Discover the Bulgaria Rose Festival: A Century-Old Tradition in Kazanlak
The Bulgaria Rose Festival boasts over a century of rich history. Founded in 1903 in Kazanlak - the heart of Bulgaria's Rose Valley-it has captivated global audiences for more than 120 years. Every year, during the first weekend of June, the Kazanlak community hosts this vibrant Bulgaria Rose Festival, which kicks off the rose harvesting season with joyful celebrations. Meanwhile, nearby towns like Karlovo and Pavel Banya—renowned for their rose production—now organize their own local rose festivals.
Festival highlights include manufacturers from across the Rose Valley parading in elaborate, rose-themed costumes. Additionally, traditional mummers known as koukeri join the lively street processions. As a result, crowds sing, dance, and revel in the streets throughout the festivities.
Ready to immerse yourself in the magic of the 2026 Bulgaria Rose Festival? Book your spot on our exclusive cultural tour with Brill Travel Bulgaria today—spaces fill fast!
2026 Bulgaria Rose Festival Tour: Unveil Rose Oil Production Secrets
First, join our exclusive 2026 Bulgaria Rose Festival Tour. Then, discover the ancient secrets of Rose Oil production in Bulgaria's Rose Valley.
2026 Bulgaria Rose Festival Tour : Tour Highlights:
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Visit 4 authentic Rose Oil distilleries in Kazanlak and Karlovo.
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Meet passionate local producers and discuss the superior quality of Rose Valley rose oil.
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Experience hands-on insights during the peak rose harvesting season.
Ultimately, this tour is perfect for culture enthusiasts seeking authentic Bulgarian heritage tours.
2026 Rose Festival Tour
Itinerary - Rose Festival Tour 04 - 08.06.2026
5 day/4 night tour:
04 June 2026 /Day 1: Sofia
At first, our guide will meet you at Sofia International Airport and assist with your transfer to the hotel. After check-in and a brief opportunity to freshen up, you will enjoy a short orientation tour of the city and the immediate surrounding of your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure, allowing time to recover from any jet lag.
Accommodation in Sofia at Hotel Niky, 3* or similar, 2 nights.
05 June 2026/Day 2: Sofia
In the morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Sofia, a city with more than 7,000 years of history. Begin with a walking tour that includes the 4th-century St George Rotunda, a remarkable example of Roman architecture. You will also visit the St Sophia Basilica, dating from the 4th–6th centuries, which gave the city its name. Certainly, the walking tour concludes with the golden-domed Alexander Nevsky Memorial Cathedral, renowned for its magnificent interior. Then, the tour continues with panoramic sightseeing of the University of Sofia, the National Assembly, the Banya Bashi Mosque and the National Palace of Culture.
Finally, you will then stop at the State Laboratory “Bulgarian Rose” for a short presentation on the quality of Bulgarian essential oils, their producers, and leading organic essential-oil companies. In the afternoon, visit the Botanical Rose Gardens at Sofia University and enjoy the diverse collection of rose varieties cultivated there.
Accommodation in Sofia
06 June 2026/Day 3: Sofia - Kalofer - Karlovo - Kazanlak - Stara Zagora
After breakfast, continue east towards the Rose Valley. Drive via Karlovo to the village of Tarnicheni, near Kalofer. Here, surely, you will visit a local distillery and attend a presentation on the distillation of rose oil. Meet local producers and sample the aromas of the natural oils produced here, including rose oil, lavender oil and others.
06 June 2026 In the afternoon
Consequently, continue to Kazanlak to visit the Rose Museum. This small but fascinating collection tells the story of rose production and explains the industry standards established by Bulgarian producers centuries ago.
Time permitting, you will visit an additional rose-oil distillery in Kazanlak before continuing to Stara Zagora for dinner and an overnight stay.
B, Accommodation in Stara Zagora at a 3* hotel La Roca or similar
07 June 2026/Day 4: Kazanlak - THE ROSE FESTIVAL IN KAZANLAK & Plovdiv
Start your day with an early breakfast at the hotel. Then, drive to the iconic rose fields of Kazanlak for an immersive rose harvesting experience. Next, continue to the village of Skobelevo. There, visit the “Damascena” Ethnographic Complex- featurinf lush rose gardens and a working distillery. Afterward, join traditional rose picking alongside locals dressed in colourful traditional costumes.
Around midday, proceed to Kazanlak. Here, you can attend the vibrant Bulgaria Rose Festival 2026 street parade (optional) or enjoy free time in the town center. Meanwhile, explore the finest local rose products or sample regional wines at the ROSÉ Wine Festival.
Bulgaria Rose Festival tour proceeds to Plovdiv
In the afternoon,your Bulgaria Rose Festival tour proceeds to Bulgaria’s second-largest city, Plovdiv (approximately 1.5 hours’ drive). Situated in the Thracian Plain with the River Maritsa flowing through it, Plovdiv is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe, built upon six hills- its origins dating back more than 5,000 years.
Finally, head to Old Plovdiv on Trimontium Hill. Truly, this neighborhood showcases the finest examples of Bulgarian National Revival architecture. You will enjoy a brief walking tour of the historic center and visit the Roman Theatre - one of the best-preserved ancient theatres in the world.
B, Accommodation in Plovdiv at 3* hotel Expo or similar.
08 June 2026/ Day 5: Plovdiv - Sofia Airport
After breakfast, during the morning, continue exploring Plovdiv's highlights. Visit the Old Town, Roman Stadium, Byzantine and mediaeval fortifications, and the 15th-century mosque. Then,stroll along the narrow-cobbled streets and soak in the calm, timeless atmosphere of this historic city.
In the early afternoon, depart for Sofia. A smooth two-hour drop-off transfer takes you to Sofia Airport, where your Kazanlak Rose Valley tour concludes.
We are two American ladies who would like to go on the June 4-7,2020 Rose Festival tour. We would need two individual rooms – what is the single room supplement price?
We would not mind being in a small group tour with others, as long as it was an all English speaking group.
Could we get tickets for the Rose parade? Any chance of sitting arrangements to see the parade, as we both have bad backs?
Thank you.
**Comment:**
Hi there,
I’m really interested in joining the Bulgaria Rose Festival Tour in 2025.
I’m traveling with a friend and we’re both keen to participate in the rose-picking ritual and visit the rose-oil distilleries.
We’re also eager to attend the Rose Parade in Kazanlak on June 8th.
Could you please confirm if there will be reserved seating available for
the parade, as we’d appreciate some comfort given our ages?
Also, what is the single room supplement for the
tour?
Looking forward to your response!
Best,
Cathern
Dear Cathern,
Thank you for your interest in visiting Bulgaria and the Rose Festival next year. Yes, we will be glad to provide reserved seating for all guests interested in attending the Rose Parade on June 8,2025.
As there are two types of tickets.i.e.20.€ for a regular seating and 30.€ for a VIP seating, we have quoted reserved seating as a supplement. Single room supplement is 109.€.
Should you be interested in booking the tour, please send an inquiry. Looking forward to meeting you in the Rose Valley of Bulgaria.
Cordially,
Brill Travel
Hello,
I’m really excited to learn more about the Bulgaria Rose
Festival Tour. The history and traditions of the festival sound
fascinating, and I’m particularly interested in visiting the
rose-oil distilleries and learning about the production process.
I’m also looking forward to participating in the rose-picking ritual and attending the Rose Parade in Kazanlak
on June 8th, 2025.
I’m planning to travel with a friend, and we were wondering if there is reserved seating available for the parade,
as we would appreciate some comfort given our ages.
Additionally, could you please provide information on the
single room supplement for the tour?
Thank you for your time, and we look forward to potentially joining
the tour and experiencing the beauty and culture of Bulgaria’s Rose
Festival.
Best regards,
Isis
Dear Isis:
Thank you for your email and interest in attending the Rose Festival in Kazanlak 2025.
We will be glad to provide tickets with reserved seating for the Rose Parade on June 8,2025.
As there are two types of tickets.i.e.20.€ for a regular seating and 30.€ for a VIP seating, we have quoted reserved seating as a supplement.
Single room supplement is 109.€.
Should you be interested in booking the tour, please send an inquiry.
Looking forward to meeting you in the Rose Valley of Bulgaria.
Cordially,
Brill Travel