Blagoevgrad is an ancient city with a rich history. The Thracians still settled there 300 years before the new era, attracted by the favorable climate and warm mineral springs. They named the settlement Skaptopara and turned it into a lively commercial and cultural center. During the Turkish rule, the city had a large population and repeatedly changed its name, one of the most popular being Gorna Jumaya (from the Turkish word jumaya, which means "Friday", "market day"). The city has a well-preserved neighborhood with Renaissance houses and numerous monuments from Bulgaria's recent history. Today it is among the best developing economic centers in the country and the second most young population in Bulgaria.
The city is located in one of the most beautiful areas of the Balkans – between Rila and Vlahina mountains and in close proximity to Pirin mountain. It is also one of the sunniest cities in the country. Thanks to the mountain forests and the absence of industrial pollutants, the air in Blagoevgrad is clean. The region is rich in valuable natural attractions. The Rila Monastery is only on 40 km from Blagoevgrad, and the Parangalitsa reserve - about 30 km. The beautiful Pyramids of Stob are also located in the immediate vicinity of the city.
Blagoevgrad Regional Historical Museum is cultural, a scientific and educational institute with more than half a century of history. Today, the museum's funds store materials about the historical past of the district.
Varosha is an old quarter in Blagoevgrad with narrow cobbled streets and authentic architecture from the late 17th and 18th centuries. It is located on the eastern bank of the Blagoevgradska Bistrica river. The regional historical museum is located in Varosha, galleries and craft workshops and the church “Introduction Theotokos”, built in 1844. It has been declared a national cultural monument with the exceptional qualities of its frescoes and iconostasis, the work of famous masters from the Banska art school.
The Blagoevgrad Clock Tower is a Renaissance building, one of the symbols of Blagoevgrad and one of the oldest clock towers in Bulgaria
Park “Bachynovo” is the natural pride of Blagoevgrad. The park is located at the foot of the Rila mountain and offers stunning natural landscapes in all seasons. The alley, which leads to the lake in the center of the park is built of diverse flora and passes right by the river. Bistrica. It is appropriate, as for family walks, and for sports. Its length is 3,5 kilometers, there is a dedicated bicycle lane and equipped playgrounds. In the center of the park there is an artificial lake, inhabited by beautiful swans and ducks. You can go around on foot or rent a pedal boat.
It is built in the "Bachinovo" area and has three levels of difficulty, as well as bungees with two trampolines. It is intended, as for adults, as well as for children (minimum 5 years old).
Ecopath starts from Park “Hunting House” and ends at the monument “The cross”. The length of the path is 1320 meters. There are picturesque views of the city at places along the trail, it is determined that the views are worth going through. There are benches along the path. A wonderful place to escape from everyday life.
near Blagoevgrad was built in 2013 year. He is about tall 38 meters and can be seen from almost every point in the city. At night the cross is illuminated. To the area, where it is located can be reached either on foot, and by car.
Resort area “Cheerfulness” is located among extensive meadows and hills with natural mixed coniferous and deciduous forests. The river Blagoevgradska Bistrica, which flows through the area, has many small waterfalls and pools, inhabited by Balkan trout. The resort offers extremely good conditions for recreation and tourism in all seasons. For lovers of winter sports, there are ski slopes with a total length 4 km and 750 m, capacity cable car 1400 persons/hour, length 3000 m and unevenness 900 m, ski lift “Pomagalski” with capacity 900 people/hour and length 1500m, ski tow for beginners (educational) with capacity 500 persons/hour and length 300m.
The path follows the natural shape of the terrain. It is as comfortable as possible, wide and without obstacles on the way. There is the necessary marking along the entire length, annotations and signposts and information boards. At the beginning of the route there is information with the markings and the map with the length of the path, a green school for children was built, which includes benches, masi and canopy.
The full water of the Struma River makes it the most suitable river for rafting and kayaking in Bulgaria. The river provides entertainment for all. At the beginning of the rafting season, early spring, when the snow melts, it guarantees a lot of adrenaline for the more daring, and in summer and autumn it offers breathtaking views in the heart of the unique Kresnen Gorge.
The Rouen Monastery of St. John of Rila is an active men's monastery and is located near the village of Skrino – the birthplace of Ivan Rilski, at approx 22 km from Blagoevgrad. It was built in 2002 Mr. In it, the monastic brotherhood published religious literature and launched the first church radio in Bulgaria – Zion. The monastery follows suit and visitors are not allowed on Mondays, Wednesday and Friday.
The Stob pyramids – they are rock pyramids , which are located near the village of Stob, Kyustendil region. They have been declared a natural landmark. The average height of the pyramids is 7-10m. The pyramids are most beautiful at sunset or in the moonlight, and from them there is an incredible panorama of the entire Rila riverbed.
Bohemia waterfalls are located next to the town of Rila , 1km after the city in the direction of the Rila Monastery. They are 11, and their height is between 2 and 30 meters. The first waterfall, immediately next to the road is the highest. There is a built-in eco-trail to explore them, as there is quality equipment along the route, stairs, indoor recreation area with barbecue and water fountain. At the beginning of the path there is a rock chapel with a place to light candles.
Devil's Waters is a cascade of waterfalls , located on the slopes of Rila, near the village of Pastra, on the way to the Rila Monastery. The cascade starts from the beginning of the slope and after a series of falls with a height of 5 to 15 m, flows into the Rilska river. The waterfalls are difficult to reach, because the slopes are very steep. There is a barely noticeable path, walks through them all, but climbing it is difficult and in some places dangerous.
Kalin Dam is the dam with the highest altitude in Bulgaria and the Balkan Peninsula – 2394 m and is located in Rila mountain, on 16 km from the village of Pastra. It can be reached through the city of Rila and the village of Pastra. This is the highest place, which can be reached by car. Near the dam is the tourist hut Ivan Vazov.
The Rila monastery is the most significant, a large and famous monastery in Bulgaria. It was founded in 10 century by the hermit Ivan Rilski and his students. Ivan Rilski himself was later canonized as a saint by the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. During Byzantine slavery, The Rila Monastery became one of the main pillars of the Bulgarian national consciousness. Through 1961 Mr. The Rila Monastery has the status of a national museum, the area around it has been declared a nature park.
The cave of St. Ivan Rilski is located approx 20 km from the city of Rila and approx 120 km from the city of Sofia. It is about half an hour's walk from the Rila Monastery. In this cave the saint spent seven years of his life.
The fortress with. Tserovo ranks among the largest mountain fortresses in Bulgaria. It is located near the village of Tserovo, Blagoevgrad Municipality. During archaeological research it was found, that the fortress was built around 3 century. It was used to protect against attacks. The fortress is mentioned for the first time in the Rila Charter of Tsar Ivan Shishman.
Stoykovtsi Dam is located 18 km from Blagoevgrad and 1 km. from the village of Lagodaž. It is the largest reservoir in the Blagoevgrad region. It has good conditions for amateur fishing, water tourism and recreation. You can catch walleye in its waters, carp, white carp, catfish and others.
The Boichova dupka cave is located in the area of Boichova skala, to the village of Logodzh. It is researched and mapped, declared remarkable natural attractions and is on the list of protected sites in Bulgaria. It has a significant number of representatives of cave flora and fauna, and in the galleries there are many preserved karst formations. The cave was closed for many years, but the necessary infrastructure is currently being built around it, to make it accessible to tourists and underground adventurers.
The city is suitable for both recreation and cultural tourism, and for entertainment. Everyone's favorite neighborhood "Varosha" is the old part of Blagoevgrad, charming with its cobbled streets and Renaissance houses. Many of them have been converted into museums and galleries. Bachinovo Park stretches along the Bistrica River and is a wonderful place for sports, walks and recreation in nature. There are numerous establishments along the 3-kilometer promenade, cafes, children's playgrounds, rope attractions, water park and indoor pool. The promenade ends with a wonderful recreation park and a large man-made lake with water wheels.
Like a city with a lot of students, Blagoevgrad is a center of fun parties and non-stop nightlife. Young people can choose from different styles of nightclubs, bars and discotheques. Among the most popular events are the regular karaoke nights and fun themed parties, organized every week.
