Location
Melnik is situated in the South-Western part of Bulgaria. It nestles in the south-western part of the UNESCO protected Pirin National Park at altitude 399 - 500 m above sea level. It is located 174 km South of Sofia, 78 km South of Blagoevgrad, 20 km North of Border crossing with Greece, 170 km North-West of Thessaloniki in Greece. You can use our Interactive map to review the Melnik valley. Toggle the road and satellite views and zoom out to review the location.
The transfer time from both Sofia and Thessaloniki airports is approximate two hours.

• 45 mins drive to the Aegean coast of Greece (Mediterranean sea)
• 20 mins drive to over 80 hot mineral water springs surrounding the town of Sandanski
• 20 km away from the well known area of Rupite, a resting place of the respected by the Russians prophetess Baba Vanga
• 20 km from the Greek border
• 6 km from the Rozhen Monastery

History
The town of Melnik is an architectural reserve and 96 of its 200 buildings are cultural monuments. It is the smallest settlement classified as a town in Bulgaria and is the most significant example of the Bulgarian Medieval and Renaissance culture.
According to archaeological evidence, the first to settle in the area were the Thracian tribe Medi to which the famous rebel Spartacus belonged . The presence of the Romans left the town one of its landmarks - the Ancient Roman bridge, which is still preserved. The medieval fortress above it and the Rozhen monastery, a genuine masterpiece of art built during the 12^th or  13^th century AD (5 km away) are all located in an unusual surrounding of natural sand pyramids and a canyon of fantastically shaped eroded rocks. Melnik is a remarkable collection of architectural, artistic and archaeological monuments of major historical significance. The settlement Melnik comes from the sand formations surrounding it on all sides (the Slavonic word "mel" means "white clay, chalk")

• All year round tourist  destination
• Increased number of affluent Bulgarian, Greek and Russian tourists in the past few years (30% more compared to year 2005)
• Architectural reserve and Renaissance town-museum
• One of the renowned wine-producing regions on the Balkans since 1346 AD
• Surrounded by natural geological phenomenon - the “Sand Pyramids”
• No developments being built in the town in the past 200 years
• Restricted area for future developments
• Huge tourist influx making renting the properties easy
• A blend of unique nature, history, culture and wine
• Fine taverns, coffee shops and souvenir shops
  Mild climate year round favourable for different treatments
• 70% occupancy rates in 4* and 4* plus developments
• Homeland of the legendary Spartacus, the Roman slave who launched an uprising in 73-71BC 

Wine Tasting
For many centuries the Wine of Melnik has been one of the leaders on the market. In the past the local wine merchants were trading with Italy and Central Europe. It still has the reputation for the best one in Bulgaria. The tourist can taste it in every tavern in the town. Reportedly the local wine was a favourite of Sir Winston Churchill. When we speak of the history of Bulgarian wine, we cannot fail to mention the wineskins of Melnik reds for Europe, the Greek merchants in Melnik, and the 500 litres of Melnik wine which Sir Winston Churchill ordered every year. Nowdays you can buy Churchill's wine produced by Damianitza Winery Sandanski.

Sights

• Breath taking Melnik sand pyramids are among the most remarkable natural phenomena in Bulgaria.
• Unique architecture of Melnik and the nearby Rozhen Monastery located only 6 km east of the town
• The  Monastery of the famous amongst Bulgarians and Russians prophetess Baba Vanga in the area of Rupite is located 21 km away.
• The Byzantine House - one of the oldest civilian buildings on the Balkans
• The Historical Museum of Melnik
• The ancient Roman Bridge
• The Turkish Bath built during Ottoman rule
• The Medevial fortress
• The Kordopulov House built (1754) specifically for wine production, unique of it's kind with the large wine cellar - named afer its owner a known wine merchant.
• The old churches in the town St Nicholas (built in the 13^th century), St Nicholas the Thaumaturge (1756) and St Anthony, SS Peter and Paul (1840).

SPA
The spa town of Sandanski (19 km away, 80 hot mineral water springs) is known as the best natural health station in Europe for Bronchial Asthma. Planning permission has been granted to build  Hotel complex “Melnik” comprising of a 4-Star hotel with SPA centre, indoor and outdoor swimming pool. More details on this unique property investment opportunity offerring 20 years guaranteed rental return is available here. This offer is very similar to the French leaseback property schemes but is with much better return on investment - minimum 5.25% per annum guaranteed - more details available here.

SKI
Melnik is located some 103 km. from the best ski tracks in Bansko, 159 km from the ski resort Pamporovo and 161 km from the ski resort Borovets.

GOLF
Two Signature Golf Courses are currently under construction between Bansko and Razlog - some 98 km North-East of Melnik.

Summer Fun
In the summer tourists can enjoy activities like dear and wild boar hunting, climbing, hiking, biking, cycling,  birds watching or simply admiring the beauty of the surrounding nature.