The town of Melnik, located in southwestern Bulgaria, is not only the smallest but also the most charming in the region. It is nestled in the valley of the Melnishkata and Rozhenskata rivers, at the foot of the Pirin Mountains.
This town is surrounded by unique sand pyramids, wine cellars, ancient architectural structures, and stunning natural beauty that cannot be compared to anywhere else on the Balkan Peninsula.

Melnik Attractions and Activities
Melnik is a historical reserve and an open-air museum town. Its architecturally rich houses and the unique sand and limestone pyramid-like cliffs surrounding the town are striking in their astonishing shapes and contours. Among the town’s most famous landmarks are the Boyarska (Byzantine) House, the oldest residential building in Bulgaria, the Pashov House, which houses the local history museum, and the Kordopulov House, a famous wine merchant. There’s also a wine tunnel exhibition where you can sample local wines.

Melnik boasts over 100 cultural monuments, including churches, monasteries, and historic houses. Among the surviving buildings, the most notable are the Monastery of St. Nicholas (12th century), the Slav’s Fortress (13th century), the Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul, the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, the Roman Bridge, and the old Turkish bath.

But Melnik’s main attraction is its wine. Over three centuries ago, the town became famous for its wine. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Melnik, produced using a special technology, are still exported to many countries worldwide.