The Rhodope Mountains have two distinct seasons for visitors: ski season (December to March) centred on Pamporovo, and summer hiking season (May to October). The shoulder months of May and October are arguably the best: the forests are at their most vivid (spring flowers in May, autumn colour in October), the crowds are minimal, and the temperatures are comfortable for walking.
Summer (July–August) brings good weather and the busiest period, with Bulgarian domestic tourists filling the village guesthouses and lake resorts. The heat in the valleys can be intense; the plateau around Pamporovo stays cooler.
Ski season at Pamporovo runs reliably from late December to March. The resort is much cheaper than comparable Bulgarian resorts at Bansko; snow cover is not always reliable below 1,500 metres, but the runs above that level are generally good. Lessons and equipment rental are available at prices well below Western European rates.
Spring brings the Kukeri festivals in March — costume parades in Shiroka Laka and other villages to drive out winter spirits. The International Folk Festival in Shiroka Laka is held in August and features gaida competitions, folk dancing, and traditional singing.