Bulgaria Travel and Tourism Guide on Travel Notes

Aden's Fortness, Bulgaria by Yuliyan Grozdev on Unsplash.

Travel Notes: Europe - Bulgaria Travel Notes - Updated 04 August, 2023.

Bulgaria Travel and Tourism on Travel Notes

Find Bulgaria Travel and Tourist Information with links to official travel and tourism websites and state resources for visitors to Bulgaria. Tweet

About Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a beautiful country located in south-eastern Europe known for its stunning mountain ranges, golden beaches, and vibrant cities.

If you're interested in visiting Bulgaria, there are plenty of attractions and activities to enjoy, from exploring the museums and historical sites in Sofia, the capital city, to hiking in the stunning Pirin Mountains.

Countries neighbouring Bulgaria: Greece, North Macedonia, Serbia, Romania and Turkey.

Driving Distances in Europe

Driving From Sofia.

Mapping Bulgaria

Map of Bulgaria

Bulgaria is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and North Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, and the Black Sea to the east.

Bulgaria's capital and largest city is Sofia.

Bulgaria Overview

Bulgaria is a country located in South-east Europe.

Economy

The economy of Bulgaria is largely based on services, particularly tourism, as well as industry, agriculture, and energy.

The country has made significant progress in recent years in reducing poverty and increasing economic growth, although it still faces challenges such as corruption and emigration of its workforce.

European Union and NATO

Bulgaria is a member of the European Union and NATO, and has a population of around 7 million people.

Landscape

Bulgaria has a diverse landscape, including mountains, forests, rivers, and beaches on the Black Sea coast.

Language

The official language is Bulgarian, which is a Slavic language written in the Cyrillic alphabet.

Traditional Heritage

Bulgaria is also known for its rich cultural heritage, including ancient Thracian artifacts, medieval monasteries, and traditional folk music and dance.

Brief History of Bulgaria

The history of Bulgaria dates back to the ancient Thracians, who were later conquered by the Romans and then the Byzantine Empire.

Over the centuries, Bulgaria was ruled by various empires, including the Ottoman Empire and the Soviet Union, before becoming a democratic republic in 1990.

Ancient Thracians

The Thracians had developed their civilisation Before Christ, and were joined by the Slavs towards the end of the 5th century.

The Bulgarian state was founded as a unification of Slavs, Thracians and Bulgars in 681 AD, and its first ruler was Khan Asparuh.

Bulgars

The Bulgars came down from the steppes of Central Asia and crossed the Danube in the mid-7th century.

First Bulgarian Empire

This First Bulgarian Empire lasted until 1018, when it fell to the Byzantines.

Second Bulgarian Kingdom

The Second Bulgarian Kingdom was established in 1185, and Bulgaria entered a Golden Age; in which the kingdom touched three seas.

Ottoman Turks

The Ottoman Turks put a stop to that for almost 500 years, and subjugated the Bulgarians to Islamic rulers.

Sofia became the capital of Bulgaria in 1879, after liberation from the Turks.

Balkan Wars

Two Balkan wars followed, and then the Bulgarians lost twice on the side of Germany in the World Wars too.

Communist Party

Georgi Dimitrov took power for the Communist party in 1945, and proclaimed Bulgaria a People's Republic.

Bulgaria finally declared itself a democracy in 1989, when Todor Zhivkov was peacefully ousted following the lead of other East European states.

European Union

On January 1st, 2007 Bulgaria joined the European Union.

Visiting Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture.

Once the cradle of Slav culture the Cyrillic alphabet was created in Bulgaria by the brothers Cyril and Methodious.

Budget Travel in Bulgaria:
Lustrous in the springtime and awesome in the summer, Bulgaria is one of the last remaining budget destinations in Europe.

Forget about the expensive, crowded beaches and ski resorts in France and Italy and discover the Beauty of Bulgaria.

Visit Bulgaria

Some suggestions of things to see and do in Bulgaria.

Bansko

Ski or snowboard in Bansko, a popular winter resort in the Pirin Mountains.

The town also has a charming historic center with traditional architecture and lively nightlife.

Black Sea Coast

Visit the Black Sea Coast and enjoy the sandy beaches, clear waters, and warm climate.

There are many seaside resorts to choose from, such as Sunny Beach and Golden Sands.

Bulgarian Cuisine

Indulge in traditional Bulgarian cuisine, which is a delicious blend of Mediterranean and Balkan flavors.

Try dishes like banitsa (a pastry filled with cheese), kavarma (a meat stew), and tarator (a cold soup made with yogurt, cucumbers, and dill).

Bulgarian Monasteries

The building of monasteries in Bulgaria started as early as the 4th - 5th century.

From the very start, monasteries gained great importance as centres of Bulgarian literature and culture and have preserved the nation's treasures during difficult times.

In the last few years, Bulgarian monasteries, which are closely connected to the historical fate of the Bulgarian state and nation, have witnessed increasing tourist interest.

Plovdiv

Explore the ancient city of Plovdiv, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe.

Visit the Roman amphitheater, the Ancient Theater, and the Old Town with its picturesque cobblestone streets.

Rila Monastery

Take a trip to the Rila Monastery, one of Bulgaria's most famous landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The monastery, located in the Rila Mountains, is a stunning example of Bulgarian Renaissance architecture.

Sofia

Visit the capital city of Bulgaria, Sofia, and explore its many historical and cultural landmarks, such as the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the National Palace of Culture, and the Museum of Socialist Art.

Veliko Tarnovo

Visit Veliko Tarnovo, the former capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire.

Explore the Tsarevets Fortress, the Samovodska Charshia, and the numerous museums and galleries in this beautiful city.

Sofia

Sofia Sightseeing

The main points of interest in Sofia are: Alexander Nevski Memorial Church, Rotunda of St. George, St. Sofia Church, National Palace of Culture, Church of St. Nedelya, Vassil Levski Monument, Sofia University, the Russian Church and Mount Vitosha.

Map of Sofia.

Outside Sofia, visit the Boyana Church and Dragalevtsi Monastery.

Where to Stay in Sofia

Hotels in Sofia.

Around Bulgaria

At 1350m, Borovets was once the hunting estate of Bulgarian Kings. Today it is a fine place to ski in the winter, and only 73 km from Sofia.

If you're looking for a great-value Mediterranean-style holiday on perfect golden sand beaches with beautiful, clear seas and a sunny, seasonable climate from May through October, consider the Bulgarian Coast, on the Black Sea.

Chiflik

Starting point for hikers visiting the mountain trails, Chiflik also has a mineral spring.

The mineral water, with a temperature of 50 degrees, fills a large open-air swimming pool and some smaller ones in the neighbourhood.

Rural Bulgaria - Kostenets:
Village Kostenets is one of the most idyllic and relaxing places in Bulgaria.

Varna

Varna is Bulgaria's number one resort on the Black Sea, with a wonderful beach and cosy cafes.

Varna Black Sea coast offers a combination of marvellous conditions for sea tourism, rich cultural heritage and incredible nature. The sea capital of Varna gives opportunities for pleasant recreation at seaside, entertainment and cultural tourism.

To the north of Varna are located some of the most beautiful and luxurious Bulgarian sea resorts, such as 'St. St. Konstantin and Elena', 'Sunny day', 'Riviera', 'Golden sands', 'Albena', which offer excellent conditions for wonderful summer vacations, entertainment and water sports.

Bulgaria Attractions

Bulgaria Maps and Travel Guides

Bulgaria Travel Guides - Bulgaria Maps.

Weather in Europe:
Local weather forecasts for destinations around Europe.

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