Vratchansky Balkan National Park

The splendour of the Vratchansky Balkan national park, lying in the north west of Bulgaria, with its sprawling forests, superb rock formations, waterfalls and ancient caves has not only long inspired great Bulgarian writers, but has also delighted visitors over the years.
Within the park is the Vratza Karst nature reserve, taking its name from its karst origins, whose caves are a natural habitat for many species of bats, and whose flora includes over 700 kinds of plants, some being so rare they are protected by law. But it is the caves that are the real attraction here, which answer to names such as Ledenika and Temnata Dupka.

Central Balkan National Park

Situated in the highest and most beautiful part of the middle Balkan, and located to the northeast of Sofia, it proudly boasts the highest waterfall in Bulgaria, the 125 m Raiskoto Praskalo. It is reached via the beautiful Troyan pass, where the Troyan monastery is well worth a visit.
The park is one of the best examples of virgin nature, since a lot of the park still remains unexplored. Nine nature reserves nestle within the park, four of which are biosphere reserves. Over 150 protected animal species and 50 protected plant species, many endemic to these mountains, are to be found here. Sunrise and sunset take on a new meaning when viewed from this mountain, known to the locals as the "land of the sons of the sun".

Sinite Kamani National Park

This park lies between Sofia and Bourgas, and although it is one of Bulgaria's smallest parks, it has incredible rock formations and landscapes, and many hundreds of interesting plant species. It is also home to 3 species of European birds threatened with extinction : the royal eagle, the long-legged buzzard and the peregrine falcon.

Shoumen Plateau National Park

This park, situated near the town of Shoumen, has a veritable varied landscape ranging from plains to hilly plateaus to mountain regions, interspersed with thick forests and steep rock formations. Its ideal climate gives life to over 500 vascular plant species, a wealth of tree species such as durmast, turkey oak and the common hornbeam and Miziyski beech, and the exotic false acacia and red oak.
Game is abundant, and over 100 species of birds are to be found here, and there is also an archaeological reserve, the "Shumenska Krepost". There is also a Visitors Centre situated in the memorial complex "1300 years Bulgaria".

Roussenski Lom National Park

The park, opened in 1970, derives its name from the canyon-like valley of Roussenski Lom, and is situated not far from Rousse, near the river Danube. There are many mid-European and southern plants to be seen here. Among its wide variety of shrubs and trees are to be found species which originated from the steppes. But here the flora bows to the rich assortment of wildlife. Fish, turtles, lizards and snakes breed here, many rare birds make their nests in the park, and the Egyptian vulture, the golden eagle and the short-toed eagle are just a few of the rare birds to be enjoyed. Besides the more harmless bats and otters, you might catch a glimpse of nature's predators such as wolves, jackals or even wild cats.

Golden Sands National Park

Originally opened in 1943 and later considerably extended in 1981, it remains one of the oldest and smallest parks in Bulgaria, just north of the city of Varna. Its geographical location, just 277 m above sea level at its highest point, means that the flora differs here to the other parks, and here you have ample opportunity to see deer, wild boar, hare, red squirrel and various species of eagle; falcon and pheasant. Well worth a visit is the archaeological and historical site of the Aladja Monastery with its still intact wall paintings.
This park makes an ideal break for the Black Sea holidaymaker, since it is nearby the peaceful and relaxing resorts of Varna and Golden Sands, from which the park takes its Bulgarian name. The quality of the beaches and sea earned these northern Black Sea resorts the "Blue Flag" award in 1996. Added to this, the region is renowned for its curative waters, and there is a choice of spas in the surrounding districts.

Strandzha National Park

The latest and the largest of Bulgaria's many national parks, Strandzha is located in the southeast of Bulgaria bordering on the Black Sea, and is famous for its oak and beech forests. The climate allows 50 % of Bulgaria's flora to nourish here, and the park's rivers are home to a wide range of fish, including stickleback and eels. The bird lover is spoilt for choice with many interesting species, among them the Golden, lesser-spotted and white-tailed eagles, the black stork and the honey buzzard. There is also the museum village of Brushlian which is well worth a visit.
Not far from the Strandzha Park is the Ropotamo Reserve, bordering both banks of the Ropotamo river, which passes close to the Black Sea dunes. Nowhere else in Bulgaria can you find such densely populated and diverse habitats ranging from islands, cliffs, sandy beaches, bays, dunes, the Arkutino swamp, to forests and meadows, all lying along the last few kilometres of the river before it reaches the sea. The mild climate is ideal for the proliferation of a large variety of plants, and wildlife here again comes into its own with a large variety of predatory and other animals. The Arkutino swamp is also a bird sanctuary and thus a favourite nesting place for numerous birds, and boasts some rare species of cacti.
In Bulgaria you are never far from tradition, history and culture, and the Strandzha park is no exception with its historical remains from Tracian times and ancient monasteries. Bulgaria's deeply woven traditions can be witnessed during the age-old tradition of fire-dancing linked with the saints day celebrations of St. Constantine in the village of Balgari. The sight of the white-clad young men and women in trance dancing on red hot embers is an experience never to be forgotten, and also recommended not to be imitated !