Bulgaria Travel Tips

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Bulgaria quick information

Have you ever been to Eastern Europe? Stop wondering where to travel next. We present to you the most beautiful country here, Bulgaria. Our country is home to picturesque beaches, stunning coastlines, plenty of fantastic mountains and ski resorts, delicious Balkan food, and a strong cultural heritage. Founded in the 7th century, Bulgaria is one of the oldest countries in Europe.

Bulgaria is our homeland and a place that has something for everyone. It is a wonderful destination that you should travel to. Here you could have an unforgettable experience every season of the year. Do you want to know more? As locals, we’ve created this epic Bulgaria travel guide. Find below our travel tips on what you can see, do, and eat in Bulgaria.

The capital of Bulgaria – Sofia

Sofia is Bulgaria’s capital and the most important city in the West Region, surrounded by the Vitosha and Lulin mountains. If you want to find the main sights, look at the best places to visit in Sofia. When you get to the city center, a walking tour will provide you with beautiful sightseeing points. You will have the opportunity to feel the hustle and bustle of the city. If you want a short break in nature, go to Vitosha mountain and admire nature’s beauty.

Language 

Yes, that’s right! We speak the Slavic language – Bulgarian. But don’t worry about that – talk in English and… we will answer you in Bulgarian with great enthusiasm ready to help you.

Religion

The main religion in Bulgaria is Eastern Orthodox Christianity since its adoption as the state religion in 865.

Currency

Still Bulgarian lev (BGN) => 1.95583 for 1 EUR. ATMs are widely available. Credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and shops, but smaller guesthouses or rural businesses may only accept cash.

Electricity socket

The electricity is 230V AC, and the power outlets are usually from type F. You can use your electric stuff in Bulgaria if the standard voltage in your country is 220 – 240V (the UK, Europe, Australia, most of Asia, and Africa). But if it is in the range of 100 – 127V (the US, Canada, and most South American countries), you need a power plug adapter/voltage converter.

Bulgaria Visa

Foreigners may enter Bulgaria if they have a regular foreign travel document, another equivalent document, and a visa if required. If you are a holder of a Schengen visa, a visa-free regime applies. You will have the right to enter and reside in Bulgaria for no more than three months in any six months from the first entry date. US and Canadian citizens may stay in Bulgaria by the same rules. Other nationalities need a Schengen visa to travel to the country. If your stay exceeds 90 days, you need to apply for a residency permit. More information you can find on the page of the Ministry of foreign affairs.

History of Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s history had its roots hundred years ago. In 632, the Bulgars with khan Kubrat formed a state north of the Black sea – Great Bulgaria. Pressure from the Khazars led one of Kubrat’s heirs, Asparukh, to migrate with some of the Bulgar tribes to the Danube delta area. They conquered territories from the Byzantine Empire, and after the peace in 681, they founded the First Bulgarian Empire. The First Bulgarian Empire collapsed under Byzantine attacks in the 11th century and became part of the Byzantine Empire. In 1185 a major uprising led by the brothers Asen and Peter restored the Bulgarian state and formed the Second Bulgarian Empire. From 1396 Bulgaria remained part of the Ottoman Empire for the next 482 years. In the 19th century, the April uprising and the Russo-Turkish War 1877–78 led to Bulgaria’s Liberation. Bulgaria became a member of NATO in 2004 and of the European Union in 2007.

Safety

There are some scams here (as everywhere), but Bulgaria is generally a safe place to go. As a tourist, you should be careful with your personal belongings, especially in hotspots such as Sofia or sea and mountain resorts (Sunny Beach, Bansko), so you could avoid pick-pocketing, which is actually rare in Bulgaria. Be cautious in the nightlife areas, too, so you could prevent violence and stay safe. As a tourist, be careful with the fake taxis in Bulgaria, especially in Sofia and the big cities. Their cars are similar to the official ones (with slight differences in the telephone number or name), but their prices are higher. It is better to use an online taxi booking application (ex. for Sofia Yellow taxi, TaxiMe). Just be careful. And of course, don’t travel without insurance.

Bulgaria travel tips: Trip planning 

Weather

You can visit Bulgaria all year round, and you won’t regret it. In Bulgaria, the climate is continental, with cold winters and warm to hot summers. It is milder along the Black Sea coast and colder in hills and mountains.

The best time to go to Bulgaria is Spring or Autumn if you want to explore the country. It’s not very rainy, but some significant temperature changes can occur in March and April. If you’re going to spend your summer holiday here, that will be the right decision. Choose the high season from June to August for the sunniest and hottest days (30*C with rare peaks of 40*C). So, you can spend the whole vacation on the beach, where the breeze will cool the heat. In winter, go to the most famous mountain resorts like Bansko, Borovets, Pamporovo, and go skiing in the beautiful nature.  

Transport

There are plenty of options offering direct flights to Bulgaria, especially from airports within or close to Europe. The airports are in the biggest cities of Sofia, Varna, Burgas, and Plovdiv. Traveling from one place to the next is relatively easy in Bulgaria. You can use public transport – buses or trains if you want to travel cheaper. Buses play a significant role in long-distance public transport. They are faster than the state railways (BDZ), but it’s a bit more expensive. If you prefer your own kind of transportation, renting a car can be the best choice and help you discover every part of this lovely country

Budget

It depends on you and your wishes. You can spend your holiday around for as cheap or as expensive as you want. Our experience shows that you can travel to Bulgaria for about 50-80 EUR a day. These costs include accommodation, food, and activities being your most considerable expense. But you can do this much cheaper if you are on a budget. Hotels are less expensive than in many European countries, and you also have some hostel options in the bigger cities. Food is also not so expensive. For example, breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. If you eat local street food, you can get a banichka (read more about the local food in Bulgaria below) for less than a euro or a portion of kebapcheta for about 2 EUR. Restaurants are generally cheap but eating there will be more expensive, with about 5 – 10 EUR for a single dish.

The entertainment costs as tickets for museums and attractions and other sightseeing expenses are around 8-10 EUR per person per day. Regarding transportation in the cities, the bus is the most common mean of transportation. The city bus ticket is around 0.80 EUR, and the daily ticket is 2 EUR (Sofia).

What to pack for traveling to Bulgaria

Traveling around Bulgaria is generally easy, except for a few colder months (November – March). You should bring warm clothes with you in winter – a pullover, a jacket, a hat, gloves, and a scarf. In winter or if you want to go to the countryside, take boots and a thick coat. In summer, bring sandals, light clothes, a T-shirt, short pants, a light jacket and a sweatshirt for the evening. For every season – cold or hot – the sun shines, and you don’t want to go on outdoor activities without sunglasses. 

As a quick overview, here are some of our must-bring items while traveling:
– a portable water filter bottle;
– a sand-free beach blanket;
– a good pair of travel shoes for our journey.
In addition, having a light power bank with you might be a good idea, especially if you take a lot of photos for your Instagram. Be sure to pack some food and water if you go out of the cities, too. 

Bulgaria travel tips: The best things to do

What is Bulgaria famous for?

As mentioned, Bulgaria has a little bit of everything for everyone. Touring the towns by foot will provide you with some stunning views, from the Black Sea’s dramatic cliff-edge views to lush green valleys with ancient ruins and natural landmarks. Excluding the bigger cities as Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, you can easily explore the others by walking and feeling the local atmosphere. And don’t forget to take lots of photos – to show them to your friends who can’t travel to Bulgaria or just to make them jealous.

Below you can find our recommendations on the best things to do in Bulgaria.

Ever growing, never aging – Sofia 

Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, is an amazing old city. There are temples, ancient buildings, museums, shopping areas, restaurants, and attractions for everyone, bringing different cultures into the city. Sofia is the biggest city in Bulgaria, so you can hardly explore it in a day. Using the subway to get from place to place is the best option because there are many traffic jams and the city is not very convenient for cycling. 

When you get to the city center, a walking tour will provide you with wonderful sightseeing points. You will have the opportunity to feel the hustle and bustle of the city. 

Visit the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevski – the largest Orthodox temple on the Balkan Peninsula. Or the oldest one in Bulgaria, dating to the 4th century – Saint Sophia Church. Inside one of Sofia’s landmarks, reconstructed many times – the medieval church of St. Nedelya, you can see colorful murals and wooden iconostasis. Go for a walk on Vitosha Boulevard – the main commercial street in the center of Sofia, full of stores, restaurants, and bars. Stop for a break and sit on a bench in front of the largest, multifunctional conference and exhibition center in south-eastern Europe – the National Palace of Culture. Do you want a short break in nature? Go to Vitosha mountain and walk to the most familiar points -the peak Cherni Vrah, Zlatnite Mostove, and Kopitoto.

Explore the rest of Bulgaria 

After you’re done exploring Sofia, continue your trip towards the cities in the rest of Bulgaria. Get the most out of the beaches in Eastern Bulgaria and indulge in a few days relaxing and swimming in the sea. If you prefer historical places, don’t miss some of the finest examples of ancient cities – Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo. Fancy seafood? Try the most delicious dishes in the fishing villages of eastern Bulgaria – Nesebar, Sozopol, while enjoying the beautiful sea views. What about a drink and a little party at night? The party center of Bulgaria – Sunny Beach – is here for you. 

Here are some of our favorite places in Bulgaria that we recommend you to visit:

Plovdiv – Europe’s 2019 Capital of Culture. Go for a walk in the old town famous for its National Revival era houses. Then, visit the Ethnographic Museum and the famous Roman Amphitheatre of Philipoppol, which is still used for concerts and theatrical performances. 

Discover the medieval Veliko Tarnovo and the impressive Tsarevets Fortress, formerly the city citadel. Walk up to this fort, home to the tsars, dozen churches, and the royal palace. If you have a chance, admire the Sound and light show, presenting the history of Bulgaria (usually on national holidays).

Rila Monastery – Explore the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in a lovely mountain valley. It is an important religious and cultural center for Bulgarians, founded in the 10th century, and preserved Bulgarian culture during the time. It is one of the most visited sites in Bulgaria, not only by the Bulgarians but also by foreigners.

Another favorite part of the country is our east coast. The Balkan Mountains cross the country, reaching the Black Sea at Cape Emine. The Bulgarian Black Sea Coast covers the eastern border of Bulgaria (378 km). The region is an important tourism center during the summer season. The two biggest and main cities on the Black Sea Coast are Varna and Burgas. Some parts of the northern Black Sea Coast are with rocky hills and cliffs up to 70 meters. But in the south part, you will find wide sandy beaches. 

The UNESCO-Listed Nessebar is a town worth to be explored. Most of the remains here are from the Hellenistic period. You can see these of the Temple of Apollo, Acropolis, and the old city walls. There are also ruins of a Byzantine fortress and colorful 19th-century wooden houses. 

And near here is the party center of Bulgaria – Sunny beach. If you are looking for a modern atmosphere, luxury hotels, and entertainment venues, this is your area. Sunny beach is mostly popular among couples and groups of travelers looking for entertainment, good food, and nightlife as a vital part of their holiday. A lively hotspot!

Less famous places in Bulgaria you would love  

Being a diverse country, people come to Bulgaria for a variety of reasons. So, apart from visiting the usual places like Sofia or Plovdiv, check out our list of unusual places to visit in Bulgaria. So, you can have a chance upon seeing some breathtaking views, impressive natural attractions and historical sites. 

For example:

The Belogradchik Rocks are a natural wonder near the town of Belogradchik in northwest Bulgaria. The rocks vary in color and reach up to 200 meters in height around the town’s ancient fortress. While you’re in Belogradchik, take a trip to Magura Cave, and you can see preserved rock paintings dating back to prehistoric times.

Koprivshtitsa isn’t a trendy place among tourists, especially foreign ones, but it is worth visiting. The town, located in the Sredna Gora mountain, was founded in the 14th century. It gained importance later as one of the centers of the uprising against the Ottoman Empire (April 1876). Koprivshtitsa is known for its beautiful 19th century Bulgarian Revival Architecture, and it is a lovely place for a walk.

Balchik is a small beach town on the Black Sea coast and a popular resort located in the country’s north-eastern part, around 40 km away from Varna. Balchik is a tiny Bulgarian town, but it has plenty of things to do. One of the most visited places is Balchik Palace, built in 1926 to accommodate Queen Marie of Romania. There is a beautiful Botanical Garden right next to the palace.

Melnik is Bulgaria’s smallest town (177 people – 2019), known for its beautiful historical houses, Bulgaria’s number one wine, and unique rock formations (Melnik pyramids created by erosion). If you are a red wine lover, there are several wine cellars where you can go and taste the fantastic Melnik wine. Check here some interesting offers for a wine tour.

Festivals and celebrations

Bulgaria is a country full of feasts and events during the year. Therefore, planning a trip around certain celebrations and festivals could be a great experience. So, let’s choose a suitable event for you.

At the beginning of the year, visit the famous festival in Pernik – Surva – the International Festival of the Masquerade Games. People from the whole country and foreigners dress up as monsters with scary masks and participate in ritual games to banish the evils out of the town.

In June, you can visit the fascinating ritual of firewalking in the village of Bulgari, Burgas – Nestinarstvo. Since 2009, the tradition has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage legacy of non-material culture.

Do you love flowers? The Rose Festival is something for you and one of Bulgaria’s symbols, with the first edition in 1903. Every year, during the time of the rose harvest in June, thousands of visitors go to the town of Kazanlak to witness this spectacular event.

Are you a Jazz Fan? International Jazz Festival Bansko will provide you some fantastic music nights in August. It is one of the most significant musical events in Bulgaria.

Christmas in Bulgaria? Yes, we are not famous with the Christmas markets. But you can have a great vacation in December in our mountain resorts and experience Christmas and New Year’s Eve customs and traditions. Read more about the celebration in our article about Christmas in Bulgaria.

Explore the underwater world 

Do you know that Bulgaria is an incredible diving spot? Known for its diverse and rich underwater marine life, Bulgaria is a great place to learn scuba diving. Get PADI certified as you go diving. If you are an underwater enthusiast and want to experience some of Bulgaria’s best scuba diving sites, take day trips around. The best time to do that is from March to October. 

You can see hundreds of stone trunks between the northern part of Sozopol and St. Ivan Island – the underwater Stone Forest, at a depth between 18-20 meters. You can also explore some of the sunken ships nearby Sozopol: French Cargo Steamship “Jacques Fresine,” the Bulgarian Ship “Rodina,” the American Ship “Mopang,” Turkish one “Safak,” the Romanian “Peles.” Around 40km north of Varna, you can find one of the exciting diving points – the ancient Roman port city submerged in 12m of water. At Varna Bay is another exciting diving point – the wreck of the WWII German Black Sea Fleet. You can dive around 100 ships and boats along with Russian submarines. 

Go hiking and camping in Bulgaria 

Are you an adventurous person? Go hiking in Bulgaria. The Seven Rila Lakes (part of the Rila National Park) offer breathtaking views. They lie in the north-western part of the Rila Mountains in Bulgaria. Each glacial lake is named after its shape or unique element – The Eye, The Tear, The Lower Lake, The Kidney, The Fish Lake, The Twin, and The Trefoil. Hike to the mountain ridge to enjoy panoramic views of all seven lakes.

Malyovitsa is one of the most symbolic peaks in the Rila Mountains and a great hiking location. When you start hiking, you will see the majestic peak in front of you. In addition, there are some terraces with vast panoramas where you can take a break and admire nature’s beauty.

Vihren Peak is another trail near Bansko (Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria), used for hiking and bird watching.

Bezbog is one of our favorite locations. It is a 12.9 km trail near Bansko (Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria), used for hiking and nature trips. Head to Pirin Mountain and its Bezbog Peak and Bezbog Lake if you search for breathtaking views. The whole area around is awesome, isn’t it?

Find the best beaches in Bulgaria

Our small country offers many beaches with crystal waters worth visiting. Which one will you head to first?

You should have heard about Sunny beach, the summer party center of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Every year many European tourists visit this famous resort full of luxury hotels and attractions. There are various nightclubs for wild party nights, and during the day you can choose between beach bars and all kinds of water sports. 

Located close to Sozopol, Smokinya and Gradina beach are favorite summer spots for young people, families, and camping lovers with their calm and shallow water and beach bars. 

Near the small town of Kavarna, you will find Bolata – a beautiful beach on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Together with Bolata Bay, the beach is part of a nature reserve. 

Irakli is another popular wild camping spot on the Bulgarian coast, where you can find a long sandy beach with a thick forest around. 

Silistar is a stunning beach in the south of Bulgaria, covered in golden sand and with calm, warm water. 

Oh, so many beaches but so short summer.

SPA resorts in Bulgaria

One of the most beautiful countries in Eastern Europe, Bulgaria, also has some of the best spa resorts on the continent. Combine your trip to the country with some spa procedures and indulge yourself for a couple of days. Find more information on why my country Bulgaria is a top choice for a spa holiday and where to find the best spa resorts in Bulgaria.

Tours around Bulgaria

If traveling by yourself isn’t your thing, check out the variety of tours offered across Bulgaria with each trip’s details and dates. You will definitely find something for you.

What to eat in Bulgaria – traditional Bulgarian dishes

Eating in Bulgaria is a rich experience inspired by local produce and has similarities in flavor to neighboring countries. With traditional recipes passed on through the generations, the local Bulgarian food is something you need to try.

If you prefer beef and pork, you can find them in the most famous Bulgarian recipes. But, of course, vegans and vegetarians won’t stay hungry, too. And not to forget – the Bulgarians know how to prepare tasty pastries and sweets. Yummy!

So, here are the most popular Bulgarian dishes that you should try.

Let’s begin with the famous piece of fatty pastry that you can find in bakeries all over the country – banitsa. There are varieties with a filling of feta cheese, onions, cabbage, spinach, mushrooms, apples, or pumpkin.

If you want to eat it as locals, combine it with boza (the thick fermented wheat drink) or airyan (whipped yogurt).

Bulgaria’s internationally known Shopska salad is a simple salad of diced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and peppers, with grated white cheese and parsley on top. Shopska salad with a glass of rakia is the perfect start to a Bulgarian dinner.

This dish is popular in many variations throughout the Balkan region. Do you know it? Yes, this is the Musaka. The Bulgarian version includes potatoes, eggs, vegetables, and minced pork meat. It is traditionally covered with thick Bulgarian yogurt on top.

Shkembe chorba is a tripe soup, rich spiced and mainly consumed by men. You have to add vinegar, oil, salt, and crude pepper to taste. It is famous as a hangover remedy, often consumed by companies after a party night.

Kiselo mlyako is a kind of yogurt, thick, with a sour taste, and usually served alongside classic Bulgarian dishes, desserts, or in the form of airyan.

Our wines are also something you should taste. So choose the right taste for you and enjoy the evening with a glass of good wine. If you are interested in our local wine production, find out more about it in our post regarding the Bulgarian wines and wineries.

And not to forget our famous drink – rakia. We use grapes, plums, berries, and more to make this fruity drink. At stores, you can find it with an alcohol volume percentage of around 40%. Homemade even more. During the winter, try it “cooked” – heated and sweetened with honey or sugar, with added spices like black pepper. I love it with grilled Slanina (grilled pork fat bacon) and fresh bread! Tastyyy!

Recommended food tours 

If you’re a big foodie like us, we recommend going on a food or wine tour during your trip. The local insight of the guides is fantastic, giving you a better understanding of Bulgarian cuisine.

Places to stay in Bulgaria

The accommodation options in Bulgaria are numerous and varied. There are plenty of hotels of varying categories, farmhouses, villas, self-catering apartments, or guesthouses. During the summer high season in Bulgaria, from June to September, and in winter in the ski resorts, accommodation prices can be significantly higher. Book in advance because the tourists quickly snap up the better accommodation options, and prices increase as a result. Hotels are the most popular choice. Prices vary depending on the time of booking and location.

Movies to watch (filmed in Bulgaria)

As well as being famous for its beaches and winter sports, Bulgaria is also a popular film location and a perfect backdrop for many films.

Do you like these movies? 

Some scenes in the Greek historical movies from 2006 and 2014 – “300” and “300: Rise of an Empire” – were filmed in Bulgaria. 

“The Expendables” led big stars like Sylvester Stallone to Bulgaria.

“Conan the Barbarian“, from 2011 with the star Jason Momoa, was shot in and around Sofia.

“Hitman” – in 2007, the 25-million-dollar Hollywood production, was shot in the capital of Bulgaria. This movie led to Bulgaria the famous French film director, screenwriter, and producer Luc Besson.

If you haven’t been to Bulgaria yet, don’t wait anymore. You will definitely love our country! Come and see it!
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