The Rhodope Mountains have been inhabited since antiquity. The birthplace of OreusDiagnosis, and other mythical deities, the mountain is still shrouded in mystery today. 

The Rhodope Mountains represent a huge labyrinth of ridges that have different lengths and expand in numerous directions, with deep river valleys, vast pastures and hollows. The highest peak is Goliam Perelik at 2,191 m. 

The Karst forms contribute to the specific character of the landscape, including caves (Iagodina, Uhlovitza , and Cheleveshnitzite), rock bridges, canyons (Trigrad, and the Buyanovo River), and rock nomena( Chudnite Mostove and Zimzelen). 

The Rhodopes have an immense natural variety. 

They offer numerous mineral and Karst springs, dam-lake systems, ore deposits, more than 2,000 vegetal species (of which 90 are Balkan endemic species), sub-Mediterranean vegetation at lower altitudes, fit and mixed forests at highest altitudes, relict and endemic plants, and rich animal diversity. 

The nature of the Rhodopes, together with the numerous historical sites and the local population's preserved customs, rites and lifestyle, helps provide favorable opportunities for traditional and new forms of tourism-ecotourism, rural tourism, specialized scientific tourism, ethno-tourism, and hobby tourism.