Watermelons and melons shape the profile of the municipality of Lyubimets: it is known throughout the country for growing them. The town of Lyubimets lies at the foot of the Gora Range in a fertile landscape also associated with watermelons. Grapes are grown in the municipality too; the soil and climate favor vineyards and winemaking. Lyubimets is part of the Thrace tourist region. Its tourism potential includes cultural, festival, wine and culinary tourism.
Wine traditions and living cultural heritage
The municipality’s intangible heritage includes local customs, rituals, holidays and winemaking traditions promoted by the community cultural centers. Local customs include rituals to pray for rain and for healing, a ceremonial village procession in Malko Gradishte, and ritual visits to Shindilikovo Well and Marian's Stone. Access and timing may vary at ritual sites and events.
The ethnographic museum in Lozen displays about 250 objects relating to the village’s historic domestic life, crafts, clothing and agricultural traditions. Check current visiting options before your visit. Lozen also hosts the authentic Amber Grape Folklore Festival. It is part of Bulgaria’s National Cultural Calendar and is considered one of the region’s most significant cultural events. Dates and programs may change.
Hiking trails between a sacred site and the Gora Range
Gluhite Kamani is one of the most significant Thracian sacred sites in the Eastern Rhodopes. From the parking area, a roughly 20-minute route follows a forest road and a path through woods and rocks to two viewpoints overlooking the Ivaylovgrad Reservoir. The route is marked and free of charge; sturdy footwear is required. There is no drinking water along the way in warm weather. Check trail conditions before setting out.
Birds that may be found in the forest around Gluhite Kamani include European bee-eaters, short-toed snake eagles, hoopoes, warblers, nightingales and blackbirds. Possible sightings are seasonal and not guaranteed.
A longer day hike leads to Mount Sheinovets. The out-and-back hike starts and ends in Malko Gradishte and climbs through the Gora Range to an elevation of 703.6 meters. It is rated difficult, takes about seven hours, covers 19.8 kilometers and includes 557 meters of elevation gain. The route is unmarked and designated for autumn, winter and spring. An optional detour to a Thracian tomb adds 1.5 kilometers round trip.
The two hiking options differ considerably in the time they require: the marked approach to Gluhite Kamani takes about 20 minutes from the parking area, while the unmarked Sheinovets hike takes around seven hours.
Reservoir, river and getting there
The 33-kilometer-long Ivaylovgrad Reservoir is used for fishing and water sports. The municipality’s tourism profile also includes ecological and rural tourism, as well as regattas, fishing and rowing on the reservoir. The Biser River runs through the Lyubimets area alongside the Secret Waterfalls eco-trail.
Malko Gradishte has shops, a small market and a guesthouse with a pool. Local visitor services may change; check them before your trip if needed. The municipality and the town of Lyubimets are connected to the railway and the international E-80 road. These transport routes connect Western and Central Europe with Istanbul, the Middle East and Asia. The railway is linked to Line 1 and Corridor 10 on the Niš–Sofia–Plovdiv–Svilengrad–Istanbul route; the town has a railway station. Check the current timetable before traveling.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Lyubimets, Stambolovo, Ivaylovgrad, Mineralni Bani, Topolovgrad, Harmanli, Dimitrovgrad, Haskovo.
Return to the main travel overview: Haskovo Province.
