# Kazanlak

Kazanlak (Bulgarian: Казанлък, also transliterated as Kazanluk) is a city in Central Bulgaria, in a valley south of the Balkan Mountains, on the road to the historic Shipka Pass. It's famous as the center of Bulgaria's rose oil industry, and the surrounding area abounds with ancient tombs, one of which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

## Understand

Kazanlak is 170 km (110 mi) east of the capital Sofia, 75 km (47 mi) north-east from Plovdiv, 30 km (19 mi) north-west from the province centre Stara Zagora, and the same distance south of Gabrovo across the Balkan Mountains. With a population of about 50,000 people, it's the centre of Kazanlak Municipality, and the second largest settlement in the province of Stara Zagora.
Due to the widespread cultivation of roses, Kazanlak Valley and the neighbouring Karlovo Valley are known collectively as the Rose Valley of Bulgaria.

## Get in
### By bus

It is best to first head to Stara Zagora and take a local bus from there, unless you are already visiting all tiny villages and towns in from of the impressive mountain range.

### By train

Kazanlak is a major station on the Sub-Balkan Line, which connects Sofia with Burgas on the Black Sea via Karlovo, Tulovo and Karnobat (each of those is a junction with another line). Several daily trains serve either the whole line, or its halves, but as of 2025 there's also at least one daily direct train from Plovdiv (to Ruse via Karlovo). Otherwise, coming from Plovdiv requires changing trains at Karlovo; from Stara Zagora - at Tulovo.

## See

* 42.6254625.400021 Thracian tomb of Kazanlak (Казанлъшка гробница). M-Su 09:00-17:00. Near the city is an ancient Thracian tomb dating back to 4th century BOT and is a World Heritage site. Inside the tomb is a narrow corridor opening to a round burial chamber, both of which are decorated with murals depicting a ritual funeral feast. Unfortunately, only a copy can be visited here (in the museum). However, all other (open) tombs in the region are originals. If you are less interested in an "unoriginal" fresco, head to the Seuthes 2 & 3 and Shushmanets et al. tombs, where you can actually enter the tomb and feel a little like in Egypt. 6 лв. (updated Dec 2021)
* The views that can be seen from both the Memorial Church and the Monument on Stoletov Peak, are amazing, unforgettable and a pleasure to the eye.

## Do

* Watch the famous Bulgarian rose oil being produced. It is best to visit in May or June, as that's the oil rose harvesting season.
* Rose Festival. beginning of June. Every year, Kazanlak has its famous Rose Festival. (updated Jun 2016)

## Stay safe

There is a large Roma community in the eastern part of the city, in which travellers may feel uncomfortable and non-locals may be unwelcome—it's best to avoid there altogether.

## Go next

* Valley of the Thracian Kings – The whole valley around Kazanlak is covered with tombs, some of which can be visited. Many excavations have been done around the site of former Seuthopolis, now the Kazanlak lake.
* Shipka – A village to the northwest, which has an impressive Russian style cathedral built in memory of the Russian soldiers who fell in the Battle of Shipka Pass. Also, the Thracian tombs are more attractive and interesting, all are 6 лв.
* Gabrovo – To the north, across the Balkan Mountains. It has historic sites, a humor museum and impressive shopping and dining opportunities.
* Nature Park Bulgarka – On the north side of the Balkans across from Kazanlak, provides many out door activities opportunities for people who enjoy nature and hiking.