Take a pit stop at this park that offers an interesting combination of animal and plant life. It has 4 connected artificial lakes with swans, ducks and even an area with lamas and other animals freely walking around the park. A great break from the drive.

Park your car here, to visit the cave of Venetsa.

A fascinating cave with a variety of different formations and areas to explore inside. This cave is beautifully lit inside, that gives it a truly magical feel as if you are in a fairy tale world. You can join a group tour where the guides give detailed explanation of the history of the cave and the geology of it. The best time for visit is the spring, the summer is too hot outside. Enjoy this colourful experience.
Open hours: Everyday: 9:00 till 17:00

If you enjoyed the previous experience, take a quick stop here before reaching the fortress. This cave is a lot simpler, but still contains within it the mystical feel and also has bats towards the end of it. The history of this cave is rather interesting, as it is said that this is where the most ancient remains of the dust in Europe were found, some 1.3 million years. Pretty special and definitely worth to experience. You leave the car at a small turnoff to the road and in ten minutes you are in front of the entrance.

Before visiting the fortress, take a rest here for a great Bulgarian lunch to recharge for the next part, as it will be an eventful day with lots of walking.
Open Hours: Everyday: 10:00-02:00

Situated amongst some of the most fascinating natural rock formations in the north Balkan region of Bulgaria, sits the majestic Belogradchik fortress. The fortress was built initially as a lookout point during the Roman empire, using the natural rock formations as walls. It is a site unlike any other in Bulgaria, and walking through these rock formations is a like a trip into the ancient past, where Romans roamed the paths and kings ruled the lands. Apart from the fortress there is also a museum at the start where you can learn much about the fascinating history during this period. Spend some time here, feeling into what it must’ve been like to be alive during the period when the fortress was built. This is a truly magical place to see unlike any other fortress in Bulgaria.
Open Hours: From 01 January to 31 March – 09:00 – 17:00 April – 09:00 – 18:00 May – 09:00 – 19:00 June – August – 09:00 – 20:00 September – 09:00 – 19:00 October – 09:00 – 18:00 November – December – 09:00 – 17:00
For more information, visit here

Except from the fortress,it is also worth visiting some of the other incredible rock formations closely, each one named after something that is resonating of the shape of the rocks, such as "The Monks". The perfect opportunity for a jeep tour that will allow to views this fascinating site from all perspectives.

Stop off for dinner at this wonderful restaurant with tasty homemade food. It offers an incredible selection of meat dishes and has a large, beautiful and spacious outdoor seating area. A great place to end the day.
Open Hours: Monday-Saturday: 10:00-23:50 Sunday: closed

On your way back to Sofia, stop off at this memorial place. It features beautiful monuments of historical periods of Bulgaria and a little bit of history to learn more about the rich past and culture in the country.