Belene – Danube, Islands and Persina Nature Park

The Danube and wetlands

Persina Nature Park covers 21,762.2 hectares along the Svishtov-Belene Lowland. Its territory extends across the municipalities of Nikopol, Belene and Svishtov. Around 1,100 animal species occur in the park. Several different protected areas are of particular interest to nature enthusiasts: Persinski Blata is a wetland of international importance, with colonies of marsh birds and a breeding area for mute swans. Persin-East includes wetlands and old willow-poplar forests in the eastern part of Persin Island. The Kaikusha protected area preserves habitats for rare waterbirds and plant species. Kitka Reserve is designated as a habitat for the white-tailed eagle.

The Belene Islands complex is also part of the natural landscape: it is a Ramsar site and is considered Bulgaria’s largest Ramsar site by area. The Danube near Belene offers opportunities for fishing and route-based tourism. If you enjoy exploring by bike, you can include the cycling route in the nature park to the Kaikusha protected area in your travel plans. This offers a clear guide when choosing the focus of your holiday: birdwatching, wetlands and island nature appeal to different interests than the municipality’s historic sites.

Roman traces and religious history

The Roman fortress of Dimum dates from the 1st to the 7th century and was declared a monument of national importance in 1968. Another historic site is the menhir “Praviyat Kamak” in the village of Petokladentsi: a pagan cult monument that was later reinterpreted in a Christian context. In Tatari stands the Orthodox Church of St. Petka-Paraskeva, built in 1883 and preserved to this day. The Orthodox Church of St. George in the village of Dekov is active.

The Catholic Church of the Nativity of Mary is also among Belene’s religious sites: it houses a shrine that holds the relics of Blessed Bishop Evgeni Bosilkov. The history of the municipality also includes the Belene concentration camp, the only camp in Bulgaria with partially preserved remains. These sites offer different ways to explore the past—from ancient military history and religious reinterpretation to more recent, painful history. When planning your holiday, you can combine a stay focused more on nature with cultural interests, without requiring both to be part of the same itinerary.

Festivals and local culture

The Belene municipality’s cultural calendar listed several specific dates for 2026. On 28 February 2026, Todorovden was scheduled to take place at Sharan Square, with traditional horse races, a festive programme and amateur groups from local community centres. The traditional Danube Festival Day was listed for 29 June 2026 in Belene’s riverside park. The Persina Festival was scheduled for 4–6 September 2026 at Bulgaria Square and in the riverside park. The three dates span February, June and September, giving a sense of the different celebrations in the annual calendar.

The local crafts mentioned in connection with tourism development in Belene municipality include reed furniture, basket weaving, cooperage, blacksmithing and fishing-net making. A cultural and information tourist centre has also opened in Belene, with a dedicated exhibition space on the city’s historical and cultural heritage. Nature, crafts and history offer different ways to shape a trip: you can choose your holiday apartment according to whether you want to focus mainly on exploring the landscape or on Belene and its cultural themes.

For local orientation, you can also visit the page Belene. Other places at the same level: Pleven, Dolni Dabnik and Cherven bryag.

For the broader travel overview: Pleven Province.