Picking Roses Workshop with Extracting Rose Oil in the Gardens of Karlovo
Picking Roses Workshop with Extracting Rose Oil in the Gardens of Karlovo
Bulgarian Authentic Crafts Workshop in the Rose Valley
Picking Roses Workshop with Extracting Rose Oil in the Gardens of Karlovo
Picking Roses Workshop with Extracting Rose Oil in the Gardens of Karlovo
Picking Roses Workshop with Extracting Rose Oil in the Gardens of Karlovo
Picking Roses Workshop with Extracting Rose Oil in the Gardens of Karlovo 7
Picking Roses Workshop with Extracting Rose Oil in the Gardens of Karlovo 8
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Picking Roses Workshop with Extracting Rose Oil in the Gardens of Karlovo

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Karlovo, Bulgaria
Food & Drink ToursClasses And Workshops
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About this activity

Learn the centuries-old craft of rose picking and oil extraction in Karlovo's legendary rose gardens, where the rare Kazanlak Rose thrives. This immersive 2-hour workshop puts you alongside local pickers in traditional dress as you harvest flowers, taste rose delicacies, and master the ancient distillation techniques that have defined Bulgarian culture for generations.

One of the most authentic, old and most respected customs and crafts in Bulgaria - picking roses and producing rose oil! In this tour, you can not only personally get to know the flower of the gods - the oil-bearing Kazanlak Rose, which is grown only in these latitudes, but also take part in the ancient ritual on picking roses with the local rose-pickers dressed in folk traditional costumes, with the tasting rose sweet, gulovitsa and rose liqueur. And then you will visit an old house where you will learn to brew the rose oil and extract the rose water. You will see local mode of life and centuries-old Bulgarian customs and traditions, which local residents will share with you. A visit to the Bulgarian Rose factory will take you to a demonstration of rose soap making.

Highlights

  • ✓Hand-pick the prized Kazanlak Rose alongside costumed local harvesters
  • ✓Learn traditional rose oil distillation in a historic Bulgarian house
  • ✓Taste authentic rose products: rose jam, gulovitsa (rose liqueur), and local sweets
  • ✓Watch rose soap production at a working Bulgarian rose factory
  • ✓Discover centuries-old customs and agricultural practices unique to the region

Insider tips

  • ★Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes and clothes you don't mind getting damp—early morning dew soaks the gardens
  • ★Rose picking season is brief (May–June); book well ahead if visiting during peak bloom
  • ★Ask your guide about the history of the Kazanlak Rose's Ottoman heritage—locals love sharing this story
  • ★The rose water and oil produced here are of export quality; small bottles make excellent gifts and fit easily in luggage

Good to know

  • •2-hour duration includes garden work, tasting, distillery visit, and factory tour
  • •Wear long sleeves to protect from thorns and sun exposure in the gardens
  • •The workshop involves standing and light physical activity; paths through gardens are uneven
  • •Group size typically small; confirm meeting location and time with supplier upon booking
  • •Products sampled and observed (soap-making) are included; any purchases are separate

Who it's for

Cultural enthusiasts keen on traditional crafts and local heritageFood and drink lovers interested in botanical products and tastingsPhotography and Instagram-worthy experience seekersTravellers seeking hands-on, educational alternatives to standard city tours

Best time to visit

Visit during May to early June when the Kazanlak Roses are in full bloom and active picking season. Morning sessions (typically 8–10 am) offer the best light, cooler temperatures, and fresher flowers at their peak fragrance.

Frequently asked questions

Available
From€169
per person