Devin

Devin sits in a valley in the western Rhodopes on a group of thermal springs, and it is both a spa town, with hotels and bath facilities using water at various temperatures, and the practical base for the gorges south of it: the Trigrad gorge, where the rock walls close to a few metres and the river disappears into the Devil's Throat cave, and the Buynovo gorge with the Yagodina cave, both a short drive away. The town itself is modern and functional, built up in the socialist period, and its bottled mineral water is sold nationally. Around it the Rhodopes are forested and thinly populated with walking and cycling routes and a few high villages.

What you actually see

• Thermal springs and bath houses - the water the town is built on.
• The Trigrad gorge nearby - walls closing to a few metres.
• The Buynovo gorge and Yagodina cave - the second gorge system south.
• Forested Rhodope walking country - routes into the hills around.

When to go

May to October for the gorges and walking; the spas work year round. A day in the town, more as a base. Winter brings snow and the gorge roads can be difficult.

Honest expectations

The town itself is plain socialist-era building with little character. Spa facilities vary a great deal in quality. The gorges need a car; public transport is minimal. It is a base rather than a destination.

Nearby

Trigrad and the Devil's Throat are south; Yagodina cave lies south-west.