Town
About Sandanski
At a glance
| Status | Town and centre of Sandanski Municipality, Blagoevgrad Province |
|---|---|
| Where | In the Sandanski–Petrich valley at the south-western foot of Pirin, on the Sandanska Bistritsa river |
| Population | 23,334 at the end of 2025 |
| Height | 240–300 m |
| Distances | Sofia 165 km, Blagoevgrad 66 km, Plovdiv 235 km |
| Named after | The revolutionary Yane Sandanski; formerly Sveti Vrach |
Source: Wikipedia: Сандански; Wikidata: Sandanski2,3
Sources differ on when the name changed: English Wikipedia says the town was called Sveti Vrach until 1947, Bulgarian Wikipedia gives 26 September 1949. For the sea, Bulgarian Wikipedia gives 126 km to the Aegean coast.1,2
Climate and mineral springs
Sandanski lies between the Kresna and Rupel gorges, and both Wikipedias describe it as the warmest town in Bulgaria. Bulgarian Wikipedia says the air has low humidity, about 66%, which suits the treatment of asthma and allergies; snow rarely stays more than a week. The town is a natural sanatorium for respiratory diseases.1,2
The climate figures differ: English Wikipedia gives an average of +16 °C and about 2700 hours of sunshine a year, Bulgarian Wikipedia an average of +13.9 °C and more than 2450 hours.1,2
The municipality has more than 80 mineral springs at 42–81 °C, about 20 of them around the town, and their low mineral content allows open-air bathing all year. Hotels, family hotels and large complexes have about 4000 beds in all. In 2010 Sandanski won the contests “Excellent tourist destination of Bulgaria” and “Spa destination of Bulgaria”.2
Medius, the basilica and Spartacus
| Period | Event |
|---|---|
| Bronze Age | A settlement grows up around the mineral springs |
| 5th century BC | The Thracian Maedi tribe founds Medius |
| 4th century BC | Philip II of Macedon conquers the Maedi |
| From the 2nd century BC | Roman rule; the Roman town is later called Desudava |
| 4th–6th centuries | An episcopal centre with a three-aisled basilica on the central square |
| 1947 or 1949 | The town takes the name of Yane Sandanski; the sources differ on the year |
Source: Wikipedia: Sandanski; Wikipedia: Сандански1,2
A church built in the late 5th or early 6th century, with an inscription naming Bishop John, is partly on show in the ground floor of the Archaeological Museum, along with mosaic floors kept in place. Bulgarian Wikipedia says it is believed that Spartacus, of the Thracian Maedi tribe, was born and lived in the area; his monument is one of the town’s symbols. The old name Sveti Vrach honours the healer saints Cosmas and Damian.2
Park, festivals and day trips
The town park starts at the Makedonia hotel. Bulgarian Wikipedia says it is the only park in Bulgaria with sand paths and, with the Sea Garden in Varna, the largest town park in the country. Its summer theatre hosts the Pirin Folk festival of Macedonian songs and the Balkan youth festival every year, and the park has two open-air pools.2
- Melnik, which Bulgarian Wikipedia calls the smallest town in Bulgaria
- Rozhen Monastery above Melnik
- Rupite, 12 km away, with the church of St Petka built thanks to Baba Vanga
- Leshnitsa village in the Pirin foothills
Source: Wikipedia: Сандански2
Getting there
| How | Route |
|---|---|
| Bus | From Sofia Central Bus Station several times a day, about 3 hours, €10; for example 06:40, 08:10 and 10:30 |
| Train | On the Sofia–Kulata line towards Thessaloniki |
| Car | On European route E79 between Sofia and Thessaloniki |
Source: Wikipedia: Sandanski; Wikipedia: Сандански; Sofia Central Bus Station: Sofia to Sandanski1,2,4
The bus times are from the Sofia Central Bus Station timetable on 10 November 2026. Several operators run the route, including Union Ivkoni.4
Property
| Type | Listings with a price | Median asking price | Median per m² |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houses | 14 | €200,000 | €531 |
| Two-room flats | 29 | €104,956 | €1,691 |
| Three-room flats | 25 | €138,000 | €1,573 |
Source: imot.bg: houses for sale in Sandanski; imot.bg: two-room flats for sale in Sandanski; imot.bg: three-room flats for sale in Sandanski5,6,7
These are asking prices in listings, not completed sales.5,6,7
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sandanski?
In Blagoevgrad Province in south-west Bulgaria, at the foot of Pirin, 165 km from Sofia according to Bulgarian Wikipedia.
Is Sandanski the warmest town in Bulgaria?
Both English and Bulgarian Wikipedia say so, though they give different averages: +16 °C and +13.9 °C.
How many mineral springs does Sandanski have?
Bulgarian Wikipedia counts more than 80 in the municipality, at 42–81 °C, about 20 of them around the town.
What was Sandanski called before?
Sveti Vrach, after the healer saints Cosmas and Damian. The sources give 1947 or 1949 for the change.
How do I get from Sofia to Sandanski?
By bus from Sofia Central Bus Station, about 3 hours for €10, by train on the line to Kulata, or by car on the E79.
How much does a flat cost in Sandanski?
On 10 November 2026 the median asking price on imot.bg was €104,956 for a two-room flat and €138,000 for a three-room flat.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Sandanski
- Wikipedia: Сандански (in Bulgarian)
- Wikidata: Sandanski
- Sofia Central Bus Station: Sofia to Sandanski (in Bulgarian)
- imot.bg: houses for sale in Sandanski (in Bulgarian)
- imot.bg: two-room flats for sale in Sandanski (in Bulgarian)
- imot.bg: three-room flats for sale in Sandanski (in Bulgarian)
Figures checked 10 November 2026. Information only, not investment, tax or legal advice.
