The name of the reservoir lake that has the most beautiful natural scenery I've ever seen in Bulgaria. About 5-6 years ago, when its popularity was much lower, there were only 1-2 hotels and restaurants in the area. After the pandemic, once people from Sofia discovered the region, a bunch of new hotels and restaurants have opened up, and now you'll struggle to find availability even on weekdays during summer season. Should have bought up the land when it was cheap.
Where to Stay
Our favorite spot in the area is Complex Romantika. If you can find availability, it's one of the best places to stay. Even if you can't book a room, it's an absolute must-visit for the food alone. The flavors are excellent and the value for money is great.
What to See
Walking around Dospat Lake with its fresh air and visual feast is an experience that truly rejuvenates you from head to toe. If you're planning a trip around the area, I highly recommend adding this to your itinerary.
On our return visit a year later, we once again happened to coincide with a full moon, this time experiencing a spectacular blood moon rising. Watching the crimson moon rise from the very center of the lake made for a perfect evening.
Compared to previous years, a lot of new villas and hotels have started popping up around the area. They claim to follow building codes, but without any clear exterior design regulations, everyone builds whatever they feel like. Visual pollution has begun to set in. Bulgarians are unfortunately not much better than us in this regard. If they could just maintain the all-wood exterior aesthetic, they'd have a natural beauty that could be number one in Europe. I hope that years from now, instead of lamenting how they ruined this place, Dospat will have become one of Europe's most coveted getaway spots with its nature even better protected.