The short answer
The currency is the Macedonian denar, written MKD or den. For a day at Matka Canyon, take denars out in Skopje first. Our canyon guides say the bus, the boats, kayak hire and the food stalls are cash jobs, and that there are no cash machines to fall back on once you get there.
We give no exchange rate. Wikipedia says the denar is pegged to the euro and gives a de facto figure of about 61 denars to the euro, but that figure is undated and unofficial. We could not read the National Bank’s own site, so check a live rate before you travel.
Notes and coins
Wikipedia lists banknotes of 10, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 denars, and coins of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 50 denars. One denar is divided into 100 deni, but deni are no longer used.
Cards, ATMs and exchange
Wikivoyage says card and contactless payment are well established in North Macedonia, and that ATMs are common. It also says they usually add a fee of 200 to 300 denars on top of whatever your own bank charges, and that 2025 and 2026 experiences vary by bank. We have not verified dated card or ATM terms for any UK bank, so ask yours about foreign fees before you go.
Wikivoyage says to avoid changing money on the street. For Skopje, it lists ATMs near the bus station and an exchange office there open from 06:30 to 18:30. That is secondary information, so treat the hours as a guide.
Many places quote prices in euros, according to Wikivoyage, and many accept them. We have not verified that for Matka, so do not plan around paying in euros there.
Cash for Matka Canyon
Our existing canyon pages all point the same way.
- Bus and taxi. The getting there guide says to bring denars for the bus or taxi. It puts city bus 60 at about 35 to 60 MKD each way, and a taxi at about 600 to 1,000 MKD for the car one way. Those are guide-reported ranges, checked in October 2026.
- Boats and kayaks. Macedonia Guidebook says cards are unreliable at small kiosks and on boats. The Blog Trotter says boat tours, kayak hire, food and souvenir stalls take cash only. Prices are on the boat and kayak page.
- Cash machines. The Blog Trotter says they are not readily available at the canyon. Bring denars from Skopje.
- Entry. The getting there guide says entry to the canyon is free.
A sensible plan is to withdraw enough in Skopje for transport, a boat trip, a drink and something to eat, with a margin. We cannot tell you the right amount, because prices differ between guides and we have no single official tariff.
Driving and tolls
If you hire a car, GOV.UK says tolls on major roads can be paid in denars or in euros, in cash or by credit card. Our getting there page covers the drive to Matka.
Bringing cash into the country
GOV.UK says to declare foreign currency worth 10,000 euros or more when you enter North Macedonia. Undeclared cash may be seized when you leave. A day-trip budget is nowhere near that figure, but the rule is on the entry requirements page too.
Before you go
- Ask your bank about foreign card and cash withdrawal fees.
- Withdraw denars in Skopje before you head to the canyon.
- Keep small notes and coins for the bus.
- Check a live exchange rate on the day, because we publish none.
- Read practical information for plugs, phones and emergency numbers.
