Shopping in Bulgaria

It's hard to find a traveler who doesn't look for nice things to give to their loved ones or trinkets to remember themselves. Bulgaria is a shopper's paradise. Here at every step you can find a souvenir store or a small store. There is something to buy for those who prefer more substantial gifts: alcohol, spices, textiles, jewelry.

Tips for great shopping in Bulgaria

The main rule of successful shopping in Bulgaria is the same as in all coastal countries: it is better to buy goods away from the crowds of tourists. You can save 2-3 times as much.

The cheapest city to buy various souvenirs is Pomorie. One of the most expensive is Nessebar.

For shopping, it's better to take a day and go to Stambul. There are no mass-market clothing and footwear manufacturers in Bulgaria worth checking out. As a result the same Turkish products are found on the shelves, only with an additional markup.

Before buying textiles (tablecloths, towels, plaids) be sure to check the quality of the goods.

Usable Gifts

Bulgarian rose — locally produced cosmetics

In Bulgaria, the rose has long been considered white gold and is constantly praised. The Balchik Botanical Garden and the Valley of Roses specialize in the cultivation of different types of roses, including those used in cosmetology.

It is better to choose the most famous cosmetic brand "Bulgarian Rose" in shopping centers, large supermarkets. Fakes can be found on street stalls.

The following Bulgarian Rose products are the most suitable as a gift.

handmade liquid and solid soaps;

shampoos and other natural hair care products;

Skin creams for different ages and skin types;

Toilet water (from 9 BGN);

Stable perfume (priced from 11 BGN).

Jewelry is a valuable gift

The most common jewelry made in Bulgaria is made of silver. Gold and diamonds are found, but not as popular.

Price of silver jewelry ranges from 4.7 to 20 BGN per gram, depending on the manufacturer, model, the store where the item is presented and many other factors.

Local jewelry has several unquestionable advantages:

Fakes are extremely rare;

Whatever the price, all products are hallmarked;

most of the jewelry is made in the original style, unique, not mass-market;

The hospitable people of Bulgaria are always excellent consultants.

Textiles

The handmade openwork tablecloths are practically a national treasure in Bulgaria. In resort towns you can find locals knitting all kinds of salves, tablecloths, towels, towels, capes and jewelry. Homemade products are not cheap, but are truly original souvenirs.

Buy such textiles can be both in markets and in shopping centers and large stores. Especially many openwork products are sold on the streets of Nesebra.

Edible Presents

In the realm of tasty souvenirs, Bulgaria certainly boasts honey, spices, and alcohol.

Spices and condiments

The most common spice product in the country is "sharena sol" — a variety of spices and seasonings laid out in layers. In Bulgaria, even ordinary common salt has an unusual flavor and smell. It is produced in a special factory near Pomorie.

You can buy aromatic spices both on trays (here they are fresher and more attractive in appearance) and in shopping centers (there they are better packaged).

A small fifty-gram jar of such spices can cost 0.35 BGN.

Traditional sweets

The Bulgarians love sweets. Here you can find not only the most common confectionery (pastries, cakes, candies), but also specialty national sweets on every corner:

churchhella and pastilla, typical of all southern resorts;

brews and jams from rose petals, figs and pine cones.

The cost of a half-liter jar of jam starts at 2.4 BGN.

Honey

Bulgarians love and value honey so much that they created a special festival in Nessebar in its honor. The event is held annually at the end of August – beginning of September. Here you can not only buy “sweet health” but also taste various types of honey:

Acacia — exceptionally light and pale;

Lavender — with a pleasant aroma and a pinkish hue;

Linden — a remedy for colds;

Sunflower — crystallizes quickly and has a thick texture;

Rapeseed — very light, almost white;

Honeydew honey — dark brown honey with a sour-bitter taste. To produce it, bees collect secretions from aphids feeding on tree leaves. The honey is considered medicinal.

Only in Bulgaria can you find honey cream — whipped honey of any type, with a creamy consistency, free of granules. It is a natural product and safe to buy.

However, lemon and rose honey should be avoided — it is flavored honey, and its benefits are doubtful.

The price of Bulgarian honey starts from 7 BGN for a half-liter jar.

Alcohol — a Gift with a Kick

Bulgarians are a cheerful and hospitable people, rightfully proud of their alcohol. Among guests and locals, the following types of alcoholic products are popular:

Rakija — Bulgarian brandy. It is made from apricots, pears, plums, and apples. Apricot rakija is considered the signature national drink;

Mastika — a white spirit infusion with marshmallow herb and anise;

Wine. The most famous grape varieties are Muscat, Mavrud, Misket, and Gamza.

A special tribute to alcohol production is paid by numerous wine cellars and wineries, located in almost all large cities of the country. Every year, thousands of tourists visit not only to buy wine but also to select their favorite drink through long tastings.

Dairy Products

Milk in Bulgaria is elevated to a cult. The locals’ love for dairy products is equally boundless:

Kaymak — a cheese resembling a mix of thick cream and sour curd;

Ayran — milk diluted with water and fermented;

natural processed cheese (prices do not exceed 1.5 BGN).

With a generous addition of dairy products, local restaurants prepare the national dish Tartar — Bulgarian cold soup.

Original souvenirs from Bulgaria

Copper turks for brewing coffee

Many tourists bring back coffee from Bulgaria. In order to make its taste even more reminiscent of a pleasant trip, it is worth buying handmade copper coffee tourniquets. In Nessebar there is a craftsman who makes them right on the street, in full view of passers-by. On request, he can engrave any inscription on the turba, which makes such a gift especially valuable.

The cost of a copper turba ranges from 25 to 35 BGN, depending on its size.

Purses

Local craftsmen make coin purses from genuine leather costing from 30 BGN in the form of animals and plants, vegetables and fruits. This is a useful gift of excellent quality.

Anything

The list of typical souvenirs for any resort includes such items:

ceramics and wood crafts costing from 30 BGN per item;

bijouterie made of stone, copper, semi-precious stones;

sea shells for only 1 BGN;

Fashionable dream catcher cost 50 BGN.

Bulgaria is just starting to really open up to tourists. Be sure to bring along some tasty souvenirs to get a taste of the country.