Svilengrad is a town in Haskovo province with 16,302 inhabitants (NSI, end of 2025), on both banks of the Maritsa, near where the borders of Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey meet. The Greek border is about 2 km away, Edirne 30 km, Haskovo 70 km and Sofia about 300 km.
On the Maritsa motorway, which runs to the Kapitan Andreevo border crossing; there is a junction at the Kapitan Petko Voyvoda quarter. The town is on the Sofia – Plovdiv – Svilengrad railway, with a direct train to Sofia.
Around the bridge, built on the orders of Mustafa Pasha under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, the settlement of Dzhisr Mustafa Pasha grew up and became a town in the second half of the 16th century. Of that complex only the bridge survives. During the Balkan War, in 1913, the town was burned.
The autumn fair falls in the last full week of September.
Svilengrad is located in Haskovo, Bulgaria.
Svilengrad 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.
Svilengrad can be visited year-round, but late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September–October) offer the most pleasant weather and fewer tourists. Summer is the busiest season; winter is the quietest, with shorter daylight and possible cold weather.
Bulgarian settlements typically reward unhurried walking — historic centres, churches and monasteries, local markets, and family-run restaurants serving regional dishes. Larger towns often have museums and seasonal cultural events. The local tourist information centre is a good first stop for current opening hours and what's on.
