Karlovo is situated in the northern part of Karlovo valley, the Rose Garden of Bulgaria, picturesquely surrounded by the Balkan Range and the low mountain spurs of Sredna Gora Mountain. Being a quickly developing town, Karlovo combines the modernity of the present with the traditions, cultural and historical heritage of the past. It is a municipal center with a population of approximately 30,000 people and beautiful administrative and trade center isolated as a pedestrian zone. Here are the town Hall, the Community Center, the Art Gallery, a large hospital and a medical center, a nice hotel, many shops, bank offices and many nice and cozy cafes, restaurants, fast-food restaurants.
From the square, a nice and quiet alley leads to a beautiful park with a children’s playground and a stylish tavern. In the park, one can also see the beautiful waterfall Suchurum (Spraying water) on the Stara River.
Karlovo is located 56 km away from the administrative center – the city of Plovdiv, and 147 km away from the capital Sofia. The city of Bourgas and the Black sea coast are 260 km away.
Karlovo offers to its visitors good conditions for organized and individual tourism. The international hunting tourism is well developed. There are separated reserves for red deer, fallow deer, wild-boar, roe, etc.
For the mountain lovers, of particular interest is the Central Balkan National Park – one of the three national parks in Bulgaria. Covering an area of 73250 ha it preserves self-regulated ecosystems and their endemic species diversity, phenomenal landscapes and natural sights of world importance for science and culture (like the waterfalls Raiskoto Praskalo, Suchurum, Karlovskoto Praskalo). The territory of the park includes 9 reserves, representing the unique natural heritage of the Balkans. Central Balkan National Park is part of the European network of protected territories PAN Parks.
Nature offers many opportunities for conquerors of peaks that can climb Mount Botev (2376m) the highest peak in Stara Planina, and for alpinists, who can climb the Paradise Rocks, as well as for delta and paragliding.
In the region of Karlovo there is a network of well kept chalets and marked mountain routes. They are all electrified and offer excellent opportunities for mountain tourism. There is also a local office of the Mountain Control and Rescue Service to help in emergencies.