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Mountain

Bansko
Nestled at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, the market town of Bansko is an outdoors centre that has wholeheartedly embraced the tourist industry without losing any of its original charm. It has all the ingredients for a perfect break: a beautiful setting, great food and wine, very friendly locals and probably the widest choice of good accommodation in Bulgaria. For those travelling on a budget, rooms can be rented with local families in traditional stone houses with wooden balconies and courtyards. Bansko is a great place for year-round sporting activities - from skiing in the winter to hiking, rock climbing, horse riding and fishing April to October. The town is host to a big international jazz festival held in August.

Rila Monastery (2 hours by bus from Sofia) combines spectacular scenery with history and culture. The Monastery was founded in the 10th century by the followers of the hermit monk Ivan Rilski (St. John of Rila) and is Bulgaria's most significant Orthodox sanctuary. Behind its fortress-like exteriors is a beautiful cobbled courtyard surrounded by rows of balconies with a church and a medieval tower in the middle. Listed on the UNESCO National Heritage list. A must-see for everyone!

Villages
The Rhodopi Mountains are home to numerous scattered villages inhabited by people of different ethnic origins and religion. See Villages.