Bulgaria Inside

Danube is the only river in Europe that flows from the west to the east. The river is 2859 km long and passes through 10 countries on its way. For centuries, the Danube has been an important commerce connection between Western and Eastern Europe.

Apart from the fact that it acts as a major waterway, the Danube turns into an increasingly popular place for tourists.

The beauty of the Bulgarian riverbank, as well as the picturesque Danube towns, make the region an interesting place to visit.

Fishing
Danube River is suitable for fishing at several locations. All fishermen know that practicing the hobby there has its specifics and depends on the river level.

Conditions for fishing have been created in the vicinities of Rousse, Vidin, Silistra and Lom.

Legends have long been told about the large fish caught near the town of Kozloduy. The riverbank near the town is especially popular among fishermen. The place is also suitable for a nice picnic and for relaxation.

Danube fishing and boat construction museum is one of a kind place situated in Toutrakan. This is the only Danube museum that is entirely dedicated to fishing and its history throughout centuries.

Cruises
Some of the Bulgarian Danube ports organize cruises that let tourists explore the beauty of the river. Most local companies can offer you trips to Austria, Germany and Hungary.

The Bulgarian part of the Danube is still poorly explored. The Rousse and Svishtov harbors organize pleasant boat trips.

You can enjoy a trip to the Danube islands situated in the Bulgarian part of the river. Belene is the biggest one. The island is also known as Persina because of a legend told about it. The legend tells the story of a love between the daughter of the Ottoman ruler and a Bulgarian man. To prevent his daughter called Persi from escaping with his love, the Ottoman ruler took her to the island and locked her in his villa there. The lovers managed escaping and the island reed hid their footsteps.

Belene’s preserve was created in order to preserve the habitats of aquatic birds. The access to the island is partially restricted due to the fact that a functioning prison is located on it. Yet, Persina preserve offers visitors an opportunity for a short walk and bird watching.

If you would like to continue your exploration of the Danube protected areas, you should head to the preserve of Kalimok near Toutrakan. The preserve protects rare aquatic birds and river plants. Maluk Pravets preserve is also located near Toutrakan and is known for its water lilies.

Apart from exploring the nature landmarks of the Danube region, the cruises will allow you get in touch with Bulgarian history. The cruise to Pametnitsite region near Svishtov will take you to the place where Russian soldiers entered Bulgaria to start the liberation war.

The cruises that Svishtov harbor organizes to the Danube islands take place each Sunday at midday. The trip lasts two hours.

Danube Towns
Kozloduy is the only Bulgarian town that houses a functioning nuclear power plant. Once or twice each year, the power plant hosts open-doors days and is available for tourist exploration.

If you want to, you can follow the steps of Hristo Botev and his revolutionary group. The Kozloduy-Okolchitsa route brings tourists and lovers of history together each year.

Silistra is another beautiful place to explore alongside the Danube bank. Make sure to explore Kourshoumlou Mosque that demonstrates the Ottoman architectural style from the 18th century. Sreburna preserve is situated nearby.

If you happen to visit Svishtov, take a walk to the birth house of Bulgarian writer Aleko Konstantinov. Dimitur-Nachova house preserves all the findings from excavations in Nove region.

The numerous beautiful buildings situated there, turn Rousse into Bulgaria’s Small Vienna. Most of these constructions appeared in the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries. Over 200 of them have been included in Rousse’s architectural and historic heritage. Rousse is also known as the city of museums. The regional museum of history preserves over 120 000 valuable exhibition items. You can also explore the memorial houses dedicated to Baba Tonka and Zahari Stoyanov.