All the necessary information for a vacation in Bulgaria: preparation for the trip, money matters, food, shopping, excursions and other useful information.
Travelers visiting Bulgaria are often pleasantly surprised by the high level of modern services. The country has not yet been overwhelmed with visitors, and most Bulgarian resorts can boast very affordable prices and a welcoming attitude toward tourists.
Locals are generally friendly with visitors. For example, in the evening, a resident might approach you on the street just to have a chat. This could lead to a new friendship or even an informal guide for your holiday.
Who Will Enjoy a Holiday in Bulgaria
Beaches. Bulgaria is perfect for those who prefer uncrowded beaches. Even during the high season, there is always plenty of space along the coast.
Prices. You won’t find exotic palm trees or ancient ruins on every corner, but thanks to the modest prices, you can enjoy a longer stay compared to Montenegro or many Western European resorts.
Shopping. Bulgaria also attracts shopping enthusiasts. In addition to local products, organized shopping tours to Istanbul are especially popular.
Language. Many Bulgarians speak English fluently, making the country particularly appealing to those who don’t speak foreign languages.
Travel preparations
Insurance
It is essential to take out medical insurance before traveling. No vaccination certificate is required. No specific immunizations are needed here.
Food
Food can be safely bought at the market, everything here is quite quality and clean. Only unique products, such as baby food, are worth taking with you.
For drinking we recommend buying drinking water in plastic bottles.
For those who like to buy edible gifts for themselves and their loved ones, local authorities recommend familiarizing yourself with customs regulations. For example, no more than two liters of wine may be taken out of Bulgaria.
Money Matters
Currency
The national currency is the Bulgarian Lev (BGN). The euro is also widely used (1 BGN = 0.51 EUR). Credit cards are generally accepted in banks, large hotels, and supermarkets, but most payments are still made in cash.
Exchange Offices
You can exchange money at numerous exchange offices across the country. Always check whether the office charges a commission, as a seemingly good rate may be reduced by fees of up to 15–20%.
The sign NO COMMISSION indicates that no additional fees apply. It is not recommended to exchange money with private individuals.
Bringing Bulgarian leva into the country is strictly prohibited by law. Travelers should arrive with euros and exchange them locally. It is allowed to take no more than 5000 BGN out of the country.
Travel Budget
For a strict budget trip, about 300 EUR per person is enough for a week — sufficient for simple meals. The average amount needed for a comfortable holiday is around 500–550 EUR.
If you don’t limit yourself (renting a car to explore the country, booking private excursions), you can easily spend more than 700 EUR during a week in Bulgaria.
Food: Where to Buy and What to Try
Shops in Bulgaria are generally open from 09:00 to 19:00 (at resorts until 22:00) from Monday to Friday. Saturday is usually a shorter day, and many shops are open throughout the week. Grocery stores are often open 24 hours.
Supermarkets
Bulgarian supermarkets offer quality products, even in the lower price range. The largest supermarket chain in the country is “Mladost” (“Youth”).
Traditional Dishes
Among the highlights of Bulgarian cuisine, you should definitely try:
cheese — both hard and soft varieties;
ayran and kaymak — traditional dairy products;
tarator — a refreshing cold cucumber soup;
tsarevitsa — boiled corn, sold almost on every corner.
In summer, Bulgarian markets are overflowing with fresh fruits. They are inexpensive, always fresh, and remarkably tasty.
Overall, Bulgaria is a paradise for vegetarians. Even the local shawarma (döner) often contains very little meat — or none at all.
Beach vacation
The Black Sea here is quite comfortable. Therefore the optimal time to travel to Bulgaria is summer and early September. By the beginning of the velvet season there are not so many tourists, and the temperature of water and air still allows swimming.
Beaches are mostly sandy. Nearly every town has at least a small stretch of wild beach.
On most beaches, you can:
rentan umbrella for 8 BGN per day or buy one for 12 BGN. Either way, it's more practical not to bring an umbrella.
If you decide to rent a sun lounger, you will be given a special voucher confirming the right to rent a sun lounger for the day.
Shopping rules
To return from Bulgaria with the "right" souvenirs, you should use the following lifehacks:
It's cheaper and easier to go to Stambul to purchase large quantities of goods. This Turkish city is easily accessible from anywhere in the country;
Burgas has a good selection of goods in Bulgaria, but prices are significantly higher than in Turkey;
There's a good range of budget souvenir options in Pomorie;
Classical Bulgarian souvenirs include local cosmetics, knitted goods, and honey ("manov").
Hotel service
Virtually all resorts, even the most expensive ones, have a luxurious "front" side and an extremely poor "backside". Away from the tourist areas, every Bulgarian town takes on the traits of outright poverty.
At the same time, the country has many excellent4 and 5 star hotels at affordable prices. The level of local service is not inferior to the best resorts in Montenegro. The advantage of Bulgarian hotels is the widespread all-inclusive food system, unlike in the Balkan countries.
Modest apartments for lovers of budget but comfortable vacation in Bulgaria are also enough.
Tourist destinations in Bulgaria
Bulgaria combines an interesting centuries-old history with classic seaside relaxation. Most of the resort towns are home to few curiosities.
Excursion or individual walks
The majority of group excursions in Bulgaria are organized at a very average level. In order to get interesting impressions from the trip, it is better to explore the sights of the country individually.
To see the hidden heart of the country, hidden inside the territory, it is much cheaper to travel by public transport or by rented car.
Popular Attractions
In non-coastal cities, the following attractions are the most notable:
Rila Monastery is the country's main shrine, located in the capital Sofia. It is also home to the famous Alexander Nevsky Palace and St. Sophia Cathedral;
The Tsarevets Fortress in the village-reserve of Veliko Tarnovo is Bulgaria's most famous architectural monument;
The Bachkovo (Petritson)monastery in Bachkovo, for which different denominations fought for centuries;
Roman Amphitheater in the city of contrasts Plovdiv;
Wine Museum for lovers of tasting tours in Pleven;
Valley of Roses at the foot of Stara Planina mountain.
Resort Cities of Bulgaria
To choose the best city for your vacation, first decide on the main purpose of your trip.
Nesebar
This resort is perfect for romantic walks through medieval streets. The town becomes especially beautiful at dusk.
Pomorie
This town is ideal for classic seaside vacations at affordable prices. The main attraction is the Coastal Lake, home to many rare birds. Culture enthusiasts will enjoy the St. George Monastery.
Burgas and Varna
These cities are designed for sightseeing and vibrant shopping experiences.
Tourists visiting Burgas always stop by the Sea Garden and the Sand Sculpture Exhibition. In Varna, must-visit sites include the dolphinarium and zoo. The Aladzha Monastery is also located here.
Balchik
This town is perfect for enjoying picturesque landscapes, including its luxurious botanical garden.
Sunny Beach
A popular resort for lively youth vacations with numerous discos and parties.
Ravda, Obzor, Aheloy
These towns are great for budget-friendly, relaxed family holidays. They are not the most popular resorts, but they offer pleasant, low-crowd experiences.
Other useful things for traveling to Bulgaria
Photography and videography
Photographing is forbidden in most museums and churches. To take a photo in a mosque, you must obtain a special permit.
It is forbidden to take photos of military installations, airports and border posts. It is also considered indecent to take a close-up photo of a stranger.
Phone communication
You can make a phone call to another country or city from any telephone. This is done using Mobika's blue-colored cards and devices, and BulFon's orange-colored cards and devices.
They are sold in communication offices, newsstands, small stores and hotels. The amount of units consumed on the card is shown on the phone's display during the call. Calls using the cards are cheaper than calls from a hotel.
Tips
Tips for waiters usually range from 5-10% of the bill, depending on the type of establishment.
In taxis, it is customary to tip 5% of the fare or round up to the nearest whole amount.
Bulgaria is an excellent choice for a comfortable, extended vacation, whether with the whole family or a lively group of friends. Every year, the country improves its service quality, bringing it closer to the top European resorts.
