COUNTRY: north macedonia
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE: heraclea lyncestis


Bitola is one of the oldest towns in North Macedonia and is nestled in a picturesque environment of nearby mountains and the Pelister Natural Park. Besides the unique architecture, amazing city attractions and the famous food specialties, one of its highlights is the archaeological site of Heraclea Lyncestis, which is named after the Greek god Heracles.

toilet
Yes
dostupnost
Yes
Info center
No
Guiding
Yes
parking
Yes
Restaurant
No
Ticket buying
No
Best time to visit
Jun July

About Destination

The town of Bitola, one of the oldest towns in North Macedonia, is located in the south-western part of the country, in the foothills of Pelister Mountain, with an urban atmosphere perfectly combined with its picturesque surroundings.

Take a walk through Shirok Sokak (Wide Alley), an ambient street located in the town’s center, combining various European architectural styles with inexhaustible local tradition. At the top of Shirok Sokak there is the Clock Tower, a 33 meter high masterpiece and recognizable landmark of the city. Near the beautiful City Park one will find the town’s museum, situated in the building called the “Old Army Barrack”, a registered monument of culture of the first category. Just a 15 minute walk from the park is the archaeological site of Heraclea Lyncestis, named after the Greek god Heracles.

Pelister National Park is located on the slopes of Baba Mountain, in south-western North Macedonia, only 14 km from the town of Bitola.  Some of the highlights of Pelister are the crystal clear spring waters with indigenous trout, the waterfalls, and the mountain lakes, of which several are seasonal and two are glacial lakes. These offer a perfect place for nature enthusiast looking for rare and endemic plant and animal species.

Where to sleep and eat

Hotel Millenium Palace ****

If you want to be located in the center of Bitola and near the attractions in the famous Širok Sokak street, then the Hotel Millenium Palace is a good choice. This hotel has a comfortable and elegantly decorated apartment and well appointed rooms, some with jacuzzis. For business guests, there is a well-equipped conference room with a capacity of 70 seats. In the relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant, you can choose from a wide variety of dishes of local and international cuisine. The space is ideal for organizing celebrations, promotions, cocktails, business and private meetings. The hotel also has a pizzeria that is decorated with a range of details made of stone and wood for lovers of this type of food.

Hotel Epinal ****

The Hotel Epinal has a great location close to many attractions in Bitola. This hotel is intended for business guests and tourists alike, especially families. The hotel has well-appointed and comfortable deluxe rooms. For a special atmosphere, guests can stay in one of the presidential suites that have spacious rooms, a dedicated dining area and a welcoming fireplace. In addition to these suites, which are suitable for business trips and meetings, the hotel offers two seminar rooms. For relaxation and recreation, the hotel offers a fitness room, jacuzzi and a beautifully landscaped pool.

Gradska Kefeana Restaurant

If you want to relax and enjoy a variety of delicious food, we suggest the Gradska Kefeana Restaurant, which is part of the Hotel Epinal. This is one of the favourite dining locations in Bitola for residents and tourists alike. The restaurant serves delicious salads, starters, as well as a wide choice of meats and national cuisine. The creative chefs make specialties from fish like the local trout or fish soup, or seafood, such as the excellent grilled squid all accompanied by local bread and garlic. Be sure to sample some of the delicious desserts that the restaurant offers.

HOW TO REACH BITOLA

Skopje international airport (http://skp.airports.com.mk/default.aspx?ItemID=345); Ohrid St. Paul the Apostle airport (http://ohd.airports.com.mk/default.aspx?ItemID=345#)

Road distance from Bitola to other European destinations:
Skopje: 168 km
Ohrid: 69 km
Ankara (Turkey): 1,347 km
Athens (Greece): 574 km
Belgrade (Serbia): 572 km
Istanbul (Turkey): 900 km
Pristine (Kosovo): 254 km
Sofia (Bulgaria): 352 km
Thessaloniki (Greece): 217 km
Tirana (Albania): 214 km

TOURIST INFO