Strandja Mountains Bulgaria
In the far south-east corner of Europe lies a huge nature park that very few people know about. The Strandja Mountains in Bulgaria were hidden in a border zone for 50 years. Now, it is one of Europe's few remaining wilderness areas a wildlife paradise where ancient traditions and unspoilt nature have survived.
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Veleka River mouth
Where the river Veleka meets the sea... A magical natural place in Strandja.
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Strandja Coast path
The grasslands here are full of wildflowers in spring and early summer.
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Veleka river valley
Explore the valley of the Veleka River. This walk also leads you to a waterfall and chapel in the forest.
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Traditional Strandja house
A 300-year-old traditional Strandja house.
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Small town in Strandja
This is the only town in inland Strandja Nature Park. Here you can visit beautiful churches and museums.
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Thracian Sanctuary
Visit an ancient Thracian sanctuary hidden deep in the Strandja woodlands.
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Source Mladezhka River
Walk to the source of the Mladezhka River through lush riverside woodland.
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View from Fortress
An ancient fortress offers wide views of the surrounding landscape.
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Delicious local dairy produce
Taste buffalo cheese and yoghurt, made from milk of water buffalos grazing the Strandja pastures.
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Rebel's meeting place
Enjoy the stunning panorama's from Strandja's famous rebel meeting place.
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Around a Strandja village
this is one of Strandja's oldest villages perched high on a ridge. The scenery here is stunning.
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Strandja waterfall
During your holiday you can see a waterfall and traditional natural washing machine called a Bara.
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Strandja beach
Explore the cliffs, or enjoy a day on a quiet, unspoilt beach. Snorkelling in the bay is very good.
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Coastal town
Visit the small harbour and try locally caught fish and other Bulgarian specialities in the restaurants here.
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Wide Strandja panorama
A beautiful view on the Strandja Mountains from a Strandja village.
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Ancient oak
Meet a giant ancient oak that has been watching over the Strandja Mountains for centuries.
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Colourful grasslands
A colourful mix of wildflowers in a Strandja meadow.
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Etnographical house museum
See traditional Strandja houses and visit a house museum in an architectural reserve.
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Floodplain grasslands
During winter, the wide Strandja valleys nearer the coast often flood, but in spring, summer and autumn these meadows are great for walking.
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Nestinar fire-dancing
The traditional Nestinar fire dancing ceremony is performed each year at the beginning of June.
You can see this event only once a year.
Click map to find out more about the Nestinar ritual. -
Icons in a forest chapel
Religious icons in a small chapel deep in the forest.
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The Strandja coast
Volcanic rocks, amazing wildlife and quiet beaches
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Donkeys in Strandja
Rural scene in one of Strandja's oldest villages
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Walking through the Veleka
The ford in the river Veleka, a peaceful spot that you can see during many of our holidays
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Orchids in Strandja
You will encounter many special wildflowers when visiting Strandja. This is a Woodcock Ophrys, a type of orchid.
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Black Sea and cliffs
There is lots to explore along the Strandja Black Sea coast
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Strandja Bay
This wide sandy bay is perfect for a relaxing day on an unspoilt Strandja Beach
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View Strandja
View on Strandja in south direction
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Strandja Rhodondendron
A unique plant species that survived the ice ages. Strandja is one of the few places in the world where you can see the vegetation of Europe as it was millions of years ago
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Under the Black Sea
The Black Sea is a unique ecosystem, with a snorkel you can have a look at the underwater world.
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Volcanic Coastline
You can see beautiful rock formations along the Strandja Black Sea Coast, they have a volcanic history
Strandja Mountains Bulgaria
Strandja Mountains in Bulgaria from the air
A low mountain top in Strandja BulgariaStrandja Nature Park is the largest protected area in Bulgaria. The park is part of the Strandja Mountain range that covers the whole of south east Bulgaria, as well as a large part of North West Turkey.
The area is roughly the size of London, but only 7000 people inhabit the Bulgarian part of the Strandja Mountains.
Strandja is one of the last places in eastern Europe largely untouched by human development. Said by many Bulgarians to be the most special and mysterious mountain range in the country, the Strandja Mountains are virtually unknown outside Bulgaria.
With large areas of undisturbed nature, a climate heavily influenced by the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, and cultural traditions found nowhere else, the Strandja Mountains in Bulgaria are a special holiday destination away from the crowds that very few people know about.
More about Strandja
- Map of Strandja
- Nature in Strandja
- Culture in Strandja
- Strandja's History
- When to Visit
- Bulgarian kitchen
