Elena Balkan Mountains – a heavenly spot that combines the grandeur of the Balkan Mountains with the local customs and traditions preserved through the centuries and a rich cultural and historical heritage.

Everyone will find something for themselves there.
For those who enjoy mountain tourism and walking, there are numerous tourist routes and ecological hiking routes in the region, which reveal the charm of the wild Balkan nature.

Close to the village of Miykovtsi and Mount Chumerna there are ski runs and ski equipment that offer wonderful opportunities for winter sports. Those who like fishing can enjoy a good catch from the waters of the artificial lakes Yovkovtsi and Palitsi.

In the town of Elena you can immerse in the romantic atmosphere of talented wood carvers and masons. In the numerous small neighbourhoods in the region of Elena Balkan Mountains you can feel the preserved Bulgarian customs and traditions in a typical folk-style surrounding. Rural and ecological tourism are well-developed here.

In the Plakovski, Kilifarevski and Kapinovski monasteries, which have preserved the Bulgarian spirit, you can familiarize yourself with the rich history of the region.

The municipal centre of the region is the town of Elena

The town of Elena has a population of 7421 inhabitants and it is located at the Central Balkan Mountains, 300 m above sea level.

It is located at a distance of 38 km from Veliko Tarnovo, 280 km away from Sofia and 230 km away from Varna.

The town is situated in the beautiful valley of Elenska river. Several picturesque deep defiles cross the northern uplands. The hills of the Elenska valley are covered with deciduous trees. In the woods of the Balkan Mountains you can find and hunt wild boars, wolves, foxes, rabbits and deer. You can also see red deer there. In the clear waters of the rivers you can find mountain barbell, chub and Balkan trout.

Elena has managed to store a significant part of its architectural heritage.
The Clock tower, built by an unknown craftsman in 1812, is a remarkable monument of culture. Its location is such that you can see it from every spot in the town.
From all old houses in Elena, the most interesting one is the house that is the „Ilarion Makariopolski” museum. The “Napredak” community centre in Elena was established in one of the rooms of this house.

The Popnikolova house was built around 1830.

The Kambourov khan dates back from the Renaissance era and had the functions of a public building.

The Razsukanov houses consist of five houses under the same roof.

At the ground floor of the house of Yordan Hadzhipetrov there is a picture gallery, which has one of the richest and most valuable collections of ancient icons in the country.

The town of Elena from the Renaissance has left a significant mark in the history of Bulgarian education and in the struggle for independency of the church.

The St. Nicolas Church is the oldest church in the town. It was built during the 16^th century and it is buried in the ground because it was secretly built. According to the legend, it stored numerous ancient books, written on parchment.

The “Assumption” Church is located immediately next to it. The Church “Virgin Mary’s Borth” is located at the central part of the town.

The Museum of Renaissance stores collections of icons and numerous valuable works of the Bulgarian ecclesiastical figurative arts.

The Kapinovski monastery “St. Nicholas the Wonderworker” and the Plakovski Monastery are located in the vicinity of the town.

Those who like hiking will be pleasantly surprised by the numerous picturesque tourist hiking routes and ecological routes in Elena Balkan Mountains.

For those who like adventures, a possibility for open or closed rock climbing is offered.

All fishing fans can enjoy the possibility to fish in the crystal purity of Yovkovtsi river and Yovkovtsi artifical lake and Palitsi artificial lake, in the region of the village of Miykovtsi, Hanevtsi, Balutsi and Valchovtsi. The tourists can spend the night in a tent at the river shore, where there are special areas for camping and barbecue.

You can see how a lamb is cooked – the so-called “cheverme” (barbecue lamb), before you try its wonderful taste. For the lovers of ski tourism, there are ski runs and convenient ski-lifts in Mount Chumerna.

The climate in Municipality of Elena is moderate-continental with the characteristic climate features for the mountain regions. There is a lot of summer rain in the valley, which helps to preserve the freshness and green colour of the vegetation till late autumn.

There is snow coverage from the beginning of December till March.