The stunning Matka Canyon is a good reminder of how close the mountains always are in Macedonia. Situated just 15km southwest of Skopje, the 5,000 hectare 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. The area’s also populated with several churches and monasteries clinging to both sides of the canyon, among them the magnificent Church of St. Spas. At the main site itself is the diminutive St. Andrew’s Church, built in 1389 and worth the small fee to enter for the ancient frescos that lie within.