Sandanski sits in the valley of the Sandanska Bistritsa river at the foot of the Pirin mountains in southwestern Bulgaria. It has the warmest climate in the country — mild winters, long autumns, and over 2,400 hours of sunshine a year — and has been known as a health resort since antiquity.
The town's mineral springs are the main draw: hot, slightly mineralised water surfaces throughout two thermal zones, and several spa hotels and public baths make use of it. The climate and the clean mountain air have made Sandanski a centre for treating respiratory conditions since the Roman period.
Modern Sandanski was built directly over the ancient city of Parthicopolis, and floor mosaics and foundations are visible in the central park. The Sandanski Archaeological Museum holds the best finds from the excavations. The city park is the hub of town life, with a large statue of Spartacus at its heart — the town claims him as a local son, with some historical plausibility given that Spartacus was Thracian and this valley was Thracian territory.
For travellers, the town is a convenient stop on the road between Sofia and the Greek border at Kulata. The Pirin mountains rise directly behind the town, and Melnik — Bulgaria's smallest town, famous for its wine and sandstone pyramids — is only 20 km south.