Nestled in a mountain valley near the Greek-Turkish border, this Bulgarian city centers around ancient ruins, folk music festivals, and traditional monasteries.
Kardzhali, a city of 45,000 people in southern Bulgaria, sits along both banks of the Arda River between two large reservoirs. In the surrounding Eastern Rhodope Mountains, you can explore the ancient rock-cut rooms of Perperikon, climb to viewpoints overlooking the Kardzhali Reservoir, or walk through gardens with rare Bulgarian plants at the city's Museum of History. The region's Thracian and Byzantine past comes alive in sites like the 6th-century Monastery of John the Precursor, where restored medieval walls still stand against the mountain backdrop.
Getting to Kardzhali
Buses run daily from Sofia (4 hours) and Plovdiv (2.5 hours). If you're driving, take the highway to Haskovo, then follow regional roads through the mountains. The scenic route through Asenovgrad leads you through mountain passes with clear views across the Eastern Rhodopes.
Ancient City of Perperikon
Perperikon sits 20 km from Kardzhali, where ancient Thracians carved an entire settlement into a rocky hill. You'll walk through stone-cut palace rooms, ritual spaces, and living quarters. The main altar, where Thracians performed fire rituals, remains the largest of its kind in Southeast Europe. Well-marked paths connect the different areas of the site.
Natural Rock Formations
Near Beli Plast village, the Stone Mushrooms rise 2.5 meters from the ground. These rock formations show green, rose, and yellow colors from mineral deposits in the volcanic rock. At Zimzelen village, you'll find the Kardzhali Pyramids - white stone pillars that have emerged from eroded volcanic tuff.
Museums and Cultural Spaces
The Kardzhali Museum of History occupies a 1920s former Islamic school. The museum's garden grows 30 plant species found only in Bulgaria. The collection spans from Neolithic tools to medieval Christian artifacts. Two drama theaters, "Dimitar Dimov" and "Kadrie Lyatifova," and a puppet theater put on regular performances.
Byzantine Religious Sites
The Monastery of John the Precursor dates from the 6th to 8th centuries and stands on the Arda River's southern bank. Recent restoration work has preserved its original stone walls and architectural details. South of the city center, the Assumption of the Virgin Monastery includes a courtyard garden and walls painted in blue and yellow, reflecting Middle Eastern Christian architectural influences.
Around the Reservoirs
The Kardzhali and Studen Kladenets reservoirs border the city. Drive the shore road between Star Chitak and Ribarstsi villages to stop at viewpoints over the water. For a broader view, hike 3 km from Shiroko Pole village to the Monyak viewpoint, where you can see both reservoirs and explore ruins of an ancient fortress.
