Bulgaria Guide
The southwest
The landscape of Bulgaria south of the capital is dominated by the River Struma, which rises on the southern slopes of Mount Vitosha before sweeping west then south through a series of arid gorges and fertile flood plains. Both the main southbound train route and the E79 highway to Greece follow the Struma Valley for much of its length, skirting some of the country's most grandiose scenery on the way. Although the major towns along the route are pleasant enough, most of the area's real attractions lie in the mountains to the east.
Highlights
1 Kukeri Nowhere in Bulgaria is the tradition of Shrovetide masked revels as well preserved as it is in the southwest: Pernik, Razlog and especially Eleshnitsa are the best places to catch them.
2 Rila Monastery Bulgaria's most visited pilgrimage site, boasting a beautifully decorated church.
3 Hiking in the Rila and Pirin mountains An area of imperious peaks and forest-shrouded lakes that offers some of the most rewarding hikes in Europe.
4 Bansko An engaging mixture of mountain village and modern holiday resort.
5 Melnik A medieval mercantile town, now the size of a village, in a captivating setting among weird pyramidal sandstone formations.