Park Bachinovo, a relaxing afternoon in Blagoevgrad

As summer is approaching in Europe, the weather gets warmer and nicer, you would naturally want to spend more time outside, even when you visit other countries. Today, I want to present you a hidden gem in southern Bulgaria – Park Bachinovo in Blagoevgrad. If you are up for a relaxing afternoon in nature in this Bulgarian city, this is the place for you.

How to get there?

Blagoevgrad is a town in southern Bulgaria, about 100 km from the capital, Sofia. The park is located only two kilometres from Blagoevgrad. You could also get there by car, but my advice is to take the paved footpath which leads there. In this way, you would enjoy beautiful nature, the part of the Rila National Park. The path starts by Bistritsa River. There are a few spaces where you can park your car, right next to the aqua-park in Blagoevgrad. The walking path you are going to take from the aqua-park to Park Bachinovo is called “The alley of health” because it is perfect for doing sports and staying healthy.

Park Bachinovo near Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria

What to do?

As picturesque the alley is, the park itself is even more beautiful. Once you get there, you are presented to many options for spending your time in the best possible way. You can rent a pedaling boat in Bachinovo Lake and see the swans, that live in it, from up-close. In the lake, there are ducks, too, so make sure not to disturb them and their habitat. For children who do not want to stay in one place, there is a high-rope park called “Kokolandia”. Their staff consists of real professionals, who will make sure the participants have an exciting and safe experience. The rope park was opened four years ago, and it offers six levels of difficulty. Level one is for children older than 6, level two – for 8-year-olds and above, level three – over 10, level 4 – over 12 and levels five and six – over 14.   

In Bachinovo Park, there also are a wall for climbing, a bungee jumping facility, a trampoline, a carousel and a mini-golf park. Although all those facilities are surrounded by benches, a café and small, artificial ponds, the fact that you gradually see less and less broad-leaved trees and more coniferous ones reminds you that you are actually in a nature park, the part of Rila Mountain range.

Park Bachinovo is a great way to spend one relaxing afternoon in nature without having to go very far. It is one small, hidden gem near Blagoevgrad, but indeed a very beautiful one.