From the Rhodopes to the global stage – the village of Levochevo as a hub for digital nomads

published on 4/29/25 1:10 PM

Viktor Kuzmanov

Photo: Private archive

Digital nomadism, a lifestyle where people choose remote work so they can travel and live in different environments, is becoming a phenomenon on the way to overturn our ideas about work and way of life. In this regard, Bulgaria offers a palette of beautiful and peaceful locations for remote work. The picturesque village of Levochevo is one of them. Here, in the wild nature of the Rhodope Mountains, Viktor Kuzmanov has fulfilled his big dream – to turn an old forgotten house into a hub for digital nomads. He admits that since childhood he has been strongly attached to Levochevo, his grandfather’s village. It was in this place that he spent the happiest moments of his childhood.

Previously, he lived in Vienna for many years, where he completed his higher education and worked in the business sector, but decided to return to Bulgaria because of his friends and the feeling of being home and being in his homeland.

"The whole idea for this project started with the beginning of Covid, when we all started working remotely and I said to myself: "Now is the perfect time to come and fix up my house in Levochevo". And while I was dealing with the renovations works, I lived in the neighboring village of Momchilovtsi, where the idea of creating a large house for shared living and work came to me.

The interesting thing is that every time I was looking at an old house in Levochevo and wondered why it was empty. At a seminar, I accidentally met a girl who turned out to be the daughter of the owners. From her I found out that the house was built as a hotel by her father. She put me in touch with her parents, I went, entered the house and saw this view from the terrace, against the backdrop of which my entire childhood had passed and which reveals the vast expanse of the Rhodope Mountains. Then I said to myself: "This is the place". The owners wanted to sell it, but I didn't have the opportunity to buy it and we agreed to sublet it," says Viktor Kuzmanov.

Two years later, the once depopulated village is waking up to new life. Digital nomads from Europe, the USA and Asia are arriving in Levochevo. Here they have everything they need, including high-speed internet, to work in peace and share their daily lives amidst silence, crystal-clear air and untouched nature.

"The people who come are from all walks of life - writers, architects, photographers and most often - IT specialists. In most cases, teams from different companies come - up to 20 people, because our house is for 20 people. They stay for 4-5 days and unite the team by working and living together. On site, we offer them interesting experiences, such as a course in the Rhodope dialect, led by Vesi Babadzhankova - a professional actor in the Rhodope Drama Theater. We also offer bagpipe and folk song courses, mountain walks, hikes with mountain guides, off-road adventures or a "treasure hunt" - we hide a barbecue in the forest and at the end we give out prizes."

Viktor is planning to implement his first initiative with a cause - creating a gazebo next to one of the chapels in the village of Levochevo, where the annual village fair is held. He has already secured sponsors and two carpenters, but he relies mostly on the enthusiasm of volunteers – the digital nomads from Levochevo, who are eager to support his cause.

“We have wonderful nature and resources, but the state does not promote our country as a destination for digital nomads,” says Viktor, adding:

“This is actually our next step in Levochevo. We see that this thing works. We see that people really like our nature. We decided to take a bigger step and start working all over Bulgaria and promote team building tourism for people who come to work and experience life together,” Viktor Kuzmanov concludes.

Read more about other popular destinations for digital nomads in Bulgaria:

Photos: Courtesy of Viktor Kuzmanov

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From the Rhodopes to the global stage – the village of Levochevo as a hub for digital nomads

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