Melnik – the wine capital of Bulgaria

Day Trip to Melnik + Wine Tasting

This day tour to Melnik is available from Sofia, Plovdiv, Borovets and Bansko. Check out the detailed programs bellow for more information or find more wine tours in Bulgaria

Join us on a delicious and heady adventure filled with tastes, legends and lots of fun. The tiny town of Melnik is hidden local gem for the travelers with the southwest folds of the majestic Pirin and the wonder sand pyramids which are great background for the ancient style houses you will find there. Beside the beautiful scenery in Melnik you will taste different types of red wine, which will make you suspect that true wine can only be found in France.

At a Glance

Total Distance: Sofia – Melnik: 380 km
Tour Duration: Full Day
Best period: All year
Price: 290 EUR (1-3 people) | 380 EUR (4-7 people)

Highlights

Exploring the magical Rozhen monastery
Visit the smallest town in Bulgaria, Melnik, with only 200 citizens
Visit a house museum built in 1754
Discover the wine area of the country
Wine tasting in three different wineries in Melnik
Taste local wines and appetizers

Sofia – Melnik

Pick up from any location in Sofia in the morning (8:00)
Transfer to the Rozhen monastery (Approximately 3-3:30 hours)
Explore the monastery complex
Transfer to Melnik (Approximately 30 min)
Sightseeing / Visit the Kordopulov’s house and the city center
Wine tasting in a traditional winery (Optional)
Transfer back to Sofia (3.3 – 4 hours)
Drop off at your hotel

More About Melnik

The tiniest town, Melnik, is a pearl in the southwest Bulgaria. The proximity of Pirin is guarantee of picturesqueness, because the mountain is famed for its stern and grand mountain beauty. The altitude of the locality where Melnik lies is 437 meters. With its transient climate, passing into Mediterranean mildness, it offers comfort, with minimal rains in summer, and maximal precipitations in winter. Fans of mountain chalets have ample choices. Melnik is the starting point for trails to the Pirin chalet and the Malina chalet.

In Melnik you can find some of the best wines in Bulgaria which have rich taste and aroma. The wineries in the area of Melnik are known far beyond Bulgaria, and this is not accidental, because this wine develops hundreds of years and its secrets were passed from generation to generation. The climate of Melnik is suitable for the cultivation of different varieties of grapes, as one of the unique varieties of the city is “Wide Melnik Vine”.

Melnik is famous not only for its wonderful wine, among the city’s attractions can be mentioned the Kordopulova house (private museum with wine cellar), the ruins of medieval churches, the wine museum and many others. More information about the Bulgarian wine capital

Just few kilometer away from Melnik is located one of the few medieval Bulgarian monasteries that are relatively well preserved – the Rozhen monastery.

Details About the Rozhen Monastery

The Rozhen monastery is near Melnik, not far even when going on foot. On the way to the monastery the curious Melnik Pyramids captivate with their uniqueness. These mounds of sandstone, rising to up to 100 meters, are unlike any other formations. But in Melnik itself there is plenty to marvel at: fascinating old style houses and opportunities to learn about wine making, a strong trade there.

Rozhen Monastery, near the smallest Bulgarian town Melnik, was restored carefully in1981. That was an ancient monastery whose murals, icons, and woodcarvings needed a lot of restoring. Now it charms with its architectural, artistic, as well as cultural significance. Near it is the grave of Yane Sndanski, a Bulgarian fighter for freedom who lived there until his death. The Bulgarian film ”Time of Parting” was shot in the monastery. It showed life under Ottoman domination.

The Rozhen monastery is part of the list of the one hundred most precious tourist sites in Bulgaria. The backdrop of Pirin, a stern but beautiful mountain, is magnificent. The village of Rozhen is just a kilometer away. Nearby, besides Melnik, is also the town of Sandanski.

The Rozhen Monastery can be reached from Melnik via an asphalted road which reaches right to its gates, but there is no regular public transport to the monastery.

Benefits

No hidden charges
Pick-up/ Drop off from your hotel
Friendly English speaking driver
Free Wi-Fi in the car
Offering competitive rates and discounts
I’m always willing to go the extra mile to make your tour a success

Includes

Pick up/drop off from/to your hotel
Private vehicle
All transportation costs along the route, VAT and parking fees
Local tour guide and driver

Excludes

Lunch in Melnik
Tips and gratuities
Personal expenses
Wine tasting with appetizers in three different wineries
Entrance fee for the Kordopulov’s house

Good to Know

The winery offers few different kind of wines, cheese and meat. If you are a vegetarian or prefer “dairy free”, please let me know in advance
We will take a short walk to reach the sand pyramids, located around Melnik, that’s why wearing a comfortable clothes and shoes is recommended
Bring long sleeve clothes to cover your arms in the Rozhen monastery
Don’t forget your camera

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