national park
Rila National Park
Bulgaria's largest national park encompassing the highest peak in the Balkans (Musala, 2,925m) with alpine lakes, glacial valleys, and dense pine forests.
17 km · about 20 min drive
Sofia, Bulgaria · Europe
Samokov is worth a stop: 20 minutes from Dolna Banya, 17km from Rila National Park.
Samokov is a town located in Sofia, Bulgaria. With a population of 26,765, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Samokov sits in Bulgaria, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Sofia time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Samokov to your route.
Samokov (Bulgarian: Самоков [ˈsamokof]) is a town in Sofia Province in the southwest of Bulgaria. It is in the Samokov Valley between the mountain ranges of Rila, Vitosha, and Sredna Gora, 55 kilometres from the capital Sofia. Due to the suitable winter sports conditions, Samokov, together with the nearby resortRead more
Borovets, is a major tourist centre.
In the past, Samokov was a centre of handicrafts and art, with notable Bulgarian National Revival figures like Zahari Zograf, Hristo Dimitrov and Nikola Obrazopisov. The town's name is a compound word of "samo" and "kov", respectively meaning "self" and the root of the verb "forge, hammer", and comes from the samokov, a mechanical forge powered by water, since the town of Samokov was a major iron-producing centre during the Middle Ages.
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Samokov offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Samokov is located in Sofia, Bulgaria, Europe. The coordinates are 42.3385 latitude, 23.5581 longitude.
Samokov has a population of approximately 26,765 people, making it a town in Bulgaria.
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Essential numbers in Bulgaria
Vignette required for all roads outside towns.
Full driving guide for Bulgaria4 notable places within an hour's drive.
national park
Bulgaria's largest national park encompassing the highest peak in the Balkans (Musala, 2,925m) with alpine lakes, glacial valleys, and dense pine forests.
17 km · about 20 min drive
natural wonder
A chain of seven stunning glacial lakes stacked at different elevations in the Rila Mountains, each named for its distinctive shape.
25 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
Bulgaria's most important UNESCO-listed monastery, a stunning 10th-century complex adorned with vivid frescoes nestled in the Rila Mountains.
29 km · about 35 min drive
cathedral
A neo-Byzantine cathedral in Sofia and one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world.
44 km · about 50 min drive
Other places to explore near Samokov.
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