#Bulgaria is so much more than what meets the eye. This country has everything, from sun-kissed beaches to compelling historical sites, vibrant party towns, and snow-shrouded ski resorts in #Europe. Moreover, this is a place of adventure. Road signs and bus schedules often vanish once you get off the usual path, and few people understand foreign languages.
However, people are friendly, and practically everyone you meet will be eager to help you out on your journey. All that combined makes Bulgaria a perfect destination for both short-term or long-term visits. A true mix of Southern Slavic, Turkic, Russian, Romanian and unique Bulgarian elements make up its unique culture.
Bulgaria gets infamously snowy winters like a winter wonderland. If you don't like cold however you can always journey to the Black Sea where it is warm and lovely.
Whether you're moving there or just visiting, here are the best places to visit in Bulgaria if you want to get to know this wonderful country.
1. Sofia
Sofia is one of the oldest cities in Europe at over 6,000 years old. Its ancient yet has a young energy to it. It doesn't have an old town like most European capitals. It is instead built in layers. You can still see remains from 4 A.D. in the Metro, next to 21st century construction. There is a place to fill up water bottles in the city center with thermal water that flows year-round.
At first glance, Bulgaria's largest city appears to be just another busy and modern capital. Its capital, Sofia feels as developed as any large European capital, complete with trams and subway systems. However, there are layers of history in Sofia still being uncovered to this day. The most recent discovery occurred between 2010 and 2012 when a large portion of the ancient city of Serdica was found.
Sofia has a lot to offer to all travel buffs! Sofia is home to a large number of museums and historic cathedrals that are worth seeing. On the other hand, nature enthusiasts won't be disappointed either. Sofia is located at the foot of Vitosha Mountain, where hiking and skiing are available. You'll find everything from thrilling nightlife to exquisite stores and charming cobblestone alleyways when you visit Sofia.
So, if you're planning a trip to Europe, add Sofia to your list of must-see country capitals in Europe. It is one of the only European capitals that's not on a body of water like a river or port. Instead, it's at the base of Vitosha Mountain, where you can hike or ski - depending on the time of year.
It is a city of contrasts: old and new, rich and poor, young and old, quiet and dynamic. It can be quite calm and serene, especially in the winter or on weekends, but full of traffic and congestion during the work week. Also, the buses run 24 hours and some of the nightclubs run until dawn.
You'll find all of the mainstream brands like Starbucks and H&M, but at the same time it could be next to a historical site or museum, a traditional restaurant, an underground club, or a hidden restaurant. There is even a hotel and casino in the presidential palace.
There is a lot of amazing food, wine, and cocktail bars, at very affordable prices compared to Western Europe. Much of the food seems homemade. There are museums, art galleries, and even thermal baths. Hotels are very affordable compared to most European capital cities. Probably around 25% of the price of other cities.
Local people like to enjoy - you'll see them having a coffee or smoke break and spending time with family and friends. There is a lot of graffiti, freedom of expression, and hipster shops and places to check out. There are quite a few parks throughout the city.
Sophia is a wonderful and interesting city FULL of cathedrals. Visit the Rila Monastery or take a walk through the Bulgarian capital of Sofia. Rila monastery, a UNESCO world heritage site where entry is free, gives established religious sites like Mont St Michel in France, a run for their money
Bulgaria's capital is famous for its many picnic friendly parks. Mineral water sources surrounding the city and flows into the beautiful fountains. Klek shops are a special sight here, a kind of basement shop where you bend down to buy everything from beer to candy.
The Tzarevets or Tsarevets fortress is one of the great symbols of the city and possibly of Bulgaria. The street that leads to the Varosha district is possibly a good dividing line between what is the modern part of Veliko Tarvono and the old town and Sveta Gora. The Maika Bulgaria Monument, located in the center of the city is next to the Marno pole park.
2. Plovdiv
Plovdiv is Bulgaria's second-largest city and Europe's oldest inhabited city, dating back 8 000 years. Its second largest city Plovdiv is calmer. This beautiful city, often called the city under the hills, should definitely be on your list of places to visit in Bulgaria. There are numerous reasons to visit Plovdiv, and while there is plenty to see in a few days, the city is ideal for a day trip.
A day excursion from Sofia to Plovdiv is one of the most popular methods to see the highlights of this magnificent city. Just make sure to follow the itinerary and follow other traveling tips so you won't miss out on anything!
Wandering the historic homes and cobblestone lanes of Plovdiv's Old Town, hiking on one of the city hills for a breathtaking panoramic view, and getting lost in Plovdiv's artistic quarter are just a few of the best things to do in Plovdiv.
3. Burgas
If you love beaches and the Black Sea coast, Burgas should be on top of your list of places to visit in Bulgaria. It's a far cry from the ancient and historic towns that dot the land, with Art Deco skyscrapers and groomed parks on the outskirts of the sea. Burgas also hosts some of Bulgaria's most vibrant music festivals.
One of them is the raucous Spirit of Burgas, which takes place every summer. North Beach is the most famous stretch of beach in town. Boutiques, pubs, and cafés line the pedestrianized city center. The well-kept Sea Gardens overlooking the beach and the rusty pier at the eastern end of town are Burgas's most remarkable features.
Once you visit it, you'll love Burgas so much; you'll want to call experts from easymovekw.com to help you move there!
4. Zlatograd
Zlatograd is a small settlement buried in the southernmost reaches of the Rhodope Mountains, close to the Greek border. The white homes with bay windows and circular chimneys in the Old Town are beautiful. However, it wasn't until 2001 that the Old Town was revitalized as an ethnographic complex.
The town still has its typical Ottoman-era architecture, with many old buildings, two 19th-century Orthodox churches, and a mosque. It's a beautiful town that anyone who's into history can enjoy. Moreover, because the town is close to the Greek border, you can easily drop by Zlatograd on your route to Greece.
5. Veliko Tarnovo
Veliko Tarvono, the most beautiful city in Bulgaria or at least that was thought by several media outlets when, years ago, it was awarded this award and was even named capital of cultural tourism in the Balkans. Veliko Tarnovo is also considered as the capital of the medieval tsars of Bulgaria, between wooded hills and divided by the river Yantra, a true medieval city that today has lively nightlife.
The mountainous town of Veliko Tărnovo is a nice getaway to quaint city life even within Bulgaria itself. Veliko Tarnovo, also known as the 'City of the Tsars,' was the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire. It is situated in the north-central part of Bulgaria. The town's location is nothing short of spectacular, with terraces of terracotta-colored rooftops hanging over the rivers below.
Visitors will encounter a mix of natural beauty and unbridled culture and history.
6. Bansko
Bansko is Bulgaria's best and most well-known ski resort. It's located in the Pirin Mountains and has 18 slopes for novice and advanced skiers and snowboarders. The overall length of the slopes is around 80 kilometers. Bansko has everything a ski destination should have. It has a wide range of hotels and guest homes, traditional restaurants serving delectable cuisine, spas, and pleasant bars.
Bansko is not just a ski trip. It has a natural privileged enclave practically virgin, with dense forests of trees over 40 meters high that make up an idyllic landscape for nature lovers. The skiing is varied and for all levels, the snow comes through the storms that come from Russia so it is guaranteed almost since the beginning of December. It has hosted several World Championship events.
Besides enjoying good wine in one of its castle cellars, you can also enjoy the gastronomy in its more than 300 Mexanas (typical Bulgarian tavern) some of them centenary old.
7. Blagoevgrad
Razlog, a neighbor of Bansko, is the largest city in the interior Pirin. Razlog is often overlooked in favor of its more prestigious neighbor: Bansko, the tourist capital of the Pirin, with a ski resort. It is located in an open valley, at the foot of high mountains. Razlog is at the same distance from the summits of Rila, Pirin and Ródope. It is right in the center of the crossroads. You decide which mountain massif you want to go and, in twenty minutes, the mountain is yours.
The center of Razlog is very lively, green and super nice. The central esplanade invites to walk. The market and the stores attract attention. It is a pleasant city, with very lively traditions and cradle of folklore. Many people come during their festivities. See during the New Year's carnival, when Kukeris (men disguised as spirits) are protagonists of a pagan ritual.
The Razlog parade is reputed to be the best in the country! The city is also home to the Pirin Pee Folklore Festival.
8. Varna
Varna, one of the most affordable resort cities on the Black Sea Coast boasts with culture and places for entertainment. The centre and the sea coastal alley are full of amazing bars, restaurants and cafes that you can visit any time of the day. The drinks are cheap - 3-4 euro for a cocktail and even less for a coffee or a glass of delicious local wine.
The food is great as you would expect from a country with so many influences. To name only a few: kebapche (sausage), kyufte (meatball) and meshana skara (grill plate) for the meat. The Shopska Salata is the most popular salad. Bulgarian yogurt and cheese (both yellow and white) are delicious. They have very good soups, like tarator (liquid tzatziki) or bob chorba (bean soup).
The best: lutenitsa, a sauce made essentially of tomatoes and peppers (try homemade one from a village). They also eat a lot of French fries with cheese. For drinks: try the ayran (water, yogurt and salt) and the rakia (fruit-based strong alcohol). Bulgaria also has delicious wine!
9. Pobiti Kamani
Pobiti Kamani, Bulgaria's lone desert, is one of the most fascinating destinations to visit in the country. It is located 20 kilometers west of Varna and is home to a diverse range of vegetation and animals. This desert's dunes and rock formations, which may reach heights of 7 meters, are breathtaking. Guess what? These rock formations are hollow on the inside, even though they appear to be stuck in the sand.
Once you visit Bulgaria, you're almost guaranteed to fall in love with it! And if you do decide to move to Bulgaria, you need to be prepared for the whole extensive long-distance moving process. Moving from one continent to another should always be planned one step at a time. The entire process can quickly become complicated if you don't plan ahead and hire the right relocation company.
The right moving company can help you settle in Europe stress-free. They'll help you avoid all complications. All you will have to do is enjoy your new home in a new country.
The country is not expensive by the standards of more western European countries and the people are incredibly friendly. The only downside is that Bulgarian is a hard language to understand to the uninitiated. Its written in Cyrillic and only really Bulgarian young people or people who work in tourism will speak good English. A few of the older folk could speak Russian and some folk could speak Turkish.
Final Thoughts
Bulgaria is too big and beautiful to list all the best places to visit in this country in only one article. So, you need to figure out what you want to do on your trip to Bulgaria and then plan accordingly. There are many more vibrant cities, charming villages, essential historical sights and monuments, beautiful mountains and beaches, and top spas and winter resorts to pay a visit to when traveling to Bulgaria.
