Have you ever wondered what the inside of a nuclear power plant looks like? Imagined standing next to the heart of a humming energy giant or observing how invisible atomic forces are tamed to light up entire cities? While most vacations lean toward the picturesque: beaches, mountains, and cobblestone streets, there’s there’s a quietly electrifying adventure awaiting the curious traveller on the banks of the Danube: a visit to the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, Bulgaria’s only operational nuclear facility.
Yes, you read that right. This is not science fiction, but science fact. Bulgaria offers one of the rarest experiences in global tourism: a guided exploration of a fully functioning nuclear power plant, with access to some of the most sophisticated and secure technology in the country.
Welcome to Kozloduy NPP, where engineering meets adrenaline, and curiosity is highly encouraged.
TL;DR: Why Visit the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant?
- Ultra-rare chance to tour an active nuclear power plant
- See real turbine halls, training simulators, and monitoring labs
- Learn how Bulgaria produces over 1/3 of its electricity
- Perfect for science lovers, engineers, and curious travelers
- A unique Balkan experience (no other NPP tours nearby!)
- What Makes the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant Tour Unique
- Why Visit Kozloduy NPP: Sustainability, Science, and Adventure
- Inside the Visitor Information Centre
- What You’ll Experience During the Open Day Tours
- How to Learn When is the Next Open Day Tour
- Special and Private Tours: Can You Visit Kozloduy NPP Year-Round?
- Important Visitor Requirements and Safety Rules
- How to Reach the Nuclear Power Plant
- Nearby Attractions: What Else to See Around Kozloduy
- Bulgarian Attitudes Toward Nuclear Energy are Complex Story
- FAQ About the Nuclear Power Plant Tourist Visits
- Useful Links
What Makes the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant Tour Unique
A Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant tour is not just another sightseeing stop—it’s a journey into the unseen forces that power Bulgaria. Unlike typical attractions, this tour provides access to a working nuclear facility, a privilege rarely offered anywhere else in the world.
Kozloduy NPP is a titan by the Danube. Built in the late 1960s and 1970s and still in operation over half a century later, the plant is a landmark of Bulgaria’s industrial prowess. Actually, it is a pioneer for nuclear energy in Southeast Europe.
Today, the plant operates two pressurized water reactors (Units 5 and 6), while the older units (1–4) have been decommissioned but remain as historical markers of a pioneering era in Southeast European nuclear energy. These structures speak to an era of grand ambitions and a deep belief in scientific progress. Visits to these shutdown parts of the facility are still possible, but only with specific approval.
Located just 200 km north of Sofia, Kozloduy NPP sprawls over 4,000 acres on the Danube’s banks, combining water resources, geological stability, and optimal infrastructure. Its strategic location was carefully chosen to serve both Bulgaria and neighboring countries, reflecting energy priorities and safety considerations dating back to the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA) era.
Despite its high-security nature, the plant opens its gates several times a year to the public. On its Open Door days, it invites visitors from across Bulgaria and even from other countries to explore what is usually hidden behind layers of steel, concrete, and controlled access. Special visits can also be organised, and you can also drop by the Information Centre.
Why Visit Kozloduy NPP: Sustainability, Science, and Adventure
You might wonder why anyone would choose a nuclear power plant over the usual tourist attractions. But industrial tourism in Bulgaria is increasingly popular among travelers seeking meaningful experiences.
Kozloduy NPP is more than a high-security facility; it’s a gateway to understanding sustainable energy, technological innovation, and nuclear science firsthand. Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant produces over one-third of Bulgaria’s electricity and does so with zero carbon emissions. In an age of growing climate concerns, nuclear energy is increasingly viewed as a bridge to a low-carbon future.
A visit here isn’t just about peeking behind the curtain; it is also about understanding where your electricity comes from and how high-level safety and technology work together to produce it. It’s about witnessing human ingenuity in its purest, most precise form.
And let’s face it, it’s also kind of thrilling. This is the only nuclear power plant in the Balkans and this makes the visit really unique. There are no nuclear power plants in Greece, Serbia or other countries. While you can see churches and ruins from roman and ottoman epochs quite often to be honest, the visit to the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant is a whole new level of insight, culture and technology.
Inside the Visitor Information Centre
Your nuclear journey typically begins at the Kozloduy NPP Information Centre. Open on weekdays from 8:00 to 16:00, the centre offers interactive multimedia exhibits. Here, guests can trace the journey of electricity from uranium fuel to the national power grid via simulations and animations, including special installations designed for younger visitors.
The highlight is a highly detailed 3D model of the plant, allowing visitors to explore reactor cores, turbine halls, and control rooms in miniature. Short films narrate the plant’s storied history, the science behind nuclear energy, and the rigorous safety measures in place.
But the real highlight arrives during the Open Days, typically held in spring and autumn, when visitors get to go beyond the educational materials and enter the beating heart of the power station.
What You’ll Experience During the Open Day Tours
During Open Days, your itinerary includes a guided tour of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant’s most significant facilities. Inside, trained experts lead you through areas that few civilians ever see. Some of these unusual travel guides are engineers; others are technicians who work daily at the site,
You might walk through the turbine halls of Units 5 and 6, where enormous steam turbines and generators transform nuclear heat into electricity. You may also visit the Simulation Complex, home to a full-scale replica of the Unit 6 control room. This isn’t a movie set. Yt’s where future operators train under strict conditions to handle every possible scenario.
Other stops can include:
- The Open Switchgear, which connects the plant to Bulgaria’s power grid.
- The Radioecological Monitoring Department, where scientists conduct meticulous analysis of air, water, and soil samples. This is done to ensure that the surrounding environment remains safe and radiation-free.
- The Mobile Laboratory, which performs real-time environmental monitoring and often gives live demonstrations during visits.
- Firefighting demonstrations, showcasing how the site prepares for and responds to emergencies.
What sets the experience apart is the transparency. Far from being shrouded in mystery, Kozloduy NPP is proud to display its world-class safety protocols, extensive staff training, and its efforts in maintaining ecological balance.
To attend an Open Day, simply keep an eye on the plant’s official website or Facebook page. Events are usually announced a couple of weeks in advance, and groups are formed to facilitate visits, each limited to around 20–30 people to ensure a safe and personalized experience.
How to Learn When is the Next Open Day Tour
The Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant regularly updates its social media channels, the Facebook page in particular. Open Days are always held on Saturdays, and this makes them popular day-trip visits.
Open Door dates are also published on the News section of the official Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) website. And here is a trick from a local: use the Bulgarian version of the website. It is regularly updated and you will not miss the news for the upcoming days. You can use your preferred online translator to your language. The English version of the website is not updated as frequently especially for this type of events!
Unfortunately, the management announces the upcoming open days at a little bit short notice and the dates are unpredictable. For those who are travelling overseas or who do not have a lot of flexibility, the best is to opt for an organised tour.
| Year | Open Day Tour | Official Information |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | In June or October | To be announced |
| 2025 | 11 October | Announcement from October 5 |
| 2024 | 5 October | Announcement from September 27 |
| 2023 | 24 June | Announcement from June 19 |
| 2022 | 4 June | Announcement from May 25 |
| 2021 | None | Due to Covid-19 measures |
| 2020 | None | Due to Covid-19 measures |
| 2019 | 9 November | Announcement from October 31 |
| 2019 | 13 April | Announcement from April 3 |
| 2018 | None | There were two dates in 2019 |
| 2017 | 1 July | Announcement from June 19 |
| 2016 | 11 June | Announcement from May 31 |
| 2015 | 11 November | Announcement from November 4 |
| 2014 | 14 June | Announcement from June 3 |
Special and Private Tours: Can You Visit Kozloduy NPP Year-Round?
Can’t Make an Open Day? No problem. You can visit the Info Centre or plan something on your own. The visitor list is impressively diverse. From school groups and science clubs to international energy experts and adventure-seeking travellers, Kozloduy NPP draws curious minds. Guests from the Netherlands to North Macedonia, and beyond have already ticked this unique experience off their bucket lists.
Special visits can be arranged year-round, tailored to specific interests. Whether you’re part of an educational institution, an engineering organization, or simply a group of enthusiastic travelers, the plant can put together a program just for you. These private visits offer a more focused and flexible alternative to Open Days.
To organise a special visit for you and your friends, you should contact the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant at least two weeks in advance. The specific steps are described on the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant’s official website.
However, bear in mind that due to security regulations and operational schedules, not all areas are always accessible and permission is not always granted. For example, the control rooms themselves are off-limits, and turbine hall visits are unavailable during maintenance periods. But rest assured, even with these limits, the experience remains rich and memorable.
Important Visitor Requirements and Safety Rules
Kozloduy NPP is an active and strategically important facility and there are some formalities.
- Registration is mandatory.
- Valid ID must be presented at the gate.
- Visitors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Arrive at least an hour before your tour for processing.
- Cameras and mobile phones may be restricted in some areas.
Registration is always required and visitors will have to fill-in forms and present ID documents. Security is taken seriously.
Keep in mind that cameras and mobile phones may be restricted in some areas, but you’ll come away with vivid mental snapshots of turbine giants, glowing control panels, and possibly even your own Geiger counter demo.
Dress comfortably. No special clothing or equipment is required for the tour of the Bulgarian Nuclear Power Plant. The plant provides what is necessary. You just have to follow the staff instructions. This ensures a safe and enriching experience.
Bring your questions, and most importantly, bring your curiosity!
How to Reach the Nuclear Power Plant
While Kozloduy is famous for its nearby Nuclear Power Plant, reaching it requires planning as it has no railway station. Public bus service is limited, with routes from cities like Sofia (3.5+ hours), Vratsa (1h 50m), and Pleven (2h 15m) leaving from the cities’ central bus stations. Then, from the nuclear power plant, you will have to take a taxi.
The best option, however, is to travel by car. It is significantly faster and offers far greater flexibility.
- The drive from Sofia takes under 3 hours.
- From Vratsa, it’s just over 1 hour.
- From Pleven, the journey is about 1 hour 45 minutes.
Driving not only saves time but also allows you to expand your itinerary with other exciting stops along the way.
Nearby Attractions: What Else to See Around Kozloduy
Though the nuclear plant dominates the area, Kozloduy offers other intriguing sites:
The Radetzky Ship Museum is a unique vessel linked to the Battle for national independence from the ottoman empire of Bulgaria in the 19th century. The Bulgarian revolutionary Hristo Botev and his comrades hijacked the Austrian ship and forced it to stop in the town of Kozloduy on their way to join the revolt. Today the ship is restored and open daily for visitors and in the summer months it offers regular sailing on the weekends.
The Kozloduy NPP was built at this location because it optimally combines water resources, geological stability, suitable demographics, and good infrastructure. During the construction of the first units, the decision was made at the level of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA). The goal was to ensure the energy independence of the countries of Eastern Europe. The location was logistically convenient for both Bulgaria and neighboring countries.
It is important to note that during the site selection in the 1960s, the safety standards were different from today’s. However, the site is still considered suitable to this day, which is confirmed by the plans to build new units (Block 7) at the same site.
Bulgarian Attitudes Toward Nuclear Energy are Complex Story
The Bulgarian public’s attitude towards nuclear energy and the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) is profoundly complex and marked by a deep-seated ambivalence, rooted in a bitter historical experience.
This sentiment is directly traced back to the ominous Chernobyl disaster in 1986. At the time, the government withheld information, exposing citizens to radioactive fallout without their knowledge. The large cloud of radioactive particles from Chernobyl reached Bulgaria shortly after the fateful spring date. Spring rains then washed these particles onto the soil where people worked in agriculture, children played, and families enjoyed the outdoors, completely unaware of the invisible risks they were being exposed to. To this day, nearly 40 years later, there are still ongoing discussions and a palpable sense of betrayal regarding the deleterious conduct of the Bulgarian authorities in 1986. This historic failure of trust is a primary reason why many Bulgarians have mixed feelings towards nuclear power plants in general, and towards the already-built Kozloduy NPP in particular.
Despite this shadow, Kozloduy is a pillar of the national energy sector, providing a significant portion of the country’s electricity. However, the debate over its future and the safety of nuclear energy is ever-present.
This duality is perfectly encapsulated by the story of another nuclear project: the Belene NPP. Originally started in the 1980s, the collapse of the communist regime found it unfinished. The transition to democracy left the project in a state of limbo, and to this day, it remains unbuilt. The Belene project has been a political football for decades, with its fate swinging between revival and cancellation, mirroring the divided public opinion on the country’s nuclear path.
FAQ About the Nuclear Power Plant Tourist Visits
Yes, it is safe. The area is monitored 24/7 for radiation and the power plant follows strictly all international safety requirements.
Yes, children find the visit as interesting and entertaining as adults do. The only requirement is to be accompanied by an adult. All visitors younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
No, the plant provides everything necessary if required for the specific route.
The only preparation is to follow the instructions of the staff accompanying you. There’s no need for special knowledge.
It is very strict. It includes identity checks and passing through various levels of security.
No, the reactor itself is not visible during a standard tour.
Usually not, as decommissioning and maintenance activities are ongoing there. The visits are focused on the operating units (5 and 6) and the training facilities.
Useful Links
- Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), official website
- Info centre at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, official website
- Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, official Facebook Page
In a world saturated with repetitive tourist trails and copy-paste experiences, Kozloduy NPP stands out. It challenges you to look beyond the conventional and to explore a place where science, history, and the future intersect.
This is tourism for the inquisitive. For the traveler who wants more than souvenirs, for those who seek stories, knowledge, and the thrill of stepping into spaces few dare to explore. A visit to Kozloduy NPP offers all of that and more, wrapped in the unmistakable hum of raw energy and the steady pulse of innovation.
So next time you plan a trip to Bulgaria, why not go nuclear?