Painted monasteries, Roman ruins and a long Black Sea shore.
Bulgaria layers Thracian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history across mountains and coast. Sofia's golden-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the frescoed Rila Monastery are highlights, while Plovdiv has a Roman theatre in its old town and Veliko Tarnovo sits on hills crowned by the Tsarevets fortress. In summer the Black Sea resorts around Varna, Sozopol and Nesebar fill with swimmers.
Food is simple and fresh: shopska salad, banitsa, grilled meats and famous yoghurt. Buses are often more practical than trains, and Cyrillic signs take some getting used to, as does shaking your head for yes. May, June and September are ideal for towns and hiking, July and August suit the beaches, and January and February bring skiing at Bansko and Borovets.
Best time to visit Bulgaria
May, June, September.
Places to visit in Bulgaria
Sofia: Bulgaria's capital, with gold-domed churches, Roman ruins in the metro and a mountain on its doorstep.
Plovdiv: An ancient city of Roman ruins, painted revival-era houses and a creative quarter called Kapana.
Rila Monastery: Bulgaria's largest and most revered monastery, with striped arcades and vivid frescoes in a forested valley.
Veliko Tarnovo: Bulgaria's medieval capital, with houses stacked above a river gorge and the Tsarevets fortress.
Essentials
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Language: Bulgarian; English common among younger people
Plugs: Type C / F, 230 V
Driving: Right side
Time zone: UTC+2
Tipping: Around 10% in restaurants
Getting around: Buses are the most practical way between cities; trains are slower
Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking