How to Visit Matka Canyon from Skopje, North Macedonia (2026)!

If you’re travelling to Skopje in North Macedonia, then you must visit the magical Matka Canyon nearby. 

Although it’s only a few kilometres away from the bustling capital, it’s a peaceful paradise that makes for a beautiful day out. 

Imagine an emerald green lake, surrounded by mountain peaks, trees and wildlife. It’s like stepping into a fairytale. 

There are also plenty of things to do here, including hikes, boat rides, swimming or lazing away an afternoon at a café.

Here is how to visit the Matka Canyon from Skopje with the top things to do there on a day out.

History of Matka Canyon

It may surprise you to know that not all of this area was formed by nature over the ages.

A dam was created on the River Treska in 1938, which then formed the man-made Matka Lake in the canyon.

Before this, the high mountains were almost inaccessible, save for a handful of medieval monasteries that pilgrims would venture to. 

After the dam, the canyon slowly started to develop with tourism, and now it’s a popular attraction with lots to offer.

The Matka Canyon covers an area of 5,000 hectares, has 10 caves and is home to lots of unique wildlife you can only find in this area of Macedonia!

Can you visit the Matka Canyon?

Yes, today the Matka Canyon is a popular attraction in North Macedonia that sees thousands of tourists every year.

It’s easiest to visit from the capital city of Skopje, as it’s just 15 kilometres from there. 

As one of the most popular day trips from the city, there are a variety of ways to get there to suit every type of traveller. 

How to visit Matka Canyon from Skopje 

From Skopje, a journey to the Matka Canyon is very straightforward. Here are all the ways you can visit; 

• By bus – you can take bus service 60 to the Matka Canyon from Skopje bus station, and the journey takes around an hour. Just be warned, there may not be a bus back!

• By taxi – I took a Nase Taxi with another solo female traveller on my visit to the canyon. Our journey cost 1000 MAD (£14) one way, which is a fixed fee. There’s also Beeride app, but service is limited.

• By driving – You can easily drive to the canyon in around 30 minutes from Skopje. Just be warned, the free parking gets filled up very quickly, especially on weekends. 

Why not book a guided tour? 

If you would rather not plan your own transport or have the hassle of driving, there are guided tours from Skopje that include the Matka Canyon.

You’ll take a ride on the Vodno Mountain Cable Car to the Millennium Cross, stop at the Church of Saint Panteleimon and then have free time in the canyon. 

All of your transport is included, but you will have to pay some entry fees. It looks like a great day out. 

Opening times and entry prices 

Technically, the Matka Canyon doesn’t close as it’s an area of natural beauty that is open 24 hours.

You also don’t need a ticket to visit the canyon, as it’s free of charge, which makes it a great budget activity from Skopje. 

Just make sure to bring some cash with you for bus/taxi transport, toilets, cafés and water activities.

Arriving at the Matka Canyon

When we were dropped off at the car park, I did wonder if we had arrived in the right place.

But you will need to walk around 10-15 minutes from the parking area to reach the canyon. 

When you start walking on the single-track road, you’ll follow the River Treska to your left, and then you’ll need to walk uphill for a while. 

You’ll eventually arrive at the ginormous St Andrew Dam.

Once you walk beyond the dam, you’ll follow a tunnel path that has been carved into the mountain and reach the artificial Matka Lake.

From here, you can enjoy all that this magical place has to offer, including hikes, boat rides and restaurants. 

Things to do in Matka Canyon 

When I arrived at the emerald green Matka Lake, I gasped at the spectacular views!

Words cannot describe how beautiful this place is. It’s absolutely breathtaking. 

In the early morning, there was barely anyone around, and so all you could hear were birds.

Beyond taking in the stunning views, there are plenty of things to do in Matka Canyon on your visit. Here’s a list of ideas;

1. Take a walk through the canyon

One of the best things to do in Matka Canyon is to take a walk through the canyon. 

You’ll start in a busy area near the boat stations but then it narrows down to a one-way path that hugs the mountains.

The trail is largely uneven and jagged as it’s been carved out of the rock.

There are also stairs and some slippery wooded parts. So, bring some comfy shoes.

There is a barrier to hold onto. But, be mindful of smaller children and/or your furry friends.

Beyond all that, this walk is well worth it for the panoramic views.

The entire hike is around 5 kilometres (anything beyond this becomes a little dangerous), but you don’t have to go the whole way.

You can just follow the path along until you’re ready to turn back. This is what I did when the path became too challenging. 

As I arrived early in the morning (around 8 am), I got to enjoy this walk all to myself and take photos in peace.

The views were phenomenal with the mountains perfectly reflected in the water.

By 10 am, crowds from tour buses started pouring in, and the pathways were PACKED with people. I couldn’t believe the transformation.

Keep this in mind if you’re planning to hike here, as the single canyon path can get congested. 

2. Go kayaking

Another popular activity is to take a kayak on the water. You can rent one for 300 MAD for a 60-minute single kayak. 

I cannot stand kayaking, so I didn’t participate. However another solo female traveller I came with enjoyed a peaceful hour on the water before the boat rides started for the day.

On that note, the bigger boats here create huge ripples and can topple your kayak. So, try to avoid them or power through!

3. Take a boat ride

If you want to see more of the Matka Canyon without a hike, I highly recommend taking a boat ride on the lake.

There are a few boat stations that offer leisure rides, and journeys cost around 200 MAD for a 30-minute tour.  

I was a little confused at first as I thought my boat ride was going to make a stop in the Vrelo Cave. 

But we just turned around and headed back to the boat station. It turns out tours to the cave weren’t running on my visit. 

It was still a nice boat ride, and we got to see some incredible views of the canyon, but I would have loved to see the cave too!

I guess I’ll save that for next time… 

4. Explore Vrelo Cave

There are usually boat tours that stop at the Vrelo Cave so that you can explore inside.

Fun fact: this is one of the deepest underwater caves in the Balkans, with a depth of 240 metres. 

Once you arrive, you’ll follow an illuminated path to see the impressive concert hall, stalactites and ‘pine cone’ stalagmite. There’s also a chance to see bats.

I did hear that the path for tourists to explore isn’t very long, but the interiors still look seriously impressive. 

Access is only via kayak or boat ride, and boat tours cost around 500 MAD that last 1 hour.

5. Have a drink or a meal by the water

One of the best things to do in Matka Canyon is to simply sit by the water with a coffee or some lunch. 

The main restuarant in the canyon area is the Restaurant Hotel Matka near the medieval monastery church.

It has a prime position on the water overlooking the mountains. You can take photos, spot wildlife or watch the world go by.

It’s not a budget place to eat by any means, but their meals are made using local ingredients and are full of flavour.  

I loved sipping on an iced coffee here as the views were wonderful.

6. Monastery Church of St Andrew

One of the medieval buildings you’ll pass on your wander through Matka Canyon is the Monastery Church of St Andrew.

It’s an orthodox temple that was founded in 1389 by Andrijaš, son of King Vukašin. This was centuries before the lake was made.

Back then, it was nestled in the mountains and a place of pilgrimage, hidden away from the world.

It’s funny to think that now hundreds of people pass by it each day!

It’s meant to have some beautiful frescoes inside, but it was closed during my visit. Maybe you’ll have better luck.

If you love medieval buildings, there are even more churches to find in the area if you’re up for a longer hike. 

7. Can you swim in Matka Canyon?

Yes, you can. It’s a very popular place to go swimming in the summer months. 

So, make sure to bring your bathers, a towel, suncream and anything else you may need. There are toilets and changing rooms there. 

Just be prepared for the water to be FREEZING.

Even in September, when the weather was 30+ degrees, there was barely anyone swimming as the water was so cold. 

8. Spend the night at Matka Hotel

Did you know that you can stay overnight in Matka Canyon? It must be so peaceful once the crowds go home for the day.

I’d love to do this next time, as waking up and having breakfast here would be a dream.

Prices are very reasonable and start from €49.50 per night for a standard double room. 

Just remember that you can only access the hotel on foot from a parking area downhill, so make sure to pack a light bag.

How long do you need at Matka Canyon?

I visited as a half-day trip from Skopje, and I found this was the perfect amount of time to visit.

I got to go for a walk in the canyon, take a boat ride, enjoy a leisurely coffee and cake by the water and do some shopping.

We then visited Vodno Mountain in the afternoon with plenty of time to spare.

Of course, if you plan to go swimming or take a more extensive hike, then I would allocate an entire day for your trip to Matka Canyon.

Is Matka Canyon worth visiting?

Yes, the Matka Canyon was easily the highlight of my visit to Skopje. You can escape the crowded city streets and step into a natural wonderland. 

It’s very easy to visit, free of charge, and there are plenty of things to do here that make it worthwhile. 

Don’t skip a visit to the Matka Canyon in North Macedonia, you won’t regret a thing!

My top travel tips

• Make sure to bring cash with you, as some vendors (like the boat stations) don’t take cards.

• If you plan to go hiking around the canyon, wear comfortable shoes as the ground is very uneven.

• There are paid toilets available, which work on a touch screen. You pay by coin/card (50 MAD), get a QR code on a receipt and scan it to go through a turnstile. They are very clean, though. 

• I used Nase Taxi while in Skopje. They work on a meter, so prices are honest. Try to avoid the hawker taxis as they will rip you off.

Are you looking for more things to do in Skopje?

Skopje was a city that truly surprised me in North Macedonia.

From its links with Alexander the Great, the Ottoman-style bazaar and a plethora of quirky statues dotted everywhere.

There are lots of things to do in this modern city that can keep you occupied for a couple of days.

I recommend heading up to Skopje Fortress to take in the views of the city from above, then you can browse the bazaar for souvenirs and have a Turkish coffee or tea. 

The Vardar River was my favourite area to explore near Macedonia Square, as you have some beautiful architecture and bridges lined with statues. 

There are also many museums to visit, like the Mother Theresa House and the Museum of Macedonian History.

Don’t forget to plan an afternoon up Vodno Mountain. You can take the cable car to see the Millennium Cross and panoramic views.

Read more of my Macedonia guides

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How to Visit the Bay of Bones Museum

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