cathedral
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
A neo-Byzantine cathedral in Sofia and one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world.
22 km · about 25 min drive
EuropeBulgariaSofia
Elin Pelin
Sofia, Bulgaria · Europe
About Elin Pelin
Elin Pelin is worth a stop: 15 minutes from Gorna Malina, 50km from Iskar Gorge.
Elin Pelin is in Sofia, Bulgaria, with about 7,400 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Gorna Malina, about 8 km away.
Elin Pelin (Bulgarian: Елин Пелин [ɛˈlin pɛˈlin]), previously known as Novoseltsi (Новоселци), is a town in central western Bulgaria. It is the administrative centre of Elin Pelin Municipality, located in central Sofia Province. It lies in the Sofia Valley, with the slopes of the Balkan Mountains to the north andRead more
Sredna Gora to the south-southeast, 24 km southeast of the capital city of Sofia.
The number of Thracian, Roman, and Byzantine artifacts and ruins in the area proves that the surroundings of Elin Pelin have been inhabited since antiquity. A Slavic settlement was founded in the Middle Ages and existed until the early Ottoman rule of Bulgaria.
Elin Pelin (then Novoseltsi) began to emerge as a local cultural and trade centre during the Bulgarian National Revival. In 1881, after the Liberation of Bulgaria, it was proclaimed the administrative centre of a district. Novoseltsi continued to grow in importance after the construction of the Sofia–Saranbey (now Septemvri) railway line and the establishment of the Izida ceramic factory, the first in the country. A class school and a chitalishte were founded in the late 19th century. Novoseltsi was renamed Elin Pelin in honour of the noted writer of the same name (born in the nearby village of Bailovo) in 1950 and was proclaimed a town in 1960.
The area of Elin Pelin is one of the best preserved centres of the traditional ethnocultural subgroup of the Bulgarian people, the Shopi, including its characteristic vernacular, the white clothing and the characteristic dances, songs and humour. The Shop Holidays, a celebration of Shop culture and life, have been organized in the town since 1970.
Where to Stay in Elin Pelin
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Filter presets
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Elin Pelin.
Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Elin Pelin.
Loading map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Elin Pelin?
Within an hour or so of Elin Pelin: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (22 km), Iskar Gorge (50 km), Rila National Park (54 km), Seven Rila Lakes (56 km).
Are there any good drives near Elin Pelin?
The nearest famous roads are Iskar Gorge, Petrohan Pass and Troyan Pass (Beklemeto).
Where is Elin Pelin?
Elin Pelin is in Sofia, Bulgaria, about 8 km from Gorna Malina.
Road trip
Drive to Elin Pelin
Add it as a stop and the planner works out the driving, the nights and what's worth seeing on the way.
Start planningWhat's nearby?
Swipe through places to go
Places within a drive of Elin Pelin. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
Explore now
Quick Information
- Population
- 7,373
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Bulgaria
- Region
- Sofia
- Timezone
- Europe/Sofia
- Coordinates
- 42.6667, 23.6000
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Bulgaria
Vignette required for all roads outside towns.
Full driving guide for BulgariaTags
Worth the detour from Elin Pelin
5 notable places within an hour's drive.
famous road
Iskar Gorge
Bulgaria's longest gorge, threaded by road and rail north of Sofia; the route twists beneath the sheer Lakatnik Rocks and past cliff-top monasteries along the Iskar River.
50 km · about 55 min drive
national park
Rila National Park
Bulgaria's largest national park encompassing the highest peak in the Balkans (Musala, 2,925m) with alpine lakes, glacial valleys, and dense pine forests.
54 km · about 60 min drive
natural wonder
Seven Rila Lakes
A chain of seven stunning glacial lakes stacked at different elevations in the Rila Mountains, each named for its distinctive shape.
56 km · about 65 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Vratsata Gorge
Short but stunning pass road just outside Vratsa, running between the highest vertical limestone walls in the Balkans: a favourite of climbers and a striking gateway drive into the Vratsa Balkan.
59 km · about 70 min drive
Driving roads near Elin Pelin
- 50 kmIskar GorgeBulgaria's longest gorge, threaded by road and rail north of Sofia; the route twists beneath the sheer Lakatnik Rocks and past cliff-top monasteries along the Iskar River.
- 59 kmVratsata GorgeShort but stunning pass road just outside Vratsa, running between the highest vertical limestone walls in the Balkans: a favourite of climbers and a striking gateway drive into the Vratsa Balkan.
- 64 kmPetrohan PassForested 1,444 m pass over the western Balkan Mountains between Sofia and Montana, a favourite Bulgarian driving road with tight bends, beech woods and a summit dam lake.
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Elin Pelin.
Plan a trip around Elin Pelin
Your trip starts here
Plan a road trip from Elin Pelin.
Pick the days, drop in the stops, and share it with whoever's coming.