Rila lakes
If we had to pick just one destination, which amazes with its natural beauty and view, then these will be the Rila Lakes. These glacial lakes are located at over 2000 meters and are located in a National Park Rila, the largest protected area in Bulgaria. If you manage to reach the highest lake, the serene view of the seven in their entirety stretches out before you. Each of the lakes drains into the next in a series of streams and cascades before flowing into wild, mountain streams from which flow the largest Bulgarian rivers.
SEE MORE: 5 great destinations in Rila
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The Rocks of Belogradchik
Located in the western foothills of Stara Planina are the spectacular rock formations that make up the Belogradchik rocks, another Bulgarian natural landmark, extremely popular around the world. The expanse of these rock sculptures stretches over 30 km in length and 5 km in width, with the tallest rising up to 20 meters.
The rocks and the mountain slope
have provided natural protection from several historical uprisings and a fortress dating back to 1-3 AD was built deep into the rocks using their natural protection. Climbing to the top of the Fortress will give you a fantastic view at the same height as the cliffs.
The stone forest
The stone forest end Varna, the maritime capital of Bulgaria, is a geographical phenomenon that has initiated a worldwide debate about how these rock formations were formed. The most common theory holds that the formations originated on the sea floor 50 million years ago when the land was submerged by the sea, and later when the water receded, the soft rock was able to create these groups of stone pillars.
Devil's Throat Cave
Hidden in the beautiful and picturesque Trigrad Gorge in Southwestern Bulgaria is the Devil's Throat Cave, one of the most famous natural attractions in Bulgaria. The highest underwater waterfall (42 m) on the Balkan Peninsula is located in the cave. Legends say that the Devil's Throat is the entrance to the Underworld, where Orpheus descended into the realm of Hades to rescue his beloved Eurydice. The cave is over 300,000 years old, and it houses the largest colony of long-tailed bats in Bulgaria.
National Park Pirin
With more than 100 peaks rising above 2000m, Pirin National Park it is often called the Land of the Giants. It is the oldest in Bulgaria and is included in the program of UNESCO "Man and Biosphere". Covered in snow for most of the year, it is shaped by over 170 ice-cold cirques, deep valleys, pyramidal rock formations, and dense fir and pine forests.
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SEE MORE: 5 sights to visit in Pirin
Prohodna Cave or "Eyes of God"
Known for two gaping, symmetrical holes in the ceiling of the cave, Prohodna can be found in one of the largest karst areas in Bulgaria in the northern part of the country. From entering the 262-meter-long middle gallery, you are exposed to rays of light emanating from the "eyes", due to which the cave is often called the eyes of God or the eyes of the devil. Water can often be seen running down the walls the cave, with the eyes seeming to cry.
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Krushuna waterfalls
The Krushun waterfalls are one of the largest cascades in the country, with water falls up to a height of 20 meters in places. The narrow eco-trail will take you up several bridges, passing small natural pools of water among the mossy limestone rocks. There are ancient caves in the surrounding rocks where monks carved their dwellings from the 13th and 14th centuries and there is even a small church carved into one of the rocks.
SEE MORE: 5 unique waterfalls in Bulgaria
The Melnik Pyramids
At the foot of Pirin are the Melnish pyramids, which majestically rise above the terrain and spill into three groups: Melnishka, Karlanovska and Rozhenska pyramids. These uniquely shaped formations, made of natural sand and created by soil erosion, are between four and five million years old.
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The stone Neolithic sanctuary of Begliktash
These huge monoliths remained unknown to the public until 2003, due to the fact that they had previously been divided by a former communist head of state who used the land as a hunting ground. The historical past of the complex is disputed, but the most common theory says that it was an ancient astronomical observatory of The Thracians.Often compared to Stonehenge, this place is filled with mysticism and energy.
Srebarna Nature Reserve"
In the northeast, near the Danube River, there is one of the most beautiful nature reserves for viewing wild animals in the country - the Srebarna Reserve. Bird lovers flock here to catch a glimpse of purple herons and falcons and the only colony of curled pelicans in Bulgaria.
