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Tips for Visiting Matka Canyon, North Macedonia
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
When you feel a little exhausted from the hustle and bustle of Skopje and want to take a short break in nature, Matka Canyon is the perfect getaway.
Matka Canyon is one of the most beautiful natural spots, which is located on a short drive (30 km) from Skopje City in the southwest. This is famous for its cliffs, caves, crystal clear water, and greenery, and it's formed by the Treska River.
How to reach Matka Canyon from Skopje:
a. By Public Transport:
You need to go to the Main Bus Station in Skopje, and from there you can take a bus to Matka Canyon, which is operated by local bus companies. The bus operates throughout the day, but it’s advisable to check the schedule of bus schedule in advance.
It typically takes around 50 minutes, and the bus stops at Matka Canyon Bus Stop, which is closer to the starting point for the boat rides, hiking trails, and other attractions.
If there is no direct bus, you can take a bus towards Vodno, and then you can either take a local bus or a Taxi from Vodno.
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b. By Taxi:
You can also take a taxi to Matka Canyon from Skopje. It costs around 700 Macedonian Denars one way.
However, in our case, we booked a taxi for 5 hours, which included pick-up from our hotel in Macedonia Square, a visit to Matka Canyon, and a trip to Vodno Mountain, followed by a return to our hotel.
As there are many taxi scams in Macedonia, we wanted to avoid the hassle of hailing a taxi, and in the process, we ended up paying extra. Unfortunately, this turned out to be a mistake, as it was a very unpleasant experience with the taxi driver.
He picked us up on time from our hotel, and we headed towards Matka Canyon. The driver was very talkative throughout the trip, engaging in personal conversations. We tried to avoid it, but he kept asking recurring questions.
Once we reached Matka Canyon, he stopped the car a little before the canyon (at a bus stop) and told us that we had to walk from there. We got out and realized that private cars were actually allowed to go further.
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We called him and asked him to drive us to the actual drop-off point. Although it wasn’t a big deal, we didn’t like the fact that we were paying for his services, and he seemed to take advantage of the situation. After some argument, he came and dropped us off at the right spot.
On our way back, we called him again to pick us up from the same spot. When we got in the car, he started arguing that this wasn’t the proper drop-off point, and he was being disrespectful.
We decided it was enough, so we told him to stop the car and drop us off. He eventually left us, and we paid him half the amount of our trip, which was 1750 Macedonian Denars.
So, we ended up paying 1750 MKD for a single trip to Matka Canyon, along with a very unpleasant experience.
We started walking and found another taxi, paying him 1000 MKD to return to the city.
Based on our experience, we suggest either taking the bus or taking a taxi one way. Then, you can book a taxi for the return trip from Matka Canyon or Vodno.
The only reason we’re sharing all of this is to guide you and help you avoid a similar experience.
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Tips for visiting:
a. Comfortable shoes:
You’ll be walking a lot, sometimes on uneven or rocky terrain, so comfortable, closed-toe shoes are a must. Avoid sandals or flip-flops, as some parts of the path have sharp stones that could hurt your feet. Good walking or hiking shoes will make a big difference.
b. Bring a Light Hoodie or Jacket
Mornings in Matka Canyon can be quite chilly, especially if you're visiting in spring or autumn. Pack a lightweight hoodie or windbreaker that you can easily carry in your backpack. It's perfect for layering in case the weather turns cool.
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c. Bring Cash:
Most boat tour operators, kiosks, and activity providers only accept cash, not cards. Be sure to carry enough Macedonian denars with you.
In fact, this is a good rule of thumb for your entire trip through North Macedonia, as many smaller towns and attractions rely on cash payments.
d. Best time to visit:
The ideal time to visit Matka Canyon is during May–June and September–October, when the weather is pleasant and the crowds are manageable.
July and August can be very warm, but still enjoyable - just be sure to start your day early.
Pro tip: Arrive before 9 AM to make the most of the cool morning weather.
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e. Avoid peak hours:
The canyon tends to get crowded after 11 AM, especially in the summer. Arriving early not only helps you beat the crowds but also gives you better access to popular activities like hiking, kayaking, cave tours, and boat rides before the lines form.
Where to stay in Matka Canyon:
There are different options to either stay in the Mtaka Canyons or stay in Skopje.
Hotel & Restaurant Canyon Matka:
The Hotel & Restaurant Canyon Matka is located adjacent to the historic St. Andrew's Monastery and offers a traditional experience with a touch of modern amenities.
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You can enjoy the beautiful view from your room and the onsite restaurant. If you like to stay in Skopje. Check out our blog about Skopje to learn about the best places to stay in Skopje.
Things to do in Matka Canyons:
1. Boat Tour:
One of the must-have things to do in Matka Canyon is the boat ride, which takes you into the river, and you can enjoy the beautiful view of the forested hills and cliffs. There are two different tours, the short tour and the long tour.
The short tour is for around 30 minutes, and the long tour is for around 1 hour, which takes you into the Vrelo Cave. There are different boat tour operators that take you on the tour.
After the boat ride, you can walk into the caves, There are some Caves like Bat Cave, Ubava Cave, and Krštalna Cave, which you can explore. The Vrelo Cave is the deepest cave at 330m deep.
The tour starts at 9:00 am in the summer. It’s highly suggested to arrive in the early morning so you can start the tour in the morning otherwise, it gets very crowded.
The cost of the long tour is around 600 MKD, and the short tour is for 300 MKD.
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2. Kayaking and Canoeing:
You can also go Kayaking and Canoeing in the calm water. From the boat tour, you can also rent a kayak.
3. Hiking:
You can also go hiking, there are lots of different hiking trails from which you can see the beautiful scenic spots. We did a little hiking, but it was a bit warm for the hiking.
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There’s a lakeside trail for a leisure walk with lush greenery and soothing nature. You can also find the rare species of insects that can’t be found elsewhere in the World.
If you want to challenge yourself with some hiking, you can also hike to St. Nicholas Monastery to enjoy the panoramic views of the canyon.
4. Swimming:
During the warmer months, there are some designated areas that allow you to swim.
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5. Enjoy the food with a view:
There are also some restaurants located on the banks of the river. You can relax and enjoy the view of the river while having the food.
Be mindful that the food is a bit costly compared to other restaurants, but it’s still very affordable compared to other European destinations.
Ending Note:
Matka Canyon is one of the experiences that shouldn't be missed during your trip to North Macedonia. From serene nature to boat rides and cliff sides, it offers a perfect escape.
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