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Smolyan

Smolyan, Bulgaria · Europe

About Smolyan

Smolyan is worth a stop: 30 minutes from Rudozem, 28km from Trigrad Gorge.

Smolyan is a town located in Smolyan, Bulgaria. With a population of 30,689, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Smolyan 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 Smolyan to your route.

About Smolyan

Smolyan (Bulgarian: Смолян) is a town and ski resort in the south of Bulgaria near the border with Greece. It is the administrative and industrial centre of the Smolyan Province. The town is built along the narrow valley of the Cherna ('black') and the Byala ('white') river in the central Rhodope Mountains. It is

Read more located at the foot of the mountain's highest peak Golyam Perelik (2,191 m). Popular ski resorts of Pamporovo and Chepelare lie in the vicinity. As of June 2022 the town has a population of 30,689 inhabitants.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Smolyan

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Smolyan?

Smolyan 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.

How do I plan a road trip to Smolyan?

Plan your road trip to Smolyan with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Smolyan as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Smolyan located?

Smolyan is located in Smolyan, Bulgaria, Europe. The coordinates are 41.5744 latitude, 24.7120 longitude.

What is the population of Smolyan?

Smolyan has a population of approximately 30,689 people, making it a town in Bulgaria.

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Quick Information

Population
30,689
Continent
Europe
Country
Bulgaria
Region
Smolyan
Timezone
Europe/Sofia
Coordinates
41.5744, 24.7120

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Bulgaria

Police
112
Ambulance
112
Fire
112
Driving side
right

Vignette required for all roads outside towns.

Full driving guide for Bulgaria

Tags

EuropeBulgariaSmolyanTown

Worth the detour from Smolyan

5 notable places within an hour's drive.

famous road

Trigrad Gorge

Narrow Rhodope canyon road squeezing between 250 m marble cliffs to the Devil's Throat Cave, where a river thunders underground: one of Bulgaria's most dramatic drives.

28 km · about 35 min drive

natural wonder

Devil's Throat Cave

A cave in the Trigrad gorge where a river plunges into an underground hall, visited via a tunnel entrance with roadside parking.

28 km · about 30 min drive

natural wonder

Wonderful Bridges

Two natural marble rock arches formed by a collapsed cave in the Rhodope mountains, reached by a paved road with a car park.

33 km · about 40 min drive

bridge

Devil's Bridge (Dyavolski Most)

Elegant 16th-century Ottoman arch bridge spanning the Arda River in a wild Rhodope gorge near Ardino, reached by a short mountain road: a legendary photo stop steeped in folklore.

34 km · about 40 min drive

castle

Asen's Fortress

A medieval fortress ruin with a surviving 13th-century church on a rock spur above the Chepelare river, beside the Asenovgrad–Smolyan road.

48 km · about 55 min drive

Driving roads near Smolyan

  • 28 kmTrigrad GorgeNarrow Rhodope canyon road squeezing between 250 m marble cliffs to the Devil's Throat Cave, where a river thunders underground: one of Bulgaria's most dramatic drives.
  • 34 kmDevil's Bridge (Dyavolski Most)Elegant 16th-century Ottoman arch bridge spanning the Arda River in a wild Rhodope gorge near Ardino, reached by a short mountain road: a legendary photo stop steeped in folklore.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Smolyan.

Rudozem

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

15 km awayPop. 3,783

Chepelare

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

18 km awayPop. 5,478

Madan

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

21 km awayPop. 5,661

Banite

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

26 km awayPop. 1,279

Gyovren

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

30 km awayPop. 1,040

Laki

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

32 km awayPop. 3,258

Devin

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

32 km awayPop. 7,393

Nedelino

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

33 km awayPop. 5,017

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence