Lovech

Dancing festivals at the foot of the Balkans

In the Balkan Mountain foothills, this Bulgarian town centers around its medieval fortress, stone houses, and cobbled streets. Local festivals bring traditional music and dance in summer.

4.3
out of 5

Lovech sits along the banks of the Osam River in north-central Bulgaria. You'll find a 19th-century Covered Bridge with shops, the white houses of the Varosha quarter, and a medieval fortress on the hill above. The city comes alive in spring when lilac bushes bloom throughout Stratesh Park, filling the streets with their fragrance.

Exploring the Covered Bridge

The 104-meter Covered Bridge spans the Osam River, connecting the city center with the old quarter. Local artisans sell wood carvings, textiles, and pottery in the bridge's shops, while cafes serve Bulgarian coffee and pastries. Built in 1874 and rebuilt after a fire in 1982, the bridge lets you look down at the river rapids below.

Walking Through Varosha Quarter

The Varosha quarter stretches up the hillside from the river. Its narrow streets lead past white houses built in the 1800s, with distinctive wooden balconies and red ceramic roof tiles. The Ethnographic Complex includes two preserved homes - the Drasova and Rashova houses - where you can see wool-weaving demonstrations and displays of 19th-century furniture, clothing, and household items.

Stratesh Park and the Lilacs

From the 250-meter high plateau of Stratesh Park, you can see across the entire city. The park's zoo houses wolves, bears, monkeys, and eagles among its 270 animals. Visit in April and May when hundreds of lilac bushes bloom throughout the park's walking paths.

The Medieval Hisarya Fortress

Built in the 9th century, the stone walls of Hisarya Fortress stretch along the hilltop. You can walk the fortress walls for views of the Osam River valley. The site includes a 14-meter monument to Vasil Levski, who fought for Bulgaria's independence from Ottoman rule.

Getting Around Lovech

Bus lines 1 and 4 run through the city center every 30 minutes from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Walking takes 20 minutes from the modern center to the fortress, though the climb to Varosha involves steep streets and stairs.

Day Trips from Lovech

The Devetashka Cave, 18 kilometers north, has seven large openings in its ceiling that let in natural light. Its main hall is 60 meters high. At the Krushuna Waterfalls, 28 kilometers away, water cascades over limestone formations, creating multiple pools and small falls. You can follow wooden walkways alongside the waterfalls.

Average temperatures during the day in Lovech.
December
4°
Jan
2°
Feb
5°
Mar
10°
Apr
17°
May
22°
Jun
25°
Jul
27°
Aug
27°
Sep
24°
Oct
17°
Nov
10°

What people say about Lovech

4.3
People
4
Food
4
Spaces
4
Value
5
Safety
4

Places nearby Lovech

Best places to visit in🇧🇬Bulgaria

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