Day trip to Skopje and Matka Canyon from Sofia
4.5
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*

Day trip to Skopje and Matka Canyon from Sofia

By BulTrips
Recommended by 100% of travelers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-99, max of 15 per group
Duration: 11h 30m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More


  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • All Fees and Taxes
  • English speaking professional Bulgarian guide/driver
  • English-speaking proffessional Macedonian guide
  • Entry/Admission - Matka Canyon
What's not included
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratitude to the guides


Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.
    Pickup details
    • We will pick you up from your centrally located hotel or address in Sofia
    Hotel pickup offered
    During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.
      End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

        • Not wheelchair accessible
        • Near public transportation
        • Infant seats available
        If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 87479P23

        • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
        • 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 experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
        • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

        • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

        If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 87479P23

        From
        $153.11
        per adult (price varies by group size)
        Select date and travelers

        Similar experiences

        Itinerary
        • 1
        • 2
          Pass by
          Sultan Murad Mosque
        • 3
        • 4
        • 5
        • 6
        About the operator
        Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
        • BulTrips
          425
          Sofia, Bulgaria
          Joined in March 2018
        • MrVMalta
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Excellent guide
          I will be honest from the start, I really wasn’t a fan of Nis, but this tour was regardless really good. Our guide was professional, friendly, provided us with lots of information and interesting facts and he made a long drive to Nis very enjoyable. I will use Bultrips again in near future!
          Written January 26, 2025
        • connorl336
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Long Day but very fun
          Our driver from Sofia to Skopje was very professional and experienced. Told us plenty of facts and knowledge about both Bulgaria and North Macedonia. When we arrived in Skopje our local guide was very nice and very professional. The whole trip felt very safe. I would totally recommend this trip to anyone who is in Sofia for a few days and enjoys Long Road Trips.
          Written January 11, 2025
        • kostak881
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Great full day trip from Sofia!!! Highly recommended.
          Our driver (Ilyam) and guide Lena were just brilliant. Both very friendly and helpful. Lena gave us lots of information about Skopje and the history of the country. We saw the old part of Skopje, the bridges, the Triumph, the North Macedonian Square and we visited Mother Teresa's museum. We had adequate time to wander around and explore the area.
          Written January 1, 2025
        • ChrissyG143
          0 contributions
          2.0 of 5 bubbles
          Very Uncomfortable Ride
          The tour itself was fine. The ride was excruciating. The driver was nice and friendly. Pickup was late and the driver blamed it on other guests not showing up on time. He spent a bit too much time fidgeting with his phone while driving. This made me uncomfortable as texting and driving is very unsafe. I spent 7.5 hours packed into a cramped van with another guest and I trying, unsuccessfully, not to sit on one another. By the time I was dropped off, I had severe cramps in my legs and lower back. The company needs to invest in larger vehicles or take fewer passengers. I would not recommend this tour. The transportation conditions are not worth it. Find another vendor.
          Written December 30, 2024
        • jezmits
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          A really fun experience!
          Excellently planned trip from the tour providers. They were very enthusiastic about teaching us about North Macedonian history and we had a great time! It’s a shame daylight hours were so little and we did not get much F&E time. My only slight negative was the driver who took us was driving really fast (in a very confident and generally safe way, mind) and that made me a little bit anxious.
          Written December 13, 2024
        • 651ang_licac
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Excellent
          Bultrips are the best. Small groups and excellent service. We had a wonderful time and learned a lot about Bulgaria in this tour. We highly recommend it nd will definitely choose Bultrips again.
          Written December 11, 2024
        • lafayette1975
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Great day
          Excellent trip and guides in Bulgaria and North Macedonia were both excellent. We really enjoyed our day and recommend doing it.
          Written November 29, 2024
        • jlY5649LK
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Excellent tour to Thracian tombs from Sofia
          It's exciting to see the Thracian tombs and rose museum. The tour guide Krasi is soooooo nice! He made the whole trip done smoothly and provided plenty of information. It's the best tour I've ever had! Highly recommended!
          Written November 27, 2024
        • Kate Y
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Well beyond expectations
          This is one of the best day tours we have ever done. Excellent value for money. Daniel is an outstanding guide. Picked us up at our AirBnb address no problem. Ride was comfortable. Daniel was extremely knowledgeable on the history of Sofia which is no tall order as the history is complicated and highly nuanced. We visited plenty of historical ruins and places of worship - with plenty of time for a relaxing lunch and walk through the main shopping and restaurant mall. If we could give more than 5 stars we would! Highly recommend this trip!! You won’t be disappointed!!
          Written November 25, 2024
        • tussinis
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          3 day motorbikes friends Beklemato, Arch of Freedom, Plovid, Bansko, Rila monastery and Sofia
          I have to say that it was definitely a success to find Adrian/Daniel and their business. It has been totally a success and a pleasant surprise to find trips-bg.com and use their motorcycle rental service. We are 5 friends who have been traveling once a year for 11 years to a different country each time. All five of us agreed that this trip to Bulgaria has been one of the best and It was basically thanks for finding Adrian/Daniel and his business which was totally a luck and a success. it is true that, nlike official rentals, they do not have their own workshop or shop like other official sites, but the motorcycles were really in excellent and optimal condition. And, above all, everything was very, very easy to organize with them, with a very good flow of contact. Also, the route and the recommendations that they proposed were excellent. It was basically 3 days of motorcycle riding and around 1000 kms. If anyone needs more information or suggestions, they can write to me at: tussini69@googlemail.com
          Written November 19, 2024
        • honorat_hm704
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Amazing experience!
          This tour was very amazing and I really enjoyed it. Our driver was very professional, friendly and pleasant. Our guide, Lena, in Skopje did a wonderful job. She provided us with insightful information about the city. Please note it’s four-hour drive both ways, 2-hour classic walking tour in Skopje and 2 hours free time. So be prepared for this long trip. The border crossing experience between Bulgaria and Macedonia was really smooth. I would recommend this tour to anyone who would like to visit North Macedonia while staying in Sofia.
          Written November 12, 2024
        • ronaldcS942YZ
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Nice day trip to Skopje
          Although it was a long ride, we had a great guide with perfect English that kept it interesting with history, etc. Glad we visited Skopje, nice architecture.
          Written November 12, 2024
        • amymY9915AZ
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Fantastic guide & tour
          The guide was fantastic, so knowledgeable about all the sights. Our tour had 4 plus the guide, so a great group size. We went to the fortress first, then the monastery so it would be quieter. That also gave us the maximum amount of free time in Plovdiv. The monastery is the 2nd largest and is very beautiful. The fortress has amazing views. Plovdiv was great and the guide covered all the key areas before we spent some free time. A great day trip to explore these sights
          Written November 7, 2024
        • O6422TCandrews
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Masterclass in Thracian history and access to sites you’re unlikely to visit otherwise. Well worth the effort.
          This one is for the history & archeology fans… The things you want to know: Pick up was on time at our location, travel was in a comfortable vehicle and stops for stretching legs, toilets and refreshments were planned in so absolutely no need to worry about any of that. It is a long day but it is worth it… Our Guide: Hugely knowledgeable and clearly passionate about his subject. Time passed quicker on route simply because of all the information he was able to impart. Spoke very good English so easy to understand and equally happy to take plenty of questions. Good luck asking him something about Bulgarian history he can’t answer! The Trip: The first stop is just a teaser and then on to the museum. Having the guide is essential, the artefacts in the museum are brought to life through the knowledge of the guide. Stopped for a quick bite and then on to the other tombs. These tombs were all unique but all fascinating and amazing giving an incredible insight into Thracian culture. Should I go? Well, if history is your thing, when else are you ever going to see and enter burial tombs from the 4th century BC? Or spend time with an expert in the history of Bulgaria or Thrace in particular? Book it now.
          Written October 23, 2024
        • 624bcburton
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Great day out in Plovdiv
          The guide arrived promptly at 8:30, we travelled in a small, but comfortable mini van as there was only one other person on the tour. The drive took a little over two hours with a short stop on the way to get snacks, stretch our legs. We went on a great walking tour around Plovdiv, with stops the see the stadium, theatre and one of the houses in the old town. We then had time to have lunch and wander on our own before heading to the fortress and monastery. Both were fascinating in different ways. The guide was friendly and professional and very knowledgeable.
          Written October 23, 2024
        See all 425 reviews
        These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

        Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

        Popular mentions

        4.5
        4.5 of 5 bubbles11 reviews
        Excellent
        8
        Very good
        3
        Average
        0
        Poor
        0
        Terrible
        0

        Cristiano André Lenz
        Lajeado, RS19 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Sep 2022
        This tour to Skopje in North Macedonia is a great opportunity to get to know one more country for the list when in Sofia, Bulgaria. Our group was small and Vasco was our driver and guide for the Bulgarian part of the trip, and he is one of the best guides I ever had in my life, being an extremely nice and intelligent person, telling us really interesting facts, being excellent company for the route and turning the experience into VIP. Vasco also managed to solve some unforeseen events along the way very efficiently, really an exceptional guy. Once in Skopje, our group was guided through the main sights of the city by a local guide who was very knowledgeable about the history and customs of North Macedonia from the point of view of a citizen of the country itself. Finally, we visit the beautiful Matka Canyon in a boat ride inside it, with its unmissable breathtaking scenery, in a experience to by remembered for all my life. I strongly recommend this tour, the company BulTrips and the very professional guide Vasco.
        Written January 22, 2023
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Erica N
        1 contribution
        4.0 of 5 bubbles
        Jun 2024 • Family
        Although the ride there took a bit long in a small bus, it was compensated by the interesting stories of the nice guides who also drove. In Skopje, we were accompanied by a Macedonian guide who took us to the canyons. He really did his best to make us feel as comfortable as possible. Nothing was too crazy or too much to ensure a great experience.
        Written July 3, 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Em
        Cadiz, Spain344 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Actually I t was a private tour because only me went to Matka. I'm so happy I booked that one.
        Daniel a wonderful tour guide and driver. We spent the whole day together so We had very deep conversation about everything He is a so funny person as well.

        Mike from Skopje also is an amazing guy. He very knowledgeable. He was so kind with me:He bought a magnet for me because I don't use cash.

        I can't recommend enough this tour!
        Written September 15, 2023
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Lara B
        Rosenheim, Germany2 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        My boyfriend and I had a free day on our 3-day trip to Sofia because we saw all that we wanted to, so we booked this trip to Skopje to fill this day. And it was THE MOST BEAUTIFUL part of our trip!! The guide picked us in front of the hotel and on our way to Skopje he told us a lot of informations that we didn’t know about Bulgarian and Macedonian history, and our 3,5 hour ride went by really fast!
        In Skopje we met our local guide and had a 2 hours city tour, and than we went to Matka Canyon and it was wonderful! The boat ride, the beautiful cave.. The whole day was perfect and was the highlight of our 3-day trip! Thank you to guides Adrian and Mike who made this trip even more memorable!
        Written February 23, 2020
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Ian R
        2 contributions
        4.0 of 5 bubbles
        Very enjoyable, but a long day. Guide was very good and attentive to all requirements. Time in Skopje was a bit rushed but definitely worth seeing. Matka is probably best done in the summer months.
        Written December 4, 2022
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        EverlastingSong
        London, UK61 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Oct 2022
        I was really lucky as the weather was nice and we had Vasko as our tour guide. He was extremely knowledgeable and fun, being a historian. I actually learned a lot of regional history from him.

        The drive to Skopje was quite long but not boring at all. We pulled over a couple of times to enjoy the views and to stretch our legs. Skopje was really nice, easy enough to walk around. We visited quite a few places with the help from our local guide Lina. We then took a boat trip in Matka Canyon to see the cave.

        I really had a great time and would highly recommend this tour. Thank you so much Vasko!
        Written October 8, 2022
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Esther
        Rhode Island22 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Our tour guide was a local, very knowledgeable about his country's history, we had a blast a the Matka Canyon it is such a beautiful place well worth the visit!
        Written May 21, 2023
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Brett
        Singapore, Singapore18 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        There were 2 guides on this trip and both were friendly and knowledgable

        Food along the way was great (bought in Macedonia)

        Boat ride was relaxing and scenic

        Great introduction to Macedonia I will be back !
        Written December 15, 2022
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        MAH
        Chennai (Madras), India26 contributions
        4.0 of 5 bubbles
        Nov 2022
        Skopje has a nice square and market place , Mother Theresa memorial in a far away nation is close to every Indian’s heart and the natural beauty of Matka canyon just 25 km away is a icing in the cake and the tour guide is knowledgeable about the history of the region
        Written November 13, 2022
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        derekmY3022QG
        Carbis Bay, UK10 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Had an amazing time , our guide
        Lubo was very knowledgeable about the local area and was very friendly and helpful
        Skopje was a decent city but the highlight by far was the stunning Matka canyon
        There is a great little restaurant there and the coffee is decent also
        The boat trip to the cave gave stunning views
        You also get to go inside the caves
        10/10
        Written November 7, 2022
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Showing results 1-10 of 11
        *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

        Day trip to Skopje and Matka Canyon from Sofia provided by BulTrips

        All Sofia HotelsSofia Hotel DealsLast Minute Hotels in Sofia
        All things to do in Sofia
        Day Trips in Sofia
        RestaurantsFlightsVacation RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesRental Cars