Blagoevgrad is a lively city with tree-lined streets, bubbling fountains and riverside gardens. Stroll around the city centre, sip coffee in sunny squares and enjoy shows at local theatres and concert halls. Venture into the Rila Mountains to explore evergreen forests and flower-strewn alpine meadows.
Things to do in Blagoevgrad
Cobbled streets lined with handsome Renaissance buildings crisscross the Varosha Quarter. Vyzkresenie Bogorodichno, one of the oldest churches in the city, towers over the neighbourhood and features a unique Bulgarian Revival façade. Many of the historic shopfronts are reimagined as cafes, galleries and artisan shops.
See archaeological finds, folk costumes and centuries-old books at the Blagoevgrad Regional Historical Museum. Exhibits explore a wide range of topics and cover more than 6,000 years of local history. Kids love the taxidermy animals and wildlife dioramas.
Stroll along tree-lined paths and paddle around the lake on swan-shaped boats in Park Bachinovo. It’s set on the banks of the Bistritsa River and is a great place for picnics. Kiosks sell coffee, ice cream and “banista” cheese-filled pastries.
Enjoy an evening of culture at Drama Theatre Nikola Vaptsarov. Founded in 1919, the landmark theatre hosts a variety of plays and performances. The Blagoevgrad Chamber Opera is another fantastic cultural attraction where you can enjoy classical and contemporary recitals.
Blagoevgrad is one of the sunniest cities in Bulgaria and a great base for outdoor adventures. It’s set at the foot of the Rila Mountains, where you’ll find some of the tallest peaks in Bulgaria. The views from the summit of 2,925-metre-high Mount Musala are spectacular and stretch across the glacier-carved valleys and granite cliffs. Other trails wind through sun-dappled fir, pine and spruce forests. There’s a chance to see beautiful edelweiss flowers and wildlife like mountain goats, deer and badgers.
Getting around Blagoevgrad
Blagoevgrad is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. The city is in Southwestern Bulgaria, a 1.5-hour drive from Sofia and 2.5 hours from Thessaloniki in Greece. Sofia International Airport is a 1.5-hour drive away.