Kumanovo City Guide
Image by MacedonianBoy via wikidata

North Macedonia

Kumanovo City Guide

Kumanovo Municipality

Kumanovo is North Macedonia's second-largest city, known for its multi-ethnic population and local, relaxed vibe. It offers an authentic Macedonian experience with a low cost of living. English is spoken by a small part of the population. The city is a good base for exploring nearby historical sites and nature.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Good
7

Local dishes like tavče gravče and ajvar are common, along with grilled meats. Some international and vegetarian/vegan options exist. Late-night food is limited mostly to fast food.

Local Dishes:
Tavče gravče, Ajvar, Grilled meats (skara)
International Cuisine:
Basic international cuisine, Vegetarian and vegan options
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Good
6

Nightlife is modest with bars, cafes, and a few clubs active on weekends. It’s mostly local and low-key.

Coffee Culture
Good
7

Strong local cafe culture focused on traditional coffee and socializing rather than specialty coffee.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping is appreciated but not required. 5-10% is common in restaurants; rounding up is usual for taxis.

Top Attractions
Kumanovo City Square
Sightseeing
Central city gathering spot.
Old Bazaar
Cultural
Traditional market area with shops.
Church of St. Nicholas
Cultural
Historic church and local landmark.
Kokino Megalithic Observatory
Historical
Ancient astronomical site about 1 hour away.
Zebrnjak Memorial
Historical
World War I monument nearby.
Skopje
City
The capital city, roughly 30 minutes away.
SIM Cards

SIM cards can be bought at Makedonski Telekom and A1 stores. Passport needed for registration. eSIM options are limited.

Available at:
Makedonski Telekom
A1
Recommended Apps
Google Maps(Navigation)
Viber(Communication)
Wolt(Food Delivery)
Glovo(Food Delivery)
Booking.com / Airbnb(Travel)
Macedonian Railways(Transport)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Good
6

Moderate street cleanliness. Waste collection works but some litter exists.

24/7 Services
Limited
4

24/7 options are limited. Some minimarts open late, but 24-hour pharmacies or clinics are rare. After-hours food is usually fast food only.

Groceries
Vero
Ramstore
Tinex

Large supermarkets offer international products and fresh produce markets are easy to find. Supermarkets open from early morning until late evening, with shorter hours on Sundays.

Cashless Payments
Cash preferred

Cards are accepted in major stores and many restaurants, but smaller shops and markets often take only cash.

ATMs

ATMs from Komercijalna Banka, NLB Banka, and Stopanska Banka are common in the city center and shopping areas. International withdrawal fees vary by bank.

Schools
Local only

Public schools teach mainly in Macedonian. No significant international schools in Kumanovo; most are in Skopje.

Available Schools:
Local public schools

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Not Available
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
Cafe Bar "Trend"
Wi-Fi and quiet during off-peak hours.
Cafe "Intermezzo"
Popular spot with internet and plugs.
Cafe "City"
Good for working in quieter times.
Cafe "Central"
Comfortable setting and Wi-Fi.
Cafe "Piazza"
Suitable for remote work during mornings.
Alternatives:
Public libraries
Possible quiet spaces; Wi-Fi can be unreliable.
Hotel lobbies
Some have public Wi-Fi and quiet areas.
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
1

Very small digital nomad community; most are in Skopje.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Good
7

City parks like City Park provide space for walks and breaks.

Running
Good
7

Safe running routes in parks and along the river. Air quality can worsen in winter due to heating.

Gyms
Available

Several gyms are available for workouts and fitness training.

Available Gyms:
Fitness Centar "Body Fit"
Gym "Power House"
Fitness Club "Titan"
Tennis
Limited
5

Tennis courts exist at local sports clubs. Booking is usually done directly.

Padel
Poor
0

Information on padel courts is limited or unavailable.

Yoga
Limited
5

A few yoga studios offer various classes, mostly drop-in style.

Martial Arts
Limited
5

Several dojos teach karate, taekwondo, and boxing. Limited info on BJJ or Muay Thai.

Skiing
Limited
5

Nearest ski resorts are Popova Šapka and Mavrovo, 1.5–2 hours drive away. Season runs December to March, with rental gear available.

Water Sports
Poor
2

Limited water sports. Some kayaking possible on nearby rivers but no major options.

Surfing
Poor
0

No surfing; North Macedonia is landlocked.

Diving
Poor
0

No diving here; opportunities exist only at Lake Ohrid far away.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Good
6

Kumanovo has a general hospital with basic public healthcare. Private clinics offer better quality. English-speaking staff are rare. Pharmacies are widely available.

Hospitals:
Kumanovo General Hospital
Pharmacies:
Multiple local pharmacies
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water is generally safe to drink, though some prefer bottled water.

Common Scams
Taxi drivers may overcharge if price isn’t agreed beforehand, Overpricing at informal markets

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
7

There are playgrounds and some kid-friendly cafes. Baby products are easy to find in stores.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Limited
5

Conservative attitudes prevail. While legal protections exist, public acceptance varies and displays of affection may be less accepted.

Pet Friendly
Good
6

Pet policies vary, veterinary services are available. Limited pet parks.

Communities
Kumanovo Facebook groups (Online)
Expats in Macedonia Facebook group (Online)

Quick Facts

Population
70,842
Power Reliability
Excellent
8/10

Power is mostly reliable. Short outages happen occasionally, mainly in rural areas or during bad weather.

Mountains
Available

Close to Skopska Crna Gora and Osogovo Mountains, good for hiking within an hour's drive.

Languages
Macedonian(90%)
Albanian(25%)
Serbian(20%)
English(15%)
Emergency
112
General Emergency
192
Police
193
Fire Department
194
Ambulance

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
0
🏔️
Earthquake
Moderate Risk
6

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Air pollution during winter
December, January, February
Heating causes smoke and poor air quality in cold months.
Hot summers
June, July, August
Summers can be warm, so plan accordingly.

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