Stip City Guide
Image by Germanikos via wikidata

North Macedonia

Stip City Guide

Stip Municipality

Štip is a small city in eastern North Macedonia known for its ancient Isar fortress and a quiet, local vibe. It offers affordable living and a chance to experience authentic Macedonian life away from big tourist spots. Modern services and international options are limited compared to larger cities.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Good
6

Local dishes include Pastrmajlija, Ajvar, and grilled meats. International options are mostly Balkan and some Italian. Vegetarian and vegan choices are limited.

Local Dishes:
Pastrmajlija, Ajvar, Grilled meats
International Cuisine:
Balkan, Italian
🌙
Nightlife
Limited
4

Nightlife is quiet with few bars and cafes for relaxed socializing rather than clubs.

Coffee Culture
Good
7

Strong café culture with traditional coffee and espresso drinks favored over specialty coffee.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping is appreciated but not required. 5-10% in restaurants is common. Rounding up fares is typical for taxis.

Top Attractions
Isar Fortress
Historic
Historic fortress on a hill overlooking the river.
Bezisten
Cultural
Old covered market with local shops.
St. Nicholas Church
Religious
Historic church in the city center.
Goce Delčev University
Educational
Local university campus with some cultural events.
Kočani
Nearby Attraction
Nearby town known for rice fields and hot springs.
Vinica Fortress
Historic
Historic fortress near Vinica, about an hour away.
SIM Cards

Buy SIM cards at official shops of Makedonski Telekom or A1. eSIMs are available. ID or passport is needed for registration.

Available at:
Makedonski Telekom
A1
Recommended Apps
Viber(Communication)
Google Maps(Navigation)
Local Taxi Apps(Transportation)
Banking Apps(Finance)
AccuWeather(Weather)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Good
6

Street cleanliness is moderate; waste collection is regular in central areas.

24/7 Services
Poor
3

Limited late-night options. Some minimarts open late, but few 24/7 services.

Groceries
Tinex
Kam Market

Supermarkets like Tinex and Kam Market offer international products but with limited variety. Fresh produce is sold at markets where bargaining is common. Most shops open 8 AM to 9 PM on weekdays, shorter on weekends.

Cashless Payments
Cash preferred

Card payments work in big supermarkets and some restaurants, but many shops and markets prefer cash.

ATMs

ATMs from banks like Komercijalna Banka and NLB Banka are found in the city center. Foreign card fees can vary, so check with your bank.

Schools
Local only

Goce Delčev University is here, but local schools mainly teach in Macedonian with limited English instruction.

Available Schools:
Goce Delčev University

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Not Available
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
Cafe Bar Central
Wi-Fi available; good for light work.
Cafe Kafana
Common local café with Wi-Fi.
Alternatives:
Goce Delčev University Library
Quiet, but access may be limited.
Hotel lobbies
Check for Wi-Fi and comfort.
Public parks
Good for fresh air and quiet, but not reliable for work.
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
1

Digital nomad presence is very small; no dedicated coworking or nomad meetups.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Good
7

Several parks and areas along the river suitable for walking and light recreation.

Running
Good
6

Running paths along the river and parks are popular and generally safe during the day.

Gyms
Available

Several local gyms are available, but detailed info may require asking locals.

Available Gyms:
Fitness Club "Body Line"
Fitnes Centar "Strong"
Tennis
Limited
5

Tennis courts available, often at sports clubs or university facilities.

Padel
Poor
0

Padel is not commonly found here.

Yoga
Poor
3

Few confirmed yoga or wellness studios; some gyms might offer group classes.

Martial Arts
Poor
3

Limited info on martial arts facilities; local sports clubs may offer some options.

Skiing
Poor
0

Nearest ski resorts are more than an hour away.

Water Sports
Poor
2

Limited to fishing and some river activities on the Bregalnica; no major water sports.

Surfing
Poor
0

No surfing here; the city is landlocked.

Diving
Poor
0

Not available; Štip is inland.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Good
6

Clinical Hospital Štip is the main facility. English speakers are few, so translation help might be necessary. Pharmacies are common and stocks typical medicines.

Hospitals:
Clinical Hospital Štip
Pharmacies:
Various local pharmacies
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water is generally safe to drink, but some prefer bottled water due to taste or aging pipes.

Common Scams
Watch for pickpockets in crowded places, Check taxi fares before rides

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Limited
5

Playgrounds exist mainly in public parks. Kid-friendly cafés and dedicated baby stores are limited.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Poor
3

Society is conservative with low public acceptance and few safe spaces outside Skopje.

Pet Friendly
Limited
5

Accommodation pet policies vary. Veterinary services exist, but pet parks are rare.

Communities
Expats in North Macedonia (Social)
Local Stip community Facebook pages (Local)
Goce Delčev University student groups (Educational)

Quick Facts

Population
42,000
Power Reliability
Excellent
8/10

Power is mostly reliable but short outages happen, especially during bad weather.

Mountains
Available

Surrounded by hills and smaller mountains, including the Pljačkovica range.

Languages
Macedonian(95%)
English(15%)
Emergency
112
General Emergency
192
Police
193
Fire Department
194
Ambulance

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
0
🏔️
Earthquake
High Risk
7

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Extreme heat
July, August
Summer months can be very hot.
Air pollution/haze
December, January, February
Heating and industrial activity can cause haze in winter.

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