Amazing Tour
Bulgaria
10 Beutiful Places to visit in Bulgaria
When people think about Bulgaria, they often mainly associate it with Sofia. While the capital city is undoubtedly a worthy destination, it’s important to emphasize that there are many other wonderful spots to explore in this country.
It’s not to say Sofia isn’t worth seeing; it definitely is. However, by only visiting the capital, one would miss out on experiencing the true essence of Bulgaria. This country offers much more – beautiful sandy beaches, towering mountains, and endless valleys. Moreover, Bulgaria stands as one of Europe’s oldest countries, with a deep history and culture that have played significant roles in its development. The people of Bulgaria take pride in their culture and enjoy discussing their history.
If you’re still not getting the picture of what’s expecting you here, then keep reading. I have compiled a list of 30 gorgeous places to visit in Bulgaria. May the inspiration for your next trip start flowing… now!
Best cities and villages to visit in Bulgaria
1. Sofia
Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria and the biggest city in the country. It’s very likely that this is the first place you’ll visit, as this is where the main airport is and most airlines fly here.
Some exceptions are Varna and Burgas, which are perfect to fly into if you’re going to the seaside, but more on this later in the article.
Sofia is not a city for everybody – some like it, others don’t, but it’s definitely worth spending 1 or 2 days here to see the main sights. You can take a free walking tour where a local guide will take you around the centre and tell you more about the history of Sofia and Bulgaria as a whole.
Once you’ve seen the main attractions in Sofia, you better pack your stuff and go explore some other beautiful places around Bulgaria.
2. Plovdiv
Plovdiv has been claimed as one of the oldest cities in the world and the oldest city in Europe, even older than Athens. This can mean only one thing – incredibly rich history, roman ruins, beautiful old architecture and unreplicable ‘old-town’ vibes.
This is the number one must-see place in Bulgaria (at least according to me and many others), and I’d even recommend spending more days in Plovdiv than in Sofia. The reason is simple – it has more to offer.
Reaching Plovdiv is easy, even if you don’t have a car. No matter whether you land in Sofia or Varna, you can take a bus from the central bus station of the city, which will take you directly here. Communing by train is also an option, though bus is usually faster.
Check out my detailed guide about the best things to do in Plovdiv!
3. Veliko Tarnovo
Along with Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo is one of my most favourite cities in all of Bulgaria. Being a former capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom between 12th and 14th century, this place has quite a bit to offer as well.
The city is located on the beautiful Yantra river, and it also lies on three hilld, the tallest one being Tsarevets. Tsarevets is also the main attraction of Veliko Tarnovo – you can visit the remains of a massive medieval fortress with a beautiful view over the city.
Check out my detailed guide about the best things to do in Veliko Tarnovo!
4. Varna
Welcome to the sea capital of Bulgaria! This is the third largest city of the country and the biggest seaside resort, attracting many tourists during the summer season thanks to its beautiful coastline and city vibes.
Fun fact – the oldest gold treasure in the world, dating back to 4200 – 4600 BC, was found in Varna. The artifacts can be seen at the Varna Archeological Museum, as well as at the National History Museum in Sofia.
Varna offers something for anyone’s taste – sandy beaches, lively bars and clubs, beautiful gardens, lots of restaurants and shops and fun activities to do. Nowadays low-cost flights with Wizz Air and Ryanair make reaching Varna easier than ever, but you could also catch a bus/train from Sofia, or any other city in the country for that matter.
Best mountain towns to visit in Bulgaria
05. Bansko
Moving on to the perfect vacation spots for winter and ski lovers, Bansko surely takes the top place. In fact, Bansko has the longest ski runs in the country. The place offers excellent conditions for skiing and snowboarding, and if you’re not really into that, there are also a few other things you can do. Walk around the Old Town, pamper yourself at a spa, or just indulge in all the delicious food at the local traditional restaurants.
06. The Seven Rila Lakes
The Seven Rila Lakes is one of the most iconic places in Bulgaria and a definite must-see for all nature lovers. Even if you’re not much of a hiker, you should still go see it! This beautiful area consists of seven glacier lakes high in the mountains – between 2,100 and 2,500 meters above sea level.
Locals are obsessed with these lakes and most of them have hiked to the very top at least a few times in their lives. No wonder – the view is absolutely stunning. The main walking route takes approximately 2.5 – 3 hours to get the last and highest lake, and the level of difficulty is not considered high. You can either sign up for an organised tour from Sofia or get your own vehicle and drive to the Rila Mountains yourself. Whichever way you choose – you won’t regret it.
07. Belogradchik Rocks
The Belogradchik Rocks is a group of impressive rock formations, located in the Western part of the Balkan Mountains, near the town of Belogradchik. Many foreigners I’ve talked to, who have visited this site, admitted that it is one of their absolute favourite places in the whole country. Getting to the top and observing the view from above can be a very humbling, yet extraordinary experience – endless mountain peaks, lush forests and almost no people around.
The formation of the rocks started about 230 million years ago, during the Permian period, and has been developing ever since. Belogradchik was named as one of twenty finalists by the European Commission as a “European Destination of Excellence” in 2008. The Belogradchik Rocks were even named as Bulgaria’s nomination in the campaign for the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 2009. They are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
08. Cape Kaliakra
Cape Kaliakra is a historical place at the Black Sea Coast, a narrow piece of land going into the water, offering a mesmerizing view of the seemingly endless sea, remnants of fortified walls and dolphins swimming around. The place is associated with an old famous legend about 40 Bulgarian girls, who decided to tie their long hair together and jump into the Black Sea, instead of being captured by the Ottomans during the Ottoman rule back in the days.
09. Open-air museum Etara
The Architectural-Ethnographic Complex Etar, or the so-called “Etara”, is essentially neighborhood which serves as an open-air museum. It is located in Northern Bulgaria in the city of Gabrovo. The complex aims at illustrating the architecture, economy and way of living in the region during the Bulgarian National Revival period in the 18th and 19th century. You can see typical Bulgarian revival houses and learn about old Bulgarian culture, customs and craftsmanship.
10. Dyavolski Most (Devil’s Bridge)
Dating back to the 16th century, the bridge was built by a local man during the time of the Ottoman occupation. Getting there requires some walking, but the views on the way and once you get there are unbeatable. Pack some food and drinks and have a picnic in the surroundings while enjoying this historical place.
