Bulgaria is located in Southeast Europe, in the northeast part of the Balkan Peninsula. Soul-stirring mountains rival golden beaches, while cities hum with nightlife and art. Within Bulgaria’s beguiling blend of nature and history, unforgettable adventures are guaranteed.
Bordered on the east by the Black Sea, Bulgaria has some incredible coastal beaches. From marine towns to quaint villages, the Bulgarian seaside is truly worth a visit. Ideally, for longer than a couple of days so you can fully take in the atmosphere.
The Black Sea coastline
Without a doubt, there are multiple party spots on the Black Sea coast, like Sunny Beach. However, you can also enjoy the luxury Bulgaria beach resorts that make for a pleasant family vacation. On the other hand, if you are looking to connect with nature and enjoy the wilderness, you have plenty of options with camp sites across the whole coast.
Breathtaking mountains and forest trails
It’s practically impossible to visit Bulgaria without catching a glimpse of some of the awe-inspiring landscapes. To say the least, they are hard to miss. As soon as you arrive at the capital city of Sofia, the wide view of Vitosha mountain expands above the city.
There are five main mountains in the country, if we don’t count the smaller ones. In fact, mountains take up 30% of Bulgaria’s total territory. The biggest mountains in Bulgaria are Rila, Pirin, the Rhodopes, Stara Planina, and Vitosha, which extends above the capital of Sofia. Hundreds of trails will lead you through serene meadows, lush greenery and towering, breath-taking peaks.
Clear lakes and flowing rivers
If you want really want to have the full experience of Bulgarian nature, you can’t go without seeing one of the picturesque lakes, rivers, or waterfalls in the country.
Some of these natural riches you will find in the mountainside, while others are more accessible and don’t require much walking. If you’re fine with a bit of forest hiking, you can try a moderate hike close to Sofia, which will lead you to the gorgeous Boyana Waterfall. In the case that you are spending multiple days in Bulgaria and want to venture out, the seven pristine lakes in the Rila National Park are certainly a must-see sight.
Another option to take in the rivers of Bulgaria is on a boat cruise along the banks of Bulgaria’s rivers. You can choose from the border-crossing Danube river, or the coastal rivers of Ropotamo, Kamchia, or Veleka.
Cultural festivities and village fairs
Bulgarian tradition and history are very much alive in local cultural festivals. Organized by the local communities, local fairs and festivals are each region’s way to preserve the distinct customs, cuisine, and traits that originate from that part of the country. Many of these festivals involve Bulgarian folk music, our traditional horo dance, and a solid amount of eating. You can expect to find food at most Bulgarian culture festivals. However, some of them are specifically dedicated to a local crop. Try the best cherries from Kuystendil, or sample the best plum rakia in Troyan at one of these local food gatherings.
By far, the most popular of the festivals is the rose festival in Kazanlak and the Surva festival, a folklore festival in Pernik. At the rose festival, you can trace back an olden tradition of rose-picking in the valleys of Bulgaria. Witness dozens of flower petals go through the process of becoming a highly sought-after essential oil. On the other hand, the Surva festival is a unique cultural experience you cannot miss. This folk tradition dating back to Pagan times includes animal costumes, heavy cowbells and folk dancing to ward off evil spirits.
UNESCO heritage sites & landscapes
The heritage sites in Bulgaria take multiple spots in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization‘s extensive list. This collection of noteworthy world heritage sites has recognized a number of both cultural and natural properties across Bulgaria.
Among this list are the coastal old town of Nessebar, the cliffsidechurch complex in Ivanovo dating back to the 12th century, and the rich biodiverse habitat of the Srebarna nature reserve.
Each UNESCO site in Bulgaria holds significance for our country. Whether it’s with the centuries-old history, or with impressive flora and fauna, each of these globally-recognized locations are seeing for yourself.
Bulgarian barbecue, or skara
One thing you’ll quickly notice about Bulgarians – we love our meat! Barbecue stands are scattered throughout the city, grilling skewers, steaks, and meatballs. We have a word for this grilling passion – skara.
Some of the most popular Bulgarian barbecue items include kiufte, a minced pork meatball with spices and kebapche, and а sausage version of the meatballs, but with less spices. You can find many other grilled meats on the menu, as well. In order to do skara the right way, (there is no wrong way, really) combine your protein with a serving of french fries and a heaping spoonful of Bulgarian liutenitsa.
Bulgarian skara is a cheap, quick and filling bite to grab while you are on the go. Of course, you can enjoy these Balkan flavors in most restaurants, while some even specialize in grilling. Some spots we recommend are Q-ftetaria and BDS (Bulgarian delicacies on skara) in Sofia.
Traditional Bulgarian breakfast
While you can catch Bulgarians eating banitsa at any given moment of the day, the most ideal time to enjoy this savory pastry is in the morning. Combine it with the yogurt drink, ayran for the ultimate Bulgarian breakfast. You’ll notice that a lot of our breakfast foods include kiselo mlyako, (traditional Bulgarian yogurt) The best part is that in case you get bored of banitsa, (as if that’s possible) there are so many other doughy pastries at every neighborhood bakery.
It’s worth saying that not all Bulgarian breakfast is bread. If dough or gluten is not in your diet, you can still start your day with a good meal. You can try a dinner favorite for breakfast – Panagyurski poached eggs with a garlic yogurt sauce. For a healthy Bulgarian breakfast, you can pair any seasonal fruit from a local market with our beloved yogurt for a homemade parfait.
Rich religious history and architecture
Along the topic of Bulgarian history and significance, we cannot fail to mention the deeply rooted religious history that can be found here.
Scattered across the country are many early churches, monasteries and temples. Some of these religious sites date back to the 4th century, like the St. George Rotunda, which is located in downtown Sofia and is the oldest church in Bulgaria.
We recommend you check out the picturesque Rila monastery, which is the biggest in the country, as well as the Troyan monastery. There are also smaller monasteries that are worth a visit, like the Cherepish monastery near Vratsa, and Draynovo monastery close to Veliko Tarnovo.
Eventful winters with snowsports and traditions
Winter in Bulgaria has its positives, despite the cold weather. Actually, winter tourism is really popular here.
Both newbie and professional snowsport lovers are drawn to the Bulgarian slopes. Affordable fares, open pistes, and lively après-ski culture make the Bulgarian ski resorts prime winter destinations. Some of the most popular ski resorts are Borovets, Pamporovo, and Bansko. Other options like Bezbog and Osogovo are less-touristy and more lowkey spots.