20 Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria

20 Best places to visit in bulgaria

Bulgaria is one of the European countries to visit explore the picturesque landscapes, beaches along the coast of Black Sea, waterfalls, rivers and mountains.

Travelers visit Bulgaria every year for a holiday or vacation and during their stay in the country they get to explore different places. Some choose to spend their time along the sun-kissed beaches, explore resort towns or beautiful cities. There is something to do and place to visit in Bulgarian no matter the traveler preferences.

If you are in Dubai and considering visiting Bulgaria for you to be allowed enter Bulgaria you need to apply for Bulgaria visa from Dubai. With the visa you are allowed to enter the country and get to visit the best places we have listed below.

01 Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria

There are numerous spectacular places which you can visit in Bulgaria. Here we have listed the Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria for an exciting holiday.

1. Sofia

Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria

Sofia is the Bulgaria capital city and it one of the best places which you should not miss to explore. It is the largest city in the country and it is probably the first place where you land because most airlines fly here.

There are different things which you can do like exploring the main tourist attractions such as Boyana church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Ivan Vazov National Theatre, Saint Nedelja Church and National Museum of Military History and South Park.

You can also take leisure walk around the city admiring the buildings or visiting the shopping shops. You can spend like 2 days exploring different parts of this city and will not be bored.

2. Plovdiv

Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria

Plovdiv said to be among the oldest city in the world and in Europe. It is claimed to be older even than Athens. It is one of the best places to visit in Bulgaria and get to learn the country rich history, see beautiful old architecture and explore the roman ruins.

You can get to this city from either Sofia or Varna by boarding a bus from the central bus station. The bus will get you to Plovdiv. You can also board train from other parts of the country or car hire a car.

3. Veliko Tarnovo

Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria

Veliko Tarnovo is another fascinating city to visit in Bulgaria. It was the one time the country Capital city in between 12th and 14th century during the ear of Second Bulgarian Kingdom.

There are different places which you can get to visit at this city starting with the main attraction Tsarevets hill. When you get to the pick of the hill you get to catch the stunning view of the city. Other places to visit include the beautiful Yantra River and exploring the medieval fortress remains.

4. Varna

Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria

Varna is the 3rd largest city and is regarded as the Bulgaria sea capital. It is where the biggest seaside resort is located and tourists visit this city6 in summer so spend time exploring the beautiful coastline.

There are other things which you can do in this city like visiting the Varna Archeological Museum where you see different artifacts. One interesting fact about this city is where the oldest gold treasure in the world was found and dating to 4200 – 4600 BC.

There is something for every traveler to enjoy in this city; you can explore the sandy beaches, beautiful gardens, lively bars and clubs, enjoy delicious dishes in the restaurants and other fun activities.

5. Burgas

Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria

Located on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, Burgas draws tourists with its distinct culture, history, and scenic beauty. You can spend time exploring the pristine coastline and a bustling seaside promenade.

You should get to visit the Old Town here you get to visit the Archaeological Museum and the Sea Garden. Many travelers choose to spend their time at this city given its welcoming atmosphere, diverse culinary scene and rich maritime heritage.

Burgas offers something for everyone, no matter if you want to relax on the sandy beaches or discover the city's attractions.

6. Koprivshtitsa

Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria

Koprivshtitsa is one of the places in Bulgaria which is mostly visited by the locals. It has a particular place in the hearts of many Bulgarians because of its history, which is heavily influenced by the 19th-century rebellion against the Ottoman Empire.

Koprivshtitsa is one of the well-preserved Bulgarian towns and it retains the spirit of the Bulgarian National Revival. This town is renowned for its significant historical landmarks, folk festivals, and ancient, original Bulgarian architecture.

Every five years since 1965, Koprivshtitsa has hosted the National Festival of Bulgarian Folklore, which brings together musicians, dancers, and artists from all over the nation.

7. Ruse

Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria

Located on the Danube River and bordering the Romanian city of Giurgiu Ruse, sometimes known as "the Little Vienna," is another amazing place to visit in Bulgaria.

One aspect which distinguishes this place from other places in Bulgari is the unique building architecture and is heavily influenced by the Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo styles. Thus gives it a distinct Middle-European flavor that cannot be seen anyplace else in the country.

There are various tourist attractions which you can visit inlusing the Natural Park Rusenski Lom, the Rock Churches of Ivanovo, the medieval town of Cherven and more.

8. Shiroka Laka

Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria

Located in Bulgaria's Rhodope Mountains, Shiroka Laka is a charming village renowned for its genuine charm and conserved cultural legacy. The homes here are built using distinctive stone and cobblestone lanes, which are hallmarks of ancient Rhodopean architecture.

The village is a center for music and culture, and it hosts the well-known Shiroka Laka Kukeri Festival, masked actors participate in traditional customs. The local are welcoming and you can interact with them to learn their culture. Another thing to do here is to visit the Ethnographic Museum.

9. Kovachevitsa

Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria

Kovachevitsa is also situated in the Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria and it is a worth place to visit. The buildings here are well preserved and were built in 18th century architecture.

As you walk around this village you will be taken back to the bygone era. What distinguish this village from others are the cobblestone streets and wooden-decorated stone homes. To complement the authenticity of this village, it is surrounded by lush hills and natural beauty.

One of the places you can visit in this village is the Church of the Holy Trinity explore the architectural masterpieces. There is not much to do but you can spend one hours walking around the village.

10. Bozhentsi

Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria

Bozhentsi is a charming village located in Bulgaria's Balkan Mountains. This village is popular because of its remarkably intact 19th-century architecture. It also boasts wooden facades and lovely cobblestone streets with small homes with elaborately carved embellishments.

Bozhentsi village offers stunning views of the surrounding hills and forests and a tranquil haven amidst pure nature. Among the places where you can visit to learn about this city rich cultural legacy include Hadzhi Nikoli Inn and the Church of St. Prophet Iliya.

Bozhentsi is a sanctuary for people looking for a calm getaway since it offers the ideal blending of architecture, history, and scenic beauty.

11. Nessebar

Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria

Situated the Black Sea coast, Nesebar is a beautiful town and attracts tourist to explore stunning beaches ancient ruins and edifices. You should get to visit the Inland where you get to see the Byzantine-era fortifications and Roman baths. The island is connected with the mainland by a man-made walk away.

Other tourist attraction in the island is the popular St. Stephen church which was built in 11th century. It is an ornamented altarpiece and numerous mural paintings.

Other things to do in Nesebar include sunbathing on the beaches, trying different water sport activities, trying different seafood dishes and having fun at the beachfront water park.

12. Bansko

Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria

If you are visiting Bulgaria during the winter season, one of the best places to visit is Bansko. It is a popular destination for ski lovers. It is where the longest skin runs are located in the country.

You will have fun and thrilling experience skiing and snowboarding here. If you are not into snow activities there are a lot other things to do. You can take walk around the Old Town; you can get a massage at a spa, try different local delicious dishes at the local traditional restaurants.

13. Veliko Tarnovo

Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria

Located in central Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo also called ‘city of Tsars’ is a quaint and small city. This fortified city was during the second Bulgarian empire the capital city.

The history of this city dates back 7000 years and it is near by the Yantra River. It is surrounded by three hills, namely; Tsaravets, Trapezitsa, and Sveta Gora.

There are several places to explore around Veliko Tarnovo such as the cobblestone streets, churches, mythical homes and over 30 monasteries. You catch stunning views of the surrounding from the city.

14. The Seven Rila Lakes

Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria

The Seven Rila Lakes is among the best places to visit in Bulgaria for nature lovers. Mostly tourists visit this place for hiking experiences and other to see the spectacular views of the surrounding. Seven glacial lakes, situated between 2,100 and 2,500 meters above sea level, make up this stunning region.

Most locals have tried to hike to the top of these lakes at least a few times throughout their lives. The main hiking trail is not thought to be very tough and takes about two and a half to three hours to reach the last and highest lake.

15. Belogradchik Rocks

Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria

Situated in the Western part of the Balkan Mountains Belogradchik Rocks is another Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria. Travelers visit this place to see rock formations which have been growing since about 230 million years ago. It is claimed these rocks formation started during the Permian period and from that time they have never stopped developing.

Many tourists visit the rocks to try and try climb to the peak. When you get to peak will catch breath taking view of the surrounding. The formation of these rocks is amazing and with many peaks which hard to conquer.

16. Open-air museum Etara

Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria

Situated in Gabrovo city, open-air museum is another top places to visit in Bulgaria. This museum is particularly found in an Architectural-Ethnographic Complex Etar complex.

This museums aim is to showcase the local way of life, architecture, and economy during the 18th and 19th century Bulgarian National Revival. Apart from to learning about ancient Bulgarian culture, traditions, and craftsmanship, you may view typical Bulgarian renaissance homes.

17. Balchik

Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria

If you are visiting Bulgari with your family Balchik is one of the best places to visit. This town is situated near the northern part of Black Sea Coast in Bulgaria. Although it is a small town there are several places to visit.

Among the top places to visit are the famous botanical gardens and the summer residence of Romanian Queen Marie of Edinburgh.

18. Pobiti Kamani

Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria

If you want to explore the desert in Bulgaria the only place to visit is Pobiti Kamani. It is a unique tourist destination in the country where you can get to see different flora and fauna. Also you get a chance for a desert experience, the weather and see the sand dunes.

Pobiti Kamani is situated 20 km west to varna. There are different things to do in this desert such as exploring the rock formations and sand dunes. The rocks stand as high as 7 meters. These rock formations appear to be trapped in the sand because they are hollow on the inside.

19. The Rila Monastery

Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria

Situated in the Rila Mountains, the Rila Monastery is among the most visited places in Bulgaria. It is significance in the country culture and heritage. The history of this monastery dates back to the 10th century.

The interior of this monastery is even more stunning than the outside. Among the things which you get to see in the monastery is exquisite frescoes, an extensive collection of wood carvings and icons, and several cultural artifacts.

20. Sozopol

Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria

Sozopol is one of the historic seaside towns in Bulgaria visited by tourist mostly to see the Bronze Age artifacts and antiquities. Also tourists visit this town to explore the amazing beaches and enjoy vibrant nightlife.

Sozopol is one of Bulgaria's major cultural hubs and annually hosts the Apollonia Art and Film Festival. Other places to visit include St. Thomas Island, St. Ivan Island and The Castle of Ravadinovo.

02 FAQ’s

1. Why is Bulgaria so famous?

The opera singers, musicians and folklore are the things what make Bulgaria so famous.

2. What is the most beautiful place in Bulgaria?

There are several beautiful places in Bulgaria to visit and in that list is Rila Monastery and Rila Mountains

  • Plovdiv Old Town
  • Varna
  • Nessebar
  • Belogradchik Rocks

3. What is the best time to visit Bulgaria?

The best time to visit Bulgaria is during the spring season from April to June. During this time you can get to explore different parts in the country because the weather is pleasant. If you aim is to explore the beaches the best time to visit is during summer season from July to August). For winter activities the best time to visit is during winter season from December to February.