Winter holiday in the vicinity of Razlog



Ski in the winter and golf in the summer – this attractive offer attracts a number of tourists to the Razlog municipality in Bulgaria. The golf courses in the region can satisfy the requirements of all types of players, while the ski runs provide enormous pleasure. Razlog is a town in South western Bulgaria, situated in a valley surrounded by three mountains - Rila, Pirin, and The Rhodopes. There are a number of rivers in the region and there are four passing just through Razlog. There are about a hundred mineral springs in the region, as well as 180 mountain lakes. Deputy Mayor of Razlog, Ivan Gyurov, told us more:

“Winter is a good season for us, as winter tourism provides a number of jobs. The popular ski resort of Bansko is just a few kilometres away,” Mr. Gyurov said. “Both towns must develop together as a ski destination because the whole valley provides good conditions and different municipalities in the region must join efforts rather than trying to compete with each other. In Bansko, for example, there are 70 km of ski runs, while in Razlog there is just one run, not more than a kilometre long. We have an ambitious project in the Kulinoto area, where a huge ski centre can be created.



According to Ivan Gyurov, Razlog still attracts a number of tourists during the winter. UK citizens are also interested in buying real estates in the region. Expectations for the future are optimistic, as a project totalling more than 1 million Euro and aimed at tourism development and better access to the historical and cultural heritage in the Razlog Municipality, has been approved for financing from the Regional Development Operational Programme. Most of the money will go for restoration of architectural monuments in the village of Banya, but the positive effects will be felt in the whole region.

“We are to build a very interesting thermal water park next to the old town bath. It will be an attractive place for children and adults and the street leading to it will be reconstructed. There will be an information centre, in which qualified guides will tell the tourists about the history of Razlog.”

There are a few eco trails in the region and the municipality of Razlog takes special care of them.

“One of the trails reaches the Yavorov hut in the mountain. The trail is called ‘To the kingdom of the edelweiss.’ There are the remains of three ancient churches along the way and a few caves. There is also a trail for horse riding starting from the village of Bachevo, which is 5 kilometres away from Razlog,” Mr. Gyurov says. “We have managed to develop adequate infrastructure for tourists during the past years.”



According to the Deputy Mayor of Razlog, a visit to the town cannot go without trying traditional local dishes. An interesting attraction is the traditional “Kukeri” carnival on January 1, aimed at scaring the evil spirits away. The ancient ritual is performed by costumed men. The costumes cover most of the body and include decorated wooden masks of animals, tall hats, and fur. Razlog expects you in the winter.

I think this place looks lovely and I can see the attraction for the British and others too I hope that when things get better that they do still stir the interest, I may visit myself just to have a look