The border between Bulgaria and Greece is a frontier that marks a dramatic shift in landscape, from the cool, forested Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria to the sun-drenched plains of Greek Macedonia leading to the Aegean Sea. This is a key entry point for tourism and trade, connecting the Balkans to the Mediterranean. There are six official crossings, but the vast majority of traffic uses the main crossing at Kulata on the Bulgarian side and Promachonas on the Greek side. This is the primary route for millions of tourists from across Eastern and Central Europe heading to the Greek coast for their summer holidays, and as such, it can experience significant queues in July and August.
Other important crossings include one at Makaza, which provides a more direct route to the eastern Greek coast, and another at Ilinden. The border region is rich in history, from ancient Thracian sites to battlegrounds from the Balkan Wars and World War I. The landscape itself is stunning, particularly in the Rhodope Mountains, where the border winds through deep gorges and remote villages. For many, crossing this border signals the true start of their summer vacation, a passage to the sea and sun of the south.