Bulgaria

Lost in Bulgaria, found in its charm♥︎

Bulgaria, oh you little beauty! Beyond its vibrant cities, the country reveals quiet villages, rolling hills, and small moments that linger with you slow mornings in sunlit squares, the scent of wildflowers along winding roads, and the simple joy of being present. It’s not about seeing everything, but about feeling the rhythm of the country and letting it guide you. It’s not about checking off sights, but about collecting moments that stay with you.

a love letter to bulgaria

Bulgaria Travel Guide – Best Places to Visit

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Bulgaria Travel Buttons

pick your next destination in Bulgaria

Bulgaria Travel Guide – Best Places to Visit

Bulgaria

Places to Visit

14 Days Bulgaria

Travel Itinerary

Sofia

City Guide

Plovdiv

Things to do

Hey we are Gerrit & Laura

We hunt hidden gems, sip coffee in tiny cafés, and turn every street into an adventure. Come along as we share our journeys and the stories we find along the way. Welcome to our corner of the world! 

Explore Bulgaria

The Balkan state on the Black Sea is influenced by Greek, Slavic, Ottoman and Persian cultures. Bulgaria is a Balkan country located in southeastern Europe. With its spectacular mountains, golden sandy beaches and lively cities, the country has attracted more and more holiday-hungry tourists in recent years. Bulgaria borders Romania, Turkey, Greece, Serbia and North Macedonia. It is one of the oldest European countries and was founded in 681 AD. Bulgaria has been a member of NATO since 2004 and joined the European Union in 2007. The country in the Blue Heart of Europe has three national parks, eleven nature parks and 55 nature reserves. Bulgaria is a country that offers many facets, from breathtaking nature and historical sites to warm hospitality and delicious cuisine.

Where we book our adventures around Bulgaria!
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Book Activities & Tours

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Map of Sofia, Bulgaria

tell me some facts.

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Nice to know

Capital: Sofia 
Population: 6,5 Million
Currency: Lev (BGN), from 01.01.2026 Euro (€, EUR)
Area: 110.994 km²
Language: Bulgarian
Neighboring countries: Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Greece and Turkey
Fact: Bulgaria was founded in the 7th Century.

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Best time to visit

May and October
19-29 C° / 66-84 °F
Spring and autumn are perfect if you are interested in culture, nature and less crowds. Summer is ideal for beach vacationers and festivals. Winter is suitable for winter sports enthusiasts and Christmas market lovers.

how-to-get-around-icon-tips

How to get around

The country has a well-developed road network, especially on the main routes between large cities. A *Rental Car is a good way to explore the country at your leisure. But you can also travel around the country easily and cheaply by train or bus. 

How to get to Bulgaria?

International Airports in Bulgaria:

  • Sofia (SOF)
  • Varna (VAR)
  • Plovdiv (PDV)
  • Burgas (BOJ)


Direct flights from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the UK, Turkey and many EU cities.

Airlines: Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Bulgaria Air, easyJet, Pegassus Airlines, LOT and many more.

From the airport to the city center:
Sofia – Bus, metro or taxi (approx. 30–40 min)
Plovdiv/Varna/Burgas – Bus or taxi (approx. 10–30 min)

Main provider in Bulgaria:

BDZ (Bulgarian State Railways)

Some connections to and from:

  • Serbia → Sofia
  • Romania → Sofia/Varna
  • Greece → Sofia/Plovdiv


International train connections do exist, but they are not very fast and we would recommend taking the bus instead.

International providers:

  • FlixBus
  • Eurolines
  • Union Ivkoni
  • Karat-S

Main routes:

From Germany → Sofia/Varna/Plovdiv (via Vienna or Budapest)

Romania, Greece, Serbia, North Macedonia, Turkey

Buses are usually the most practical option to get to Bulgaria from neighboring countries.

Bulgaria is easily accessible by motorway. The roads here are relatively new and well-developed.

Tolls:
Partially dependent on the distance traveled; motorways in Bulgaria require a vignette (toll sticker).

Vignette prices:
approx. €15–30 per week/month

Parking:
In cities like Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna, parking is often paid (blue/red zones).

Tips:
Use GPS, offline cards and Google Maps. Many towns and cities are well signposted.

14 Days Bulgaria Travel Itinerary – The Ultimate Road Trip
Places to Visit in Sofia, Bulgaria – How to Get Around
Bulgaria Travel Itinerary, Airport Sofia, Bulgaria, Rental Car

also nice to know

Bulgaria is located in the European Schengen Area. You can travel to Bulgaria for a stay of up to 90 days. Your ID card or passport must be valid for three months upon entry. Non-EU citizens require a Schengen visa. You can apply for this online and travel throughout Europe for 90 days. The visa costs approximately 90€.

In Bulgaria you should drink bottled or filtered water.

Type F sockets are used. This is the most common in Europe.

Most of the streets here are very new and well developed. The traffic here is quite relaxed and you can travel through the country well by car, camper or motorcycle.

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In Bulgaria, restaurants and bars usually do not hit a service fee. Around 5-10% tips are common generally in Europe.

Why We Fell in Love with Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a land full of surprises. Everything feels calmer, more authentic, more honest. Bulgaria is a place where you can travel without feeling like you’ve stepped into a tourist postcard. Here you’ll find spectacular mountains, charming villages where time seems to slow down, and coastlines that make you feel like life can be a little easier.

A freshly brewed coffee in the morning, a stroll through old cobblestone streets, a sunset shimmering over the Black Sea. Bulgaria is a land of contrasts and beauty. Modern cities meet ancient traditions, wild nature meets warm hospitality. People who smile at you, even if they don’t know you. Food that warms you, even on the hottest days.

You should travel to Bulgaria if you’re looking for a country that doesn’t overwhelm you, but inspires you. A country that gives you space to breathe, to discover, to marvel. A country that shows you that great experiences sometimes come from the little things.

Bulgaria Travel Tips

  • Buy a vignette – there are digital and sticker versions, available online or at petrol stations.
  • Eat – Try Bulgarian cheese (Sirene), honey and Tarator (cold cucumber soup).
  • Language – English works well in large cities like Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, and tourist areas. Basic Bulgarian is helpful!
  • Local festivals – many small villages have their own festivals, e.g. traditional costume festivals or Almabtriebe (cattle drives).
  • Visa – EU citizens do not need one. Other nationalities must be checked.
  • Use local apps – for bus schedules, taxi apps (Yellow Taxi in Sofia, OK Supertrans in Plovdiv).
  • Banitsa – get it from the baker, not in restaurants. Fresh, warm in the morning, and so much better than in tourist restaurants.
  • Wine or beer tastings – preferably at family-run businesses – ignore the large tourist wineries.
  • Getting up early – many highlights, sunrises, mountain trails. The peace and quiet in the morning makes Bulgaria special.
  • Experience craftsmanship – visit rose oil producers in Kazanlak or woodcarvers in Tryavna.

Our Interactive Travel Maps

When we travel, we always save the best places we discover from hidden viewpoints and cozy cafés to beautiful beaches and must-see spots. To make trip planning easier, we created interactive travel maps with all our favorite locations in one place. Simply open the map and explore the places we personally visited.

Note: The buttons and images above link to our interactive travel maps hosted on Rexby, where you can explore all saved locations in detail. Thanks for your support friends!

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