Add dates

SkopjeOutdoor activities

Our most recommended Skopje Outdoor activities

Skopje: Matka Canyon and Vodno Mountain Half-Day Trip

1. Skopje: Matka Canyon and Vodno Mountain Half-Day Trip

Escape from the city into nature on this half-day trip through the woods and pastures of Mount Vodno. Admire the scenic views over the Skopje valley and the nature reserve at Matka Canyon. Start your adventure with pickup at your hotel for the drive up Vodno Mountain. Enjoy a stop at the 576-high summit to take some photographs of the vista. Next, move onto witness the 12th-century Church of Saint Panteleimon. Admire its famous Byzantine-style coloring and dramatic composition. Get ready for nature with your final stop at Matka Canyon. Feel the fresh air and be surrounded by mountains and breathtaking landscapes. While there, complete your experience by taking the opportunity to go an optional boat trip (additional expense).

From Skopje: Vodno Mountain and Matka Canyon Tour

2. From Skopje: Vodno Mountain and Matka Canyon Tour

Depart Skopje and travel in air-conditioned comfort to Vodno Mountain. Ride the cable car up to Millennium Cross on arrival, and enjoy panoramic views back across Skopje from one of the biggest Christian crosses in the world. Take the cable car back down Vodno Mountain to continue to the mountain village of Gorno Nerezi by air-conditioned vehicle. Visit the small 12th-century Church of St. Panteleimon on arrival and marvel at the historical frescoes of Byzantine art inside. Next, make your way to the Matka Canyon to enjoy a tasty lunch in a nice restaurant by the lake. Take an optional boat trip to the Vrelo cave or go for a nature walk along the many marked trails. Fill your lungs with fresh country air before the return trip to Skopje, and get dropped off at the triumphal arch of the Porta Macedonia on arrival.

Half Day Tour from Skopje to Matka Canyon

3. Half Day Tour from Skopje to Matka Canyon

During this half-day spent in nature, you will feel removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. Matka Canyon is one of the most popular outdoor destinations surrounding Skopje. You will find many species of plants, animals and butterflies will make you want to come again! Sit back and relax by the lake with a spectacular view on the cliffs in front of you can rent a kayak and try your kayaking skills, or go on a boat tour and admire the tranquility of the canyon. Visit Vrelo Cave or simply explore the beautiful nature all around you. You can also enjoy a nice meal on the terrace of the restaurant overlooking the lake. 

Full-Day Tour of Ohrid from Skopje

4. Full-Day Tour of Ohrid from Skopje

This tour takes you to the city Ohrid from Skopje. The drive from Skopje to Ohrid takes about 2 hours. Upon arrival in Ohrid you"ll start the tour with a visit to the church of St. Sophia,  which dates back to the 11th century. The you'll go up to the Roman amphitheatre, which dates back to the 3rd century B.C. Afterwards, you will continue walking to the Icon Gallery, home to a range of some of the most famous and valuable icons in the world, right after the ones on Athos and in Russia. In the vicinity of the gallery is the Church of St. Clement’s, or the Church of the Holy Mother of God Most Glorious, which dates back to the 13th century and possesses some of the most beautiful and valuable frescoes from the 13th century not only in this country but in the whole of the Balkans. After that you will carry on walking to Tsar Samoil’s Fortress, named after the first tsar of the Macedonian Slavs, who, having conquered Byzantium, brought most of Macedonia under his rule. Then you will walk to Plaoshnik, where you will visit the newly built St. Clement’s Monastery Church. Dedicated to St. Clement - the patron of Ohrid - and St. Panteleimon, it stands beside the original site of St. Clement’s University, the first university of the Macedonian Slavs, founded in the 9th century A.D. Inside the church you can also see the tomb with St. Clement’s relics. Beside the church you can see the foundations of the 5th-century basilica with beautifully preserved mosaic floors and some swastikas also discovered on the floors. From here you will head towards the Church of St. Jovan at Kaneo, which was built at the end of the 13th century, and is one of the most frequently visited churches in Ohrid because of its beautiful location on the cliffs directly above the lake. After this you will go back to the town on foot. Another option is to return to the town by boat and at the same time make a tour of the lake providing you with a great view of the town. After a short break, you will return to Skopje.

Skopje: Kartal Winery Tour

5. Skopje: Kartal Winery Tour

Upon arrival at the winery, learn about the winemaking process on a guided tour with one of the owners. Learn more about North Macedonian grape varieties, cuisine, and viticulture throughout the tour.  After the tour, taste a selection of wines produced on-site. Sample some varieties of Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Vranec paired with platters of local cheese, meat, olive oil, and bread.

Skopje: Matka Canyon Sightseeing Tour

6. Skopje: Matka Canyon Sightseeing Tour

Discover the most beautiful landscape in the Skopje region on this scenic sightseeing hike and cruise of the Matka Canyon. Sail between vertical rocks, see ancient temples, medieval churches, and hilltop monasteries. Start at the 14th-century Monastery of Matka, dedicated to the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God, a religious festival celebrated on August 28 every year. Walk along the banks of the River Treska, famous for its kayak competitions, following the path past the Dam and manmade Lake Matka. Next, climb aboard a small boat to cruise along the 5-mile (8-kilometer) canyon, soaking up the surroundings and scent of flowers. Listen and look out for abundant birdlife, and keep your eyes open for wild boar and hare. On your return, stop opposite the Monastery of St. Andrew and climb up forested hills to the Monastery of St. Nikola. From the plateau, your efforts will be rewarded with breathtaking views. A hospitable church-keeper, who built the surrounding mountain huts, will welcome you inside the monastery for yet another perspective of this magical and mysterious land.

From Skopje: 6-Hour Private Mavrovo Tour

7. From Skopje: 6-Hour Private Mavrovo Tour

Start with a morning departure for Mavrovo. After arriving have a short informational session about Mavrovo and Mavrovo National Park. Visit the Cave Sharko and have a little walk and see ski passes and hotels around the area. After that, visit the village of Galicnik where Galicka Svadba (wedding) takes place. Galichnik is a mountain village in the Republic of Macedonia and along with Lazaropole, it is one of the two largest and oldest Mijak villages in the region. Galichnik has well-preserved traditional architecture, including an amphitheater in the village square, and is famous for its surrounding countryside and nature reserve. People from Galichnik and northwestern Macedonia appreciate the local yellow cheese (Kashkaval) that is produced in the region as well as the local salt brine white cheese "belo sirenje." After visiting Galicnik, drive along Mavrovo Lake and canyon of river Radika to the biggest monastery in Macedonia – Bigorski Monastery with its wood carved iconostasis from 18th century. After that, visit a natural place – Waterfall Duf. This tour then continues to visit the wonderful Monastery Rajcica. After that, have a traditional lunch in Mavrovo and return to Skopje.

From Sofia: Skopje and Matka Canyon Day Trip

8. From Sofia: Skopje and Matka Canyon Day Trip

Cross the border from Bulgaria and enjoy a day trip in Macedonia. Dive into the past as you explore Skopje's historic neighborhoods and see its attractions. Learn about the history of the Macedonians as you walk through the new part of the city, rebuilt during the Skopje 2013 project. After your visit to Skopje, head to Matka Canyon to take a break in nature. Your day trip begins with an 8:00 AM pickup from your accommodation in Sofia. Drive for approximately 3.5 hours and reach Skopje. During your drive learn about the history of the region from the Bulgarian point of view. Arrive in Skopje and have a 2-hour guided tour of the city from a local Macedonian guide. Learn about Yugoslavia and have the chance to compare the two historic perspectives of the region provided to you on this trip. During your guided tour of Skopje visit Skopje Fortress, Sultan Murat Mosque, and the Old Bazaar. Have the chance to see the caravanserais from the Ottoman period when Skopje was one of the main trade centers in the Balkans. Visit the new neo-classical Macedonia Square and be impressed by the statue of Alexander the Great and his father Phillip II. Continue on to the Mother Teresa Memorial House. In the house museum, learn about Mother Teresa's life story. Afterward, conclude your walking tour of Skopje at Macedonia Gate. Head to Matka Canyon where you will have approximately 1.5-hours to admire the beauty of nature. Have the chance to enjoy a boat trip inside the canyon and pass by one of the deepest underwater caves in the world. At about 4:00 PM, meet with the rest of the group and depart back to Sofia. On the drive back, discuss your day's impressions and ask your guide any remaining questions you may have. Unfortunately, the day trip's itinerary will not allow you to have free time for lunch in Skopje. It is recommended to take some fast food during the walking tour or bring some sandwiches with you. You can buy food from a petrol station before arriving in the city.

Skopje: City Highlights Tour with Transfer and Food

9. Skopje: City Highlights Tour with Transfer and Food

Explore all the major landmarks of Skopje on this thorough guided tour through the most iconic areas of the city and beyond. Try some delicious local meals and treats as you discover your surroundings with a local expert. Have a lovely start to your day with a coffee at The Dude Specialty and breakfast at a small bakery, where you'll try the famous burek with yogurt. Begin the tour by heading up to Vodno Mountain. Take a thrilling cable car ride to the top to see the Millennium Cross and admire the spectacular views. Continue your drive to Matka Canyon and walk along the bank of the River Treska to reach the Monastery of St. Andrew. Afterward, take a relaxing boat ride to take in the magnificent scenery. Stop by Cave Vrelo, which is full of amazing stalactites and stalagmites and contains two small lakes. Drive back to Skopje and start the walking city tour with a visit to Kale Fortress, then Mustafa Pasha Mosque, and, finally, a stroll through the Old Skopje Bazaar where three caravanserais can still be seen, along with two Turkish baths dating back to the 15th century. Enjoy lunch at Destan, a great traditional kebab restaurant, and try Skopsko, the local beer. After lunch, the tour continues toward the modern part of the city. Cross the Stone Bridge to see numerous statues and monuments, then end your trip with a visit to the Memorial House of Mother Teresa.

From Skopje: Berovo Full Day Tour and Hike

10. From Skopje: Berovo Full Day Tour and Hike

In the eastern part of Macedonia, at an altitude of 800 to 900 meters and at the foot of Malesevski mountains is Berovo – a small mountain town. Berovo and Malesevija are small regions, but they represent a unique combination of almost untouched nature, cultural heritage, ethnography, traditional music and handicrafts. Your tour starts from Skopje early in the morning, from where you will drive to eastern Macedonia (around 2.5 hours) and arrive in Berovo at around 09.30-10.00. Take some free time for rest and to enjoy nature. After that, start your walking tour: a 12 kilometer hike that begins from the hotel “Manastir” and ends at the “Klepalo” sheepfold. You will walk next to the Berovo Lake, which is a great place for kayaking and fishing. Its dam was built in 1970, one of the highest arch dams in Macedonia. Walking on the colorful meadows you can taste different forest fruits and gather many different herbs for preparing a tea. You will have a traditional lunch prepared with eco-products from your surroundings when you finish at the sheepfold. Then begin your return journey and arrive back in Skopje around 21:00. 

18 activities found
Sort by:
Page 1 of 2

Frequently asked questions about Skopje Outdoor activities

What are other things to do than Outdoor activities that are worth visiting in Skopje?

The other unmissable things to do in Skopje are:

Which Skopje Outdoor activities are taking additional COVID-19 precautions?

Other Sightseeing Options in Skopje

Want to discover all there is to do in Skopje? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Skopje

This was such a fun tour! Suzanna was an excellent guide and very informative. Matka Canyon is definitely a must see. You should try to do some hiking/walking along the river trail in addition to the boat ride to the cave. The energy museum is also worth visiting.

Vladimir was such a good tour guide, he explainedall the historical and cultural things there is to talk about and even made overall suggestion about my trip in Skopje. I definitely recommend it especially in winter because of transportation.

Great tour, I even overslept on the original day I booked but they let me join the next days tour with no extra charge or anything which I really appreciated

This tour packed in a lot of sites but with enough time to enjoy them all.

The guide was very knowledgeable and planned the trip well.