Rhodope Mountains Родопи
The Rhodope Mountains are a mountain range in Bulgaria covering an area of 18,000 square kilometers. As part of the Alpide belt, the range reaches an elevation of 2,191 meters and is composed of metamorphic rock, including gneiss, marble, and quartz. It is currently the second most looked-up sight in Bulgaria on English Wikipedia.
Planning a visit
The Rhodope Mountains experience significant temperature variations throughout the year. Winter months from December through February are cold, with daily highs ranging between -2 °C and -1 °C and lows dropping to -10 °C. The summer months of July and August offer the mildest conditions, with daily highs reaching 17 °C to 18 °C and lows around 8 °C. Precipitation is spread throughout the year, with the highest rainfall occurring in May and June, each seeing about 140 mm of rain over 13 to 14 days. September and October are relatively drier, with about 65 to 67 mm of rain.
The nearest airport is Plovdiv International Airport, located 57 kilometers away. For travelers coming from the capital, Sofia, the mountain range is 160 kilometers away.
Weather by month
The warmest month is August, with an average high of 18 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | -2 | -1 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 9 | 4 | -1 |
| Average low, °C | -10 | -10 | -7 | -3 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 0 | -4 | -8 |
| Rainfall, mm | 85 | 86 | 94 | 92 | 140 | 140 | 125 | 105 | 65 | 67 | 100 | 128 |
| Rainy days | 10 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 10 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
