Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria

Capital City

With a population of just 62,670, Blagoevgrad is hardly a bustling metropolis. As the economic and cultural center of southwestern Bulgaria, the town offers a compact, pedestrian-friendly downtown, but persistent bureaucracy can be a headache. Summers are long and hot, reaching a scorching 44.6°C, while winters are mercifully mild. Blagoevgrad's strengths lie in its universities - the South-West University and the American University in Bulgaria - drawing in a steady flow of students. For those seeking a more relaxed pace of life in a university town setting, Blagoevgrad could be an appealing option.