Banya is situated in the south-west part of Bulgaria in a valley between the three big mountains - Rila, Pirin and the Rhodopes. Rila mountain is the highest on the Balkan Peninsula.

The village is 156 km from the capital Sofia. It has 3,000 inhabitants, 23% of them being under 18. Ruins of interesting archeo-logical sites from Thracian and Medieval times were found not far from Banya.

More then 70 mineral springs with average temperature of 58 C. Banya is extremely attractive with its open-air swimming pools with mineral water which are near the public baths. The old bath /1735/ is interesting with its architecture. In English the word 'Banya' means bath.

4 churches and several small chapels can be visited. The interior of 'Sveti Georgi' Church /1834/ is of great value. The works of local icon-painters, wood-carvers, masters in weaving traditional textiles and embroidery can be seen.

There are small beautiful parks around the village. A number of folk-restaurants /mehanas or taverns/ that are decorated in the old traditional style offer wide range of local specialties.