Rhodopi Municipality: Wine Villages, Festivals and an Eco Trail

Rhodopi Municipality lies south to southwest of Plovdiv, at the foot of the northern slopes of the Rhodope Mountains. It covers around 300 km² and includes Rhodope forests between Asenovgrad, Mihalkovo and Krichim. The municipality forms a natural suburban area of Plovdiv and has cultural and tourism resources. In the small mountain villages, proximity to the city, practical infrastructure, fresh air and traditional cuisine come together; at weekends, this combination draws residents and visitors from Plovdiv.

Routes and Landscape

Near Izvor, two routes in particular define the eco trail: “Momina Skala” and “Trite Chuchura.” A fishpond is part of the route, making it possible to combine the outing with fishing. Check local fishing rules and availability in advance. This lets you plan the trail not only as a nature route, but also with a possible fishing activity in mind.

Another point of natural interest is the Sv. Georgi locality, where a centuries-old downy oak stands protected under the Biodiversity Act. The “Patyat na Dionisiy” route also passes through the municipality. Together with the trails near Izvor, these places offer different starting points for a visit, from a specific route to themes of wine and landscape.

Wine Culture in Brestovitsa and Ustina

In Brestovitsa, the “Vlakhovata Kashta” Wine Museum presents the region’s history of wine, both old and modern. Villa Vinifera was built in Brestovitsa in 1936 and is a classic-style winery. The village centre is also home to Dzhinvira, a small, family-run winery. These three wine-related places have different focuses: the museum’s history, the villa’s architectural history and character, and the nature of a family winery. Check the current opening hours before visiting the museum; contact the winery directly to confirm visitor arrangements.

In Ustina, Villa Yustina offers a “wine journey” through its production facilities and enoteca. The itinerary and reservation requirements may change, so confirm the details directly before your visit. Brestovitsa and Ustina therefore offer different reasons to explore the municipality’s wine, without suggesting that every place offers the same kind of experience.

Festivals Throughout the Year

The “Trifon Zarezan” festival is celebrated with particular flair in Brestovitsa on 14 February. Several wineries take part, young people play an active role, and the tradition is reenacted authentically. For early December, the municipal calendar lists the “Dionysian Young Wine Festivals” every year: they take place in different settlements and last two or three days.

The municipality’s festival also has a different host settlement each year. It takes place annually between 1 and 10 June, lasts two or three days and features performances by more than 35 amateur ensembles. The annual village festivals also show a trend towards reviving and renewing older customs and rituals. These include Kukeri processions, vine pruning for Winegrowers’ Day, the retrieval of the cross at Epiphany and Babinden. Traditional Bulgarian costumes, Rhodope songs and horo dances are also part of the festivities; programmes vary from village to village. If a particular festival determines your travel dates, check the latest dates and host settlement.

Plan Your Stay and Hotel Search

Use the local themes to guide your choice, while keeping the different places and offerings distinct.

Discover more destinations: Belashtitsa, Dedovo, Boykovo, Hisarya, Maritza, Karlovo, Perushtitsa, Rodopi.

For the broader travel overview: Plovdiv Province.