Matka Canyon, half-day trip from Skopje

15 Sept

Just on the outskirts of Skopje, Matka Canyon is one of the most popular destinations for a half-day trip from the capital of North Macedonia.

If you’re looking to explore the natural beauty that this country has to offer, read more to learn how to reach Matka Canyon from Skopje and what to do there during your visit!

How to get to Matka Canyon from Skopje

Matka Canyon is located only 15km away from Skopje, so it’s a very accessible destination if you want to explore one of the most beautiful nature destinations in North Macedonia. Check out here my visit to Skopje, the modern capital of North Macedonia!

Many operators organise day or half-day tours to Matka Canyon. You can also hire a taxi, which should cost around 800/1000 Macedonian denars one-way (approx. €13 to €16), but again, you can save quite a lot of money visiting on your own.

If you’re staying in Skopje, I’d recommend going by public bus. Bus number 60, which leaves from Skopje bus station and has multiple stops near the city centre, will get you in Matka Canyon in less than 40 minutes.

Note that in order to take public transport in Skopje, you will need a transport card to pay for the ride, as drivers do not accept cash when you board.

During my stay in Skopje, I didn’t need a transport card, as I stayed right in the city centre and did everything on foot, so before planning my trip to Matka Canyon, I had to find a place that sold a transport card. These cards are sold at some specific locations around the city, but you need to know where exactly they are located.

As of June 2019, the two most central locations to buy the transport card are:

The lowest level of GTC City Shopping Centre, just right across the Park Woman Warrior. You’ll be able to purchase your card from a small window on the wall.
Boulevard VMRO, near the corner with Orce Nikolov: the card is sold inside a green kiosk.

If you’re buying the card in advance, you’ll pass by the first location at some point, as it is located very close to Porta Macedonia. However, if you’re buying the card on the day of your visit, I’d personally recommend getting it from Boulevard VMRO, as the stop to get bus number 60 is located right across the street.

This map below shows the locations where you can purchase your transport card and get bus number 60 to Matka Canyon:

When you purchase the card, mention that you’re going to Matka Canyon and they will give you enough credit to purchase a return ticket. The total cost for a transport card with return tickets to the canyon will cost only 150 Macedonian denars (approx. €2.5).

The buses run approximately every two hours, but it’s always recommended to check the timetables in advance using the transport website www.jsp.com.mk. The bus departs from the bus station, so if you’re catching it in the city centre, remember that it will arrive at least 10 to 15 minutes later.

According to the transport website, the bus leaves the station at 7:00, 8:45, 10:30, 12:10, 14:00, 15:30, 16:50, 18:35, 20:10 and 22:30

For the way back, the bus is meant to depart from Matka Canyon at the following times: 5:50, 7:45, 9:40, 11:20, 13:05, 14:55, 16:25, 17:45, 19:20, 21:00 and 23:20.

Matka Canyon is the last stop for bus 60, so you just need to get off whenever everybody else does. You can catch the bus back to Skopje form the same location where you will get off, so no way to get lost!

What to do in the matka Canyon

I aimed to catch the bus that would leave from the bus station at 10:30 am. Since I would be boarding at Boulevard VMRO, I had to wait for a good 20 minutes before it arrived at around 10:50 am, but I was able to get on and use my transport card without any issues.

Leaving the busy city of Skopje and venturing into the nature of the Matka Canyon is all an experience. From the bus, you’ll leave the residential areas of similar-looking buildings and be surrounded by trees and nature within minutes. It was such a breath of fresh air to escape from the unbearable summer heat of North Macedonia!

I arrived at the canyon at 11:40 am. Matka Canyon is the last stop of bus number 60, so once you get off, you’ll be at the entrance after less than 10 minutes walking.

A visit to Matka Canyon is perfect for those who are into water sports or hiking. There are multiple hiking routes that offer incredible views of the lake from the top, as well as the option to rent a kayak or visit the canyon by boat.

Since the heat was unbearable that day, although the shadow of the trees clearly helped, I decided not to follow the hiking paths and I did a boat tour instead.

There are a few different options for boat tours that depart very often at different times. I decided to book one of the most complete visits, which included a 1h ride and a visit to a cave. It had a cost of 400 Macedonian denars per person (approx. €6.5).

The views from the boat are gorgeous, and the entire visit is very relaxed and enjoyable.

The ride also included a 20 minute stop at Vrelo Cave. Before my visit, I had never heard about this cave, so it was a total surprise.

The cave is only accessible by water, so you will need to reach it either by boat or kayak. The inside is quite impressive, full of stalactites that are light up with flashy colours, creating an incredible effect of lights. I would certainly recommend booking a boat that includes a visit to this cave!

If you’re looking for food options in Matka Canyon, there’s a very nice restaurant overlooking the lake, just next to where you board the boats and rent the kayaks, that offers delicious food.

I decided to give it a try, and although the food was a bit pricey compared to the rest of North Macedonia, the relation price-quality was pretty good. They have a few different options for fresh fish, many of them obtained directly from the lake.

I ordered a salmon and a bottle of water, which had a price of 1000 Macedonian denars (approx. €16)

After having enjoyed a relaxed day at the Matka Canyon, it was time to head back to Skopje. According to the transport website, the bus was meant to leave at 2:55 pm, however, it only arrived at 3:10 pm. It leaves from the same place where you get off coming from Skopje.

The ride back was a bit of a nightmare, as the heat inside the bus was so unbearable that by the time I arrived back in Skopje, I was totally soaked in sweat!

That said, if you’re looking to leave the big city for one day and explore the nature of North Macedonia, a visit to Matka Canyon is well worth it. Whether you decide to spend half a day or the entire day, there will be enough things to do to keep you busy, especially if you’re into outdoor activities!

All opinions are my own.

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