Travel to Melnik, Bulgaria

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Here is a map of our travels while in Bulgaria - we landed in Sofia (after a flight from Beijing China), then drove to Karlovo, then to Bansko and Melnik, following which we spent time in Nessebar (posting about it is coming next), and then visited Kazanlak and Kran, then back to Karlovo on our way to Sofia to fly back to China.


After staying in Bansko for two days, we decided that it is time to experience some more of the nature and sites Bulgaria has to offer. So we drove to the town of Melnik — according to government and provincial statistics (Melnik is located in the province of Blagoevgrad) - this is the smallest town in Bulgaria. Population: approximately 230.

The town is not that difficult to find. From Bansko, we first drove through the town of Razlog, to Simitli, where we got on the E79 highway (which leads also from Sofia to Greece). While on E79 watch out for the city of Sandanski (it will be about 40 minutes before you get close to the city). After you go through Sandanski, look for exit for Melnik. The road to Melnik after E79 is a tiny one with hardly any traffic… You will pass through several small villages before you reach Melnik. The long journey is well worth it. Melnik is a very old settlement (according to scholars dating back to Thrace and the Roman Empire). Later on in the middle ages, the Crusades passed through and currently the town is restoring a small chirch which dates from that time.

Melnik is famous for its sand piramides (limestone or porous stone formations in the mountains surrounding the town), MORE

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Photos

Kristin and Sarah in Melnik
Travel in Melnik, July 2006

View from Melnik
Melnik, July 2006

Sarah in Melnik
Sarah in Melnik, July 2006