Alternative route through Vlasina and Bulgaria, with practical advice and border crossings.

If you are willing to explore alternative routes to Greece - not to arrive faster, but to make the journey more interesting - we suggest the route through Vlasina Lake and Bulgaria.
This route is recommended exclusively for travelers who are not in a hurry, love nature, and want the journey itself to be part of the summer experience, not just a transit to the sea.

How to reach Vlasina Lake

Exit from the E-75 highway near Leskovac towards Vlasotince (about 6 km), and then continue towards Vlasina Lake for another fifty kilometers.
The road is mostly covered with new asphalt and offers a pleasant drive through southern Serbia.

Border crossings over Vlasina Lake

Near Vlasina, there are two border crossings towards Bulgaria:

  • Strezimirovci and
  • Ribarci

Both are accessible via asphalt roads through beautiful, sparsely populated areas. Check the advantages and disadvantages in the table below.

Parameter Option A: Strezimirovci Option B: Ribarci (Bosilegrad)
Length of the route About 105 km About 120 km
Travel time About 1h 45min About 2h 30min
Road quality Solid asphalt, wider road Narrow, partially patched, curves
Border crossing Faster passage Detailed controls
Landscape Beautiful, mountainous Spectacular “time machine” (ideal for photography)
Recommendation For those seeking balance For true adventurers

Border crossing Strezimirovci - faster and more organized option

The road from Vlasina Lake to the exit on the highway near Pernik in Bulgaria is about 100 km long and in good condition.
You can buy a vignette for Bulgaria at the border - €4.09 for one day or €5.11 for the weekend. More details on vignettes for Bulgaria.
After Pernik, follow the signs to Sofia, and then the signs to Kulata, towards Bansko and the border crossing to Greece.

Advantages of this route:

  • Avoiding traffic jams in Dimitrovgrad
  • Bypassing the Sofia ring road

Disadvantage:

  • The route is about 60 km longer than the one through Dimitrovgrad
  • However, in our opinion - it is significantly more beautiful and pleasant for driving.

If this type of journey is a good introduction to your vacation, check out the complete accommodation offer in Greece for you and your family.

Border crossing Ribarci - the slowest, but most beautiful route

We recommend this route only to those who truly want to enjoy the landscape.
When you reach the lake,

  • at the crossroads “Promaja,” turn left and follow the lakeshore,
  • then at the next intersection, choose the direction towards Bosilegrad and the Ribarci border crossing.
  • After that, there is no room for mistakes.

The road to Bosilegrad (about 37 km) is slower, partially patched, but offers the most beautiful landscapes on the entire route. Along the way, you pass by the smaller Lisina Lake.

Bosilegrad and the surrounding villages seem like a time machine - time has almost stopped here, giving a special, somewhat melancholic charm to this part of the journey.

The Ribarci border crossing is small and quiet, and the controls can be more detailed (opening of trunks, bags).
We recommend buying a vignette for Bulgaria immediately at the border (see the link above in the text) or online (as described in the same text).

Internet and navigation - eSIM as a practical solution

This route passes through sparsely populated and mountainous areas, where the signal can be variable, and Wi-Fi practically non-existent. Therefore, we recommend securing the internet in advance, especially for navigation, maps, and border checks.
The simplest solution is eSIM for Bulgaria and Greece, which is activated before departure, without changing the physical SIM card. This way, you have stable mobile internet as soon as you cross the border, without searching for stores and local SIM cards in places where they are often unavailable.

Through Bulgaria to Greece

From the Ribarci border to Kyustendil (about 30 km), the road is quite good. Further, follow the direction towards Dupnitsa, where you join the highway leading towards Blagoevgrad and Kulata.

Most of the road runs alongside the Struma River, through a beautiful and scenic landscape. There are several restaurants and rest stops along the way - we recommend a break for a drink or coffee, and lunch a bit later.
Near the entrance to Dupnitsa is the most famous Rila Monastery on the mountain of the same name.

Kulata / Promahonas

Since the border crossing between Greece and Bulgaria no longer exists (as Bulgaria became a member of the Schengen Agreement), you have a clear road ahead towards Drama, then joining the highway near Kavala.

  • For Thassos: follow the direction to Xanthi
  • For Halkidiki: head towards Thessaloniki

Here is a detailed guide for the route through Bulgaria.
For the latest information on tolls and travel costs, check out a separate guide:
Tolls and travel costs to Greece

Why many choose the route through Vlasina Lake

Because Vlasina Lake is the natural gem of southern Serbia

Upon arriving at Vlasina, you will be greeted by untouched nature, pleasant mountain climate, and complete peace. During the summer, the water temperature in the lake reaches around 22 °C, making swimming possible at accessible parts of the shore (in front of hotels and tourist settlements).
Advice: Do not swim on the shores beyond that area due to peat bogs and unsecured shores.

Vlasina Lake is located at an altitude of 1,213 m, surrounded by mountains and rich greenery, making a stay here often recommended for therapeutic purposes. The floating islands, unique in the world, give Vlasina the status of a region of exceptional characteristics.

Nature and landscapes

The lake is bordered by undulating plateaus resembling a green carpet, interspersed with meadows, pastures, and forests. The lake’s surface area is 16 km², making it the largest mountain lake in Serbia.
The water color varies from gray-blue near the shore to dark blue in the middle of the lake, especially beautiful on clear summer days.

Activities and relaxation

  • Walking forest paths to the shore and nearby villages
  • Picnicking on covered benches by the lake
  • Renting paddle boats or motorboats (in front of the hotels and tourist settlements we mentioned).

Accommodation and gastronomy

Vlasina can be an ideal place for an overnight stay on the way to Greece. There are several hotels in the area - without luxury, but quite decent for a short or extended stay.
In hotel restaurants, you can try southern specialties, as well as fresh fish from the lake.
The lake is rich in fish (perch, trout, eel, roach…), making it attractive for fishermen, and it is also known for its endemic plant species.

Sights and walks

  • Monastery Vavedenje Presvete Bogorodice in Palja (13th century)
  • Church of St. Elijah in the village of Rid
  • Tower and Church of the Holy Trinity in Klisura
  • Over 70 springs, including the coldest and most famous Saint Nicholas Well

After resting at Vlasina, it’s time to decide which way to continue towards Greece.

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