One of the oldest towns in Bulgaria, Sandanski lies in the Sandanski-Petrich Valley at the base of the Pirin Mountains. Its nestled in the south-west corner of the country, not far from the borders with Greece and North Macedonia. Sandanski is named after the Bulgarian revolutionary, Yane Ivanov Sandanski, who advocated for the creation of a Balkan Federation.
Things to do in Sandanski
History buffs can visit the Sandanski Archaeological Museum, which is located on the foundations of St. John’s Basilica. It exhibits findings from the ancient settlement that lies hidden beneath the modern town. In addition to housing some of the largest Roman marble sculptures in Bulgaria, the collection includes mosaics from the early Christian period and votive tablets of Artemis, Aphrodite and Zeus.
At the southern entrance to Sandanski is the Spartacus Monument, which offers elevated views across the town from its hilltop setting. It was here that the Thracian gladiator is believed to have been born before going on to lead an uprising against Rome. Nearby is the Sintica Winery, where you can sample local Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot wines.
A short drive east of Sandanski is the Rozhen Monastery, a beautifully preserved medieval complex surrounded by the Melnik Earth Pyramids. It’s believed to have existed since the 13th century and preserves frescoes dating back to 1597. Housed within the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius is the tomb of the Bulgarian revolutionary, Yane Sandanski.
Getting around Sandanski
Sandanski is around two hours’ drive from Sofia and 2.5 hours from Sofia Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and the Middle East. Regular buses connect to Sandanski and the town centre is compact enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the region.