natural wonder
Wonderful Bridges
Two natural marble rock arches formed by a collapsed cave in the Rhodope mountains, reached by a paved road with a car park.
45 km · about 50 min drive
EuropeBulgariaPazardzhik
Rakitovo
Pazardzhik, Bulgaria · Europe
About Rakitovo
Rakitovo sits on the route: 15 minutes from Velingrad, 45km from Wonderful Bridges.
Rakitovo is in Pazardzhik, Bulgaria, with about 8,400 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Velingrad, about 9 km away.
Rakitovo (Bulgarian: Ракитово [rɐˈkitovo]) is a town in the Pazardzhik Province, Bulgaria. As of 2005 the population was 8,952. It is located in the northern part of the Rhodopi mountains at 12 km to the east of Velingrad and 7 km to the southwest of the Batak Reservoir. There is timber industry in the town. PeopleRead more
from the region grow crops, lavender, potatoes and barley.
Some Aromanians live in Rakitovo.
Where to Stay in Rakitovo
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Rakitovo?
Within an hour or so of Rakitovo: Wonderful Bridges (45 km), Trigrad Gorge (48 km), Devil's Throat Cave (48 km), Rila National Park (49 km).
Are there any good drives near Rakitovo?
The nearest famous roads are Trigrad Gorge, Troyan Pass (Beklemeto) and Shipka Pass.
Where is Rakitovo?
Rakitovo is in Pazardzhik, Bulgaria, about 9 km from Velingrad.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 8,376
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Bulgaria
- Region
- Pazardzhik
- Timezone
- Europe/Sofia
- Coordinates
- 41.9901, 24.0873
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Bulgaria
Vignette required for all roads outside towns.
Full driving guide for BulgariaTags
Worth the detour from Rakitovo
7 notable places within an hour's drive.
famous road
Trigrad Gorge
Narrow Rhodope canyon road squeezing between 250 m marble cliffs to the Devil's Throat Cave, where a river thunders underground: one of Bulgaria's most dramatic drives.
48 km · about 55 min drive
natural wonder
Devil's Throat Cave
A cave in the Trigrad gorge where a river plunges into an underground hall, visited via a tunnel entrance with roadside parking.
48 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.
49 km · about 55 min drive
landmark
Plovdiv Old Town
One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, with colorful Revival-period houses perched on ancient hills above Roman ruins.
58 km · about 65 min drive
ancient ruins
Plovdiv Roman Theatre
A remarkably well-preserved 2nd-century Roman amphitheatre seating 6,000 spectators, still hosting performances today.
58 km · about 65 min drive
national park
Pirin National Park
Rugged Balkan mountain scenery with marble peaks, glacial lakes, and ancient Bosnian pines in Bulgaria.
59 km · about 70 min drive
Driving roads near Rakitovo
5 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 150km.
- 48 kmTrigrad GorgeNarrow Rhodope canyon road squeezing between 250 m marble cliffs to the Devil's Throat Cave, where a river thunders underground: one of Bulgaria's most dramatic drives.
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