Day trip to Skopje and Matka Canyon from Sofia

Sofia, Bulgaria

11 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Save yourself the hassle of hiring a car, and get to two highlights of northern Macedonia with ease, thanks to this small-group day trip. After getting picked up from Sofia, the trip visits the capital city of Skopje to tick off a variety of local landmarks—such as Skopje Fortress, Macedonia Square, and the Memorial House of Mother Teresa. The trip also showcases the natural wonder of Matka Canyon, where you can embark on a boat trip through a cave.

Seamless day trip from Sofia to see Skopje and Matka Canyon
No research required: An English-speaking guide provides commentary
Travel effortlessly between dispersed sites in an air-conditioned vehicle
Tick off lots of sights in a day, including Skopje Fortress

What's Included

Air-conditioned vehicle
All Fees and Taxes
English speaking professional Bulgarian guide/driver
English-speaking proffessional Macedonian guide

Lunch
Gratitude to the guides

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

08:00 AM

Pickup details

We will pick you up from any hotel or address that you provide in Sofia

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Infant seats available

Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
We understand your concerns in relation to COVID 19, therefore we've taken the needed measures for you to feel safe. All our guides and drivers go through regular medical checks, wear masks during the tours and in each vehicle, we have a disinfectant spray. Furthermore due to the situation nowadays we organize tours only for small groups (up to 7 persons) and we have the option for private tours.
Please note that due to the current COVID situation you need to have any of the mentioned so that you can cross the border from North Macedonia to Bulgaria: negative PCR test (made up to 72 hours before you cross the border), negative antigen test (made up to 48 hours before you cross the border) or vaccination card (proving that you are fully vacinated).
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

25 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 25 reviews

awesome trip to Skopje

Emilie_A, Mar 2024

It was such a fascinating trip - awesome guides !! thank you so much ! I learnt so much and had the most splendid excursion with a lot of historical information. awesome!!

Didn't go - trip was cancelled

Daniel_D, Oct 2023

I'm sure this is a great experience but unfortunately I didn't get to experience the trip at all and they moved me to do to a different experience due to numbers.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

The Different experience was Skopje without Matka Canyon. You have experienced more than 70% of the tour. We called you on the phone and explained that we had a logistic struggle and offered you to join the group on the regular tour to Skopje. You agreed and we have refunded you with the difference in the price. This review is not fair at all.

Book it!

JosPedro_R, Sep 2023

Its was a really nice tour, everyone was super friendly, and its was really nice to meet new people.

Great intro to Macedonia with great guides

Aubrey_C, May 2023

Best part of the trip we’re the guides! Lubo is a well educated, well read young man whose conversation kept me interested throughout the journey to and from Sofia. And Mike in Skopje who was very friendly and interesting during our walk through the city. One criticism: the tour is not as described. We had more free time than planned in Skopje. Not a problem but the visit to matka canyon did not happen. Please change the tour description!

Response from Host, May 2023

Hello, First, thank you for your kind words for our guides Lubo and Mike. We are happy that you've enjoyed their company and the tour. Regarding the part with Matka Canyon. The description is correct but there was another issue which happened for the first time. We've just checked and noticed a technical mistake; your name was entered in the schedule for the Skopje tour instead of the Skopje and Matka tour. We have both products. Sorry for that. You had to inform the guides and they would have taken you to Matka Canyon. Hope that you will come back and we will have the chance to show it to you.

Opportunity to explore the world wonder

Joby_V, Apr 2023

This is an excellent itinerary. There are lot of things to see in Skopje. The boat trip towards the Matka Canyon and the visit to the cave is worth.

It was a small group of 5...

Devaky_D, Apr 2023

It was a small group of 5 people with Lyubo our guide. A very knowledgeable guide and kept us interested in the history and stories. 1 day is definitely not enough to enjoy the nature at Matya Canyon but good enough for a get to know the place with boat cruise. The city walking tour was just enough. Long day but interesting.

Well worth doing

Lachlan_B, Feb 2023

Great opportunity to see North Macedonia's main sites from Sofia. Match Canyon stunning and Skopje really interesting. Guide was a bit anti-North Macedonia but was very willing to share information or discuss items on any topic

Great day tour

Mary_M, Sep 2022

The driving back and forth was 8 hours. That leaves 2 hours only in Skopje. The 2 hours was with a local tour guide. She was great. But not the timing. I wish one can give us a 30mins overview and leave us 1:30 hours to explore. The canyon was amazing. And we did have sufficient time to take a boat ride. A big thanks to our driver who did a whole day of driving.

Fantastic trip, great guides

Bill_H, Sep 2022

If you can do this duel trip, go for it, a must not miss opportunity. A great day trip, and it is a day trip from just before 8am to around 9pm - 13 hrs, and around seven to eight hours of driving. Bring local currency, not many places take plastic whilst on this journey. We took our nine year old daughter who handled it very well. Guide very, very good. Good English, patient, well humored - a very good guide. We were 'gob smacked' with Skopje and even more 'gob smacked' with our canyon adventure which included a visit to a vast cave. Skopje guide was equally good. Cant recommend this trip too much, and if you get the same guides - excellent. It is a whirlwind tirp but well worth it.

Memorable day trip. Wish...

haq_n, Sep 2022

Memorable day trip. Wish we could have more time in Skopje or better stay the night over. City center is small andanageable. Interesti g to see the mother Teresa museum.

Skopje history and nature

Marica_D, Sep 2022

It was a beautiful experience and our tour leader Katerina was very informative and patient and took great care of us. The trip was long but worth it. Mike the tour guide in Skopje also was knowledgeable and showed us the most beautiful parts in Skopje. Matka canyon was an experience which left us speechless with the beauty of nature.

Nice trip

Melvin_L, Jun 2022

Skopje was a nice and interesting city. The way took about 4 hours to reach from Sofia. Spent 2-3 hours in city. Nice view and inexpensive meal in city centre. Local tour guide is very helpful as well.

Nice day

Kyra_L, Jun 2022

Very interesting guide and the tour was even better than expected. The canyon was soo beautiful, photos can’t replicate it. Highly recommend this tour.

Great experience!

Karla_K, May 2022

Our driver was amazing. He picked me up first and then we drove to pick rest of the crew. The journey is about 3-4h to get there but we had a A/C car so it was fine. Skopje is really amazing City and our guide Lence was great. I was only one who went to see Matka canyon as well with her but I would definitely recommend to everyone as it’s so beautiful! Definitely recommend this tour

Very good

Palmira_K, May 2022

Very friendly driver Boris and breathtaking scenery. Negative just crossing borderline between Bulgaria and Macedonia, waiting and checking long . Rest, everything was good.

La ville de Skopje est...

MAnge_M, Oct 2022

La ville de Skopje est très belle à voir. Malheureusement, il était prévu de passer devant la mosquée de Murat et de visiter la forteresse et cela n'a pas été le cas. Nous sommes donc restés sur notre faim, d'autant plus que le trajet est long pour arriver à Skopje. Dommage !

Likely to Sell Out