22 Prime Issues To Do In Bulgaria For Each Form Of Traveler

Bulgaria, as a vacation vacation spot, is an actual hidden gem. Here’s a listing of the perfect issues to do in Bulgaria appropriate for everybody!

Skip Forward To My Recommendation Right here!

What To Sightsee & Issues To Do In Bulgaria

The Republic of Bulgaria lies in South Jap Europe and shares borders with Romania, Serbia, Greece, Turkey, and North Macedonia.

It’s the sixteenth largest European nation and covers an space of 110,994 sq. km. The nation has seen a number of rulers and regimes over the centuries and was additionally a part of the Roman Empire and beneath Ottoman rule at totally different occasions in historical past.

Bulgaria boasts ample pure geography and wildlife range and can also be house to over 150 endangered vegetation. Unspoiled seashores and plush nature, historic monasteries and exquisite church buildings, magnificent palaces, and stoic historic monuments add the appeal of visiting Bulgaria – and proper now, Bulgaria tourism remains to be considerably unknown, so now could be the time to discover it.

The capital metropolis, Sofia, attracts theatre fanatics to the Ivan Vazov Nationwide Theatre as a lot because it attracts vacationers in Bulgaria to see the Aleksander Nevski Crypt, Daralevtsi Monastery, and different websites.

Whether or not you go to historic cobblestoned cities like Plovdiv or trendy cities like Sofia, Bulgaria will ship you away with a bucketful of reminiscences prefer it did for us.

It’s unimaginable to flee magnificence whenever you go to Bulgaria. You’re both going to be having fun with the shoreline of the Black Sea or the majestic mountainous inside.

In both case, the crisp, recent air will seemingly revitalize your total being. Whereas these are apparent positives, what you’ll be able to expertise in Bulgaria goes a lot deeper.

Influences embody Greek, Slavic, Persian, and from the Ottoman Empire. While you combine these totally different cultures, the result’s a few of essentially the most fascinating dance, music, arts, and artifacts discovered wherever on the earth. As an example, Bulgaria is named a cultural melting pot.

Curiously, you don’t hear many individuals saying that Bulgaria is on the prime of their trip listing—or on their trip listing in any respect—however nearly everybody who visits Bulgaria comes again saying it was one in every of their prime journey experiences. Take into account this nation of roughly 7 million folks a hidden gem – and it’s a budget-friendly vacation spot as well!

By this level, it ought to already be evident that visiting Bulgaria could be sensible. Deciding what to do in Bulgaria will be tough – there may be simply a lot on supply. There’s something for everybody. It’s effectively fitted to households, solo, adventurers, and {couples}.

So, let’s kick off the listing of the perfect locations to go in lovely Bulgaria!

You’re going to seek out many intriguing choices. This might result in a sophisticated decision-making course of, however don’t fret; you’ll be able to’t go unsuitable regardless of which choice you select.

1. Discover The Historic Metropolis Of Nessebar

Nessebar is an historic and quaint metropolis with cobblestone streets, eating places overlooking the ocean, native bars, small parks, historic structure, archaeological stays, heat folks, and church buildings from the 4th century to the 18th century.

The easiest way to see Nessebar is to take a day journey; I like to recommend you allocate half a day for exploration. Along with the Bulgaria sights above, you’ll be able to seize a espresso, beer, or ice cream and go for a scenic stroll alongside the harbor or on the pier.

If you happen to select to dine in one of many eating places, it needs to be famous that seafood is the specialty right here. Nonetheless, only a few complain about Bulgarian delicacies right here (attempt a shopska salad), whether or not it’s seafood or not.

2. Go to The Rila Monastery

The Rila Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Website with a mountain backdrop. Many guests say that is the cleanest air you’ll ever breathe in your life. That truth alone ought to make this an alluring choice.

When visiting the Rila Monastery, you’ll be able to take a guided tour and be taught in regards to the area’s historical past. The very best issues to see are the galleries, the outdated kitchen, the gathering of weapons, and artwork from totally different eras. It’s also possible to see it alone and lose your self in its magnificence.

3. Admire The St. Aleksander Nevsky Cathedral In Sofia

This can be a distinctive location since you’re not allowed to take footage. This church sits on the coronary heart of Bulgaria and is famend for its breathtaking inside. Sadly, you aren’t allowed to take footage there.

Seeing the place in an image will not be even near seeing it with your personal eyes. Do you have to go to, the percentages are that you just would possibly hear the choir singing.

4. Go Scuba Diving

Bulgaria is without doubt one of the greatest nations for outside fanatics with its range of mountains, forests, and sumptuous Black Sea seashores. These outside adventures aren’t restricted to land, although. There’s a lot to see and do in Bulgaria on the water, too.

The nation will shock divers with its range of dive websites. Bulgaria’s Black Sea dive websites are wonderful, whether or not it’s underwater caves, sunken World Conflict II battleships, underwater forests, or all kinds of marine life, together with sea turtles, dolphins, whales, and extra.

5. See The Shumen Monument

Not the obvious addition to this what to see in Bulgaria listing, that’s for positive. The Founders of the Bulgarian State Monument, also known as the Shumen Monument, the Monument to 1,300 Years of Bulgaria, is a big monument positioned on a plateau above Shumen’s city. It was constructed in 1981 to rejoice and commemorate the First Bulgarian Empire’s 1,three hundredth anniversary.

Additionally referred to as the Founders of Bulgarian State Monument, it towers above the encompassing panorama, dominating it with its typical cubist and bombastic Communist design. Not like different former Communist monuments in Bulgaria, such because the Buzludzha Monument (see beneath), this one has been maintained after the autumn of Communism.

Now, it’s one of many prime issues to see in Bulgaria, a well-liked place for photoshoots.

6. Stroll Via The Previous City Of Plovdiv

Chosen as the European Capital of Tradition for 2019, Plovdiv Previous City has a lot to supply. You would possibly end up strolling over cobblestone streets and ducking into vintage retailers and museums. Additionally, you will discover an Ottoman mosque and Roman ruins, similar to an amphitheater. There are a lot of prime Bulgaria landmarks at house in Plovdiv.

Permit 2-3 days to take pleasure in this breathtaking city; think about staying at one in every of these unbelievable lodging in Plovdiv to offer your self extra time to discover.

7. Admire Tsarevets Fortress

In the course of the two centuries when Veliko Tarnovo was the Second Bulgarian Empire’s capital, Tsarevets Fortress was the most necessary of Bulgaria’s castles. Perched atop Tsarevets Hill, this superb stronghold is extremely preserved. It’s with out query one of many absolute prime issues to see in Veliko Tarnovo and a significant vacationer attraction in Bulgaria. That is your must-see attraction in the event you solely have a day in Veliko Tarnovo.

Tsarevets Fortress is house to fortified partitions, the medieval palace of the Bulgarian kings, and the patriarchal advanced with its library, monks” cells, scriptorium, and Patriarchal Cathedral St. Ascension, the “mom of all Bulgarian church buildings.”

Moreover, this huge fortress additionally comprised greater than 400 residential homes, about 20 church buildings, and 4 monasteries.

We determined to go to the Tsarevets Fortress at 9 a.m. one Sunday morning and have been the one folks on website for at the very least 45 minutes. Actual magic.

The stroll as much as the church will not be simple for anybody with very small youngsters or the aged. You actually must be in your greatest journey footwear and take a bottle of water with you.

8. Go For An Out of doors Journey At Vitosha Mountain (Nationwide Park)

Vitosha Mountain is the third-highest peak in Bulgaria at 7,513 toes, a nationwide park providing snowboarding and mountain climbing. If you happen to go for the previous and usually are not skilled, don’t fear; you’ll be able to reap the benefits of the ski faculty for classes.

Waterfall

For these mountain climbing through the hotter climate, don’t overlook to cease on the waterfall.

9. Attend A Bulgarian Competition

A rustic with a centuries-old historical past and historic traditions and customs, Bulgaria can undoubtedly be referred to as a “competition vacation spot.” Bulgarians are very happy with their heritage and by no means move up an opportunity to rejoice and showcase that.

From dancing barefoot on smoldering embers to chasing evil spirits away to conventional dancing, folklore parades, food-focused occasions, and even a bagpipe competition, attending a typical Bulgarian competition is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Bulgaria. Bulgarian tourism for celebrations is usually centered round the “Rose Competition” like this. 

10. Spend Some Time In Burgas

Burgas (or Bourgas) is the second-largest Bulgarian metropolis alongside the Black Sea and fourth in your entire nation. As it’s primarily used as a transit level for non-diving vacationers for smaller resort cities north and south of it alongside the coast, Burgas has turn into a kind of sanctuary for the diving scene in Bulgaria. Right here, you discover greater than sufficient gadgets so as to add to your “what to do in Bulgaria” listing.  

In it, you’ll discover lengthy stretches of primarily empty seashores, lovely and well-maintained seafront parks, and really inexpensive lodging choices for the budget-conscious traveler. It’s a excellent place for an prolonged diving vacation.

There are additionally 4 lakes outdoors the town, which fowl fanatics flock to. Moreover, Burgas can also be an incredible base from which to go to different Bulgaria vacationer sights like Sozopol and Nessebar.

11. Go to A Cave Or Two

Though there are at present greater than 4,500 recognized caves within the nation, only some caves in Bulgaria are open and accessible to vacationers. A few fifth of Bulgaria’s floor space consists of karst, rock formations which can be simply dissolved and formed by water.

Because of this this Balkan nation has such big subterranean halls, passageways, and tunnels.

The overwhelming majority of Bulgarian caves are the unique playground of skilled speleologists and rock climbers. Nonetheless, these which can be managed and will be visited embody a number of the prime pure sights in Bulgaria.

A few of Bulgaria’s most lovely caves, which you’ll really go to, are the next:

• Magura Cave
• Bacho Kiro Cave
• Ledenika Cave
• Prohodna Cave
• Devetashka Cave

12. Uncover Sozopol Previous City

As soon as once more, you’ll be strolling on cobblestone streets, which provides you a sense of being transported again to a a lot easier time. On this case, you’ll discover high quality Bulgarian meals at harbor-side eating places, picket homes, cafes, and heat and pleasant folks.

This data would possibly sound simplistic, however the great thing about Sozopol Previous City lies in simplicity. Don’t miss it!

13. Damascena Ethnographic Complicated, Rose Valley

If you end up in Bulgaria in June, head to the Rose Valley. Positioned in Central Bulgaria, the township of Kazanlak is blossoming with roses and holds a competition in celebration at harvest time.

Regardless that the rose competition and harvest are price attending, Rose Valley is undoubtedly a spot to go to at different occasions of the 12 months, the place you’ll be able to wander by means of the Damascena Ethnographic Complicated – the primary non-public rose oil distillery. Right here, you’ll be able to expertise the rose distillation course of and the candy scent of delicate Damascena roses. Get pleasure from studying extra in regards to the manufacturing of pure natural rose important oil (also called the “liquid gold” of Bulgaria), wander by means of the museum, admire the frescoes, and cease by the reward store to purchase your self a present to take house.

Driving from Sofia to Kazanlak is approx. 2 ½ hours, and the Damascena Ethnographic advanced of Kazanlak is only a brief drive from the outer areas of the city heart.

14. Go to The Buzludzha Monument

Located atop Buzludzha Peak within the Bulgarian Central Balkan Mountains, the Buzludzha Monument sits at a traditionally vital website. This was the place massively outnumbered Bulgarian rebels misplaced towards a drive of Ottoman troopers in 1868, which triggered the Liberation of Bulgaria a few decade later.

Later, this was the placement of the Bulgarian Social Democratic Employees Celebration’s first gathering (the get together later grew to become the Bulgarian Communist Celebration). Moreover, it’s additionally the place Bulgarian fascists and Communist partisans met in battle through the Second World Conflict.

The Buzludzha Monument opened in 1981, a citizen-funded construction commemorating the Bulgarian socialist motion. For the reason that democratizing of Bulgaria, nevertheless, it’s now been deserted for many years. So, it’s simple to see why a spot loaded with such heavy Bulgarian historical past was chosen as the location for a nationwide monument afterward.

Nonetheless, it’s one of the crucial fascinating locations to go to in Bulgaria, usually considered one of many world’s most unbelievable deserted buildings.

15. Palace And Botanical Gardens Of Balchik

Balchik is a city on the Black Sea Sea Coast. Inside that city is what many guests describe as one of the crucial lovely locations to see in Europe: the Palace and Botanical Gardens of Balchik.

Along with fantastically manicured gardens, you’ll discover a palace, a waterfall, and an impressive sea view. That is the right technique to finish a day in Balchik after seeing the marina and seashore. You must also think about shopping the little retailers promoting native gadgets proper outdoors of the botanical gardens. You need to have greater than some footage as a reminder of the great thing about this city.

16. Go For A Informal Stroll In The Varna Sea Backyard

It’s usually stated that simplicity is bliss. Nothing generally is a higher instance than Sea Backyard. This massive, lovely, clear park has flower gardens, waterfalls, seaside views, mountain climbing trails, statues, and benches for leisure.

Varna Sea Backyard is the perfect location for a stroll. That stated, in the event you want a bit of extra motion and also you’re visiting through the hotter seasons, you’ll be able to attempt water sports activities like windsurfing and diving.

17. Get pleasure from Winter Sports activities At Bansko Ski Resort

Positioned about 160 kilometers from Sofia, the Bansko Ski Resort is one in every of Bulgaria’s hottest winter sports activities locations within the nation’s southwestern nook.

The city of Bansko is on the foot of Pirin Mountain; its ski runs begin principally behind the town heart. There are quite a few amenities right here, together with luxurious resorts and extra inexpensive lodging. So far as issues to do, snowboarding and snowshoeing are within the lead.

There are, nevertheless, additionally extra informal actions in Bansko in winter. You possibly can chill out in spas, buy groceries, take pleasure in conventional Bulgarian meals, go for a panorama images outing, or be part of the colourful après-ski festivities.

18. Hit The Seashore

Alongside the 378 kilometers of shoreline of the Black Sea in Bulgaria lie magical cities and golden sun-kissed seashores like Sozopol, Golden Sands, and Sunny Seashore. If you happen to’re in search of a spot for an inexpensive seashore trip, that is the place it is best to go! It may not usually pop up on Europe’s greatest seashore locations, however Bulgaria does have some incredible seashore resorts.

19. Have Some Household Enjoyable

On this put up, it is best to think about all of the issues to do in Bulgaria, even when you’re taking your youngsters alongside. The one place that it is best to take warning could be Vitosha Mountain. You would possibly think about taking your youngsters to a ski faculty so you’ll be able to take pleasure in yourselves as a pair with out worrying about their security.

If you happen to’re visiting Bulgaria through the hotter months with youngsters, then Motion Aquapark is your prime choose. This water park is smaller than most, however there isn’t a scarcity of enjoyable rides. Lockers can be found on your comfort, and the employees is pleasant and alert. There may be additionally a zoo behind the park. One other enjoyable choice for households visiting Bulgaria is Sunny Seashore, Luna Park. This can be a truthful that provides rides, video games, and good meals, all at cheap costs. It’s greatest fitted to youthful youngsters however modifications after 9 p.m.

Thracian Tombs

From my expertise of taking youngsters to Bulgaria, there are various well-known landmarks in Bulgaria which can be of curiosity to youngsters, particularly looking down the Thracian Tombs! My boys love the thracian tomb of Kazanlak.

20. Hike To The Seven Rila Lakes (Rila Nationwide Park)

The Seven Rila Lakes Hike is without doubt one of the very best issues to do in Bulgaria for outside lovers.

Positioned within the northwestern Rila area, near Sofia and Plovdiv, the lakes are all gorgeous in their very own proper and canopy a number of the most breathtaking mountain surroundings across the Balkans.

The paths are very effectively marked; the glacier lakes are normally reached by driving or taxiing from the closest village, Sapareva Banya. The highway from there takes you to the chairlift space, Pionerska Hut; you then journey upwards into the mountains. Most hikes on this a part of the nation cowl round 7-8 hours, so it’s price being ready when it comes to clothes, particularly contemplating the excessive elevations.

The very best lake is known as The Teardrop, and the bottom is Decrease Lake. On prime of this, you might have The Twins, The Eye, The Kidney, The Fish Lake, and the Trefoil. Kidney Lake is the largest of the lakes, however they’re all particular and visually spectacular – so pack a digital camera.

21. Go to Spectacular Bulgarian Castles

Positioned east of the Balkan peninsula, on the Black Sea shore, Bulgaria was usually the place merchants, vacationers, armies, and adventurers entered or left Europe.

It’s the definition of a crossroads nation, a gathering place of East and West, North and South. Bulgaria can also be one of many oldest inhabited nations in Europe. That is the place the Persians conquered the Thracians and, later, the Romans, whom the Byzantines subsequently defeated.

Wars have been fought between the Byzantines and the Bulgars. Slavs moved in from northwest Bulgaria, whereas Bulgars invaded from the northeast. Even Mongols seized Bulgaria for some time. Later, this was the place the Ottomans battled crusaders from Western Europe.

To make an extremely lengthy story brief, Bulgaria was the assembly place of many armies. It was once a area the place battles have been gained and misplaced, heroic deeds have been completed, and big fortresses have been erected.

These days, you’ll be able to nonetheless discover this fascinating and eventful previous on the many spectacular Bulgaria castles dotted across the nation. Whether or not or not you’re fascinated about Bulgarian historical past, visiting a kind of castles and fortresses is all the time a spotlight! Well-known examples are Tsarevets Fortress, Belogradchik Fortress, Shumen Fortress, and the Fortifications of Nessebar (see the highest of this weblog put up).

22. Go For A Small City Weekend Journey

With its wholesome mix of small, misty mountain cities and lengthy stretches of golden sand Black Sea seashores, Bulgaria is the right nation for a brief weekend (or prolonged weekend) highway journey.

There’s way more to this huge nation (by European requirements) than its main cities. In reality, the small cities in Bulgaria usually supply the largest surprises!

There are sufficient Bulgaria sights to create unforgettable itineraries for Bulgaria weekend breaks! Dip out limestone cave bars, spend your time soaking within the solar at a lovely Black Sea resort, or dip beneath the ocean’s floor on a dive tour. Journey alongside streams excessive up alongside far-out mountain passes and tour centuries-old monasteries. You are able to do all of it on this nation.

A number of the greatest small cities for weekend journeys in Bulgaria are the next:

Now you recognize that Bulgaria as a vacation vacation spot is really a hidden gem of Jap European trip locations. Any trip vacation spot will be rewarding, however not many trip locations supply seaside and mountainous terrain in such shut proximity as you’ll discover in Bulgaria. We assure you’ll not be dissatisfied in the event you select to go to Bulgaria.

We’ve now proven you what to see in Bulgaria, so inform us, which of those Bulgaria vacationer sights will you go to first? Will it’s the Rila Mountains, outdated church buildings, Belogradchik Rocks, or perhaps the Rhodope Mountains?

If you happen to suppose that now we have missed one thing on this listing of greatest locations to see, remark beneath!