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Half-Day Tour: Exploring Matka Canyon and Vodno Mountain Scenery from Skopje
4.7
150 Ratings
Skopje
Embark on a half-day tour from Skopje to explore the breathtaking scenery of Matka Canyon and Vodno Mountain. Enjoy an easy hike through the woods and pastures, capturing stunning views of Skopje valley and Matka Canyon along the way.
Embark on a half-day tour from Skopje to explore the breathtaking scenery of Matka Canyon and Vodno Mountain. Enjoy an easy hike through the woods and pastures, capturing stunning views of Skopje valley and Matka Canyon along the way.
Duration:
5 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Mountain of Vodno - This tour combines some of the most renowned landmarks around Skopje. The first stop is Vodno (576m), where photos will be taken from above.
- Millennium Cross - A cable car ride to the top will be enjoyed, spending approximately 30 minutes there. The ticket costs 100 MKD (1.7 euros).
- Church of St. Panteleimon - The…
- Mountain of Vodno - This tour combines some of the most renowned landmarks around Skopje. The first stop is Vodno (576m), where photos will be taken from above.
- Millennium Cross - A cable car ride to the top will be enjoyed, spending approximately 30 minutes there. The ticket costs 100 MKD (1.7 euros).
- Church of St. Panteleimon - The next destination is the Church of Saint Panteleimon, built in the Macedonian/Byzantine style in the 12th century. The church is renowned for its vibrant colors, dramatic composition, and pure expression in the frescoes, which are exemplary of Byzantine medieval monumental painting from the late 12th century.
- Matka Canyon - Matka Canyon is surrounded by mountains, offering excellent spots for photographers, with its stunning nature and breathtaking landscapes. A boat trip (30-40 minutes) includes a visit to Vrelo Cave, considered one of the deepest underwater caves in Europe and the world.
A short coffee break will be taken at the restaurant by the lake, followed by a 10-minute walk to the transfer point.
What's Included
- On-board WiFi
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Knowledgeable tour guide
- On-board WiFi
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Knowledgeable tour guide
What's Not Included
- Other
- Other
Additional Information
This tour offers a unique experience by combining visits to some of Skopje’s most renowned landmarks, such as the Millennium Cross atop Vodno Mountain and the Matka Canyon nature reserve. The journey includes a scenic drive through the forests and meadows of Mount Vodno, providing breathtaking views of the Skopje Valley and Matka Canyon, perfect for…
This tour offers a unique experience by combining visits to some of Skopje’s most renowned landmarks, such as the Millennium Cross atop Vodno Mountain and the Matka Canyon nature reserve. The journey includes a scenic drive through the forests and meadows of Mount Vodno, providing breathtaking views of the Skopje Valley and Matka Canyon, perfect for photography enthusiasts.
Please note that the cable car is not operational on Mondays and the last Tuesday of each month.
Location
Museum of the Macedonian Struggle for Independence
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(150 Ratings)
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Meirion_w
Mar 27, 2025
Good trip - We didn't relise that a cable car ride was an option on the day, a nice bonus! The monastry was beautiful as was the canyon. Our guide was excellent.
Review provided by Viator
Rocio
Mar 24, 2025
It was a great experience, Oliver our guide made a great day, great service, attention and much learning, thank you 🙂 - Super Tour, Super Guide
We visited the Dam, the cave coming from boat, Gorno Nerezi village, and climbed the mountain by Cable Car
Review provided by Tripadvisor
711joeyh
Mar 22, 2025
Olivier great guide - We had an amazing day with our guide Olivier. If you are in Skopje you need to visit the canyon and the cross, I would recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
David_v
Feb 19, 2025
Interesting 😎 - Great experience the tour guide was well informed , we loved matka canyon and the cross was beautiful with snow ❄️
Review provided by Viator
148beyzanurk
Feb 12, 2025
Perfect Tour, Perfect Nature - Matka's nature is breathtakingly beautiful. The tour guide kept us awake throughout the tour with historical information. You have enough time for everything during the tour: photography, kayaking, boat tour etc.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Svetlana_t
Oct 25, 2024
Amazing experience - Amazing experience strolling through Matka Canyon on a boat! It was interesting to go by cable car up to the Vodno mountain to Millinium Cross and observation area. Thank you to our guide Matej!
Review provided by Viator
383dewih
Oct 20, 2024
Great tour with cozy tour guide! - We had a great day through all the wonderful things to see and our tour guide Alek.
Mornings you meet at the location and we were lucky enough to be a small group which made it a lot more personal. We drove past a bakery where we got borek and drinks from our guide. A truly traditional dish from Macedonia. Along the way, Alek told us all about the area, how people live here, the history of North Macedonia and about his own life! Once you arrive at the lake you can take a boat tour and visit a cave for a few euros (note that is the one-hour tour, otherwise you will not pass the cave!). After this stop we went to the church, this is nice to see and even one of the oldest churches in Macedonia. After this we went to the cable car where you have a beautiful view over the mountains and the city. Note that you have to pay for the cable car yourself, just like for the boat. We were back a little later than expected but that was no problem because we had a very nice day with lots of fun and lots of interesting stories from the guide!
I would definitely recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Medyroseb
Jan 3, 2025
Beautiful excursion in imposing nature - The tour was good. Our guide Matej was very friendly, a safe driver, answered all questions and responded to requests. The canyon is imposing and from Vodno you have a beautiful panoramic view (if the smog allows it). There is a point deduction because the access to the cave in Matka Canyon was barely accessible. The short path was so icy that half the people had to turn around again and did not see the cave. Since the boat tour at 8.50 euros is not necessarily very cheap by Macedonian standards, I would have expected here that a bucket of sand would be spread over the relevant 10 meters times and people there would not have to crawl around on all fours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ekaterina_k
Nov 24, 2024
It's OK but... - I wouldn’t call it a tour—it’s more like a ride to some landmarks. It’s not the guide’s fault, but the cable car wasn’t operating due to strong winds, so we didn’t visit the Cross. If I were the organizer, I’d check this in advance (maybe give them a call from parking at the previous location while waiting for us?) because the drive up there was winding, and we felt a bit dizzy. I’d also prepare a Plan B for such situations, like taking us to a scenic viewpoint along the way or offering an alternative activity.
Additionally, please fix the time issue—don’t offer a 9:30 option if it doesn’t actually exist. Near the canyon, the driver waits for an hour, so it would be better to reposition the car (turn it around) during this time instead of doing it with passengers on board (it's a very narrow place). This might sound like nitpicking, but it would improve the overall experience for your clients.
Also, please warn your guests that the toilet near the canyon requires cash and doesn’t accept cards. You need 1 euro or 50 denars—we wasted 15 minutes trying to solve this issue. I’d prefer to know this in advance.
Overall, it was okay for the price, but we were somewhat disappointed. :)
Review provided by Viator
737brucez
Oct 16, 2024
Skopje half day trip - Visited the Millennium Cross and a monastery, both are interesting to have a look. Though the cross is just a piece of steel frame work lack of maintenance.
The canyon is a reservoir, it’s more of a reflection of the city history than a sensory spot.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
