at the houseSpa evening
Sauna for up to 6, the ice-water barrel and a hot tub for up to 8 — repeat three times.
Things to do nearby
At the house, in Gyueshevo,
At the house, in Gyueshevo,
in Kyustendil and beyond.
Over 60 ideas: what to do at the house, in the village, in Osogovo, in Kyustendil and on a day trip — plus restaurants and events through the year.
GyueshevoThe village
The village
on the border.
- 1,000 mGyueshevo is a mountain village at the foot of Osogovo, on the border with North Macedonia.
- 1910The railway station opens — the highest standard-gauge station in Bulgaria (943 m). In 1913 it housed the headquarters of the Fifth Army.
- 1925–1930The Holy Trinity memorial church is built — an ossuary of Bulgarian soldiers who fell in the wars.
- 1942–1948About 2.5 km of the tunnel towards Macedonia are dug and left unfinished. Today the Sofia–Skopje line is being planned again.
- Deve BairThe name of the pass and border crossing comes from Turkish — “camel’s hump”, after the shape of the ridge.
Distances are approximate, from the house.
at the house
at the houseBarbecue and a long table
A grill in the yard, one table for everyone, conversations until late.
Table tennis tournamentat the house
At the houseTable tennis tournament
Ping-pong tables, darts and a little competition between sauna rounds.
Games by the fireat the house
At the houseGames by the fire
Board games for every age — phones get a rest.
at the houseTrampoline and playground
Kids jump, grown-ups soak in the hot tub.
at the houseStars from the hot tub
At 1,000 m, far from city lights, the sky looks different.
500 mHoly Trinity memorial church
Built 1925–1930 as an ossuary of fallen Bulgarian soldiers. One of the most impressive places in Osogovo.
Gyueshevo railway station≈ 1 km
In the villageGyueshevo railway station
Since 1910 — the highest standard-gauge station in Bulgaria (943 m). A beautiful building at the end of the line.
The tunnel to Macedonia≈ 3 km
In the villageThe tunnel to Macedonia
About 2.5 km dug in 1942–1948 and never finished. The story of the Sofia–Skopje line.
The forest around the housefrom the door
NatureThe forest around the house
Trails, mushrooms, wild berries. A morning walk in the mist.
Prekolnitsa reservoir≈ 4 km
NaturePrekolnitsa reservoir
Quiet water in the neighbouring village — for a walk and a picnic.
Prekolnitsa church≈ 4 km
HistoryPrekolnitsa church
The church of Sts Peter and Paul in the neighbouring village.
Ranentsi horse base≈ 10 km
Horse ridingRanentsi horse base
Lessons with a professional instructor and trail rides in Osogovo. Tel. +359 898 547 235.
full dayRuen peak
The highest peak of Osogovo — closer than you think. Views into Bulgaria and North Macedonia.
Tsarna Reka – Sazhdenik reserve≈ 12 km
Protected natureTsarna Reka – Sazhdenik reserve
Wild forests in the Osogovo mountains.
Kutugertsi monastery≈ 12 km
MonasteriesKutugertsi monastery
St Joachim of Osogovo monastery near Kutugertsi village.
Osogovo ski slopes≈ 30 km
Winter · 1,575–1,838 mOsogovo ski slopes
“Osogovo” slope (913 m) with drag lift and “Lyudmil Yankov” (382 m) with chairlift and night lights. Ski school, rental, 1.3 km sled run.
Osogovo hut≈ 35 km
Mountain · 1,616 mOsogovo hut
The first hut in Osogovo (1928) and the start of the hike to Ruen. Restaurant with trout.
Ribarnika≈ 10 km
Restaurant · GarlyanoRibarnika
Trout from their own fish farm, a garden with gazebos and a play area. 4.7 on Google.
Friends Bar & Grill18 km
Restaurant · KyustendilFriends Bar & Grill
The town’s favourite — 4.7 from over 5,800 reviews. Order delivery to the house too.
Pizzeria Napoli18 km
Restaurant · KyustendilPizzeria Napoli
Italian kitchen at 22 Bulgaria Blvd — pizza, salads, delivery.
Tihiyat Kat≈ 15 km
Restaurant · SlokoshtitsaTihiyat Kat
Family restaurant with a big yard in Slokoshtitsa, 3 km from Kyustendil.
Lazur restaurant18 km
Restaurant · KyustendilLazur restaurant
The restaurant of the family-run Hotel Lazur in Kyustendil.
Ramira restaurant18 km
Restaurant · KyustendilRamira restaurant
Elegant restaurant at 12 Han Krum St.
Aleya restaurant18 km
Restaurant · KyustendilAleya restaurant
A Kyustendil restaurant we recommend to our guests.
Mihalkova Kashta18 km
Tavern · KyustendilMihalkova Kashta
Stone-and-wood tavern at 62 Hadzhi Dimitar St — traditional food.
Plazhna Fiesta18 km
Summer · KyustendilPlazhna Fiesta
Beach complex in Mogilata: two pools, 3.5 ha of lawns, bar, restaurant and playground.
18 kmHisarlaka forest park
A 4th–5th-century fortress, forest and a panorama of the town. Great with kids.
The Roman baths18 km
KyustendilThe Roman baths
The second-largest Roman thermal complex in Bulgaria (2nd–3rd c.).
St George church18 km
KyustendilSt George church
A 10th–11th-century church in Kolusha with rare frescoes.
Church of the Assumption18 km
KyustendilChurch of the Assumption
The 1816 metropolitan church with a rich iconostasis.
Maistora art gallery18 km
ArtMaistora art gallery
Over 3,000 works, 1,357 of them by Vladimir Dimitrov – the Master.
18 kmThe old town
Pirkova tower (15th c.), Ahmed Bey mosque, Emfiedzhieva house, Chifte bath (1913).
Dimitar Peshev house-museum18 km
MuseumDimitar Peshev house-museum
The story of the rescue of the Bulgarian Jews.
Giant sequoias≈ 15 km
NatureGiant sequoias
Three sequoias over 130 years old and 30+ m tall at Yuchbunar.
St Luke monastery≈ 26 km
MonasteriesSt Luke monastery
Founded in the 10th century near Granitsa, in an old beech forest.
Kadin bridge≈ 33 km
HistoryKadin bridge
A 1470 stone bridge over the Struma in Nevestino.
Polska Skakavitsa waterfall≈ 35 km
NaturePolska Skakavitsa waterfall
A 53-metre waterfall and a church from 1892.
Osogovo Monastery≈ 25 km
North MacedoniaOsogovo Monastery
St Joachim of Osogovo near Kriva Palanka. Bring ID/passport and a car green card.
Cherry FestivalJune
Event · KyustendilCherry Festival
Three days of concerts, cherry treats and town tours at the end of June.
Kyustendil SpringMarch
Event · KyustendilKyustendil Spring
The town festival, exhibitions and a live tableau of the Forty Martyrs on Hisarlaka.
“Pautalia” folklore contestJuly
Event · Kyustendil“Pautalia” folklore contest
An international folklore contest and “Hisarlaka Experience”.
Panagia and Sofia Film FestAugust
Event · KyustendilPanagia and Sofia Film Fest
The “Panagia” cultural forum and open-air cinema.
Christmas TaleDecember
Event · KyustendilChristmas Tale
The Christmas town and the “Winter Show under Hisarlaka”.
Tri Buki hut and bike trails≈ 25 km
Nature · OsogovoTri Buki hut and bike trails
One of the Osogovo huts and a start point for mountain-bike routes.
Mushrooms and blueberriessummer–autumn
SeasonMushrooms and blueberries
The forest around Gyueshevo is full of them — ask us where.
Kyustendil applesautumn
Season · KyustendilKyustendil apples
Bulgaria’s orchard in autumn too — seasonal fruit from local growers.
Passione18 km
Restaurant · KyustendilPassione
Bar and grill with a modern feel — try the cherry rakia.
Pizzeria Royal18 km
Restaurant · KyustendilPizzeria Royal
Freshly made food at fair prices.
The Terrace18 km
Restaurant · KyustendilThe Terrace
A garden, fresh food and parking. 4.7 on Google.
Autograff18 km
Restaurant · KyustendilAutograff
Tasty food, generous portions, easy parking.
Mayorska Kashta18 km
Restaurant · KyustendilMayorska Kashta
Revival-era charm, Bulgarian food and live music.
Ribkata18 km
Restaurant · KyustendilRibkata
Home-made soups and traditional dishes at budget prices.
Borks18 km
Restaurant · KyustendilBorks
A pleasant setting and good portions.
Regional History Museum18 km
KyustendilRegional History Museum
Founded in 1897 — from prehistory to the Middle Ages.
Dervish bath and the Iron Bridge18 km
KyustendilDervish bath and the Iron Bridge
An Ottoman bath from 1566 and the 1909 bridge over the Banshtitsa.
Ilyo Voyvoda house-museum18 km
KyustendilIlyo Voyvoda house-museum
The home of the legendary rebel leader and the region’s fight for freedom.
Shishkovtsi and the Master’s house≈ 30 km
Day tripShishkovtsi and the Master’s house
The village where Vladimir Dimitrov lived and painted for nearly 30 years.
Zemen monastery≈ 55 km
Day tripZemen monastery
An 11th-century church with frescoes and some of the oldest donor portraits in Bulgaria.
The Sapareva Banya geyser≈ 75 km
Day tripThe Sapareva Banya geyser
The only geyser in continental Europe — 103 °C, a jet up to 18 m.
Stob pyramids≈ 75 km
Day tripStob pyramids
Earth pyramids at the foot of Rila — a natural wonder.
Rila Monastery≈ 100 km
Day tripRila Monastery
Bulgaria’s most famous monastery, for a great day out.
Kratovo≈ 65 km
North MacedoniaKratovo
A town in the crater of an ancient volcano, with stone bridges and medieval towers.
Kuklica stone dolls≈ 70 km
North MacedoniaKuklica stone dolls
Rock figures of volcanic tuff — legend says they are a wedding turned to stone.
Ready-made routesA day out.
A day out.
The evening — in the sauna.
A day in the mountains
spring – autumn- 08:00Coffee on the terrace, drive to Osogovo hut
- 09:00Hike to Ruen peak
- 17:00Trout at the hut or at Ribarnika
- 19:00Sauna → ice-water barrel → hot tub
A day in Kyustendil
all year- 10:00Hisarlaka and the view over town
- 12:00Roman baths and St George
- 14:00Lunch and the Maistora gallery
- 16:00Plazhna Fiesta (summer) or Chifte bath
Gyueshevo on foot
half a day- 10:00Holy Trinity memorial church
- 11:00The station — highest in Bulgaria
- 12:00A walk in the forest
- 14:00Barbecue in the yard