15 Stunning Rock Formations You'll Only Find in Bulgaria
Imagine driving along a simple mountain road and suddenly coming across a group of giant stone mushrooms. Or standing in front of a field of giant vertical stones, still keeping the mystery of their origin from scientists. Bulgaria is a land of rock wonders and has a lot to show you. Here’s Culture Trip’s guide of some of the best rock phenomena to see in Bulgaria.
1. Belogradchik Rocks
The Belogradchik Rocks have caught the imagination of Bulgarians for centuries and most of the strangely shaped rocks have their own names – the Schoolgirl, the Priest, the Couple, etc. One of the best places to admire them is the Belogradchik fortress, which is partly built in the rocks. Be there for the sunset to see the rocks changing their nuances of red and orange.
ul. “Dedo Bozhin” 15, 3900 Belogradchik, Bulgaria
Tyulenovo Rocks
While the South of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast is sandy and touristy, the North is wilder and rocky. A favorite place of climbers and wild camping lovers, the rocky coast near the village of Tyulenovo will amaze you with its arches and shapes. Be there for the sunrise as it’s probably the most beautiful along the Bulgarian coastline.
Stob Pyramids
2. Melnik Pyramids
Monastery
Another pyramid-shape formation has created other-worldly landscapes near the smallest Bulgarian town, Melnik. The Melnik Pyramids spread for miles all the way from Melnik town to Rozhen Monastery. The area is famous for its typical wines too, so don’t miss the chance to taste them.
3. Pobitite Kamani (the Stone Desert)
Forest
Pobitite Kamani, also known as the Stone Desert, is situated a short drive away from the seaside city of Varna. This is a huge field of stones vertically set in the ground, which as the legend goes, was created by a giant. When it comes to science, though, there is no agreement among the researchers and their origin is still unknown. The sight of the stones only becomes more special because of surrounding uncertainty and mystery.
4. The Stone Wedding
The legend says that a girl and a boy fell in love and wanted to get married but their parents didn’t agree. The young couple kept on insisting and finally the wedding was organized. At the moment when they were about to say “yes”, however, the mother of the groom threw a curse and everyone turned to stone. You can still see the Stone Wedding today near the city of Karzhali, Southern Bulgaria.
The Stone wedding, 6627, Bulgaria
5. The Stone Mushrooms
The sun and the wind worked for years and years to create these funny giant stone mushrooms near the village of Beli Plast, Southern Bulgaria. They are located by the road and you can’t miss them.
The Stone Mushrooms, 6689, Bulgaria
6. Prohodna Cave
This cave is a favorite of Bulgarians because of the two big openings in its ceiling, which create the feeling that someone is watching you from above. When it rains, it looks like the “eyes” are crying. Prohodna Cave is free and always open for visits by tourists and by climbers who enjoy the climbing routes.
7. Ritlite
Vratsata
Vratsata is a two mile (three km) gorge in Stara Planina (Balkan Mountains) where you can admire the highest vertical rocks on the Balkan peninsula (more than 1300 feet/400 m high) and the tiny spots of the rock climbers enjoying their day somewhere in the middle.
8. Chudnite Mostove (Wonderful Bridges)
9. Emen Canyon
Along the bank of Negovanka River near Veliko Tarnovo, the canyon is three miles/five km long with a cave and a spectacular waterfall along the way.
Emen, 5065, Bulgaria,
10. Madara Rider
The Madara Rider (Madarski Konnik) is a rock relief created in the early Middle ages and enlisted in the World Heritage List of UNESCO. You will see a 320 foot (100 meter) rock with a huge figure of a horseman, nearly human in size. The meaning of the image and its origins are still uncertain. The Horseman is located in Northeastern Bulgaria, not far from the city of Shumen.
11. Belintash
Belintash is a mystical place in the Rhodope mountains that will impress you with its story and legends rather than with its spectacular shapes. It is believed that it was a sacred place for the ancient Thracians but stories about hidden treasures and UFOs surround it. You will find yourself on a huge plateau with a few ancient carvings and a gorgeous view to the nearby ridges.
Erma River Gorge
You can walk across, around, up and down this rocky river crossing. A safe trail with wooden ladders and bridges will lead you along the almost vertical rocks that were once solid but now are divided in two by the river Erma.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.