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The history museum of Blagoevgrad is located in the Varosha district. The museum has few sections, telling the story of the region: Archaeology, Ethnography, Bulgaria from the 15th to the 20th Century, New History, Nature, and Art. As a history museum, I would expect it to present also the history of the small Jewish community – one of 34 Jewish communities in Bulgaria – who lived in Blagoevgrad until 1948. As an ally of the Nazis, The Bulgarian government canceled all the civic rights of the Jews in February 1941, and the Bulgarian King also decided to deport them to Nazi concentration camps. At the last minute, The Bulgarian Parliament chose to resist, and the deportation postponed several times until the King died, and the government canceled it. After the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, most of Blagoevgrad Jews left the town. I was saddened to learn that not only the Jewish community is not mentioned in the museum - the museum was built on the ruins of the Jewish Synagogue, which was destroyed by the municipality at the beginning of the 1970s. Like the synagogue, also the Jewish cemetery and most of the Jewish houses were destroyed.

The city center of Blagoevgrad, built of four big squares, is full of restaurants, pubs, and shops. You can buy a sim card in one of the two Telenor stores on Todor Aleksandrov St., change money or eat ice cream. Largo Mall is standing right in the center of Bulgaria square, and the main campus of AUBG located in George Izmireliev square, just aside the tourist information center. ​

In 2007 the municipality of Blagoevgrad decided to build a giant cross to protect the residence from evil and trouble. The cross located at the highest point of the city, with an excellent viewpoint of the whole town. You can reach it by foot – a 50-minute climb the hill (part of it through "Loven Dom" Park), or by car. If you choose to walk, don't forget to take water with you. My wife and I finished a 1.5-liter bottle of water during this turn. On the hill, near the cross, there is a fountain with cold water so that you can fill your bottle for the way back. #Park #Thingstodo #View

Blagoevgrad's oldest district characterized by unique architecture, cobblestone streets, small traditional houses, craft shops, and galleries. The area formed during the Bulgarian National Revival as part of the re-formation of Bulgarian identity. In the center of the district, they build in 1844 the Presentation of the Mother of God Church.

I took the 45-min walk from the city center to Bachinovo Park afternoon. The road to the park is adjacent to the river on both sides, and it looks like the whole town is walking - families with kids and pets, Gymnasts, runners, cyclists. An aqua park is located in the middle of the road. Bachinovo Park himself is a great place to walk and rest. In the park a beautiful artificial lake where you can rent Swan Pedal Boats. There is also a restaurant, a hotel, a sports center and a ropes park (that was not active when I visit - maybe it is open in summer only).

Founded in the 10th century, the Rila Monastery is the most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria and regarded as one of Bulgaria's most important cultural and historical monuments. The visit to the monastery and the main church is for free, but I am suggesting not to miss the main museum (costs 8 leva). Also, I recommend taking a walk outside the monastery, where you can find Small booths with souvenirs, restaurants, and the monastery bakery, where they will serve you a Mekitsa - Bulgarian donut with a lot of sugar powder.

A small old mall, that has few fashion stores, restaurants and offices.

Raffy Bar got the best location in town - just in the middle of the city center, in front of LARGO Mall. The food is varied and tasty at reasonable prices. Excellent for lunch and dinner.

A charming cafe & restaurant. We stayed in an apartment in the same building, so it was an excellent choice for our breakfast.

Fruit and vegetable market, located on the bank of Bistritza River. Open on Wednesday and Saturday.

We traveled to Blagoevgrad by bus from Thessaloniki, Greece. The drive took 4 hours, including 15 minutes stop at the Tax-Free Shops in the border. We planned to hire a car in Thessaloniki and to use it in Blagoevgrad, but it turns out rental vehicles can not leave Greece. At the end of our visit, we took a bus from Blagoevgrad Central Station to Sofia Central Station (2 hours drive). Then we took the metro line directly to Sofia Airport - the closest international airport from Blagoevgrad. The bus company with which we were traveling is called ARDA-TUR, and you can purchase tickets on their website.

Todor Alexandrov Street is the main shopping street in Blagoevgrad. You can find here all kinds of shops - like fashion, shoes, souvenirs, and services like banks, money change, and cellular companies. The street is covered with thousands of colorful umbrellas, giving the road a refreshing and vibrant look.