POPOVO

At the centre of village life is Popovo.  With a Population of around 15000 it is the heart and soul of the area.  Offering something for everyone.  Popovo also has a train and bus station connecting it to all the main towns and cities and the coast.   

Here are a few highlights to help you on your journey to making this your home. 

EATING OUT

One thing Bulgarians truly cherish is food, and meals are often a family event. Dining out is a leisurely, all-evening affair. Don’t expect all your dishes to arrive at the same time; food is typically prepared, cooked, and served as it's ready. More often than not, you might find yourself enjoying chips long before the rest of the meal arrives. You'll quickly come to accept this as the norm—if everything arrives together, it's considered a bonus! This laid-back approach to dining is reflected in the abundance of restaurants in Popovo, which has plenty to choose from. Here’s a list of them.

Marinis                              Stefani                    Republica                          Evita

Macau                               Dani Bel                  Vodstroy                           Zeus and Hera

The Play Bar                      Iskra                       Old Station (still known as Old Pine to many)

In the pedestrian walkway of the high street we have several coffee and CAKE shops serving a refreshing break from the toils of shopping

MARKET DAY

Every Friday, Popovo hosts a lively market where you can find everything from kitchenware and hunting gear to clothing and shoes. It's a must-visit for anyone in the area! Additionally, there’s a daily fruit and vegetable market near the town centre. On most Fridays, you can also find chickens and ducks for sale, perfect for anyone interested in starting a smallholding or simply wanting to enjoy fresh, free-range eggs.

CINEMA

Located at the bottom of the town is Latona Cinema with showings throughout the week of the latest blockbuster movies.  Many are English spoken films subtitled in Bulgarian, check locally for availability.

GYMS

For those who are wanting to keep in shape Popovo has 2 gyms that you can pay for on the day and enjoy some cardiovascular workouts or pump some iron

SWIMMING POOLS

The summers in Bulgaria are long and HOT! While having the privacy of an Intex pool in your backyard is great, there’s nothing quite like a relaxing day by the poolside with a refreshing lemonade or beer. Popovo has two outdoor pools: Relax (near the park) and Iskra (on the main road to Razgrad). For those willing to venture a bit further, there are also Water Magic and White Horse in Targovishte, both featuring slides, as well as Pluven Kompleks in Opaka. Perfect spots to cool off and enjoy the summer!

JUNE FAIR

The highlight of the year for POPOVO is the arrival of the summer fair.  For 7 days Popovo streets are closed to vehicles and the pavements are lined with market stall holders selling everything you could think of and the kids run wild on the fairground rides. 

HORSE RIDING

In Kovatchavets a short 10 minute drive from Popovo and new to the area we have horse riding lessons and treks.   Offered in English by Claire Stone and Paul Cremer who have been working with horses for many years.   30 leva an hour including hats and body protection.  I mean who doesn’t fancy a bit of horseback riding?  

IVANCHA

An absolute must visit is Ivancha.  A popular BBQ and picnic area for locals and expats.  In the middle of nowhere surrounded by woodland is this little paradise.  Nature walks along the stream and a beautiful waterfall at the end (depending on the water levels at the time)

Popovo Museum & Kovachevets Kale

The Popovo Historical Museum is a key archaeological center with three locations:

1. Main Campus: Housed in a 19th-century building that once served as a municipal office and high school, this campus showcases artifacts from regional excavations, including Kovachevets Fortress, a significant Roman site.
2. Mara Taseva House: Focuses on the town's ethnographic history, housed in the home of a political dissident executed in 1942.
3. Kiril Mayski Art Gallery: Located in the Profitable Building, this gallery displays over 2,500 pieces—less than 10% of the museum's total collection.

Also nearby, Kovachevets Kale is an open-air archaeological attraction worth visiting.

FISHING

Throughout the region there are a number of privately owned fishing lakes where you can pay to fish for the day and will need your own rods etc.   Those owned by the municipality require a local licence. 

EMERGENCY SERVICES IN POPOVO

If you find yourself in need of emergency assistance, Popovo is equipped with the following services:

• Police Station
• Fire Station
• A&E Department (For more serious incidents, patients will be referred to Targovishte)

For emergencies, dial 112, and you'll be connected to an English-speaking operator.

Medical Services

Dental Practices: Popovo has several dental practices, including two that offer English-speaking services and are highly recommended by the expat community.

• Dr. Vladimir Ivanov 0882 422624
• Dr. Iliyana Hristova  0876 609878

General Practitioner:

• Dr. Neli Stoychova (English-speaking)
  Although Dr. Stoychova is not currently accepting new patients, she is available for consultations at a fee, typically around 20 leva per visit. Her clinic operates Monday to Friday mornings, starting at 8:30 AM, and is located just through the main entrance of the hospital, past the interior double doors. There is usually a queue, so be prepared to wait your turn.

Note: The Bulgarian healthcare system can appear outdated but it works!!

Veterinary Services

Popovo has three veterinary practices, all of which provide English-speaking services:

• S-VET (Simeon): 0898 723771
• Agrovet Veterinary Centre (Nina Ivanova): 0887 649970
  Nina is the only vet in the area who handles farm animals
• Admiral Clinic (Stoyan Popvelichkov): 0894 793763