Valandovo: Traces at Plavush and May Festivals

Valandovo combines a hillside setting at the foot of Plavush with archaeological traces from several periods and festivals in May. The town lies partly in an amphitheatrical setting on a hillside at an elevation of 110 to 150 metres; the Anska Reka flows to the south. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between the town itself and the natural and cultural attractions of Valandovo Municipality.

A town by Plavush, a municipality in the valley

The town’s setting by Plavush shapes its geographical character. At the municipal level, the Valandovo Valley adds another dimension: it is characterised by a strong Mediterranean climate influence, warm days and fertile land. Two distinct scales therefore sit side by side—the town’s hillside setting and the wider landscape of the municipality.

Archaeological traces from several periods

The Valandovo archaeological complex includes remains from the Paeonian, Hellenistic, Roman and Early Byzantine periods. These different periods place the town’s archaeological sites within a long span of history. One separate site is “Stakina Cesma” in the southern part of Valandovo, where mosaics were discovered. The Roman site lies near the town, or within its urban area. Discoveries include a palace and several rooms with exclusive mosaics in opus sectile and opus tessellatum.

In the municipal area, in the village of Dedeli, lies Melezik, an Iron Age necropolis dated to the 7th–6th centuries BC. Its burials include inhumations in stone cists and burials in large ceramic vessels. Isar Kula, northwest of Valandovo, offers a different historical perspective: the archaeological site lies on a long, rocky mountain ridge with steep slopes. A visible, well-preserved defensive tower still stands there; the site’s exact dating is uncertain.

A fortress and monastery nearby

Near Valandovo, the medieval fortress “Markova Kula,” also called “Kulata,” stands on a hilltop plateau northwest of the town. Also northwest of Valandovo, on Mount Plavush in a natural setting, is the monastery of Sv. Gjorgji. Its grounds are laid out as a picnic, recreation and rest area. In the Middle Ages, a church dedicated to Saint George stood on the site of the monastery; it was built by Serbian Tsar Stefan Dušan in 1349.

May festivals in the town and municipality

The Valandovo Folk Festival takes place every year in May. In the village of Chalakli in Valandovo Municipality, the HID-Bah Shen spring festival is also celebrated in early May—every year since 1992. The four-day programme includes folk performances, exhibitions of handicrafts and photographs, concerts, theatre performances, traditional wrestling and a football tournament. If your trip depends on this festival, check the specific event dates in advance.

The Valandovo Rakija Festival also highlights a local tradition: it celebrates the centuries-old production of rakija. Awards are given for first, second and third place in the competition. The date listed is 8 November 2026; check the date and competition details again before your trip.

Natural features of the municipality

Among the most attractive natural features of Valandovo Municipality are the Kochula Waterfalls and the Ring Waterfalls on the western side of Mount Belasica. Alongside the hillside setting at Plavush, these offer further landscapes to explore across the municipality. The waterfalls, archaeological sites and festivals each provide a different focus for planning your trip.

Choose the right holiday apartment for your interests

A simple priority can help you choose a holiday apartment in Valandovo: would you like your holiday to focus mainly on the town and its archaeological sites, or would you also like to take the municipality’s events and natural features into account? The town’s setting by Plavush, the nearby fortress and monastery, and the municipality’s festivals and waterfalls offer different ways to shape your trip.

For the broader travel overview: Valandovo.