In short
- By bus: city line 60, about 45 to 50 minutes. The cheapest way.
- By taxi: about 20 to 30 minutes from the centre.
- By car: about 30 minutes, with parking near the dam.
- By bike: about 20 km each way on quiet roads.
- With us: pick-up in Skopje, combined with climbing, kayaking or a hike.
By city bus: line 60
Line 60 of the Skopje city buses (JSP) runs from the city centre to Matka. The ride takes about 45 to 50 minutes, and buses leave about every one and a half to two hours, from early morning to late evening.
Check the current timetable and the time of the last bus back before you go. On busy weekends the bus can stop short of the canyon, so count on a 20 to 30 minute walk to the dam.
By taxi
A taxi from the centre takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Agree the fare before you set off or order through a taxi app, and keep the driver’s number for the way back, because there are few taxis waiting at Matka.
By car or bike
By car it is about 30 minutes: head west towards Saraj and follow the signs for Matka. The road ends near the dam, where you park and walk the last part. On summer weekends the parking fills up, so arrive before 10:00.
By bike it is about 20 km each way along the Vardar quay and quiet village roads. We rent mountain bikes in Skopje, and our Bike to Matka tour does the whole loop in about 5 hours with lunch at the canyon.
On foot: from Vodno to Matka
If you like walking, hike there. Our Vodno to Matka tour goes up to the Millennium Cross and down to the canyon and the monastery of St. Nikola Šiševski: about 4 hours and 13 km, with transport back to Skopje.
What to do at Matka
- Climb: limestone walls with easy routes for a first climb and multi-pitch lines up to 150 m.
- Kayak: about an hour of easy paddling on the green lake to Vrelo Cave.
- Visit Vrelo Cave: stalactites and an underwater lake, one of the deepest known underwater caves in Europe. Boats from the dam also go there.
- Walk: the path along the canyon and the trail up to the monastery of St. Nikola Šiševski.
- See the monastery of St. Andrew by the dam, from the 14th century.
Tips for your visit
- Come early on summer weekends, when the canyon gets busy by midday.
- Wear shoes with grip: the path along the canyon is narrow and rocky in places.
- Bring cash for boats, kayak rental and the café.
- Bring water and a hat in summer; the walls hold the heat.
Questions before you book
How far is Matka Canyon from Skopje?
About 30 minutes by car or 45 to 50 minutes by city bus from the centre of Skopje. By bike it is about 20 km each way.
Which bus goes to Matka?
City bus line 60. Check the current timetable with JSP Skopje before you go, including the last bus back.
Do I have to pay to enter Matka Canyon?
Walking in the canyon is free. Boat trips, kayak rental and the visit to Vrelo Cave are paid on site.
Can I visit Matka in winter?
Yes. The canyon is open all year and quiet in winter, and good winter days are fine for climbing. Boats may not run on cold or windy days.
Do you offer transport to Matka?
Yes. We pick you up in Skopje and can combine the trip with climbing, kayaking or a hike. Send us your date on WhatsApp or Viber.
