IS MATKA CANYON WORTH VISITING + HOW TO GET TO MATKA CANYON FROM SKOPJE.
During our recent visit to Skopje, we were craving a bit of adventure and decided to get out of the city for the morning to visit Matka Canyon.
In this guide you can find all you need to know about getting to Matka Canyon from Skopje using public transport and what you can do once you get there.
About Matka Canyon
Matka Canyon is found 15km to the south west of North Macedonia’s capital city, Skopje – found here. Given the proximity to the city, it has become a popular outdoor adventure destination for locals and tourists alike.
“Matka” means womb in Macedonian language. To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure why it has this name – perhaps it is a a nod to the underwater caves. Regardless, it is a pretty area of water, with hiking trails, a dam, many caves (of which Vrelo is the most famous) and medieval monasteries sitting atop the hillsides.
Matka Canyon: Initial Impressions
John had visited Matka Canyon many years ago and it was on his recommendation that we took at trip there. My initial impressions of Matka Canyon weren’t super positive, which was a a little awkward as John had insisted that I would like it.
My heart sank a bit when we disembarked the bus. We were dropped off close to a river and I had a sort of “is this it?” feeling. But John assured me that the canyon was found around 10-15 minutes further along a road.
I had also expected that the canyon might be a bit of an undiscovered gem – but having arrived at around 10:00, there were already tonnes of coaches that had dropped off tour groups – as we arrived, it seemed that endless crowds hurtled towards us.
As we walked further towards the canyon, the initial picture was of a large dam, which whilst impressive wasn’t exactly beautiful. Having planned to swim in the canyon, my toes curled up a bit when I saw the water – it didn’t look particularly inviting.
A little later and it all made sense – after around 15 minutes of hiking the trail along the side of the canyon, the views opened out and the crowds thinned and we had a moment of unadulterated “nature gawping” at the incredible scenery.
Is Matka Canyon worth visiting
Matka Canyon is a beauty spot close to the capital city of North Macedonia. It is rare to find such a pretty place so close to a capital – for that reason we think that Matka Canyon is well worth a visit. It makes an easy day trip, or indeed half a day, from Skopje.
If you like hiking, kayaking or are interested in taking a boat tour, then we would recommend a visit to the canyon. If you’re not particularly into active adventures, then Matka Canyon may not be the best place for you to visit. Whilst there are opportunities for you to enjoy a quiet lunch by the water, or a swim, Matka Canyon is best seen from the trails or from the water on a kayak.
If you are keen to avoid crowds, Matka Canyon is best visited Monday to Friday and not on a weekend. You also need to think carefully about the timing of your trip. We visited in the morning and it was a little crowded in places. I suspect that the late afternoon/ early evening may be quieter, as the organised tours tend to leave Skopje in the morning, returning early afternoon.
What can you do in Matka Canyon?
A visit to Matka Canyon is really all about activities – indeed, there’s plenty of room for activities!
Hiking
There are 10 hiking trails around Matka Canyon.
For ease, we stuck to the Matka Canyon trail, which runs along the canyon with the water to your left. This is a straightforward trail requiring no navigation – just keep going forward. There and back, the trail was around 10km, with some steeper bits but mainly flat. I won’t lie, there are a few hairy bits that anyone with a fear of heights may not enjoy, particularly where the path has eroded. But, there is a barrier along most of the trail.
We continued the hike until we reached a dead end close to the Vrelo cave. Unfortunately, you can’t actually catch a glimpse of the cave from this side of the river. You also can not get down to the river at the end of the hike, so you can’t take the easy route back via boat!
Look out for a few overgrown thorn bushes and vegetation, as well as wasps/ nasty insects. We completed this hike with one wasp sting and at least 10 new mosquito bites.
There are many alternative hikes on the other side of the river. A map can be found at the entrance to the Canyon.
Kayaking + Water Cycling
Kayaks or water bicycles are available to hire at the canyon. The current price for a one person kayak is 200 MKD for 30 minutes or 300 for one hour. For a two person kayak, this is 300 MKD or 500 MKD.
The water bicycles did look a lot of fun, if you want to give your arms a rest and your legs a workout. The current price is 200 MKD for 30 minutes and 400 MKD for 60 minutes.
Boat tours
Boat tours run regularly along Matka Canyon and you can join one at a moments notice. There are two companies offering boat tours and you can find their offices along the water.
The cost of a tour is 500 MKD per person. This includes a leisurely pootle* along the water to Vrelo Cave and back.
When we visited (early July) many of the boat tours were quite empty, but I expect on weekends and in the height of summer that boats could be quite crowded.
I don’t think it’s possible to book these boat tours in advance, so if you want to book a tour choose one which includes transport from a reputable agent (see section on tours below.)
*For anyone not British reading this, pootle means to “move in a leisurely way.”
Can you swim in Matka Canyon?
Yes, you can swim in Matka Canyon. The best spots are probably in the river, before you reach the main canyon – this is popular with families as the water is shallower making swimming a little safer.
Further along into the canyon, as you hike along the side of the water, there are a few spots where the trail meets the water and you can take a chance for a dip.
Are there any facilities at Matka Canyon?
Close to the car park and bus stop there are two restaurants and a few kiosks selling cold drinks or ice cream. Around 10 minutes past this point there is a large waterfront restaurant and bar, a pleasant place to sit with slightly hiked up prices.
You can also find a bathroom in this area which has a one euro or 60 MKD charge.
How to get to Matka Canyon from Skopje
There are four ways to get from Skopje to Matka Canyon – by public bus, tour, take a taxi or drive. We are going to go ahead and assume that as a traveller in North Macedonia you don’t have a car and just provide detail on the best ways to get from Skopje to Matka Canyon without driving.
Skopje bus to Matka Canyon
It is relatively easy to take a bus to Matka Canyon from Skopje. Bus number 60 leaves from Skopje at regular intervals throughout the day. Current bus times are:
Skopje to Makta: 07:00/ 08:45/ 10:30/ 12:10/ 14:00/ 15:30/ 16:50
Matka to Skopje: 07:45/ 09:40/ 11:20/ 13:05/ 14:55/ 16:20/ 17:45/ 19:20
Bus times do change, so it’s best to check in advance if you have specific timings to keep.
Here are some tips to help you with the bus from Skopje to Matka Canyon.
1/ The bus leaves from a different station to the main station in Skopje. It is just next door – take a left as you come out of the main station and you’ll see another terminal (found here). Bus number 60 leaves from the platform marked “60” – an easy system to follow once you understand what’s going on!
2/ You can’t buy tickets at the main station desk and you also can’t buy them on the bus. You are supposed to pre-load a local bus card – there’s a white kiosk near to where the bus leaves from where you can buy tickets.
3/ Buses will drop you around a 10-15 minute walk from the Canyon, this is also where they collect you in the afternoon. Be aware that buses can run late in the afternoon – but they will eventually turn up.
Matka Canyon Tours – are they worth it?
There are a number of popular Matka Canyon Tours from Skopje. Whilst we generally favour tours when we are travelling overseas, on this occasion we would like to point out that the tours are much more costly than travelling to Matka Canyon independently.
Specifically, you can expect to pay around 25 to 30 Euros for a tour including a boat trip. To do this journey independently and take a boat trip would cost closer to 10 to 12 Euros per person.
That said, taking a tour will suit you if
- You want to be collected from your hotel or a meeting point closer to your hotel
- You’d prefer to have anything organised for you
- You have a preference for paying in your own currency / would like to avoid getting Macedonian currency
- You want to plan things ahead.
Matka Canyon Tours: The options
If you would rather take a tour to Matka Canyon – here are some options:
- A tour to Matka Canyon which includes transport from Skopje and back, plus a trip to Vodno Mountain. The price does not include a boat tour on the canyon. This is a good choice if you want to see a few sights.
- A tour to Matka Canyon which includes transport to and from Skopje and a boat tour to Vrelo Cave. This is the best choice if you just want to see Matka Canyon and take a boat ride.
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
Our top places to visit in the Balkans this summer
OUR TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN THE BALKANS THIS SUMMER. The Balkans are a practical choice for travellers who want to explore Europe beyond the usual cities and crowds. The region offers a mix of scenic lakes, historic towns with Ottoman influence, under-the-radar wine regions, and coastal spots that are still relatively low-key. Whether you’re…
15 best things to do in Ohrid: A detailed guide
15 BEST THINGS TO DO IN OHRID: A DETAILED GUIDE. Whilst many in Europe head to the Mediterranean coast in July, we took the controversial decision to visit a land-locked country instead. It is perhaps trite to say so, but Lake Ohrid, in North Macedonia is a totally underrated holiday destination. Is Ohrid worth visiting?…
21 things to know before you visit North Macedonia
21 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU VISIT NORTH MACEDONIA. Travelling to North Macedonia is a rich and exciting experience. There’s so much to see and do and many surprises along the way. Based on our travels in the country, we’ve put together a list of 21 things to know before you visit North Macedonia. From…
Travelling to North Macedonia? Here are some books that you may want to slip into your suitcase for your travels.
USEFUL LINKS FOR FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND TRANSPORT
CHECK LATEST FLIGHTS
ACTIVITIES TO CONSIDER
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Please note that some links on our website are partnered with affiliates. Using an affiliate links does not make it more expensive for you to purchase. We receive a small commission whenever you buy something which in turn allows us to keep writing independent travel guides and your support is greatly appreciated.