This is one of the most beautiful areas in Bulgaria, famous for the Rila monastery and the ski resorts
of Bansko and Borovets. It starts just 70km from Sofia, encompasses some 100 square kilometers and
contains the two highest peaks in Bulgaria, Musala (2925m) and Vihren (2914m).
It’s one of our favourite areas to unwind and refresh. Afterwards we would recommend travelling to the
city of Melnik and trying some red wine with a local dish in a typical Bulgarian kruchma (pub).
Or if you really want a complete relaxation trip, visit Sandanski and spend a couple of hours in a
natural mineral water pool.
With a Budget Bulgaria hotel and car rental package, you will be fully equipped to experience an unforgettable holiday.
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Suggested 4-day route by car:
Sofia > Bansko (overnight) > Sandanski (overnight) > Melnik (overnight) >
Rozhen monastery > Sofia Dragalevtsi (overnight)
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Local cuisine includes the starter "banski starec" and the main course "kapama". Wine is a natural
companion to a dish as is "rakia" (a strong brandy style drink made from fruit). Compared to western
standards, most restaurants are still incredibly cheap. Don't expect to pay more than €7 / £5 for a
good meal including your drinks.
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Local people are both hospitable and very proud of their region. Sometimes considered stubborn,
they represent a region known for its revolutionary history during Ottoman times. Don't be surprised
when they stand up in the kruchma (pub) and raise their voices to make a red wine toast.
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Lakes and Skiing
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Make sure you see in this region:
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Rilski manastir / Rilski manastir
Pronunciation: [ril-ski ma-nas-tir]
Rila monastery is the most famous monastery in Bulgaria and a primary destination in the
region (you would not allow your new found Bulgarian friends to miss Tower Bridge when
visiting London!). Rila monastery is thought to have been founded by the hermit Ivan Rilski
back in the year 917. It is very important for Bulgarian history not only because of its
architectural merits and natural surroundings, but also because it was central to the
preservation of the Bulgarian language and religion during Ottoman times.
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Melnik / Melnik
Pronunciation: [mel-nik]
Melnik is the smallest town in Bulgaria, with only 275 inhabitants, but very famous for its
sights and wine. It is located just 35km north of the border with Greece and 140km from the
second largest Greek city of Thessaloniki. The whole town is protected by UNESCO world heritage.
The town, the medieval fortress above it and the Rozhen monastery are located in unusual and
beautiful surroundings of natural sand pyramids and a canyon of rocks.
Transport: You can get easily to Melnik following E79 and the road signs.
Insider tip: Be sure to taste the local red wine of Melnik, it is said to have been brought
from Syria back in ancient times.
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Rozhen Monastery / Rozhen Monastery
Pronunciation: [ro-zhen-ski ma-nas-tir]
Rozhen monastery is located only 5 km from Melnik. Built during the Middle Ages, but with
three newer sections added in the 16th and 19th centuries. The monastery is a genuine
masterpiece of art and features many old murals. You will enjoy a view of it from all
over the Pirin mountain and the “mels” of Melnik (pyramid shaped hills that spread around
the town). Don’t be afraid to speak to the monks, they will tell you interesting stories
about the area.
Transport: There is a good road from Melnik to the Rozhen Monastery.
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Bansko / Банскоഀ
Pronunciation: [ban-sko]
Bansko is an incredible place that seen tremendous growth in the last ten years from many
new hotels and houses. More often than not, you will find Bansko talked about in the context
of skiing holidays and the purchase of ski property, but the city also has a lot more to
offer in the warmer seasons. So much so that we tend to stay away in the winter (unless the
snow looks really good!) and visit it at other times of the year for long walks in the mountains.
The lifts are frequently open even when there is no snow allow easy access over the mountain.
The Vihren peak is only a couple of kilometers away and lesser known locations like Razlog or
Ognianovo have preserved a lot of Bulgarian charm that you will find a worthy experience.
Insider tip: Make sure you make a photo near the statue of Nikola Vapcarov, the famous
Bulgarian 20 Century poet and then show it to a local in the pub. You will get one drink
for free ;-)
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Vihren / Vihren
Pronunciation: [vih-ren]
Vihren is the second highest peak of Bulgaria but is considered the most beautiful.
The name comes from the Bulgarian vihar which means storm. You can climb the peak from
the Vihren hut (1950m) in about 3 hours or undertake a longer hike from the Yavorov hut
in about 7-8 hours. At the top on a clear day you can see the Mt. Olympos in Greece, 300km
to the south, a great photo opportunity.
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Borovets / Боровецഀ
Pronunciation: [bo-ro-vets]
Borovets is the oldest ski resort in Bulgaria and was developed at the beginning of the
20th century. An ambitious project called “Super Borovets” is underway to transform Borovets
into the leading ski resort in the Balkans, hotels are being built everywhere you look.
Borovetshas never been a cheap place to live as it has enjoyed a rather impressive list
of guests. The Bulgarian monarchy lived there from 1878-1946, the Zar family had their
winter retreats in Borovets which they lent to the Communist leaders after 1945. When you
ride the ski lift, you can see some of the homes that are now used by the heir of the Zar
family and also the former Bulgarian prime minister, Simeon Saxe Coburg Gotha.
Today, Borovets is a great place to spend a day enjoying the magnificent nature, but be
aware that there is a lot of building activity. Borovets is easily accessible, being just
73km from Sofia and 126km from Plovdiv. The town of Samokov is 10km from the resort.
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Sandanski / Sandanski
Pronunciation: [san-dan-ski]
The city of Sandanski is the perfect place to visit after a hike in the mountains of
Pirin or Rila. The mild climate (highest average annual temperature in the country: 14,7 °C)
and high concentration of mineral water springs (80 mineral sources) make it the perfect
health spa and wellbeing centre in Bulgaria along with the city of Devin in the Rodopi mountains.
Like Bansko, Sandanski features many new hotels and places to go.
Insider Tip: You can enjoy many recreational and relaxation services like massages at a
very cheap price compared to Sofia.
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