Bulgaria combines the culture of the Greeks, Byzantines, Ottomans and Slavs. Lovers of nature and hiking, admirers of history and religion, cave explorers and fans of beach holidays will love this place.
How to get to Bulgaria
The cost of a flight to Sofia and Varna starts from 17,000 rubles* per person round trip, to Burgas from 23,000 rubles*. In addition to a visa, to enter Bulgaria, Russians must present one of three documents: a certificate of full vaccination (including with the Sputnik V drug), negative PCR test (passed 72 hours before arrival) or a certificate with the result of a rapid antigen test (48 hours), or confirmation of an illness already suffered over the past six months (positive PCR test).
13 reasons to go to Bulgaria
1. Explore the historical town Nessebar
Photo: Kalina Georgieva/shutterstock.com
In addition to a beach holiday, this place offers an excursion into history and a feel of the Bulgarian flavor. For this, Nessebar was nicknamed the “Pearl of the Black Sea”. In the old town you can see Byzantine ruins of baths, a watchtower and a wall. Even the mill, which became the symbol of the city, although it was built during the Bulgarian Renaissance, was based on a Byzantine church. The rest of the ancient finds went under water during a series of earthquakes that occurred in ancient times, but they can be seen from a boat. There are also more than 40 temples here, for example, the Church of Pantocrator, which now houses an art gallery.
2. Spend a day in Seaside Park Varna
A park with flower beds, walking alleys, waterfalls and sea views. There is a planetarium, a zoo, museums, a dolphinarium – activities for every taste. You can alternate entertainment with trips to the beach.
3. Find the perfect beach resort
Sozopol is a beautiful resort town with a sandy coast. The central beach and Harmaniti have all the infrastructure necessary for vacationers. After swimming, go for a walk along the cobbled streets of the Old Town.
At the Sunny Beach resort, life is in full swing around the clock. During the day, a variety of water activities are available on the beach, and in the evening everyone moves to bars and nightclubs.
Albena is an ideal place to relax with children. Crystal clear warm water, fine sand, easy entry into the water and entertainment for children at every turn: attractions, games, playgrounds and a mini-train running around the resort.
I would like to pay more attention to health? Then head to the calm resort of Pomorie with salt lakes, mineral waters and healing mud.
4. Go to conquer the Rila mountain range
On the hillside is the picturesque Rila Monastery, where several holy artifacts are kept, including the relics of John of Rila himself, in whose honor the sanctuary was erected. Nearby is a cave where the hermit spent his last years. They say that if you go through it, you can atone for the sins of the past. A single ticket to all museum objects is 16 levs*.
At the top of the massif there is an observation deck and seven lakes are hidden. You should budget five to seven hours for the climb. The scenic views are worth it. The route starts from the lift to the first lake.
5. Get to know Plovdiv – the cultural capital and oldest city in the country
The streets of the old city are a real labyrinth in which you can get lost. And the museums here are located in houses of the Renaissance: an ethnographic one, where objects of everyday life of peoples are demonstrated, a historical one with exhibits from past centuries, and the Balabanov House with a collection of paintings by local artists. In the city center you will find the remains of an ancient stadium, where major sporting events took place in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, including gladiator fights and analogues of the Pythian Games with performances by athletes, poets and musicians. An ancient theater was also located here, and concerts are still held there to this day.
6. Climb the mountain Vitosha and explore the national park
The impressive mountain is located near the capital – Sofia; you can get to the highest point – the Black Peak – along the picturesque path of the natural park. Have a picnic at Lake Boyana and look at the waterfall of the same name. There are many monasteries here, the Dragalevsky women’s monastery deserves special attention.
7. Visit one of the many caves
Photo: Dina Rogatnykh/shutterstock.com
- The most famous is Prohodna, which is called the “Eyes of God” due to its characteristic holes. Climbers flock here to conquer the high arches, and here you can also bungee jump.
- Magura is famous for its wall paintings. Bones of prehistoric animals have also been found here. Entrance – 12 levs*.
- For the most impressive cave stalactites and stalagmites, you should go to Snezhanka (translated as “Snow White”), so named due to the formations of snow-white calcite crystals.
- Syeva-Dupka is one of the most beautiful caves with bizarre natural figures. According to archaeologists, it is more than three million years old. The acoustics are excellent and sometimes there are concerts.
8. Get to the annual art festival “Apolonia” in the city Sozopol
The event includes literary evenings, concerts, and theatrical performances from artists, performers, singers and poets from all over the world. This year it will take place from August 30 to September 6, 2021, and the festival will be held around the same dates next year.
9. Make an unforgettable photo session in Botanical Garden and in the palace of the city of Balchik
In the last century, Queen Maria of Romania decided to establish a summer residence here. Therefore, the castle and garden turned out to be truly royal. On one of the alleys you will even find a stone throne. The botanical garden itself is divided into thematic zones, which feature about 600 species of plants surrounding ponds and waterfalls. Entrance – 7 levs*.
10. Explore castles
The lands of Bulgaria throughout history have constantly balanced between peace and war. From the Thracians they passed to the Greeks, then to the Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. Therefore, there are plenty of defensive complexes in the country.
- Tsarevets is the former residence of the medieval kings of Bulgaria, located on a hill near Veliko Tarnovo and surrounded on three sides by a river. Entrance 6 levs*. Take a walk around the city itself with dozens of churches and monasteries.
- The majestic Belogradchik fortress, against the backdrop of the most beautiful landscapes of the Balkan Mountains, guarded trade routes during the Roman Empire (from the 1st century AD), and the Turks brought it to its current form in the 14th century. Entrance 6 levs*.
- Be sure to see the Shumen Fortress. The Romans and Byzantines also contributed to its development.
- We also recommend visiting the Baba Vida fortress-museum and the authentic Asenov fortress.
11. Get a gastronomic experience
Bulgaria is a country of meat, vegetables, dairy products and wine. We have selected several national dishes that are impossible not to try:
- gyuvech – stewed meat with vegetables;
- sarmi – grape leaves stuffed with meat and rice;
- kebabche – fried meat sausages made from minced minced meat;
- shopski – fresh vegetable salad with pickled cheese; & nbsp;
- tarator – cold cucumber soup with the addition of yogurt and walnuts;
- bob chorba – thick bean soup with meat and vegetables.
By the way, in Sofia you can join a free gastronomic tour: you will be taken to restaurants, given a taste of national dishes and told interesting stories associated with them. Details here.
12. Immerse yourself in the healing mud on the pink Atanasovskoye Lake
It has a delicate shade. You can swing on the surface, looking at the rare species of birds living in the reserve, and then apply healing mud and plunge into the sea, which is a few steps away. The cost of an open-air spa is symbolic – 2 leva*.
13. Wander through the stone complex Perperikon
Scientists believe that the city, which is now called “stone Pompeii,” was erected about one and a half thousand years ago by a mysterious people – the Thracians. The found altar for cults speaks about the latter. And according to legend, Orpheus was buried here. The complex with the remains of the palace and acropolis is truly amazing in its grandeur.
If the article does not convince you to start planning a trip to Bulgaria now, go to the material in which we briefly tell which countries Russians can go to tourists and what entry rules apply to them.
*Prices valid at time of publication
