Magura Cave

пещера Магура

One of Bulgaria's largest caves, famous for its prehistoric cave paintings made with bat guano dating back thousands of years. Its vast chambers with impressive stalactites and stalagmites also host a natural wine cellar.

Things to do

• View the prehistoric cave paintings — Marvel at the famous drawings made from bat guano depicting dancing figures, hunters, and animals dating back thousands of years.
• Explore the Triumphal Hall — Walk through one of the cave's most impressive chambers filled with massive stalactites and stalagmites formations.
• See the Fallen Pine stalagmite — Admire this enormous toppled stalagmite, one of the largest formations in the cave measuring several meters long.
• Tour the natural wine cellar — Discover the Magura winery inside the cave where sparkling wine is aged in the constant cool temperature and humidity of the chambers.
• Visit the Rakovski Gallery and other halls — Follow the guided route through vast connected chambers stretching over two kilometers underground.
• Photograph Rabisha Lake nearby — Stop at the largest inland lake in Bulgaria located right beside the cave for scenic views and birdwatching.
• Explore Belogradchik Rocks day trip — Combine your cave visit with the dramatic red sandstone rock formations and fortress about 20 kilometers away.

Food to try

• Magura sparkling wine — Taste the champagne-method sparkling wine produced and aged right inside the cave's natural cellar.
• Belogradchik regional wines — Sample local reds and whites from the vineyards of the Vidin region surrounding the cave.
• Banitsa — Enjoy the traditional Bulgarian filo pastry filled with white cheese and eggs, common in local eateries.
• Kavarma — Try this slow-cooked meat and vegetable stew served in a clay pot, a hearty staple of northwestern Bulgaria.
• Shopska salad — Refresh with the classic Bulgarian salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and grated sirene cheese.
• Homemade rakia — Sip the strong fruit brandy often distilled locally from plums or grapes and offered as a welcoming drink.

Local customs & good to know

• Dress warmly for the cave — The cave stays around 12 degrees Celsius year-round, so bring a jacket even in summer.
• Visit only with a guide — Access to the cave including the paintings is via guided tour, so check opening hours in advance as they vary by season.
• Wear sturdy footwear — The pathways can be damp and slippery, so comfortable non-slip shoes are essential.
• Book wine tastings ahead — The cellar tours and tastings may require advance arrangement, especially for groups.

Nearby

• Belogradchik Fortress — 14 km
• Belogradchik Rocks — 14 km
• Vidin — 37 km
• Baba Vida Fortress — 39 km