Bulgaria Caves: Saeva Dupka, Eyes of God & Devetashka Day Trip

Summary

Bulgarian caves echo with cool air light and ancient stories

You’ll walk through Bulgaria’s wildest caves—Saeva Dupka’s echoing chambers, Prohodna’s sunlit “Eyes of God,” and Devetashka’s huge arches—with a local guide who knows every story and shortcut. Expect muddy shoes, lots of laughter, hotel pickup from Sofia, and moments that feel strangely quiet in all the best ways.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me at Saeva Dupka was the temperature drop—the kind of cool that seeps right into your shirt after the minibus ride from Sofia. Our guide, Ivan, handed out flashlights and grinned, “Don’t worry, it’s not haunted.” The walls were slick and almost glittery in spots. I remember a faint earthy smell, like wet stone and old leaves. We shuffled through five galleries, and I kept thinking how the echoes made our voices sound braver than we felt.

Prohodna Cave—locals call it the Eyes of God—felt totally different. You step inside and there’s this hush, broken only by birds darting overhead. Sunlight pours through those two huge holes in the ceiling (the “eyes”), and for a second you just stand there looking up like everyone else does. Ivan told us some people come here to meditate or even get married. I tried to take a photo but honestly, it never looks as wild as it feels standing under that light.

Lunch was just snacks we’d packed (no food stops), eaten sitting on a boulder outside before heading to Devetashka Cave. That one’s massive—sixty meters high at the entrance—and you can hear bats if you pause long enough. There was this weird moment where I realized how tiny we all looked against those arches. A couple of us tried to spot all seven openings in the roof but lost count after four…maybe we were just tired by then.

By late afternoon my shoes were muddy and my knees ached a bit from scrambling over rocks, but I didn’t really mind. Ivan joked about us being “cave people” now. On the way back to Sofia, someone fell asleep and someone else hummed quietly—I still think about that silence inside Prohodna sometimes. It sticks with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore three famous Bulgarian caves

• Visit Saeva Dupka cave
• Explore Prohodna cave
• Tour Devetashka cave

Top questions

How long is the day trip to Saeva Dupka, Eyes of God & Devetashka caves?

The tour covers all three caves in one day with hotel pickup from Sofia included.

Is lunch provided on this Bulgarian cave tour?

No lunch is provided; travelers should bring their own snacks or food for the day.

Are these caves difficult to walk through?

The tour has moderate difficulty due to uneven surfaces; sturdy shoes are required.

Is hotel pickup included for this cave tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in Sofia.

Can children join the cave tour?

Children can join but must be accompanied by an adult; infant seats are available if needed.

What should I wear for this Bulgarian cave trip?

Avoid sandals or flip-flops; wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Sofia, entry to Saeva Dupka, Prohodna (Eyes of God), and Devetashka Caves with a professional local guide leading each step—and all necessary taxes covered so you can focus on exploring without extra hassle.