Devetashka Cave, Danubian Plain Travel Guide

4.8 (6538)

Explore Bulgaria's Devetashka Cave: A prehistoric dwelling with stunning natural beauty and rich biodiversity, offering a unique glimpse into the past.

Devetashka Cave, near Devetaki, Bulgaria, is a vast karst cave with a rich history, serving as a shelter for humans since the Paleolithic era. Its large chambers, illuminated by openings in the ceiling, create a unique environment for diverse ecosystems and offer a glimpse into prehistoric life.

A brief summary to Devetashka Cave

Devetaki, 5555, BG
Click to display

Monday 8 am-8 pm
Tuesday 8 am-8 pm
Wednesday 8 am-8 pm
Thursday 8 am-8 pm
Friday 8 am-8 pm
Saturday 8 am-8 pm
Sunday 8 am-8 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Devetashka Cave.

Wear comfortable shoes for exploring the cave's uneven terrain.
Bring a camera to capture the unique geological formations and lighting.
Visit during the weekdays to avoid large crowds.
Check the weather before your visit, as rain can affect accessibility.

Do you manage this location?

Take control to get all the benefits, like improved information, better appearance, and stronger visibility across AI-powered discovery. Learn more

Activate your presence

Other nearby places you may find interesting

The closest places of the same kind, if this one is not quite what you had in mind.

Geocomplex "Zarapovo"

Zarapovo Waterfall - Vishovgrad

Magistrala Trakia, Bulgaria (south-east EU)

Blue mountains

The bench of Love

Explore Devetashka Cave on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Devetashka Cave, mapped for you.

Getting There

Public Transport

From Sofia, take a bus to Lovech. Buses depart from Sofia to Lovech twice daily, with tickets costing approximately $6–10. The journey takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes. From Lovech, transfer to a local bus or taxi to the village of Devetaki. Once in Devetaki, follow the signs to Devetashka Cave, which is a short walk from the bus stop.
Taxi

From Lovech, a taxi to Devetashka Cave is the quickest option, taking approximately 25 minutes and costing between $14 and $17. Negotiate the fare before starting the journey.
Car

From Lovech, take the E-772 road east towards the village of Devetaki. After approximately 20 kilometers, you will reach Devetaki. From there, follow the signs to the cave entrance. Parking is available near the cave entrance. Note that there is no direct car access to the cave, park after the bridge in Devetaki village.

Discover more about Devetashka Cave

Devetashka Cave, also known as Maarata or Oknata, is located 18 kilometers northeast of Lovech, near the village of Devetaki in Bulgaria. This impressive karst cave boasts a history stretching back 70,000 years, with evidence of human habitation since the Early Stone Age. The cave has provided shelter and resources for humans throughout various historical eras.The cave's entrance measures 35 meters wide and 30 meters high, leading into a spacious hall. The interior expands to approximately 2,400 square meters, with ceilings soaring up to 60 meters in some areas. Seven openings in the ceiling allow sunlight to penetrate, illuminating the interior and fostering plant growth, creating a unique and captivating environment.Inside, you'll find two main fields branching from the central hall. A small river flows through the left field, eventually connecting with the Osam River. The right field is warmer and drier, leading to a gallery known as the Altar. The cave is home to 11 underground lakes and diverse wildlife, including over 30,000 bats from various species.While the cave offers stunning natural formations, it also bears traces of its past uses. In the 1950s, the Bulgarian army utilized the cave as a storage site for petroleum, leaving concrete bases that once supported oil tanks. More recently, the cave served as a filming location for "The Expendables 2" in 2011, which led to environmental concerns and a temporary decline in the bat population.Declared a natural landmark on June 7, 1996, Devetashka Cave is now protected. Visitors can explore the cave's interior, marvel at its geological formations, and appreciate its historical and ecological significance.