Here you will find a fascinatingly beautiful cave in the north of Bulgaria. It is one of the most spectacular cave systems in the world. Located around 50 minutes from Pleven and 1.5 hours from Veliko Tarnovo. The largest nearest town is Letnitsa, which is around 20 kilometers away. People are said to have lived here over 70,000 years ago. The karst cave is over 2400 meters long and around 60 meters high. Did you know that the Devetashka cave is now home to 30,000 bats?
The cave is located near the village of Devetaki on the east bank of the Osam River. Part of the famous film The Expendables 2 was filmed here. During the last world war and years after, the cave was used as a fuel depot. It is a really picturesque place, but you have seen everything after about 20-30 minutes. If you want to take pictures without crowds, we recommend that you be the first to go into the cave in the morning!
nature’s quiet masterpiece
We were truly impressed by Devetashka Cave. Standing inside such a massive space filled with natural light feels unreal and incredibly peaceful at the same time. The cave is easy to access, yet it feels untouched and wild, making it one of those places that stays with you long after you leave.
If you enjoy unique natural sights and quiet moments in nature, Devetashka Cave is absolutely worth a visit and one of Bulgaria’s most beautiful places.
Getting to Devetashka Cave is easier than it might seem at first, but it does require a bit of planning. The cave is located in northern Bulgaria, close to the town of Lovech and is best reached by car (highly recommended. For us, the journey itself already felt like part of the experience, as it takes you through quiet countryside and small Bulgarian villages.
Driving is by far the easiest and most flexible way to reach Devetashka Cave. From Sofia, the drive takes around 2 to 2.5 hours (170 km), depending on traffic. The route leads through Pleven or Lovech and from there you follow signs towards the village of Devetaki. The last part of the drive is on smaller country roads, but they are manageable and clearly marked.
There is a small parking area near the cave, which is free and from there it’s only a short walk to the entrance. We really appreciated how accessible the cave is, you don’t need to hike for hours to reach it, yet it still feels wild and untouched.
If you’re already in Lovech, Devetashka Cave makes a perfect half-day trip. The drive takes about 25 minutes and the road is straightforward. Lovech itself is worth visiting, so combining both in one day works really well.
Reaching Devetashka Cave by public transport is possible but more complicated. You can take a bus or train to Lovech and from there a taxi to the cave. However, taxis are not always readily available and schedules can be limited. For this reason, we would only recommend public transport if you’re comfortable with some flexibility and planning ahead.
When we visited Devetashka Cave, one of the first questions we had was about tickets and opening times and we were pleasantly surprised by how simple it is.
Good news: there’s only a small entrance fee when visiting Devetashka Cave. You don’t need to book tickets online or in advance, just arrive, find a parking spot, and start exploring. There’s a small ticket office at the entrance where you can easily purchase your ticket.
Entrance to Devetashka Cave is very affordable, costing approximately 3 BGN (about 1.50€) for adults.
Devetashka Cave itself doesn’t have official opening or closing hours like a museum or attraction would. Since it’s a natural site, it’s generally open all day long, year-round. Most visitors go during daylight hours, usually between:
08:00 and 20:00
Visiting Devetashka Cave was an unforgettable experience for us, and one thing we quickly realized is that timing makes a huge difference. Both the time of day and the season can completely change how the cave feels and looks.
For us, early in the morning was ideal. Sunlight streams through the huge natural openings in the cave, creating dramatic beams of light and beautiful shadows. These lighting conditions not only make your photos more stunning, but also add a magical atmosphere to your visit. If you arrive too late in the day, the light is softer and the cave can feel darker, which is still beautiful but less dramatic.
Spring (March–May): Temperatures are mild, nature around the cave is lush, and there are fewer visitors. Perfect if you enjoy a peaceful experience.
Summer (June–August): Warm weather makes the short walk and exploration inside the cave very comfortable. However, it can get busy, especially on weekends. Early morning visits are best to avoid crowds.
Autumn (September–November): This was our favorite time – we visited in September. The weather was perfect, not too hot and not too cold, the sun was shining all day, and there were very few people. Ideal for a relaxed visit.
Winter (December–February): Cold weather and shorter daylight hours make winter visits less popular. Still, if you don’t mind the chill, the cave is completely empty and the light through the openings can be quite dramatic.
Bring water and a light jacket, depending on the season. The cave can feel cooler inside than the outside temperature, and sturdy shoes are recommended because the ground can be uneven or slightly slippery.
