Dryanovska Cave is a small, unlit cave about 8 km west of Kotel, in the Zelenich area of the eastern Balkan Mountains, in Sliven Province. It is not the well-known Dryanovo cave, Bacho Kiro, which lies near Dryanovo in Gabrovo Province: this is a different and far quieter site.
It is a horizontal cave about 120 m long, formed in limestone and discovered in 1966. A 4 × 3 m entrance in a rock ledge above the river opens onto a dry gallery with a clay floor, which leads to a small chamber with two short branches. There are stalactites, stalagmites and formations that look like beehives, and bats live inside.
From Kotel, the road past the town's Natural Science Museum reaches a signpost to the cave after about 7 km, and a path of about 100 m leads from there to the entrance. There is no mobile signal. In winter the road needs a high-clearance vehicle, and in summer timber lorries use it often, which makes walking along it unpleasant.
There is no lighting and no visitor infrastructure, so bring a proper torch for each person. This is a short stop for people curious about caves, not a show cave. The ground around the entrance makes a good picnic spot.
Sliven
2.8 km away
Sliven
7.5 km away
Sliven
13.9 km away
Sliven
16.7 km away
Dryanovska Cave (Kotel) is located in Sliven, Bulgaria.
Dryanovska Cave (Kotel) is most easily reached by car. Use the coordinates above to navigate, or open the location in OpenStreetMap or your preferred maps app for turn-by-turn directions. Public transport options vary by region — for remote destinations a rental car gives the most flexibility.
Caves can be visited year-round — the temperature inside stays roughly 10–12°C regardless of season. Spring and autumn are quieter than peak summer. Bring a warm layer and sturdy footwear; some caves close in winter when access roads become impassable.
Access to caves varies. Show caves typically run guided tours during posted opening hours; wild caves require proper equipment and experience. Inside, the temperature stays cool year-round (~10–12°C) — bring a warm layer, sturdy non-slip footwear, and a torch even on guided tours.
