The Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria
Incredible mountainous landscapes, rich history and culture, stunning blue lakes, hearty delicious food and cascading waterfalls all await you in this beautiful underrated country. Read on to find out the best places to visit in Bulgaria!
Bulgaria was never somewhere we’d thought of going to. We’d recently moved back to the UK from Canada and we were dying to get back in the mountains!
We’d just moved to London which was a huge expense so we also wanted the trip to be as cheap as possible. A few ideas were thrown around and after doing some research, eventually, we settled on Bulgaria.
Bulgaria completely wowed us! Full to the brim with mountains, lakes, waterfalls, beaches and an incredibly rich history and culture that’s evident everywhere.
It’s often overlooked by most travellers which is a shame, they don’t know what they’re missing out on. It does, however, mean fewer crowds and unspoiled scenery! It’s also extremely affordable; you can enjoy a delicious meal for about $8. We bought a 2.5-litre bottle of beer one afternoon for $1.70!!
At just a 3 hour flight from London, with prices as low as $45, put Bulgaria on your travel bucket list before everyone realises what a hidden treasure it is!
We spent eight days driving around Bulgaria loving what the country had to offer.
We flew into Sofia and picked up a car straight away. Our first stop was Kalofer, then Plovdiv, Bansko, Panichishte and finished with a couple of days in Sofia. Take a look at the route below.
Here we’ll tell you all about the best places to visit in Bulgaria and why we loved them.
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Contents
Kalofer
Town
After arriving in Sofia we picked up our car and drove 164km to a small town called Kalofer; situated along the banks of the Tundzha River in a beautiful valley very close to the Central Balkan National Park – one of the most beautiful places to visit in Bulgaria!
The town has preserved its Bulgarian Renaissance architecture, its tradition and way of life. Towering over the town is the highest peak in the Balkan Range – Botev Peak; our reason for visiting!
That afternoon we meandered around the town and it was pretty interesting!
The famous Bulgarian poet and revolutionist Hristo Botev was born here. Today, his house has been turned into a memorial complex and museum displaying personal belongings, publications, and works of the artist and his family.
The museum is located in the centre of town in Boteva Gradine (Botev Garden) park. Here you’ll also find an exhibition hall and a monument of Hristo Botev and his mother, Ivanka Boteva.
There are a few restaurants offering delicious hearty food at incredibly cheap prices.
This little town is completely off the foreign tourist trail so no one spoke English or had an English menu. We love this as it means we’re somewhere truly authentic!
Meals consisted of pointing at the menu, playing charades and guessing what we were going to eat. Our favourite thing we ended up ordering most days was melted cheese with cornflakes and jam. Sounds weird, yes, but it was surprisingly delicious!! (More on Bulgarian food later!)
Although very interesting, unless you’re actually going to go hiking, we wouldn’t recommend visiting Kalofer. There are other cities with a lot of historical sites and more to do other than hiking.
Botev Peak
Now, our actual reason for visiting; hiking Botev Peak. 2376m above sea level, Botev Peak is the highest peak in the Central Balkan National Park and we wanted to conquer it! It’s also home to the highest waterfall in Bulgaria – Raiskoto Praskalo (Paradise Waterfall) at 124m.
The landscapes the whole way were breathtaking! Endless mountain peaks and scented forests with streams to fill your water bottle up from. There are benches dotted along the route perfect for a rest while appreciating the beauty of the Balkans.
One of the great things about not being on the tourist radar is the only people we saw this whole hike was two people that worked at Ray Hut!
The route to Ray Hut was very pleasant; nothing too strenuous. Then, the real fun began. The path became pretty vertical and very rocky; luckily there was a steel cable to help pull us up!
The weather had been beautiful all the way up but the peak was shrouded in cloud and the wind was very strong. Make sure you pack accordingly; the weather can change drastically in a matter of minutes!
The peak itself isn’t too exciting. There’s a meteorological station with a radio tower.
The 30km took us about 9 hours including snack and photo stops. Although we couldn’t actually see anything at the top and the station takes away some of the atmosphere; it was an incredible hike and one of the most spectacular places to visit in Bulgaria.
The majority of the hike is very picturesque. Imposing cliff faces, cool forests, dramatic mountain scenery, wildlife and pretty meadows offer awesome panoramas and vantage points.
Plovdiv
One of our favourite places to visit in Bulgaria was Plovdiv; a completely charming and quaint city!
From the enchanting cobbled streets of the Old Town to the blend of modern architecture with ancient ruins, its young hipster vibe with quirky cafes and trendy bars, it’s little wonder Plovdiv was the European Capital of Culture in 2019!
Plovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria and the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe! It has passed through many ages and civilisations, each leaving behind an incredible influence on the city’s architecture, history, art and culture.
Old Town
Make Plovdiv’s romantic Old Town your first stop! This is an Old Town like no other we’ve seen. Most are crowded, full of street vendors and noisy. But not this one. This one really takes you back to the old times.
Meander through the narrow cobbled streets lined with colourful museums, guesthouses, elegant revival-era townhouses and galleries in tranquil silence. Most of the buildings are from the 19th century and are absolutely beautiful!
For an overview of Plovidv’s diverse history, head to the ethnographic museum set in the magnificent Kuyumdjiev House. This is the most emblematic of the revival-era townhouses and is now a delightful museum.
Here you can learn of life in Plovdiv and the surrounding area during the Bulgarian National Revival Times.
Roman Amphitheatre
Sitting right in the middle of the main shopping street is the Roman Amphitheatre. A startling reminder of the city’s past, this ancient theatre is one of the best-preserved in Europe.
The theatre was constructed in the 1st century A.D., and until the 4th, hosted gladiatorial and hunting games. It was reconstructed in the 20th century and as well as being an incredibly important Plovdiv landmark, in the summer it hosts various concerts and performances.
Roman Stadium
One thing you’ll notice about Plovdiv is the historical and archaeological remains are layered throughout the city. As it has undergone a lot of construction and rebuilding over its time, new buildings were being built over the old.
This has now resulted in parts of ancient sites nestled amongst modern buildings. This just adds to Plovdiv’s character and charm. You’ll see this along the main street in Plovdiv where below it lies the Roman Stadium.
The ancient Roman Stadium was built in the 2nd Century A.D and was one of the most imposing buildings in the city during its time. Pronounced a National Cultural Value in 1995, the only area that’s exposed is in Dzhumaya Square.
Today you can access part of the track, the semi-circular part of the spectator seats and a wall depicting the hypothetical reconstruction of the area’s that are missing.
Kapana
Kapana, or “The Trap”, is a labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets you can easily get lost or “trapped” in. This was one of our favourite places to visit in Bulgaria, it was completely charming!
In the past, it was the centre of Plovdiv’s artisans. It has since been restored and today is a very trendy area filled with hipster cafes, art galleries and spaces, boutiques and some of the best dining and nightlife in Plovdiv.
Walking the vibrant, flag-strewn lanes in the evenings, the streets are full of rickety tables and chairs with people laughing, eating, drinking and soaking up the atmosphere.
There’s always something going on in Kapana. It’s a favourite for musicians and artists too who you’ll see hanging out here. Make sure you look out for the cool street art!
Bachkovo Monastery
Just outside of Plovdiv is the second-largest monastery in the country; Bachkovo Monastery and one of the most interesting places to visit in Bulgaria.
Founded in 1083, it’s one of the oldest monasteries in the Balkan Peninsula and famed for combining three cultures – Byzantine, Bulgarian and Georgian.
The monastery has a spectacular setting in the Rhodope Mountains!
Immersed in nature, the monastery has various murals and icons that have been beautifully preserved. Its most treasured item is the miraculous Virgin Mary icon given to them by two Georgian travellers.
The courtyard is a favourite gathering place for pilgrims with its impressive trees. The monastery is still functioning and the monks offer overnight accommodation. It’s free to visit but you have to pay to enter the museum (less than £1!).
Tsar Simeon Central Garden
If you’re tired from walking around the city’s ruins and Old Town, relax under the leafy trees in the Tsar Simeon Central Garden. These gardens are perfect for an hour or so to relax after a day of sightseeing.
Inside the park, you’ll come across monuments dedicated to Bulgarian spiritual leaders and a fountain dedicated to Goddess Demeter; Goddess of the harvest. But the main attraction of the park is the Lake with the Singing Fountains!
There’s a restaurant and a bar overlooking the lake, perfect for pre-dinner drinks.
Plovdiv’s charm completely surprised us, to be honest. It’s definitely one of the best places to visit in Bulgaria and should make it on to anyone’s itinerary!
Bansko
Next on our road trip was the foot of the Pirin Mountains, the little mountain town of Bansko. Bansko is famous for being Bulgaria’s most popular ski resort but if you visit in the summer you’ll be treated to a charming, quiet town with stunning mountain scenery.
Vihren Peak
The reason for visiting was to hike Vihren; the highest peak in the Pirin Mountains at 2914 metres.
That morning, it was so cloudy; we could only see about 6 metres in front of us! We debated if there was any point in hiking, but we didn’t have a plan B and decided it would justify a few beers that evening.
It’s pretty steep and rocky most of the way so proper hiking shoes are a must. After about an hour and a half up who knows what it suddenly got even steeper and even rockier. It was fairly challenging and not that enjoyable as we couldn’t see anything!
After about an hour, we reached the peak only to be greeted by a friendly stray dog! We sat and had some lunch huddled up with hoods and gloves as it was very windy.
Suddenly, THE SUN CAME OUT!!
The views were amazing!! You could see the whole of Pirin National Park.
Coming down, the clouds had lifted slightly so we could take in our surroundings. The route was actually very beautiful. Panoramic views of several glacial lakes and there were some Chamois out and about.
We turned to look at the peak. Towering above us was what looked like a giant marble, almost vertical wall! So glad we couldn’t see it on the way up!
After a morning of debating whether the hike was going to be worth it, it definitely was. It took us 5 hours to complete the 8.7km; definitely justifies a few Bulgarian beers!
Bansko Town
Bansko has undergone a lot of rapid development lately, largely due to its increase in popularity as a ski resort. If you want an insight into what Bansko used to be like, head to the Old Town.
The narrow-cobbled streets lined with charming traditional stone buildings feel like they’ve been frozen in time. It won’t take long to walk around the Old Town but make sure you put aside a bit of time for ambling about in absolute peace and tranquillity.
Just outside of the Old Town is Bansko’s main street. This is a pedestrianised street where you’ll find shops, restaurants and bars.
The restaurants here are so charming!! They’re called Mehanas and serve huge portions of Bulgarian cuisine. They’re traditionally decorated and dinner is usually accompanied with traditional music and dancing. Some of them are set in the most beautiful gardens!
Panichishte
This little town is located on the border of Rila National Park. The Rila Mountains are the highest mountain range in the Balkans with Mount Musala towering at almost 3000 metres.
There’s not a lot in the town but our reason for staying was to see the Rila Monastery and hike the Seven Rila Lakes. Both of these can be done from Sofia as day trips but this is very popular and we wanted to set off early so we had a head start on the day-trippers.
Rila Monastery
This is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Bulgaria! On our way to Panichishte from Bansko, we stopped at Rila Monastery.
Rising out of a forested valley in the Rila Mountains, Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. This iconic landmark is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and houses an extraordinary collection of religious art.
Meander through striped black, red and white archways, explore its elegant colonnades and admire the grandeur of its murals and icons.
Thousands of visitors are drawn to the monastery every year. Monks still live here and there are living quarters you can stay in if you want a small glimpse into the monk life.
Seven Rila Lakes
This is the most popular hike in the national park and one of the most beautiful places to visit in Bulgaria! They’re a group of seven glacial lakes with hiking trails weaving their way around them.
Each lake has a name associated with its characteristics. The Tear, The Eye, The Kidney, The Twins, The Trefoil, Fish Lake and The Lower Lake (highest to lowest).
Take the lift from Panichishte to Rila Lakes hut. It costs 15 BGN for a return or 10 BGN for one way (you can hike in either direction). We left around 9am for the lift opening. We were one of the first but the car park was filling up fast!
This was the most stunning hike we did! The lakes shone so blue and glistened beautifully in the sun.
Once we’d reached the sign that signalled the end of the trail, we were confused as we thought we’d see all seven lakes. There were only six…
Behind us was a big ridge so assumed that was the spot. This was more of a challenge as there wasn’t a proper path (unless we’d gone the wrong way which was completely possible). It took us about 45 minutes but this was the place we wanted!
Our Top Tip: leave early! There was now a queue to get to the end of the trail. Surprisingly few people hike up to this viewpoint so head up there for the best views and to escape the crowds!
This hike should make it to the top of your list of places to visit in Bulgaria!
Sofia
Bulgaria’s quirky capital Sofia is a great base for an introduction to Bulgarian culture and history. The city has spent most of the last 2,000 years under occupation by numerous empires and each has left their marks.
Eastern Orthodox churches stand side by side ancient Roman ruins, Ottoman mosques and communist architecture. These nestled amongst trendy art galleries, museums, boutiques, street markets, cute cafes and quirky bars and restaurants, make Sofia a very vibrant and dynamic city.
The main sights in Sofia are within walking distance. Although public transport is easy and inexpensive, the best way of getting around is on foot. One minute you’ll be lost in narrow cobbled lanes, the next you’ll be strolling through a market on a wide boulevard.
We always find the best way to get to know your bearings in a new city is to take a city tour as soon as you arrive. We’ve done a few, namely Krakow and Lisbon, and you get a great insight into a city and see things you may otherwise miss.
They’re also great for asking for local recommendations for dining/drinks rather than heading to the touristy places all the time.
St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral
We’ll start with St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral as no trip to Sofia is complete without seeing this architectural masterpiece!
This is the second-largest cathedral in the Balkan region and it was once one of the largest Eastern Orthodox churches in the world. You can actually hear the bells ringing from over sixteen kilometres away!
Located in the heart of the city, the Cathedral is constructed in a beautiful and intricate Neo-Byzantine style. Decorated with impeccable mosaics and imposing golden domes, this is one of Sofia’s most visited landmarks. The cathedral is steeped in history and an important symbol of Bulgaria’s past.
St George Rotunda
The Church of St George is thought to be the oldest building in Sofia. It was initially built during the 4th century by the Romans and stands among some ancient Roman ruins. The church has been excellently preserved over the centuries which makes you wonder how looking at all of the ruins around the church.
The church is particularly well known for the magnificent frescoes inside it. There are five layers in total dating back as early as the 6th century. The frescoes were painted over by the Ottomans when the church was converted to a mosque in the 1600s.
Vitosha Boulevard
Vitosha Boulevard is the fanciest street in the city. Lined with upmarket boutiques, charming shops, cute open-air cafes, quaint restaurants and lively bars. It can be quite pricey and touristy but there’s a nice lively atmosphere in the evening so even if you don’t dine or drink here it’s worth a walk along.
The boulevard has a dramatic backdrop of Vitosha Mountain so if nothing else here inspires you, come for a look at that!
Regional History Museum
Displayed in the magnificent, former Turkish Mineral Baths building is the history of Sofia. Artefacts are presented on two floors and include discoveries from archaeological digs, memorabilia from Bulgarian royal families and a horse carriage gifted to Bulgaria by Marie Antoinette.
Sofia has a lot of spring activity which has attracted visitors since medieval times. Initially, the Ottomans constructed their own hammam here which was destroyed following the Bulgarian Revival.
The Central Baths date to 1913 and were in use until the mid-1980s. It’s one of Sofia’s most photographed buildings, constructed in the neo-byzantine style.
Borisova Gradina
This is Sofia’s oldest and most famous park and is perfect for an afternoon amble.
The park is divided into three sections and each section was designed by a different gardener. If you’re in need of an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, or you just fancy some fresh air and tranquillity, this park is the ideal escape.
Food
We had absolutely no idea what Bulgarian food was when we visited so we were very intrigued at would be on the menu.
Turns out, it’s delicious, fresh and hearty! It shares the same characteristics with other Balkan cuisines – namely Turkish, Greek and Serbian. Meat tends to be the main staple, with pork and chicken being the most popular, accompanied with fresh, good quality vegetables and contains a variety of mild spices.
Although the dishes tend to revolve around meat, you can get by pretty easily if you’re a vegetarian, especially in the larger cities. Vegan may be harder however with their love for dairy. They put cheese on EVERYTHING! (Which we thoroughly enjoyed!)
Like we mentioned earlier, melted cheese and cornflakes with jam became a staple for us after our first dinner. We were so intrigued by it and didn’t expect it to be good but it really was!
Shopska salad tends to be eaten before every meal; a refreshing mix of tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, onion and sirene cheese. For the ultimate Bulgarian experience, enjoy your salad with a shot of rakia! Interestingly, the salad’s most prominent colours match the colours of the flag…coincidence??
For another refreshing start to a meal, especially on a hot day, try tarator. This is a cold yoghurt soup made up of cucumbers, dill, garlic, olive oil and sometimes walnuts.
Main meals tend to consist of Kebapche, or kebabs, which are grilled meat with spices. Meshana Skara is also common; mixed grill typically including kebapche, kufte (a bit like meatballs) and a pork skewer similar to souvlaki.
To Know Before You Go
When’s the best time to visit?
In terms of weather, April through to October will be the best time to visit. We visited in September which we thought was the perfect time. A pleasant temperature for sightseeing and also hiking.
July to August unsurprisingly will be the busiest time of year, prices will spike (although nothing compared to other European countries!) and it’ll be very hot (in June as well it can get to above 40 degrees!).
In the winter a lot of things shut down. Unless you’re a snow baby and fancy some skiing or snowboarding? Bansko is becoming an increasingly popular budget ski destination.
How do I get around?
The best way to get around is to rent a car. It’s inexpensive and fuel is cheap. Driving is fairly easy as the roads are very quiet outside of the cities. Public transport is fine in the cities but if you’re wanting to travel further afield you might find it tricky.
How long would you recommend?
You could definitely have a couple of days in one of the cities if you’re just after a city break (we’d recommend Plovdiv).
However, if you want to experience some of Bulgaria’s glorious countryside, no less than a week. We had eight days which was perfect for what we saw but we could definitely have extended it and made the road trip longer.
How expensive is Bulgaria?
Not at all!! This was another reason why we chose Bulgaria. For food in the smaller, less touristy towns expect to pay about $8 for a meal and $1 for a beer. In the cities about $12 for a meal and $2.50 for a beer. If you dine in one of the restaurants on Sofia’s Vitosha Boulevard, expect to pay closer to $10-$12 and $4 for a beer.
We stayed in little guesthouses for $15-$20 a night. Activities and tours are also a fraction of the cost of what you pay in other areas of Europe.
What currency is used?
Bulgaria uses the Lev. At the time of writing $1 is 1.73 BGN.
What plug do I need?
Bulgaria uses plug type F with two round pins. You can also use E and C. The voltage is 230V.
We hope this post has helped you decide what places to visit in Bulgaria. We can’t wait to go back and explore some more! If you have any other questions feel free to leave a comment or contact us 🙂
If you’re interested in more of our hiking trips, why not check out our posts on the Peak District, our road trip around Colorado and Helen’s trip to Arizona.