The Most Stunning Lakes in Bulgaria

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

The Seven Rila Lakes are one of the busiest natural spots in the country, and once you find yourself on the peak above them, you will understand why. The seven glacial lakes in the Rila Mountains are connected to each other by tiny streams. Each lake has a name reflecting its shape or a legend about it – the Eye, the Kidney, the Tear, etc.

The Urdini Lakes are a group of six mid-sized lakes located in the Rila Mountains. They are not a busy tourist attraction like the Seven Rila Lakes because of their location in one of the most inaccessible parts of the mountain. A view from the nearby peaks to them, however, is one of the most amazing sights you will remember from your hiking in Rila.

Tevno Lake is one of the most beautiful places in Pirin National Park. There is a mountain chalet on the banks of the lake where tourists can spend the night or have a bite after a long day of hiking (reservations are required). To reach the lake, be prepared to hike for at least four hours. A mountain guide is advisable for inexperienced hikers.

The easy hike to Popovo Lake in Pirin National Park makes it a popular destination for the summer weekends. It is the biggest among the group of the eleven Popovski Lakes, and it is also the deepest lake in Pirin Mountains and the second deepest in Bulgaria.

Atanasovsko Lake is one of the favorite weekend outdoor spa destinations for the inhabitants of Burgas – it is located on the outskirts of the city and features curative mud and lye, both available for everyone for free. After you apply mud on your skin and float in the pink lye pools, you can go straight for a jump in the sea, which is two minutes away. You can get to the lake by bike, by car or walking.

If you have decided to spend your beach vacation a little farther north, in the seaside town of Pomorie, you have another chance to explore a salt lake and to enjoy an open-air spa with healing mud. Pomorie Lake is in the town itself. It has been a salt-producing town since ancient times and remains such today. You can visit the Salt Museum on the banks of the lake, or take a look at the nearby wildlife center where you can learn about the amazing biodiversity the lake attracts.

Srebarna Lake spans along the bank of Danube River and is the biggest riverside lake in the country. Srebarna is a biosphere reserve and has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1983 because of its great variety of bird life: more than 200 species of rare or endangered birds live or nestle at the lake annually. There’s a small natural history museum by the lake where you can take a look at the bird life through the live cams installed among the birds’ nests.