The Danube Islands are formed by river deposits — sand and gravel. Although slowly, the river constantly shapes and changes its banks. This is why the islands are inconstant, they change their area and configuration. The Danube Islands are pieces of paradise, detached from time and the dynamics of modern life. Although the number of Danube Islands exceeds the impressive number of 60, most of them are small in area and importance.
Dikilitash Natural Landmark, or Pobit Kamak, is located on the banks of the Danube at about 2 km north of the village of Mechka, Ivanovo Municipality, in the area of Stulpishte. It consists of two rock formations of different sizes that likely date from the Mesozoic Era. They are related to various legends and tales about Krali Marko, who is said to have lifted the large rock with his little finger. There is speculation that the large rock was used as a lookout by the Romans or is part of the remains of a bridge over the Danube.
Krushuna Waterfall offers the largest and most picturesque water spectacle in Bulgaria. Formed by numerous karst terraces, it drops from a height of 20 m and takes every visitor's breath away. It is located on the northern end of Devetashko Plateau, near the village of Krushuna, Letnitsa Municipality. The area will amaze you with two other smaller waterfalls, which along with the first one form the so-called Krushuna Falls, also known as the Maarata Area. The rare and valuable plant and animal species from Bulgaria's Red Data Book are also interesting.
Orlova Chuka is located on the picturesque left slope of Cherni Lom River, 2.5 km northeast of Pepelina Village and 7 km east of the town of Dve Mogili. In 1959, 124 stone steps were built in Orlova Chuka and an artificial tunnel was drilled to serve as entrance. The cave is the second longest improved cave in Bulgaria. Its name is related to the rock crown on which its entrance is located. In the recent past, this crown served as a refuge for eagles. The biggest contributions for the comprehensive study of the northeastern part of the Orlova Chuka were provided by Ruse cavers.
The Magura Cave is located 17 km from Belogradchik, in the limestone Rabishka Mound (461 m above sea level). It is one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Bulgaria, consisting of a main gallery and three side branches. The total length of the discovered galleries is about 2500 m. The temperature in the cave is 12 degrees Celsius all year round. According to geological studies, the formation of the Magura Cave began approximately 15 million years ago.
The protected area is a restored natural complex of marshes with artificially regulated water regime and rich biodiversity. It is suitable for water tourism, recreational fishing and birdwatching. The territory of Lom Municipality also includes the protected Ribarnitsi Orsoya Area. The area has international conservation status and is the habitat of a number of protected, rare and vulnerable animal and plant species. Over 160 bird species have been recorded, 33 of which were included in Bulgaria's Red Data Book.
The beautiful river terraces, the high stone cliffs, the caves, the rock formations, the great biodiversity, and the historical monuments make Rusenski Lom Nature Park an outstanding place to visit. In addition to scientific research activities, Rusenski Lom Nature Park also offers many opportunities for active and ecotourism. The nature park's symbol is the rare black stork, most often found near the village of Nisovo.
Persina Nature Park is unique for Bulgaria and the only one of its kind along the Bulgarian bank of Danube. It aims to conserve and restore the Danube wetlands, with particular emphasis on preserving the natural state of the numerous islands within the park's boundaries. The largest Bulgarian and fourth largest European Danube island is also located here — Persin Island, which gave the nature park its name. Its length is 15 km and its width reaches 6 km. Bird-watching spots have been made in the nature park and reserves.
The Clock Tower in Svishtov was built in a style typical for the Bulgarian National Revival, most likely in 1763, by an unknown builder. The year is immortalised by an Arabic inscription on marble slabs. The building has a main body and a wooden building on top. At the end of the 19th century, the original clock mechanism was replaced by a new one made in Austria.
Misionis Fortress (or Krumovo Kale) near Targovishte dates back to the period of the early Byzantine and medieval Bulgarian history, 4th-6th, 9th-10th, 12th-14th centuries. Misionis lasted for ten centuries, during which time it played a central role in the trade of the then Byzantine and Bulgarian medieval empire. The fortress has a strategic significance for the defence of the old capitols Veliki Preslav and Veliko Tarnovo. The town was wiped out in the 14th century by the Ottoman conquerors, who pillaged and burned it down.
The Ancient Ceramic Centre near Pavlikeni is the only one of its kind not only in Bulgaria, but in the entire Southeastern Europe. It was discovered by chance in 1971, but soon after, it became one of the significant archaeological Roman sites here. It is a so-called villa rustica, or agricultural estate of a Roman army veteran who devoted himself to farming and cattle-breeding (probably towards the end of the 1st century).
Nearly every Danube municipality is proud to have a Roman cultural and historical heritage site on its territory. Thorough the entire Danube Tourist Region runs the northern border of the Roman Empire – the Danube Roman Limes (from Latin: limes - border).
The Pantheon of National Revival Heroes is a national museum-ossuary, erected in memory of the Bulgarians who gave their lives for the liberation of Bulgaria. It contains the bones of 453 revolutionaries and volunteers who participated in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, rebels, and other social activists. Among them are Lyuben Karavelov, Zahari Stoyanov, Toma Kardzhiev, and Olimpi Panov. A tribute is also paid to Baba Tonka and the Obretenov family. The Pantheon was opened in 1978 on the occasion of the celebrations of a century since the liberation of Bulgaria.
The Krastata Kazarma Museum is located in Vidin and is distinguished by its remarkable architecture plan in the form of an equilateral cross. The building was built by the Governor of Vidin Osman Pazvantoğlu in 1801 and was used as a resting place for janissaries. The architecture is unique and reflects the openness to new ideas in the Danube lands at the time. The cultural monument is a museum of everyday life and history of the Vidin region from the National Revival and the beginning of the 20th century, where various exhibitions can be seen.
The Late Antique Tomb in Silistra is considered an emblematic creation of the late antique civilisation from the middle of the 4th century. It gained particular popularity for its exquisite mural decorations — geometric, animal and human shapes, hunting scenes, a married couple and their servants. It is believed that its owner left Durostorum during the Gothic invasion at the end of the 4th century, which is why the tomb has never been used for its intended purpose.
The St. Dimitar Basarbovski Rock Monastery near Basarbovo village is the only active rock monastery in Bulgaria. It is located 10 km away from Ruse in the picturesque valley of Rusenski Lom River. The most famous inhabitant of the monastery is the saint born in 1685 in the village of Basarbovo — Dimitrie Basarbovski who spent his entire life in the holy abode. Today, he is the patron saint of Bucharest, which is why the site enjoys great interest from Romanian tourists.
The Austrian traveller Felix Kanitz described the Srebarna Lake as "El Dorado for marsh birds." The eponymous nature reserve is located 2 km south of the Danube and 16 km west of Silistra on an area of 600 ha. It is famous for being right on the migratory bird route from Europe to Africa — Via Pontica, as well as for the presence of unique and varied species of water birds. Srebarna's symbol is the Dalmatian pelican, which can be seen in its natural habitat. Because of its rare and endangered species, Srebarna Lake was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983.
The Thracian Tomb is located near the village of Sveshtari, Isperih Municipality. It is part of the Sboryanovo Historical and Archaeological Reserve, alongside the remains of an ancient Thracian city, mounds, necropolises and the Demir Baba Teke muslim sanctuary. The excavated Sveshtar Tomb is believed to be the final resting place of Dromichaetes — the ruler of the Getae tribe that inhabited the region. Remarkable decorations, including animals and other shapes, can be seen in many places.
The Rock-Hewn Churches near the village of Ivanovo, Ruse Province, are a part of the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979. The site was a curious source of attraction for Christian spirituality in the times of the Second Bulgarian Empire (12th – 14th centuries). The St. Archangel Michael Rock-Hewn Monastery consists of several complexes with impressive preserved murals. In the Saint Mary Church one can see the donors Tsar Ivan Alexander and his wife Tsaritsa Theodora depicted in full length.
The Belogradchik Rocks are a natural phenomenon that is unique not only in Bulgaria, but also in Europe. Their silhouette has been sculpted over 230 million years to create natural sculptures of mythical creatures, animals, and birds. The rocks extend for about 30 km in length and reach up to 200 m in hight. Over 100 caves have been formed, while the rock columns shape the Kaleto Natural Fortress.
In 2009, the Belogradchik Rocks were among the 77 finalists out of 260 participating sites in a large-scale competition to determine the new Seven Natural Wonders of the World.