Travel to Bulgaria – General information

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Sights Bulgaria Top 10, arrival / connections in the country and further information for tourists in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria has a lot to offer tourists. In addition to the capital Sofia, the Black Sea coast in particular attracts many tourists. Because of the low prices, the good weather and the beautiful cities and beaches, the country records significant growth rates in tourism every year.

Bulgaria’s economy is slowly recovering from the socialist era. A lot of economic stimulus for the poor country comes from its southern neighbors Greece and Türkiye. On January 1, 2007, Bulgaria joined the EU along with Romania. Bulgaria is a NATO member and was an American ally in the second Iraq War.

>>>  Great, very inexpensive day tour by bus from Sofia to Rila Monastery: Click here

Arrival / connections in the country

Bulgaria can be reached by train from the neighboring countries of Greece , Romania, Serbia and Turkey. Traveling from Greece by bus is often quicker and more convenient. Several buses run directly to Sofia every day from Thessaloniki or Athens. There are frequent ferries on the Black Sea from Varna and Burgas to Istanbul (Turkey).

Video top sights in Bulgaria (youtube, english)

Sights in Bulgaria

Sofia: The center of the capital of Bulgaria with 1.3 million inhabitants is Sceta Nedelya Square. The area is home to the city’s main shopping streets. The old town with its many churches is the pride of the residents.

Black Sea CoastTourism is booming on the Bulgarian coast. Many of the new package holidaymakers come because of the low prices. A two-week holiday in Bulgaria, including additional costs, often costs less than 500 euros. The many restaurants, pubs and hotels for new holidaymakers from the West are sometimes extremely inexpensive. The cities of Burgas (south of the Golden Sands tourist area) and Varna (south of Sunny Beach) are among the most beautiful places on the Black Sea.

>>>  Great catamaran tour on Sunny Beach, bookable online: Click here

The health resorts south of Burgas in the direction of Türkiye are also worth a vacation. The town of Sozopol and the nearby islands, to which boat trips are offered, are worth seeing.

Rila: The 10th-century Rila Monastery, about 100 km south of Sofia, is one of the most famous monasteries in Europe and arguably the most important tourist attraction in Bulgaria.

>>>  Great, very inexpensive day tour by bus from Sofia to Rila Monastery: Click here

The Rila Monastery, the number 1 attraction in Bulgaria

The Rila Mountains are a very popular destination for capital city residents. The 2925 meter high Moussala is the highest mountain in Bulgaria. In the Rila Mountains there are hot springs, bears and lynxes. More and more foreigners are coming to Bulgaria for a hiking holiday. Other mountains such as the Rhodopes and the Balkans are also very popular with hikers.

Plovdiv:
Take a journey back in time through Plovdiv, one of the oldest cities in Europe. See the well-preserved Roman amphitheater, stroll through the charming old town with its colorful houses, and visit the ancient Roman stadium.

Veliko Tarnovo:
Discover Bulgaria’s medieval history in Veliko Tarnovo, the former capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire. Visit the Tsarevets Fortress, stroll through the artisan town of Samovodska Charshia, and witness a spectacular sound and light show that brings history to life.

Kazanlak – Valley of Roses:
Immerse yourself in the fragrant beauty of the Valley of Roses in Kazanlak. Visit the Rose Museum, explore the Thracian Tombs of Kazanlak (UNESCO World Heritage Site), and attend the annual Rose Festival celebrating Bulgaria’s rose oil production.

Pirin National Park:
Nature lovers will find paradise in Pirin National Park. The park has been declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO and is a paradise for outdoor fans.

Varna:
History and charm of the sea combine perfectly in Bulgaria’s maritime capital Varna. Visit the Archaeological Museum, stroll through the Sea Garden and explore the Roman Baths. Varna is also the gateway to the ruins of the nearby Aladzha Monastery.

Belogradchik rocks:
End your trip to Bulgaria with the Belogradchik Rocks, a natural wonder formed by centuries of erosion. The medieval Belogradchik Fortress, perched on the rocks, offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Interesting links

Interesting website about Plitvice Lakes Croatia, a great national park.

>>>  30 Euro day tour by bus from Sofia to Plovdiv: Click here

Bulgaria information

Residents of Bulgaria 7 million
Area Bulgaria 110.000 km²
Inhabitants / km² 64 (fairly sparsely populated)
Capital of Bulgaria Sofia
Language Bulgarian
religion 80% Orthodox, about 10 percent Muslims (large Turkish minority)
currency Lev
gross domestic product 10,000 dollars / inhabitant 2023 (poorest country in the EU, but there are many significantly poorer countries in Eastern Europe as a whole such as Moldova, Ukraine or Albania)
Visas from Europeans

no, EU member. ID is sufficient.

Area code ++359
Internet addresses .bg
Vehicle license plate BG

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