This time, I will introduce sightseeing in "Matka", a small town about an hour by bus from Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia🇲🇰.
In contrast to the glittering atmosphere of Skopje, ”Matka" is a small area that still retains its natural valleys and mountains.
The following is an introduction to Matka, including how to get there, prices, attractions, and points of interest.
It can be reached in half a day to less than a day, so it is definitely worth a visit when you stay in Skopje.
Enjoy the great outdoors in the valley of Matoka
You can go to "Matka" by bus for 1 hour and there are very beautiful seeing.
Let's start with the highlights of this place.
Matka Canyon
It features steep cliffs and a large lake as shown in the photo.
Here you can enjoy kayaking, caving, and trekking.
Kayaking and caving are charged. Trekking is free.
Boat ramp and caving boat depot
When you arrive in "Matka", you can either "kayaking," " caving," or "trekking".
"Kayaking" and "caving" are charged, while "trekking" is free.
The "caving" is about a 20-minute boat ride away from this stop, and it's like riding with other tourists, going and coming back.
Restaurant on the lake
There is also a restaurant on the lake where you can relax and kill some time until the boat departs.
I chose the "trekking" option.
Trekking 1 hour/one way
Trekking
From the area where the restaurant and other facilities are located, a mountain road continues all the way along the lake.
At first, the road was solidly made of concrete, but gradually it became dangerous without fences.
Scared a bit
Beautiful Green
Rock cave
To be honest, the scenery is the same all the time.
But sometimes there is a little highlight or "Oh! Beautiful! Wow!" and I really like that.
There is a goal, or rather a dead end, and it takes about an hour each way to get there.
And you can see a "cave" in the mountain just on the other side of the dead end.
You cannot go there though.
Dead end
Cave
Even if you go trekking, there is no way to get down to the river or to the cave, so you have to go back the way you came. Another hour...
"Please make a way to get to the cave from the trek!"
I believe that one day this wish will come true.
To be honest, I don't think it is necessary to go all the way to the end.
If you go to the halfway point, take some pictures and feel the quiet atmosphere, turn around, and spend more time at the restaurant, the boat, or the caves.
ポイント
There is just one advantage to going trekking.
Try arriving by bus in the early morning and going trekking alone.
You will unexpectedly find a "perfect silent" area where you can hear nothing, not the wind, not the birds, not the insects, nothing.
I really recommend this because you will get a really spiritual and mysterious feeling, like when you put on noise-canceling earphones in your room alone at midnight.
It is a luxury that only those who have dared to make the trek can enjoy.
Here's a look at some of the attractions and spots in "Matka." Now, the next step is how to get to this "Matka" and restaurants.
To Matka by Bus for 1 hour
You can take a "bus" to "Matka". It takes about one hour one way.
You do not need to take a long-distance bus, but a regular "city bus".
However, you need to be careful when buying a ticket to take this "city bus," so I will explain it in detail next.
Buy the IC card at the counter
IC card
In order to ride the bus, you need to be issued an "IC card".
The cost is "150 denar" (=about 3 USD).
This amount of money already includes the fare for three rides in Skopje, so you can basically take the bus three times.
However, if you go "outside of Skopje including Matika," the fare is for two rides.
In other words, the round-trip fare is fine.
After boarding the bus, simply touch the machine located inside the bus.
Counter you can buy the ticket
You can buy the "IC card" from the staff in like this counter. (They are only at major bus stops).
Also, if you are buying from the bus terminal in Skopje, tickets are also sold inside the yellow buses like the one below, where you can also buy them.
Can buy the IC card
In addition to this IC card, it is possible to purchase a "one-day ticket". (* They do not seem to handle single-day tickets).
However, once you buy an IC card, you can ride the bus afterward just by recharging it at this counter, and the card itself can be a souvenir, so it is recommended!
Once your IC card is ready, it is time to move on to the boarding area.
Board the bus at the "60"
Take the 60 bus
Look for the place marked "60" as shown in the picture.
This is a picture of the "Bus Terminal in Skopje". Since it is a "city bus," it will make several stops in Skopje before heading to "Matka" ("Matka" is the last stop).
If the "60" bus stops near your hotel, you can take it from there.
Check the time schedule in advance at the IC card sales counter mentioned earlier.
In my case, I was told that the next departure at 8:45 am was at 10:45 am.
Since the buses do not leave frequently, be sure to check the time.
In addition, you must also check the time of the bus leaving from "Matka" for your return trip. There is no proper bus stop in "Matka", and of course, there is no bus schedule.
The bus will continue for about an hour. Since "Matka" is the last stop, it is safe to stay on the bus until the end.
Arrived at Matka and walk for 30 min
Relaxing area
Arriving in "Matka!"
The area where I arrived is also a bit relaxing and beautiful, with a river running through it and a restaurant.
However, this is not the goal, and there are canyons, lakes, and trekking spots about another 30-minute' walk from there.
I recommend taking the "slightly off-season" "early morning bus" to get there.
You can enjoy the quiet atmosphere even more luxuriously.
I took the 8:45 a.m. bus to Matka on February 1, 2023.
There were about 6 passengers on the bus, including myself. (There were a few people here and there who came by private car or cab, about 10 people in all.)
It was already a nice, quiet atmosphere, but I was the only one among them who went "trekking".
I guess changing the time in the same place makes it that much more luxurious.
Note that the "return bus stop," is separate from where you got off.
The starting point for the return bus stop is about 100 meters back from where you got off, where there is a covered shed.
Note that you cannot get on the bus even if you wait where you got off.
*Taxis also come and go quite frequently. If the bus time doesn't work out, you can take a cab. The fare depends on the driver, but the driver I asked said "1,000 denars (=about 20 USD)" to Skopje city.
To Matka Canyon on foot
From where you get off the bus, continue onward, and walk for 30 minutes. There is one road where you will not get lost.
As you continue walking along the mountain road, you will come to a small area like a cozy village, as I mentioned above.
Cute and stylish atmosphere (with cats)
Restaurants, cafes, churches, Hotels, and other fashionable places are completely different from the streets of Skopje.
Restrooms are also included. (It is Free)
Now that I have finished introducing how to get to "Matka" and its attractions, I will finally introduce some recommended restaurants around "Matka".
Good Restaurants around Matka
Since "Matka" is a tourist attraction, it is a bit more expensive than local restaurants in Skopje, but Balkan cuisine enjoyed in the midst of nature is a luxury.
Restaurant on the lake
See beautiful view
As mentioned above, this is the place to feel the "Matka wilderness" the most.
The restaurant is built as if it were floating slightly above the lake, and the view from the deck is exceptional. This is a spot where you can enjoy your meal while feeling the great outdoors.
Many tourists seemed to be relaxing, drinking beer, and killing time until the boat departed.
Cave Restaurant
Enjoy your cuisine in the cave
The restaurant I visited this time was "Monastery Cave Restaurant".
The bus didn't come easily, so I wandered into this restaurant to kill some time until the bus arrived, and found the interior of the restaurant to be a very mysterious space in a cave. (The restaurant is right in front of the bus stop on the way back).
This time, I ordered a salad, a main dish of chicken, and a crepe for dessert.
Chicken and potato
Simple but tasty
Great desserts after trekking!
Sure, the prices are a bit touristy and expensive, but the taste is assured.
All of the food was soooo good. The otherworldly view of being in a cave was also exceptional and a great time.
I would recommend this place especially if you want to have a relaxing meal since there are relatively few tourists.
Bus driver strike
This a small story about a little trouble at Matka.
I kept waiting for the return bus, but it never came. (I forgot to ask the time of the return bus at the bus center in Skopje, so I kept waiting for it, not knowing when it would arrive. It took about 3 hours. No internet.)
Then a cab came.
"Do you want a cab?”
””No, I'll take the bus. I'm waiting for the bus.””
"The bus drivers are on strike, about 20% to 30% of the bus drivers in Skopje have started a strike for higher wages."
""・・・.""
"I'll show you the news.”
"”（I doubt if he is telling the truth or trying to deceive me, but I think the fact that I have already been waiting for 3 hours is proof of that) Can you give me a cab ride? How much?""
"1,000 denars for a ride to Skopje."
""I understand. (I looked at my wallet, but I had only 500 denars.） I only have 500 denars.””
"OK. I'll give you a lift to the nearest bus stop. Why don't you take a bus back from there?"
So I was able to return safely to my beloved hotel in Skopje.
It is not often that we encounter a strike, but I hope that everyone can enjoy their stay in Skopje without any problems. (I am also secretly waiting for my fellow travelers who are going through the same suffering).
This cab did not accept credit card payments, so it would be a good idea to carry some cash with you.
You can stay around "Matka"
I have shown you how to stay in "Skopje" and enjoy sightseeing in "Matka" on a day trip, but in fact, there are three main Hotels in "Matka". (There are a few other smaller ones as well.)
１ Hotel „Canyon Matka“（Three stars Hotel）
3 star hotel in the center of Matoka（from google map）
Hotel Canyon Matka, a 3-star hotel, is located behind the waterfront restaurant mentioned above.
The view from the hotel is spectacular, and you are sure to have an unreal beautiful day.
２ Riverside Haven
google map
The hotel is located near a bus drop-off point.
It feels more like a cottage or guesthouse than a hotel and has a homey atmosphere. The most reasonably priced hotel in the area.
３ Hillside Haven
google map
Like "Riverside Haven" above, this hotel is located near a bus drop-off point.
It may seem a bit extravagant, but it is a place where you can relax and enjoy the scenery.
End...
Thank you for reading this far.
I hope you will experience firsthand that great nature of Matoka.