Rural Bulgaria boasts a wealth of beauty - valleys, hills, forests, rivers and lakes. Combine this with breathtaking scenery, traditional villages and crystal clear air and you have the perfect rural experience.
Whether you like hiking, caving, horse riding, fishing, water sports or just relaxing in the nature and fresh air then rural Bulgaria has something to offer.

Apriltsi - 200 kms from Sofia the town is situated in a lovely valley with great views. The landscape is diverse with dense forests, picturesque hills and lush meadows with winding rivers. A very natural environment. The valley of Apriltsi is bounded by the Severen Dzhendem Reserve, the mountain peaks of Triglav, Botev and Maragidik. Apriltsi has developed into an attractive mountain resort with good facilities, hotels and restaurants. Good opportunities for horse riding and hiking. Made up from four villages, the town is attracting both more tourists and investors each year.
Arbanassi - One of Bulgaria’s most pretty villages. A well preserved village with authentic houses that look like mini fortresses on the outside as you see high walls and heavy iron gates. This is deceptive as they are spacious and comfortable inside with rich decorations. Just 4kms from Veliko Turnovo and some of the many monasteries built during the Second Empire.

Bistrilitsa - This village is within 20kms to the regional centre of Montana and is a picturesque district. Nearby is one of the largest reservoirs in Bulgaia with facilities for rowing. The rivers and small artificial lakes (3kms from the village) are good for fishing and water sports.
Bozhentsi - This idyllic village lies just 16 kms from the town of Gabrovo. Bozhentsi is magical and it fels as if time has stood still here. Old authentic houses. 100 houses remain which were built some as long as 250 years ago. The well in the square and the church are also almost 200 years old. Bozehentsi is an architecturally protected reserve.
Elena - Elena is an ancient settlement set 42 kms south east of Veliko Turnovo. It’s a mountain resort with well preserved architecture dating back to the Bulgarian National Revival. Most of the houses have the typical Bulgarian features of stone basements with white washed or wooden walls on the upper floors with protruding bays.The Yovkovtsi Dam is just 5kms away and is a great location for water sports and fishing.

Etropole - A quiet agricultural town surroundd by pastures. Most visitors come here for the fresh mountain air and hiking. The monastery of Sveta Troitsa is 4 kms away.
Kotel - Set in picturesque natural scenery, this has lovely nature and beautiful architecture from the Late Revival period.
Kovatchevitza - Feast your eyes!Picturesque canyohns,; crystal clear rivers, thick forests and breathtaking views. You can really imagine the past in this village tucked away between the ridges in the remote south west corner of the Rhodopes. Narrow cobblestone streets with tall white houses.
Leshten - Typical Bulgarian village located in the south west in the Pirin mountains. The village only has around 30 houses all of which are build in traditinal bulgarian architectural style. All of the houses are connected to the main street which goes through the village. A good place for fishing, riding and mountain walking

Melnik - This is the smallest Bulgarian town. Reputed to be the most romantic town in Bulgaria it is situated admist the most fantastic scenery. Fortress like houses perched high on slopes. Famous for its wines. It has become more attractive to tourists and property buyers alike.
Momtchilovtci - In the heart of the Rhodope mountains, this is really picturesaue. A popular holiday choice with good access. Masses of wild fruit, herbs and mushrooms. The people here fiercely protect the traditions of Rhodope dance and music folklore. Good conditions for hiking and caving.
Shiroka Luka - In the valley of Shirokolushka River, this village is 20kms north west of Smolyan and is an architectural and ethnographic reserve. Lovely typical Bulgarian architecture of the Revival style and one of the nicest National Revival villages in Bulgaria. Beautiful restaurants and taverns. Plenty of mountain walking

Sopot - A good size town with 12,000 inhabitants. The town is in the valley of Karlovo, which is the western part of the Valley of the Roses, and is 136km east of Sofia. The large Sopot dam is used for fishing and recreation. Many holiday houses and chalets have been built around the lake.
Troyan - Situated in the major northern economic region of the country, the town is the centre of the municipality. Set on the terraced banks of Beli Osam River in the Stara Planina mountain range. Excellent possibilities for rural tourism and very popular area with purchasers.
Tryavna - Huddled in the norther folds of the Central Balkan ange, along the Tryavna River. A number of villages and hamlets lie around the focal settlement. A charming place with natural beauty and the Bulgarian Revival spirit. Loved by tourists for its clean air and Renaissance architecture.
Plus of course the magnificent Veliko Turnovo, a beautiful city surrounded by magnificent scenery.

Photography - Nikolay Dimitrov www.e-cobo.com