Sokolovtsi: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Sokolovtsi is known regionally as the “Venice of the Rhodopes” because of its many bridges. Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Sokolovtsi can then continue searching for accommodation.

Culture and Tradition

There are 40 bridges over the Byala in Sokolovtsi. They connect almost every house on one side of the river with the road. Old Rhodope houses are known for their architecture, and several traditional Kyuprii bridges over the Byala have been preserved in the village. The old bridge between Sokolovtsi and Bostina has the humpback shape characteristic of historic Rhodope stone bridges.

Local hosts organise mountain hikes for visitors. They also demonstrate woodcarving as part of the area’s craft traditions, as well as the making of Rhodope Terlik slippers.

Nature

The Hubcha area extends across the lands of Sokolovtsi and Levochevo and was designated a protected area after previously serving as a buffer zone for the Momchilovski Dol Reserve. The Hubcha karst spring and two Roman bridges are located 1.5 km from Sokolovtsi. Gaydarski Kamen is a distinctive rock above Sokolovtsi.

Getting Around

The Smolyan–Rozhen–Plovdiv road runs through Sokolovtsi. A road also branches off from the village towards Momchilovtsi. Guesthouses in Sokolovtsi welcome tourists, skiers and visitors travelling to Rozhen, Pamporovo and neighbouring settlements.

Hospitality

Sokolovtsi has historically been associated with the Rozhen folklore gathering. Its residents took part there in family gatherings featuring bagpipe music and spit-roasted lamb. The traditional village festival of Sokolovtsi takes place on Saint Peter’s Day, 29 June. Local hosts prepare regional specialities for visitors.

More village pages: Momchilovtsi, Solishta, Pisanitsa, Shiroka Laka, Dunevo, Arda, Vievo, Stoykite

To the main travel overview: Smolyan.