A Student's Guide to Blagoevgrad

Sometimes, the campus might seem like all there is in Blago. But Blagoevgrad is a vibrant town, with many places for hanging out off-campus. So let’s spend a day off-campus, exploring more of Blago.

Hangout is one of the places where students from AUBG get together, either to study or just to catch up. Behind the “chameleon bar” stand AUBG alumni Darina Stanailova and Ventsislav Trenchev. The innovative idea of a place that serves like a café during the day and bar in the evening won them first place in AUBG’s Accelerator Program “Elevate.” 

“My favorite place to hang out off campus is Hangout. The reason for this is because it is close, the atmosphere there is really nice and it is full of AUBG people, with whom you can interact. They have many great pastries and cocktails - alcoholic and non-alcoholic,” Rosen Razpopov shared. "So I can say Hangout has something for everyone."

Polca- Café and Deli is the go-to spot for coffee and food for many students from AUBG. It is a cozy place, located in the city center and just 5 minutes away from campus. It serves coffee and breakfast items, as well as fresh homemade meals, sandwiches, and desserts.

“One of the coziest places in the whole of Blagoevgrad for me is Polca. The ladies working there are always energized and ready to help. I like going there in the morning because they have many food and drink choices like fresh juices, salads, sandwiches,’’ said Mariam Guluashvili. “They are perfect for boosting your energy for the day.”

“Roots” is an Italian restaurant in the heart of Blagoevgrad, established in 1996. It is a cozy place, where Italy comes to Blagoevgrad in the form of a cozy restaurant.

Many students like to get together there and enjoy a variety of pizzas, pasta, salads, and desserts that the restaurant serves. “I like “Roots,” because it is an Italian restaurant that serves delicious food and has a nice atmosphere,” Ali told. “It feels very cozy.”

“Chiviya Board Games” is a café, close to the campus, just across the Farmers market. It is perfect for all students, especially the ones seeking relaxation from lectures.

“My favorite place to hang out off-campus is Chiviya. It’s a café, very close to campus with a very cozy atmosphere. You can play board games there with your friends. For a really cheap price, you can play a variety of board games there and they also give you snacks and drinks. Overall, it is an amazing experience and I go there with my friends quite often” shared Mihaela Vladimirova.

“Flavor Bar & Restaurant” is a dinner place, located in Elenovo, five minutes away from the campus by car. It has an outdoor and indoor part, as well as a garden. It is the preferred place for going out for many students, where they can hang out and have dinner together.

“Flavor is a nice place to dress up, go with a friend, or go on a date. It is very classy and the atmosphere feels very elegant and I like that. The menu is elaborate and the drinks are amazing” said Lizi Svanadze. “I would recommend literally everything on the menu.”

On Thursday nights, many AUBG students can be seen at Underground. The club is located in the city center and many AUBG students gather together for a fun night not only on Thursday but on the weekends as well.

Still, everyone knows that Thursday nights are AUBG nights. “I like Underground because it is an environment, where you can meet a lot of people and make new friends,” said Daniela Ivanova. “It is also a great place to have fun, get out of your comfort zone, and be yourself.”

The famous “Lelya Krasi” is a place near the university campus and a mandatory stop after a night in Under. The place serves food on the go, like banitsa and, is famous among students.

“Lelya Krasi is very sweet. She is a generous, kind-hearted person. The place has just a vibe because she is always welcoming with a warm smile and even treats us sometimes just to thank us for being her customers,” shared Lizi Svanadze.

Many students like to spend time in the open nature as well. They can do that by either going on a hike to the cross or enjoying a walk in Bachinovo Park.

“One evening, I decided to take a break and visit the Bachinovo lake. I needed a moment of peace and it turned out to be the perfect place for it. The beauty of the nature was fascinating. I want to mention as well, a group of beautiful ducks that glided gracefully across the water, it was truly a mesmerizing sight to see,” said Nia Kasrelishvili. Blago has amazing nature and outdoor spaces that can also be great for practicing a variety of sports and working out.

Whether you want to enjoy a nice drink with friends or spend the day in nature, Blagoevgrad has many places to accommodate everybody’s interests. So do not hesitate to explore Blago beyond the campus and find your own favorite place for hanging out. 

Editors: Spasiela Gizdova and Niya Manditsch