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Искърски проломRaina Kamenova-Rorie · CC BY-SA 4.0
Places · Mezdra–Lakatnik railway corridor

Iskar Gorge

Искърски пролом

The Iskar cuts through the Balkan Mountains between limestone walls, railway tunnels, villages and monasteries.

Vratsa ProvinceStays →Google Maps →
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Visiting advice

Build a route around one or two stops rather than stopping on busy road shoulders; the train is often the best way to see the gorge.

Bulgarian food

Local food

Local food →

Vratsa-style banitsa · lamb dishes · mountain honey · local wine

Vratsa-style banitsalamb dishesmountain honeylocal wine
BanitsaBiso / Wikimedia Commons
Breakfast · pastry

Banitsa

Crisp filo layers wrapped around eggs, yogurt and white cheese—a warm Bulgarian breakfast staple.

What's in it Filo pastry, eggs, yogurt, sirene cheese and butter or oil.
Shopska saladViktorija N. Ivanov / Wikimedia Commons
Salad · vegetarian

Shopska salad

The classic first order: tomatoes, cucumber and peppers under a generous snowy layer of white brined cheese.

What's in it Tomatoes, cucumber, roasted or fresh pepper, onion, parsley and sirene cheese.
TaratorSumit Surai / Wikimedia Commons
Cold soup · vegetarian

Tarator

A cooling yogurt and cucumber soup served cold—simple, fresh and especially popular in summer.

What's in it Yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill, walnuts, water and a little oil.
KavarmaJeroen Kransen / Wikimedia Commons
Slow-cooked main

Kavarma

Rich meat and vegetables slowly cooked with paprika and savory, often arriving sizzling in a clay pot.

What's in it Pork or chicken, onion, peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms and spices.
KebapcheBiso / Wikimedia Commons
Grill · street favorite

Kebapche

Seasoned minced meat shaped into long rolls and grilled over high heat for a smoky crust.

What's in it Minced pork or mixed meat, cumin, black pepper and salt.
SarmiBiso / Wikimedia Commons
Home cooking · seasonal

Sarmi

Small vine or cabbage leaves wrapped around a savory rice filling, with or without minced meat.

What's in it Vine or cabbage leaves, rice, onion, herbs and optionally minced meat.
NEARBY

Public transport

жп коридора Мездра–Лакатник

Bus / metro BDZ train times

© OpenStreetMap contributors · Open Database License · availability depends on local mapping

Map

Directions

OpenStreetMap →Google Maps · Directions →
02

Directions

Public transport

Buses and trains

First reach Mezdra railway station by train or intercity bus. Confirm the local bus in advance; when it does not match your return time, pre-book a licensed taxi for the last kilometres.

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Nearby places

Проход ВратцатаI-Vaylo · CC BY-SA 3.0Vratsa

Vratsata Pass

Проход Вратцата

Monumental limestone walls frame the road into Vrachanski Balkan just above the city.

Read the guide Пещера ЛеденикаMartin Marinov · CC BY-SA 3.0Vrachanski Balkan

Ledenika Cave

Пещера Леденика

A show cave of sculpted chambers high in the Balkan above Vratsa, cool even in summer.

Read the guide Водопад СкакляIliana Teneva · CC BY-SA 4.0Vratsa

Skaklya waterfall

Водопад Скакля

A seasonal high waterfall drops from the cliffs above Vratsa and is most dramatic after rain or snowmelt.

Read the guide
Province guide · Vratsa Province