Smolyan and the region
Smolyan, the pearl of the Rhodope Mountains. Sunny skies and crystal-clear air that smells of pine!
The town of Smolyan
Smolyan is the administrative, cultural and educational centre of its municipality and province, and of the Middle Rhodopes. The town fills most of the valley of the Cherna river. Along both banks, from west to east, lie its three large districts: Smolyan, Raykovo and Ustovo. The mountain town combines modern buildings with traditional Rhodope architecture.
The Middle Rhodopes are excellent for tourism: high peaks ringed by pretty meadows and age-old coniferous and broadleaf forests, long ridges crossed by hiking trails, rivers and rapids of crystal-clear cold water, sky-blue lakes and majestic rock formations. First-time visitors fall for the lush meadows full of flowers and the spruce and fir forests dotted with wild strawberries, raspberries and blueberries.
The Smolyan Lakes
They lie at the upper end of town, towards the Prevala peak, and were formed by landslides. Their rich plant and animal life draws many tourists and anglers. The highest one, below the Sechimeka peak, is also the deepest.
- 7lakes
- 4.5 mdepth of the highest
- 150 mits length
Sights in the Rhodopes
A mild climate, mountains that charm in every season and rich cultural and folk traditions have made the Rhodopes a favourite place for holidays and tourism. The mountains are tied to the ancient legend of Orpheus, the mythical Thracian singer.
Pamporovo
With its many runs and lifts, one of the most attractive mountain resorts, ideal in summer and in winter.
National Astronomical Observatory
The fourth most powerful in Europe and the largest in the Balkans. It has four towers, the highest 38 m tall. Its 2 m telescope is made for photography rather than viewing.
The Planetarium
One of the town's most visited places. In its “star hall” you feel part of the universe and get to “step” on the Moon. Valya Balkanska's recording of “Izlel e Delyo Haydutin” travels through space on Voyager.
The caves
The Rhodopes are the oldest folded mountains in the Balkans, with wide karst areas and many caves. You enter them only with caving guides; the local caving and mountain clubs provide the gear.
The Wonderful Bridges
A natural wonder: rock formations that look like bridges.
Narechen Baths
A large spa complex 620 m above sea level. The mild mountain climate, mineral waters and stunning nature make it a favourite holiday place.
The Smolyan Lakes
In the heart of the mountains. Of the twenty pearl-and-emerald “eyes of the Rhodopes” of old, seven remain. Spruce forests around them give them a deep, dark green colour.
Tourist routes
The tourist packages of the Middle Rhodopes region and Smolyan municipality:
-
“2000 years in one day”
a day tour
To the Eagle Rock south of Smolyan, at the foot of Kaynadina peak: a view over the town's three centres, the waterfall and the Nevestata, Tiklarnika, Chervenata Skala and Kokoshiya Kamak rocks. Then the Roman bridge, the sculptures “Orpheus and Eurydice” and “Orpheus and Rhodopa”, the age-old plane tree, the lakes, the monument to Colonel Serafimov and the talk “Two thousand years of Smolyan” at Mogilata, where an early Christian basilica was found.
-
“At the foot of Ardin peak”
three days
Uhlovitsa cave; the wild water cave Golubovitsa, crossed by boat in waterproof overalls, for adrenaline lovers; the spring of the Arda river under an age-old beech; the climb to Ardin peak; the Agushev Konak in Mogilitsa and the Smilyan bean exhibition in the Smilyan community centre.
-
“At the foot of Orpheus' Rocks”
three days
The “Canyon of Waterfalls” eco-trail past 46 waterfalls along the Gerzovska river, the Soskovcheto reserve, Orpheus' Rocks, the Nevestata rock, the restored Smolyan fortress and the monastery of St Panteleimon.
-
“Along the highest ridges of the Rhodopes”
nature and culture
Climbing Perelik and Shirokolashki Snezhnik, and the villages of Gela, Stikal, Solishta and Shiroka Laka, the cradle of Rhodope folklore, with the National School of Folk Arts and the Zgurov Konak.
-
The festivals
outside the summer season
The spring mummers' and masquerade festival “Pesponedelnik” in Shiroka Laka and the autumn Smilyan Bean Festival in Smilyan, with the packages “Mummers in Shiroka Laka on Pesponedelnik” and “Taste the best beans in the world”.
Stay in the centre of Smolyan
On request, we arrange trips for our guests to the caves and natural sights of the area.