Krumovgrad

Krumovgrad (Bulgarian: Крумовград) is a town in Kardzhali Province in the Eastern Rhodopes, located on the banks of the river Krumovitsa. It has a population of about 8,700 and is the administrative centre of Krumovgrad Municipality, which encompasses 78 villages. The town is named after the successful medieval Bulgarian ruler Khan Krum (803–814 CE), with the name meaning "city of Krum". Formerly known by the Turkish name Koşukavak, the town has a mixed population of Bulgarians (about 49%) and Turks (about 19%), along with Romani and others. The economy is based on agriculture, tobacco farming, and light industry.

By Plane

The nearest airports are Plovdiv (about 110 km) and Burgas (about 170 km). Both offer domestic and seasonal international flights.

By Train

Krumovgrad does not have a railway station. The nearest railway stations are in Kardzhali (about 35 km) and Momchilgrad, from which connecting buses reach the town.

By Car / Road

Krumovgrad is about 35 km southeast of Kardzhali via road II-59. The drive from Kardzhali takes about 35 minutes. The road continues south towards the Greek border.

By Bus

Regular buses connect Krumovgrad with Kardzhali, Haskovo, Plovdiv, and other Bulgarian cities.

The town centre is walkable, with most shops, cafés, and municipal buildings concentrated around the central square. Taxis are available for trips to the surrounding villages and to nearby reservoirs.

• Krumovgrad History Museum — local museum exhibiting archaeological finds from the Eastern Rhodopes, including Thracian pottery and tools.

• Monument to Khan Krum — a statue of the medieval Bulgarian ruler in the town centre.

• Studen Kladenets Reservoir — a large dam lake about 15 km northwest of the town, known as the "Sea of the Rhodopes". Popular for fishing, boating, and picnicking.

• Traditional Rhodope villages — several villages in the municipality, such as Tintyava and Zvanarka, preserve traditional stone architecture and rural life.

• Fishing — Studen Kladenets Reservoir is stocked with carp, sheatfish, and perch. Local angling clubs organise fishing trips.

• Hiking — the hills around Krumovgrad offer unmarked trails through tobacco fields, oak forests, and along the Krumovitsa river.

• Birdwatching — the Eastern Rhodopes are a major bird migration route, with eagles, vultures, and storks common in the area.

• Photography — the Studen Kladenets reservoir, river valley, and mountain landscapes offer good subjects.

• Mehana Krumovgrad — a traditional restaurant serving Bulgarian cuisine, grilled meats, salads, and local specialities.
• Bakeries offer banitsa, pide, and pastries.

Cafés on the main square serve coffee, soft drinks, and rakia. The local mineral water is from Rhodope springs.

• Hotel Krumovgrad — a small hotel with basic rooms, near the town centre.
• Guesthouses are available in the surrounding villages, offering budget accommodation for anglers and hikers visiting Studen Kladenets.

Shops in the centre sell groceries, tobacco products, and basic goods. A weekly market offers fresh produce, including locally grown tobacco, fruit, and vegetables.

• Kardzhali — provincial capital with Thracian sites (Perperikon, Tatul, Utroba Cave) and Kardzhali Reservoir, about 35 km northwest
• Momchilgrad — town with historic mosques and a tobacco market, about 20 km southwest
• Studen Kladenets Reservoir — dam lake for fishing and recreation, 15 km northwest
• Komotini (Greece) — Greek city about 60 km south via the Bulgarian border
• Dzhebel — mountain town with traditional Rhodope character, about 30 km west