Karłowo is a historic town at the foot of Stara Planina. It has a nice old town with many preserved houses from the Bulgarian National Revival period, as well as churches and a 15th century mosque.
The city is located in the so-called Rose Valley, the place where the largest rose fields in Bulgaria are located. Rose oil and handicrafts are produced here.
The history of Karłów begins during the Turkish occupation. At that time, it was a trading settlement that experienced its greatest boom in the 19th century during the Bulgarian Revival. At that time, numerous tanning, goldsmith and tailor workshops operated here. The famous freedom fighter Vasyl Levski was born in the city. Today his monument is one of the most important points on the map of the village.
Among the attractions of Karłów, a significant place is occupied by historic buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries with traditional houses covered with tiles. Some of them are open to the public. There is also the 15th-century Kurszum Mosque and the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The history of the village and its connections with the Bulgarian national movement can be found in the Museum of the History of Karlov.
Due to its location at the foot of Stara Planina, Karłowo is a good starting point for mountain hiking. A popular destination for excursions is the Rajsko Pryskało waterfall, and there are also interesting rock formations and picturesque valleys with shepherds' settlements in the area.
