Meet Bulgaria
The unique guide
Exploration of the Black Sea
Bulgaria shares the Black Sea coastline picturesque, spanning over 354 kilometres. The long stretches of the softest and most golden sand characterize the popular coastline, attracting sunbathers and swimmers, as well as water-sports lovers. Relaxation or adrenaline, Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast has it all! The region is home to many natural wonders worth discovering such as amazing sea caves accessible by boat, and the Stone Forest, a natural phenomenon of rock formations that look so similar to trees, an insane experience worth checking out!
Mouthwatering, unique cuisine
The hearty, flavourful dishes of Bulgaria are just waiting to be indulged in! With fresh ingredients and traditional cooking methods, Bulgarian cuisine has stood the test of time, offering unique and delicious dishes that will have your mouth watering! With influences from its neighbours of Greece, Turkey, and Serbia, the blend of these delicious cuisines will leave you in awe and if you’ve never indulged in it, it will have you wishing you had tried Bulgarian cuisine sooner! The national dish of Bulgaria is the Shopska salad, well known for its simple execution: diced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and peppers with grated cheese and parsley. For food to be insanely delicious, it doesn’t need to be over-complicated, and this national dish proves that! Another popular dish is kavarma, a hearty stew made with pork or chicken, peppers, onions, and tomatoes. Served alongside rice or potatoes, this traditional favourite will be devoured in seconds once you get your first bite! Make sure to take a shot of Rakia alongside your meal! The spirits produced from different fruits, typically plums and grapes, are common throughout the Balkans, and the authentic production methods create a distinctive blend of flavours.
Vibrant cities, a blend of history and modernity
Bulgaria’s cities are a clear representation of the bridge between the rich historical identity of the country, alongside the modern urban landscape that is ever-changing. Sharp contrasts can be seen in the biggest cities, such as Sofia. Ancient ruins, museums and art galleries showing the rich past of the country stand out against the lively nightlife, consisting of trendy bars and modern clubs. The blend between the times feels effortless and exciting! Bulgaria’s second-largest city, Plovdiv has a similar contrast. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to protected Roman ruins, medieval buildings and Ottoman-era architecture, yet modern art galleries and a vibrant art scene hosting festivals and events year-round create a contemporary environment.
Wander and wonder
Ready-made itineraries for your Bulgarian adventure
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Read up on the best Bulgaria has to offer
Meet Bulgaria
Bulgaria is a country with people that celebrate their heritage with immense pride. Traditions are valued, such as the Traditional Kukeri Festival, a festival where citizens dress up as scary Kukeri monsters and try to scare away any real monsters, a centuries-old tradition that has become an intriguing event in Bulgarian society, and the wide range of beautiful, handmade arts and crafts such as pottery and embroidery amongst many other unique trades.
With their rich traditions and pride for them, Bulgarians are extremely welcoming to visitors in the country, excited to showcase their country and their unique traditions and landscape. If you’re lucky, you may be invited by a Bulgarian to try their national drink rakia. Rakia is a fruity liquor served as an apértif, and it is a common social activity in Bulgaria to sit, sip on the drink, perhaps alongside some pickled vegetables! While it may just seem like an alcoholic drink to some, rakia has become a significant representation of Bulgarian hospitality and friendship, often families sharing their own homemade rakia.
It doesn’t come as a surprise that Bulgaria is rich in historical and cultural gems. In fact, Bulgaria is blessed with 10 UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites, 7 of which are cultural, and the other 3 natural. Amongst 11 national parks and 10 UNESCO sites, visitors can pick their choice of historical city breaks, quaint, authentic villages, and dramatic natural landscapes, exploring the most pristine of nature.
The four major geographical regions of Bulgaria are:
Danubian Plain
The Balkan Mountains
The Transitional Region
The Rilo-Rhodope Region
The administrative regions of Bulgaria are divided into 27, and each region with its own cultural traditions and variations.
Blagoevgrad
Burgas
Dobrich
Gabrovo
Haskovo
Kardzhali
Kyustendil
Lovech
Montana
Pazardzhik
Pernik
Pleven
Plovdiv
Razgrad
Ruse
Shumen
Silistra
Sliven
Smolyan
Sofia City
Sofia (province)
Stara Zagora
Targovishte
Varna
Veliko Tarnovo
Vratsa
Yambol
An immense geographical landscape
Bulgaria is a country blessed with an extremely diverse geographical landscape that is without a doubt one of the most captivating parts of the Balkan country. For anyone looking for an escape into nature, the country is filled with natural wonders to explore including mountains, lakes, rivers, and coastlines.
When you think of Bulgaria, it is highly unlikely that your first thought goes to skiing. Well, think again! There are a lot of ski resorts that are great for all levels of skiers, at the foot of the country's mountains, you’ll find various resorts that make for a unique skiing experience! The mountains aren’t just for skiing though. There are plenty of adventurous activities through the many mountain ranges of Bulgaria such as hiking, mountain biking, and climbing. Culture meets nature in the Bulgarian mountain ranges, with many outstanding monasteries being built along and in the mountain ranges like Rila Monastery, a stunning example of an Eastern Orthodox monastery with the Rila mountain range as its backdrop. Speaking of Rila, the Seven Rila Lakes are a natural marvel, clear-waters encompassed by dramatic mountains. The stunning lakes are out of this world and don’t get nearly enough international recognition!
The Danube River runs through Bulgaria, and has created incredible geography that is a gem to explore, especially due to the fact that it is one of the least explored regions in the whole country. The Danube Islands are a unique way to explore the region in Bulgaria. The nature is so wild that there aren’t even regular boat services visiting the island; instead, kayaks may be rented to explore these islands. The islands also come with a backstory, with Belene Island working as a concentration camp during the communist times. Besides some turbulent history involved, many of the islands are just beautiful with sandy beaches, tranquillity, and natural reserves protecting the wildlife.
Cultural Catch-Up
Bulgaria’s cultural makeup is a vibrant combination of different cultures, having been at the crossroads of civilizations. Nowadays, Bulgaria is home to unique traditions and customs as a result. Most notably, the Bulgarian language is a symbol of national identity. Bulgaria is the only country in the European Union that uses the Cyrillic script, and the language has become an important part of the country’s culture, shaping the lyrics of traditional Bulgarian music, and inspiring literature and poetry from greats like Ivan Vazov and Hristo Botev.
Bulgaria’s religious heritage is extremely significant regarding the cultural makeup. The majority of Bulgarians identify as Eastern Orthodox Christians, and monasteries, churches, cathedrals, amongst other religious symbols showcase the exquisite loyalty Bulgarians have to their religion, architecting and creating ornate art and features to exemplify their profound dedication for the church.
With influences from its neighbouring Balkan countries, especially Serbia, Slavic cultures, Greece, and Turkey, the Bulgarian landscape has absorbed countless of different influences and traditions, all while preserving their own unique heritage.
When to go
Bulgaria is great to visit year round. During summertime, visit the coastline to ensure the best weather for the beach. During the colder months, visit cities to avoid the summer crowds and explore the rich history.
Essentials
Languages 101
Bulgarian is a Slavic language that uses the Cyrllic script, which can be challenging to foreigners who aren’t familiar with this alphabet. The language has a rich literary history, spoken by 9 million people worldwide. The unique language doesn’t have a ton of speakers compared to a lot of other languages, but it has greatly contributed to the Slavic linguistic heritage throughout time.
Less than a quarter of the population of Bulgaria speaks English, so you may run into some times when you need to communicate with a non-English speaker. In that case, here are some important phrases to help you get by in Bulgaria.
Transport
Getting There
There are several airports in Bulgaria that have incoming flights from Continental Europe, like Sofia Airport, the biggest of the 4, Burgas Airport, Varna Airport, and Plovdiv International Airport. Most International flights are to Sofia.
There are usually trains from Greece, Romania, Serbia, and Turkey that arrive in Sofia, making it an easy destination to connect to by train from other countries.
Getting to Bulgaria via bus is an affordable option.
Getting Around
In Bulgaria people drive on the right side of the road and overtake on the left. In order to drive in Bulgaria, visitors must be 18 years old with a valid driver’s licence. If renting a car, rental car companies in Bulgaria require the renters to be a minimum age of 21. Renting a car is an efficient and effective way to explore the country.
Bulgarian cities are well connected by public transportation, with buses running frequently within cities and between other Bulgarian cities and towns. They are a cheap, easy and affordable way to get around and between Bulgarian cities.
Going on foot is the easiest way to get around cities, as they’re all very walkable. Use our map to find out what’s near you, or combine it with the bus or metro for an easy, hassle-free day out.
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