The third largest town in eastern Macedonia is Kocani. Kocani spreads across the northern side of the Kocani plain, along the banks of the Kocani river, right where it leaves the mountain slopes and flows through the valley. It’s the seat of the Kocani municipality.

According to the 2002 census, the Kocani municipality had 28,330 inhabitants.

Kocani lies at an altitude of 350-430 meters above the sea level, in the plain of Kocani. North of the Kocani there is the Osogovo mountain (2,252 m) and 8 km away to the south the valley is closed by the mountain Plackovica (1,754 m). The main road which connects Kocani with Stip (30 km), Veles (70 km) and then linked to Skopje-Gevgelija E-75 highway goes through the town. This is the main link to central part of Republic of Macedonia.

Kocani developed rapidlly after the Second World War. Before this war, it was just a small countryside town known only for the production of high quality rice. The houses were mainly muddy huts with only very few streets paved with cobblestones. Today Kocani, is a modern town with planned infrastructure, avenues, many modern buildings and blocks of flats, a shopping center, a park and a newly built industrial zone. All this is carefully planned and structured, according to modern standards of living and esthetics.

Climate & When to come in Kocani

The climate in Kocani is mildy-continental, influenced by altered Mediterranean climate which penetrates along the river Bregalnica. The average temperature is 12,9°C with 538 mm rainfall.

Kocani tourist attractions

• FREEDOM MEMORIAL TThe Freedom memorial was constructed in 1981, is a memorial located on a hill above Kocani. It’s the most significant architectural-mosaic content dominates from the very top. This monument was designed by Gligor Cemerski. 0.42 km NNW from main square
• MORODVIS BASILICA Located in the village of Morodvis, which is at the bottom of Plackovica Mountain, 7 km south of Kocani. The ruins of four early Roman basilicas have been found on this site, as well as about 80 necropoli (tombs). Archaeological excavations have also discovered a beautiful church dating from the 5th century. Its abundance of findings and multitude of historic layers are an evidence of an intense and well-developed cultural life throughout the centuries. 7.51 km S from Kocani center