The stunning Matka Canyon is a good reminder of how close the mountains always are in Macedonia. Situated just 15km southwest of the city, the 5,000ha site features a wide range of things to see and do from enjoying a leisurely lunch on the terrace at the Canyon Matka restaurant to going on a boat tour from the neighbouring small harbour. Bursting with wildlife and famous for its caving and rock-climbing, to get there drive west out of the city and take a left onto the P402 that passes through the Albanian village of Saraj on the way. During the weekends and holidays the road is closed some distance from the canyon and it’s quite a long walk past the hydroelectric dam to get there. The area is also populated with several churches and monasteries clinging to both sides of the canyon. At the main site itself is the small St. Andrew’s Church, built in 1389 and worth the small fee to enter for the ancient frescos that lie within.