Rudozem–Xanthi Road: Rhodopes Open a New Route to the Aegean
Good news from the Rhodope Mountains: the Rudozem–Xanthi road is no longer a dream on paper. It is open, it is busy, and both Bulgaria and Greece are now investing to make it even better.
There are stories that take a generation to finish. The road from Rudozem, in Bulgaria’s Smolyan region, over the mountains to Xanthi in northern Greece is one of them. Promised in the 1990s, built in pieces, delayed again and again, it finally opened to traffic on 20 January 2026.
Nine months later, the story keeps getting better. On Friday, 23 October, officials from both countries met in Smolyan to celebrate the crossing and present the next round of upgrades. For the Rhodopes, it is a clear sign that the mountains are becoming a meeting point, not an edge.
Thirty years in the making
The route crosses the Aegean Pass, an old mountain link between the Rhodopes and the sea. According to Radio Bulgaria, the crossing had been closed for 81 years before this January’s reopening.
Bulgaria and Greece agreed to build a modern crossing here back in the 1990s. Progress was slow, and the road was built in stages over many years.
The project was funded through the Interreg Greece–Bulgaria programme, with support from the European Regional Development Fund and national co-financing from both countries.
What’s new this October
The high-level meeting in Smolyan on 23 October was organised by the Interreg Greece–Bulgaria programme. It brought together European, national, regional and local institutions to talk about connectivity, mobility and the next infrastructure priorities.
The headline: more money is coming for the road.
- Wider road on the Greek side. Christodoulos Topsidis, Governor of Greece’s Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Region, announced a EUR 6 million project to widen the road beyond the village of Dimario.
- A new bridge near Xanthi. A second project, worth EUR 7 million, will build a new bridge about 7 km from Xanthi.
- CrossBo2. The follow-up project under the 2021–2027 programme has a total budget of about EUR 22 million. It aims to improve road safety, link the route to Trans-European Transport Network corridors, and keep the crossing working for the long term.
- Lorries and buses next? Smolyan Regional Governor Georgi Pepelanov used the meeting to discuss a plan for opening the Smolyan–Xanthi route to lorries and buses. Today it is open to cars and light vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes.
Pepelanov called the road a major achievement for European cross-border cooperation. He also made a point we love at Promote Bulgaria: the Rhodopes should connect Bulgaria and Greece, not sit on the margins.
Why it matters
For decades, the southern Rhodopes felt like the end of the road. Now they sit on a direct line between mountain and sea.
For travellers. Greek visitors can now drive straight to Pamporovo ski resort and the town of Smolyan. Bulgarians get a faster route to Xanthi and the Aegean coast around Kavala. Ski in the morning, seafood by the water in the evening is suddenly a realistic weekend.
For local businesses. Guesthouses, restaurants, craft producers and tour guides in the Smolyan region gain a new stream of visitors from the south. Maria Nezeriti, who heads the Interreg Greece–Bulgaria Managing Authority, described EU support for the road as an investment in businesses and local communities on both sides.
For the region’s future. Mountain towns across Europe often lose young people to the big cities. Better connections mean more jobs, more trade and more reasons to stay. A road that turns the Rhodopes into a crossroads gives towns like Rudozem a genuine chance to grow.
Planning a trip over the pass
- Who can cross: passenger cars and light vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. Lorries and buses are not allowed yet.
- Border checks: none in normal times, since both countries are in Schengen. Always carry your ID or passport, as checks can return temporarily.
- On the Bulgarian side: the road runs from Smolyan through Rudozem, close to Pamporovo and the Rhodope villages.
- On the Greek side: the road descends via Dimario towards Xanthi, with the Aegean coast and Kavala beyond.
- Expect roadworks: with the new widening and bridge projects ahead, check local traffic news before you set off.
The road ahead
It took thirty years, but patience paid off. The Rudozem–Xanthi crossing is open, friendship across the border is growing, and fresh investment is on the way. It is exactly the kind of Bulgarian story we want the world to hear.
Have you driven the new road yet? Tell us about your trip in the comments, or tag @promotebulgaria with your photos from the Rhodopes. Follow us for more good news from Bulgaria, and watch our videos on YouTube at @promotebulgariax.
Sources
- Greece Plans Two More Projects to Upgrade Road to Rudozem-Xanthi Border Crossing — BTA, 23 Oct 2026
- The Rudozem–Xanthi crossing has reopened after 81 years — Radio Bulgaria, 20 Jan 2026
- Rudozem – Xanthi crossing officially opened for cars, light lorries — The Sofia Globe, 20 Jan 2026
- New Greece–Bulgaria border crossing boosts cross-border connectivity — European Commission Futurium, 27 Jan 2026
