7 Best Sights in Bulgaria

Just 100 meters from Belogradchik Fortress is the Astronomical Observatory which has three telescopes available for night sky viewing. Night visits need to be arranged in advance and are possible only when the sky is clear. Those who visit during the day time can tour the observatory, listen to a brief lecture on the work that goes on here, and have questions answered by an astronomer.

On the banks of the Danube is this well-preserved medieval fortress, which dates back to the 10th century and was a defensive stronghold though the Middle Ages. It was captured by the Ottomans and used as storage space for food and munitions and, after liberation in 1878, was used by the Bulgarian army. It opened as a museum in the mid 1950s and is today a popular spot for filming. From the tops of the towers and the walls, take in panoramic views of the Danube River and surrounding cityscape. This is a good place to pick up a few postcards.

Parts of this well-preserved stronghold on the north slope of the Balkan date all the way back to when this area was part of the Roman Empire. The fortress was expanded first in the mid 14th century, when it served more for surveillance than defense, and then in the late 14th century when it was captured by the Ottomans. Its walls stand 39 feet (12 m) and, at the foundation, are more than 6 feet thick (2 m). The fortress lies at the foot of the Belogradchik Rocks, which served as further protection. Kids can run around here to their hearts' content, playing Battle of the Empires, Ottoman vs. Bulgarian.

Running along the western slopes of the Balkans Mountains are these gorgeous rock formations, some of which stand more than 650 feet (200 m). The rocks, made of sandstone and conglomerate, are believed to have started forming a cool 230 million years ago. They're mostly reddish brown in color with some yellow tinges and look especially beautiful as the sun sets and illuminates their cliffs. The groups of rocks closest to central Belogradchik have interesting names based on local legends, like the Schoolgirl, the Madonna, and the Mushrooms. Whether you hike up to the plateau or walk leisurely around the lower levels, the views over the forest are phenomenal.

One of the Europe's best preserved, post-Palaeolithic painted caves is located just 20 km (12.4 miles) from Belogradchik, near the small village of Rabisha. Running 2.5 km (1.5 miles), the 15-million-year-old Magura Cave's walls are decorated with detailed cave paintings of people, hunting scenes, geometric shapes, and animals; these are believed to be exclusive to the Balkans. The cave is wide and its ceilings tall, making it quite comfortable to walk through–especially because the year-round temperature is 11–12°C.

Visit this small science museum before climbing the Belogradchik Rocks to get a better understanding of the region's natural history. The museum dates to 1975 and houses more than 500 displays, including taxidermied animals that focus on northwest Bulgaria's flora and fauna.

A stupendous structure, Tsarvets was the Second Bulgarian Empire's fortress from 1185 to 1393. The royal palaces were housed here, along with hundreds of quarters for the members of the court, guards, and servants, churches, and workshops. Tsarevets as you see today is not the original–it's been sacked and destroyed many times–but a faithful restoration that was undertaken between 1930 and 1981. The views from the top of the fortress are magnificent. If you don't want to climb, there's an elevator (2 leva per person) to the top of the bell tower. Tours in English can be arranged at the Tourist Information Centre (5 ul. Hristo Botev, +359–62–622–148) for 10 leva per person.