South of Bansko is where the Pirin National Park is situated. The park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, covers over 27,400 ha and is famous for its lakes, waterfalls, caves, century-old trees and historical sites.  The jagged mountains include 70 glacial lakes scattered throughout them and are home to hundreds of endemic and rare species. The mountains also have diverse and unique landscapes of great aesthetic value.

UNESCO World Heritage Site, Boyana Church, is located on the outskirts of Sofia. The 10th century eastern church was enlarged at the beginning of the 13th century by Sebastocrator Kaloyan, who also ordered a second building to be erected next to it. The 13th century frescoes in the second church make it one of the most important collections of medieval paintings.  The collection is completed with a third 19th century church. The site is one of the most complete and perfectly preserved monuments of east European medieval art.

Rila Monastery, founded by Ivan Rilski in 927, is 1 hour away by car.  The UNESCO World Heritage Site is Bulgaria's most famous monastery and set in a narrow forested valley.  Explore the 300 monk cells that fill four levels of the beautiful balconies.  The Nativity Church built in the 1830s, contains 1200 fascinating murals.  Rila Monastery helped to keep Bulgarian culture alive during the Turkish rule from the 15th to the 19th centuries.