A North Macedonian economic hub with a strong tobacco industry and local wine production. Home to 70,000 residents and known for its sweet apricots and plums.
Prilep sits in North Macedonia's Pelagonia valley, where strings of tobacco leaves dry on balconies each autumn and granite boulders dot the hills. You'll find a leaning clock tower from 1858 in the Old Bazaar, while the Čarši Mosque's double-balconied minaret rises above Ottoman-era buildings. In the surrounding mountains, the Treskavec Monastery's frescoed walls have endured since the 14th century.
Getting to Prilep
The A3 highway connects Prilep to Skopje, 128 kilometers northeast. Buses run daily between Prilep and major cities like Skopje, Bitola, and Ohrid. You can walk across the city center in about 20 minutes. Taxis charge around 50 denars for trips to sites outside the center.
Markovi Kuli Fortress
Climb for 30 minutes through a field of massive granite boulders to reach these medieval fortress ruins. Named after King Marko, the fortification walls stretch across several hilltops. Visit at sunrise or sunset when the light creates dramatic shadows across the granite rocks and fortress walls.
Tobacco Production
Tobacco fields stretch across the plains around Prilep. From August through October, you'll see tobacco leaves hanging to dry from house balconies and warehouse entrances throughout the city. The local variety grows well in the region's soil and climate conditions, making Prilep a key supplier for international cigarette manufacturers.
The Old Bazaar Quarter
The bazaar follows a grid pattern with streets lined by 19th-century buildings. Look for the Clock Tower from 1858, which tilts noticeably to one side. The adjacent Čarši Mosque dates from 1475 and includes a minaret with two balconies - you won't find another like it in Europe.
Local Festivals
Each July, Pivofest draws 200,000 visitors to Alexandria Square. Local and international bands perform while breweries set up stalls throughout the center. During the Pročka carnival in February, performers wear masks and act out customs that have earned the event membership in the Federation of European Carnival Cities.
Religious Architecture
The Monastery of the Holy Archangel Michael contains well-preserved frescoes from the 12th and 14th centuries. Its walls seem to grow from the surrounding rock formations. Inside St. Nicola's Church (built 1299), you can examine medieval frescoes that show Byzantine painting techniques in detail.
Day Trips from Prilep
Trek to Treskavec Monastery in the northern mountains, where 14th-century buildings perch above Pelagonia valley. The clear mountain air allows views across the entire region. South of Prilep, the Mariovo area contains villages with stone houses where residents maintain small farms and welcome visitors to experience rural life.
