Located at the heart of central Bulgaria, Kazanlak is best known as the gateway to the Valley of the Roses, a fertile region famed for its centuries-old rose-growing traditions and cultural heritage. Surrounded by the Balkan Mountains and rolling farmland, the town offers a distinctive blend of history, landscape and seasonal appeal.
The region’s most celebrated attraction is the Valley of the Roses, where damask roses have been cultivated for rose oil production since the Ottoman period. Each spring, the annual Rose Festival celebrates the harvest with folk music, traditional dress and processions, providing a colourful insight into Bulgarian customs. The area is also home to the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its remarkably preserved Hellenistic frescoes.
Beyond its rose-growing fame, Kazanlak offers access to mountain scenery, museums and traditional villages that reflect Bulgaria’s rural character. Whether visiting during the rose harvest or as part of a wider touring itinerary, Kazanlak adds a unique cultural and historic dimension to any journey through Bulgaria.