If you haven't decided where to spend your summer vacation yet, we present you with several suggestions, different and ideal depending on your preferences.
1. Waterfalls
If you don't like standing under the hot, strong sun in the summer, and prefer a cool and secluded place, why not head to the waterfalls, where you will both be recharged by the unique views and can cool off in the cold, bubbling waters.
Our suggestion for such a destination is the Krushuna Waterfalls. They are located near the village of Krushuna, Lovech district and are the largest water cascade in the country. The main waterfall is over 20 meters high, and several more are formed from it. It is suitable for adults and children, as it takes literally 10 minutes to climb from the starting point to the first waterfall. From there, the eco-trail starts, through which you can pass through all the beautiful water creations, the distance is really short and easily accessible. The waterfall itself springs from a cave and near the place is the Devetashka Cave, which is one of the largest mountains in Bulgaria.
The place is exotic, beautiful and fresh and excellent for relaxation.
- Mountain
Bezbog Peak – 2645 m. is definitely your place if you want to visit some of the Pirin peaks, but are afraid that you will be able to do it.
At the beginning of the route is the Gotse Delchev hut, located a few minutes by car from Dobrinishte, from where the Bezbog hut can be reached in 30 minutes by lift. Here you can stay overnight and/or rest. The hut also offers a stunning view of Bezbog Lake. The view in the opposite direction is also unique! With one glance, the beauties of Rila and Rhodope Mountains are revealed in front of you! The route to the very top is easy and well marked, and although it looks difficult and impressive in places, it is within everyone's power, and the view from the top is worth every effort. From Bezbog hut, for lovers of passes, you can reach Popovo Lake in 3 hours.
The town of Dobrinishte offers wonderful accommodation with a wide variety of restaurants and local taverns where you can enjoy the delicacies of this region. And on your way to the hut, pass by the fishpond, where you can catch your own lunch. The establishment offers all kinds of dishes and meals suitable for the trout raised there.
10 minutes from Dobrinishte is the town of Bansko, where you can immerse yourself in the stories and sights that this ancient and at the same time modernized place offers.
Last but not least – Dobrinishte is the starting point of the country's only narrow-gauge railway, so what are you waiting for!
- Mineral springs
For those of you who prefer to immerse yourself in hot waters and take advantage of their healing and relaxing properties, our suggestion is the mineral springs of the village of Varvara. The village is located at the foot of the Western Rhodopes, 19 km from Pazardzhik and 6 km from Septemvri, which is the last stop of our narrow-gauge railway. The village is located on the Chepinska River, along whose banks over 15 mineral springs have been discovered. Here, a deep spring of water with a high sulfur content and a temperature reaching 92 degrees was discovered with a probe, which ranks the spring in second place in Bulgaria in terms of water warmth. In the village of Varvara, you can stay in various hotels offering a pool with mineral water and other procedures, where you can indulge in complete relaxation.
Near the village is the town of Velingrad, which is ideal for a day trip. And if you want to experience the romance comparable to traveling back in time, then here is the final stop of the only functioning railway line. The line has a total length of 124.7 km and connects the Upper Thracian Plain, the Rhodope Mountains, Rila and Pirin. On the way you pass through a picturesque gorge and uniquely beautiful views!
- Rivers
Arda is perhaps the most impressive river in Bulgaria. It rises from Ardin Peak in the Rhodope Mountains and flows into Maritsa on Greek territory, forming unique meanders (bends of the riverbed in the shape of a horseshoe) on its way. On its way, the river travels 250 kilometers, filling three of the largest dams with water and flowing into Maritsa to complete its journey on the territory of Greece. One of the most impressive and easily accessible bends is those at the entrance to the Ivaylovgrad Dam. Madzharovo is an abandoned mining town located in a valley. It is believed to be the crater of a long-extinct volcano through which Arda made its way, forming beautiful meanders. The Madzharovo-Borislavtsi road, which winds along the river, is perhaps the most picturesque in Bulgaria, and the Eastern Rhodopes are the only place in our country where griffon vultures still nest. We advise you not to miss seeing the other two meanders of Arda, which are located very close. The first of them is in the area of the village of Rusalsko. The place is amazingly beautiful. The starting point for it is the aforementioned village of Borovitsa. No less beautiful are the other several meanders. Most of them are located in the area of the Kardzhali Dam. The most popular of them is known as "Zavoya".
Very close by is the village of Lyubino, where you can see another beautiful meander. There the river winds along the hill, on the top of which was the medieval fortress of Krivus. Parts of the fortress wall, the battlements and the entrance to the fortress have been preserved to this day.
These formations impress with their beauty, bringing the magic and wonder of the Rhodope Mountains. There are also other landmarks nearby, such as the Utrobata cave, Thracian rock niches near the village of Dazhdovnitsa, and the remains of the Patmos and Krivus fortresses.
- Monasteries
The Gigin Monastery "St. St. Cosmas and Damian" (also known as the Tsarnogorsk Monastery) dates back to the 11th-12th centuries, when the monastery was located at the foot of Mount Tumba (1129 m.), in the Kitka area. During the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, the monastery owned a rich farm and numerous properties donated to it by the Bulgarian kings and boyars.
The Gigin Monastery was one of the few Bulgarian monasteries that continued to function after the Ottoman invasion and established itself as a spiritual and educational center for the population in the region. In the 16th century, the monastery also housed a monastery school.
Around 1737-1739, the monastery was burned down by the Turks, only to be resurrected a little later thanks to several monks from Hilendar, who discovered a healing spring near the current buildings of the monastery and decided to move the monastery next to it.
The monastery is located about 1000 m above sea level, and in its courtyard there are benches, fountains and many flowers. On the territory of the monastery there is also a spring, the waters of which are considered to be healing. The healing water springs between the roots of an old oak tree, which is located in the courtyard of the monastery. Many people visit it and drink from the waters in the hope of health and well-being. Nowadays, the place has been completely renovated, and from the old buildings the small church, shops, the nunneries and the premises for the monks have been preserved. In the old church, you can see frescoes from the 19th century, and in the shops you can buy various products produced here - honey, jam, spices, buffalo yogurt.
The monastery and its surroundings are ideal for tourism if you are looking for peace and quiet from the city, while at the same time experiencing the holy abode.
A visit to the Gigin Monastery can be combined in good weather with a visit to the town of Tran and the Erma River Gorge or with a visit to the Zemen Monastery.
Another interesting place, although a little more difficult to reach, is the Temple-Well near the village of Garlo - a mysterious and unique place, a monument from a completely different culture, perfectly preserved, despite being over 3,000 years old.
- Rocks
The Belogradchik Rocks can rightly be called the 8th wonder of the world. The words of the writer Anton Strashimirov are also indicative: "Before the fantastic visions of the Belogradchik Rocks, human imagination is robbed, absolutely robbed of all its whims!" These incredible creations of nature are located in the area of the town of Belogradchik, in the Western Fore-Balkans. They stretch over a nearly 30km long section and are divided into three groups - Falkovska, Central and Zbegovska.
The unique natural phenomenon of Belogradchik Rocks is a rock complex with a length of about 30 km and a width of 6-7 km. The complex extends from west to east from Vedernik Peak (1124 m), around the town of Belogradchik, to the villages of Borovitsa and Belotintsi.
The Belogradchik rocks were sculpted by nature over a period of more than 200 million years. Their reddish hue is due to the iron oxide content.
They are rock formations of various shapes and sizes, rising more than 100 m high.
The first group of rocks is located around the town of Belogradchik. The names of the more famous ones are the Horseman, the Madonna, the Dervish, Adam and Eve, the Mushrooms, the Lion, the Monks, the Bear, the Castle, the Shepherd. In 2007, the Belogradchik Rocks were nominated in the “New Seven Wonders of the World” competition and took one of the top positions, although they did not reach the final.
The Belogradchik region is establishing itself as an attractive tourist destination. The town was selected in 2008 as the national winner of the EDEN program for an excellent tourist destination thanks to its rich Thracian heritage and impressive nature. If you haven't visited this phenomenon yet, maybe it's time to do so!
- Yiiii.. of course SEA!
Summer wouldn’t be summer if you didn’t visit some of the seaside towns and dive into the salty waters of the sea. There are many options here – about 200 km of sandy beaches, and whichever place you choose, the most important thing is to feel good, lying under the hot summer sun on the beach, hearing the ebb and flow of the sea waves and the cries of the seagulls. Bliss! Everyone probably has a “favorite” place on the Black Sea coast, where they want to return every year and know the surroundings, and even the restaurants and shops.
Our suggestion is to visit the incredible Bolata Bay. This is one of the most beautiful and protected bays located on the northern coast and is part of the Kaliakra Reserve, located on the northern part of Cape Kaliakra, near the town of Kavarna.
The bay is uniquely beautiful with its crystal clear sea water and fine sand. It can be boldly called the pearl of the Black Sea. Red rocks with caves carved into them stretch all around it. A short river flows through Bolata, into which numerous springs flow. Where they flow, a small lagoon mouth is formed, which so impresses visitors. The bay is one of the best places for diving.
Bolata is a well-known and unique place that captivates you upon your first visit.
Around the bay is the village of Bulgarevo, where anyone wishing for peace and relaxation can settle down, and for those who want more opportunities to visit, the town of Kavarna and the town of Balchik are nearby, and the beautiful city of Varna is 74 km away.
Whichever place you choose to visit this summer, the important thing is to spend happy moments and "recharge" with new energy, as well as to keep beautiful and incredible memories of the experience.
We wish you a wonderful summer, filled with many positive emotions, and we are always here to make it smarter >>> Travel backpacks