We are looking to pick up our rental car in Sofia drive to Rila Monastery then spend the night in Melnik. From there drive to Plovdiv.
Do you have to go back through Sofia? Is there a direct route from Melnik to Plovdiv?
Thanks for any help
Posted by
Washington DC
29216 posts
See what ViaMichelin.com says.
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
23311 posts
Or google maps
Posted by
Duluth🌲
9947 posts
You should not have to go through Sofia when driving from Melnik to Plovdiv. As Mr. E said, just plot a route on Google Maps and it will show you several driving routes between the two.
It looks like the northernmost route, which takes you along the A1, to 69, and then the A3, is the quickest, but you may want to look at all 3 routes to see which best serves your needs.
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
23311 posts
Google Maps works well for the world over (except Russia and Syria). We used it driving from Sofia to Istanbul. I say "we" but hiring a driver and car was cheaper than a rental.
Posted by
5 posts
I recommend stopping in the Rila monastery first, then driving to Melnik. Don't miss the Rozhen monastery nearby, and consider a visit to Dolene Village, which is particularly picturesque. En route to Plovdiv, consider a night in Bansko - a traditional Bulgarian mountain town, and maybe visit the Dobarsko church nearby for its spectacular frescoes.