Matka Canyon, a gorge with breathtaking views and adventurous cliffside trails, is a popular tourist attraction easily accessible from Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia.
I visited Matka Canyon during my month-long vacation in North Macedonia. It takes around 30 minutes to get there either by car or the public bus. In this article, I will cover everything you need to know.
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Matka Canyon From Skopje, North Macedonia
With its emerald river and dramatic views of towering cliffs on either side, Matka Canyon, often referred to as Matka Lake, is a favorite tourist attraction.
Come here to relax or take a stroll along the cobbled street and its medieval building— there is even a monastery. You can also go deeper into the Canyon via a path carved into the cliff face, take a boat ride,e and visit Vrelo Cave.
There are a few things to do at Matka Canyon, whether you come for a few hours, or maybe a day trip from Skopje or even decide to spend a night at a guesthouse or hotel.
Tips For Visiting Matka Canyon
Visiting Matka Canyon is one of my favorite things to do in North Macedonia because there is a bit of everything. The views are breathtaking; there are spots to relax and have a picnic, and even activities like hiking or taking a boat deeper into the canyon. Finally, mix in some history and culture with the monastery and the old buildings, and you have the perfect blend for a fun day out.
Jacqueline and I took the first bus from Skopje. To our surprise, the journey terminated about 2 km from Matka Canyon. The taxi charged 10 or 15 euros for the ride, which is quite ridiculous considering it would have taken no more than 5 minutes. So we decided to walk. After all, it was a lovely sunny day, and the views were quite good.
As you approach Matka Canyon, the towering cliffs begin to come into view. Shortly after is the main parking area, which is also where the tour buses park. At this point, there’s a nice open area with patches beside a river, a few picnic tables scattered around, and a few traditional restaurants.
About 10 minutes up the road from the parking area is a dam. This is the entrance into what was once a small settlement. Now, there are a couple of restaurants and a guesthouse/hotel. You can also take a boat deeper into the canyon, followed by a visit to a Vrelo cave.
Just keep in mind that the cave is on the opposite side of the canyon. If you plan to visit, you will need to take a boat.
We decided to do the trek that winds along the cliffs. The trek is relatively easy and takes around three hours in total, with some incredible views along the way.
We planned to trek all the way and back, then take a boat tour and explore the cave. Unfortunately, it started raining, so we skipped the boat and cave.
Instead, I decided to stop for a quick lunch. There’s a nice restaurant right inside the canyon that serves delicious traditional dishes, including my favorite: Shopska salad.
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Best Things To Do In Matka Canyon
Matka Canyon is a nice day trip from Skopje. Whether you go to relax, enjoy the views, or take a stunning hike, there are quite a few things to do.
Relaxation
Just before reaching Matka Canyon, there is a nice open area beside a river. It’s perfect for picnics or just relaxing.
Restaurants
There are quite a few restaurants at Matka Canyon. They all serve traditional North Macedonian dishes.
Boats And Kayaks
The boats take you deeper into the Canyon and include a visit to Vrelo Cave. Alternatively, you can take a kayak. The boat price is 500 Denar, and the kayak price is 300 Denar.
Hike
The hike is along the cliff face. The path is safe and relatively easy, and you’ll get amazing views. It takes about 90 minutes one way.
Saint Nicolas Monastery
The Monastery of St.Nicolas offers a panoramic view of the entire canyon. To reach it, you have to climb for about 30 minutes. The view is definitely worth the walk, but make sure you are ready for it.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Matka Canyon?
With a few exceptions, April to around October is the best time to visit Matka Canyon. These months are usually lovely and sunny and have the least rainfall, which is obviously ideal for a place with such stunning views.
The exception is July and August when the sunny days can be a bit too much, especially the midday heat, which can often reach the high 30s.
How To Get To Matka Canyon?
Getting to Matka Canyon is easy.
By Car
Renting a car in Skopje is perhaps the most convenient and would allow you to explore other places, such as driving up to the Millennium Cross and taking the cable car or maybe even going down to Ohrid Lake.
Either way, I would recommend renting a car from ABC Rent a Car. Every time I used them, the car was in perfect condition and almost brand new, and the price was also greasonable
View rental cars here (the link opens rentalcars.com; you can make this an affiliate link)
By Bus
Alternatively, take bus No 60 from Intercity Bus Station Skopje.
The first departure is at 7:00 a.m., and then there are departures every hour and 45 minutes after that. The bus pass, which costs MKD 150 one way, can be purchased from a small booth at the end of the station. The 45-minute ride stops about 2 km from Matka Lake, followed by a scenic walk with beautiful views.
Where To Stay On Your Trip To Matka Canyon
Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, is the best place to stay if you plan to visit Matka Canyon.
From experience, I know that deciding where to stay in a city can often be confusing. But Skopje isn’t Bangkok or London; it’s relatively compact. And let me say it’s a quirky city with countless monuments and even London double-decker buses. It seems the city doesn’t know what it wants.
Staying in the city center is an idea,l with various restaurants, bars, and even the old quarters just across the river. Whether you go for mid-range options like Hotel Macedonia Square and the equally beautiful Solun Hotel and Spa or go for more luxury at The Marriot, you are sure to be in the best part of the city.
Another option is to spend a night or two at Canyon Matka Hotel. This traditional hotel has gorgeous rooms with old rubble walls and wooden furnishings. Some have sweeping views over the canyon and towering cliffs. There’s even a restaurant right beside the lake.
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Plan Your Trip To Matka Canyon
Many trips to North Macedonia begin in Skopje because there is an international airport. It’s a great place to spend a few days and explore beyond the city.
Plan to spend 2 to 3 days. This will allow you to explore all the nearby tourist attractions like Matka Canyon, visit the MMillenniumCross, where you get to ride a cable car with amazing views, and even have enough time to experience the city day and night.