coffee or some cake. See what you feel like in the moment, and we’re sure you will have a brilliant time.