Simitli (Bulgarian: Симитли) is a small town in Blagoevgrad Province in southwestern Bulgaria. It has a population of 7,454 and is located 13 km south of Blagoevgrad.

Geography

The town of Simitli lies at the at the crossroads for the turn to Bansko and Pirin Mountains off the Sofia-Thessaloníki E-79. Geographical locations of note are the Komatinski Cliffs between Brestovo and Sushitsa, the Kresna Gorge of the Struma River, and the foothills of the Pirin Mountains at Senokos.

Transportation

Simitli lies on E-79 which connects Sofia to the Greek Border. Simitli is also part of the Bulgarian State Railways network from Greece to Sofia. Simitli is also the intersection of E-79 and the road to Bansko and the Pirin Mountains.

Tourism

Some of the best whitewater rapids in the Balkans can be on the Struma river in the Kresna Gorge. The rafting and kayaking season is from April to July and there is guided rafting every weekend. Simitli also also part of the EuroCup circuit for the European Rafting Federation every year. One the second weekend every January, there is a Kukeri or Surva festival held in the local stadium by E-79 which rivals Razlog and Pernik's own Kukeri Festivals.

Municipality

Simitli is the administrative centre of Simitli municipality (part of Blagoevgrad Province), which includes the following seventeen places:

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• Brezhani
• Brestovo
• Gorno Osenovo
• Gradevo
• Dolno Osenovo
• Zheleznitsa
• Krupnik
• Mechkul
• Polena
• Poleta
• Rakitna
• Senokos
• Suhostrel
• Sushitsa
• Troskovo
• Cherniche
• Simitli

External links

• www.senokos.com | Tourism website for village Senokos
• www.ternipe-simitli.org | Website for local Roma NGO that creates monthly magazine for Simitli
• www.hoteldimario.com | Website for Hotel DiMario, a local hotel in Simitli