Madzharovo: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

The Madzharovo area is associated with a unique colony of griffon vultures, described as the only one of its kind in Bulgaria and one of only a few in Europe.

Nature

The area around the Arda and the Ivaylovgrad Reservoir is suitable for recreation, swimming, fishing and water sports. The Madzharovo area is part of the Natura 2000 ecological network and the Madzharovo protected area, which encompasses part of the Arda Valley with steep mountain slopes. The protected areas of Kovan Kaya, Patronka, Momina Skala and Chernata Skala are associated with the Madzharovo area; rare birds and striking rock formations can be observed there.

The Eastern Rhodopes Nature Conservation Centre features an interactive exhibition about vultures and provides binoculars and spotting scopes for birdwatching. From three specialised observation hides operated by the centre, visitors can watch and photograph birds; the hides are open year-round.

History

Madzharovo existed for centuries under the name Yatadjik; it received its current name in 1949 in honour of the voivode Dimitar Madzharov.

Activities

The marked route from Madzharovo to Patronka combines 2 km of paved road from the town centre with a 15-minute forest path. The fortress on Hisarya Hill can be reached from Madzharovo via 9 km of paved road, followed by 6 km of unpaved road with a partially macadam surface, and finally a 20-minute marked hiking trail.

A rafting trip on the Arda starts near the Eastern Rhodopes Nature Conservation Centre and covers 13 km in approximately two hours. The excursion stops at the “Кован кая” protected area so that participants can view the griffon vultures’ nests from closer range using a spotting scope. The Arda rafting route passes close to the “Черната скала”, “Момина скала”, “Кован кая” and “Патронка” protected areas.

Cuisine

The Trakiyska Kashta guesthouse in Borislavtsi offers Bulgarian national cuisine and an extensive fish menu featuring freshly caught fish from the Ivaylovgrad Reservoir. The Kartal tavern at the Madzharovo visitor centre serves Bulgarian and local cuisine, including traditional Rhodope cheverme.

Getting Around

The centre is located on the main road to Madzharovo, immediately after the bridge over the Arda. Visitors arriving from Haskovo or Harmanli turn left to reach the centre’s car park.

For comparison in the same broader area: Malki Voden. Those wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Madzharovo can then continue their accommodation search.

To the broader travel overview: Madjarovo.