Smolyan

Smolyan
Town
Smolyan
Location of Smolyan
Coordinates: 41°35′N 24°42′E / 41.583°N 24.700°E / 41.583; 24.700
CountryBulgaria
Province
(Oblast)
Smolyan
Government
  MayorNikolay Melemov (GERB)
Area
  Town
134.59 km2 (51.97 sq mi)
Elevation
1,002 m (3,287 ft)
Population
 (Census 2021)
  Town
30 689
  Urban
34,465
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
  Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal Code
4700
Area code0301
Websitewww.smolyan.bg

Smolyan (Bulgarian: Смолян) is a town and ski resort in the south of Bulgaria near the border with Greece. It is the administrative and industrial centre of the Smolyan Province. The town is built along the narrow valley of the Cherna ('black') and the Byala ('white') river in the central Rhodope Mountains. It is located at the foot of the mountain's highest peak Golyam Perelik (2191 m). Popular ski resorts of Pamporovo and Chepelare lie in the vicinity. As of June 2022 the town has a population of 30 689 inhabitants.