Matka Canyon

1016 Reviews

Star Travel Rating

3/5

Review type

Things to do

Location

Date of travel

September, 2019

Product name

Product country

Product city

Travelled with

Partner

Reasons for trip

Whilst staying for three nights in North Macedonia’s capital, “Skopje”:https://www.silvertraveladvisor.com/review/attraction/203391-review-sightseeing-in-skopje-part-1-the-old-town, we took a trip out to the “Matka Canyon”:http://www.canyonmatka.mk/ Matka Canyon, 30 minutes away. Having parked, we went in search of the boats that offer trips to the Vrelo Cave. It was a good 20-minute trek along a relatively level single-track road although there was a steeper section at the end. Here we found a much nearer but very small car park, and our driver said if you weren’t lucky enough to find a space, it meant turning around in a very confined area. Along the route, vendors sold cold drinks, fresh fruit and BBQ corn on the cob. It was then another 10-minute walk along a narrow path hugging the cliff on one side and with the dam and man-made lake on the other. On route, a huge information board described the length of time it took various items of rubbish like plastic bottles and cans, to decay. It was a good message and we found the place much cleaner than the “Sharr Mountains National Park”:https://www.silvertraveladvisor.com/review?id=203265 outside “Prizren”:https://www.silvertraveladvisor.com/review/attraction/203237-review-sightseeing-in-prizren.

As the boats only set off when full (14 people including the skipper), we waited 10 minutes for others to join us. The flow of boats is also managed well to avoid overcrowding. Our visit was on a weekday in late September, but it didn’t require much imagination to see how busy it would be during a summer weekend. Kayaks were for hire and walks available: we could see a walkway continuing along the lake edge.

We set off for what the book described as a 30-minute trip, which was more like 15-minutes. The steep sides of the canyon were very similar to “Lake Koman”:https://www.silvertraveladvisor.com/review/attraction/200590-review-the-lake-komani-ferry in “Albania”:https://www.silvertraveladvisor.com/blog/destination-features-europe-albania/albania, which we’d visited earlier in the year. We both thought that the boat would take us through the Vrelo cave, so were unprepared when on arrival at the entrance, it became clear we had to disembark. Firstly, we tackled a steep climb of slopes and steps to the mouth. A generator switch was flicked, the cave illuminated and having entered, it was a further short walk and climb down into the main viewing area. The sight of the stalagmites and stalactites lit up in various colours was amazing but the 25 minutes we were given, allowed us plenty of time.

All back on board, we set off again with the skipper giving us information about the dimensions of the cave and lake.

Off the boat, our visit was rounded off with a brief stop at the tiny church of St Andreja, built in the 14th century, where in the absence of electricity, we were handed torches to view the frescoes.

Helen Jackson

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.