Destinations in Bulgaria

In Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria, there are so many things to see and do, visitors will need to prioritize by interest. Sveta Nedelya Square is a good place to start. The square is surrounded by an Orthodox church, a Jewish synagogue, an Islamic mosque, and a Catholic church, giving travelers a sense of Sofia’s history, but also of its openness. The St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a historical and architectural must-see. Twenty-eight other architectural monuments include the National Gallery, the National Assembly Hall, the National Archaeological Museum, and the Palace of Justice. From the palace, visitors can take a free 2-hour tour of 35 important city sights.

Albena is a magnificent seaside resort town on the Black Sea roughly 20 minutes from Varna, the third largest city in Bulgaria. This picturesque coastal town sits along a nearly 4-mile stretch of beach just under 500 feet wide and featuring fine, soft, white sand. The eco-friendly town climbs from the beach to the hills behind it, offering panoramic views of the sea, which is calm, crystal clear, and warm. Nearby Baltata Forest, several mineral springs that stay at 86 degrees, mineral spa centers, and beautiful flower gardens add to the charm of Albena. The resort town also has tennis courts, bars, restaurants, casinos, and a wide range of water sports facilities.

Balchik is a quaint seaside town that combines historical romance, cultural attractions, and steep streets with the majestic beauty of the sea. Located in northern Bulgaria, it has long been known as the White Town due to the mostly white color of its lime rocks. It is 25 minutes outside the third largest city in Bulgaria and seaside capital, Varna, and just under 7 minutes from the one of Bulgaria’s biggest resorts, Albena. Aside from its stunning beaches, there is much to do and explore within the city, including a botanical garden, the Temples of Balchik, the Archealogical Museum, and the State Cultural Institute.

Bansko is a Bulgarian mountain ski resort town unlike any other. It’s surrounded by high stone fences, crisscrossed with charming narrow streets, and dotted with beautifully restored ancient houses. One of their main points of attraction is Pirin Street, a bustling area lined with quaint souvenir shops showcasing artisanal products made of wood, metal, and leather by local craftsmen. Visitors will often see the locals walking the streets in their traditional Bulgarian garb as they speak to one another in a dialect known only to those who live in Bansko. A visit to this town wouldn’t be complete without a trip to one of the local taverns for authentic food, drink, music, and dance.

Family Destinations

Belchin Bani (Belchin Baths) is a resort town nestled in a beautiful valley between the Verila, Plana, Vitosha, and Rila mountains. It is near the Palakaria River, 8 miles from Samokov, and roughly 35 minutes from Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia. Belchin Bani is known for its natural splendor and relatively untouched landscape, and it is near many natural, environmental, and cultural tourist attractions. The Palakaria Valley is a diverse plain and mountain terrain and has a multitude of forests. Belchin is most famous for the mineral springs that stay at about 104°F and are proven to have healing properties and also provide geothermal energy. Just above this village, the ruins of an ancient hilltop fortress, Tsari Mali Grad, are worth a visit.

Borovets is an upscale resort on Rila Mountain. It began as a mountain resort, the first of its kind in Bulgaria, in 1896, and expanded to a winter sports center in the ‘60s, and developed into the modern four-season resort it is today. The mountain resort offers six prominent hotels, three of the most desirable fine dining restaurants, and two of the hottest night spots in the Balkans. The adventure center offers ski, snowboard, and lift packages, carriage rides, a snow park, and a kids’ snow park in winter. During summer the center switches to hiking and mountain biking tours, rock climbing, archery, paintball, and horseback riding.

Burgas is a coastal resort town on the edge of the Black Sea. Less touristy than its neighbors to the south, it makes for an affordable home base to explore the area. Visitors will find museums and galleries, theaters, and interesting landmarks like the Clock, the Compass, the Lighthouse, and the Gramophone. Major attractions include the Castle of Ravadinovo, the Fairy Tales Wall, Stenograffika – a street art wall – St. Anastasia Island, the Seaside Park and Pier, and Aquae Calidae – the fully renovated bath of Suleiman the Magnificent. Visitors to Burgas in early July will see the annual Burgas Sand Sculptures Festival.

Unique Destinations

There’s hardly a more eerie sight than an abandoned UFO-shaped monument high on a hilltop, a contrast of power and fragility. Buzludzha Monument, located on Mount Hadji, was built during the reign of the Bulgarian Communist government to commemorate communist socialism. After the government fell from power, it was vandalized and sealed off from the public. There is an opening to the auditorium, but the structure is unstable, so visitors enter at their own risk. Inside the Buzludzha Auditorium, most of the artwork has been damaged or taken, although the Communist hammer and sickle emblem still adorns the domed ceiling. Outside, a lone tower stands tall, emblazoned with a red star. Architecture buffs and photographers will find this monument impressive.

Central Balkan National Park covers the most central portion of the Balkan mountain range, including Botev Peak, the highest point in Bulgaria at 7,795 feet. The park is a mixture of old-growth beech forests, mountain meadows, rocky mountain peaks, plunging waterfalls, and deep gorges. It was established to protect the area’s wilderness diversity and the cultural traditions of local communities, both of which are endangered. With early 250 miles of hiking trails, one of the most memorable and challenging is to Botev Peak. Hikers break it into two parts, the first to Raj Hut near Rajskoto Purskalo – the highest mountain waterfall – to spend the night, and the second through Tarzan’s Trail to the peak.

Cape Kaliakra, situated near the Romanian border, is one of the most historic and magnificent of European capes. It is a nature preserve that sits 70 meters above sea level on the Black Sea Coast and is home to rare birds. A highlight at the cape is Kaliakra Fortress, an important part of the Kaliakra Archaeological Preserve. The fortress’s storied past includes occupations and warring factions. Legend has it that treasures of Lysimachus, successor to Alexander the Great, are still hidden in headland caves. The most tragic story is of 40 maidens who threw themselves from the cliffs to avoid rape during the Ottoman invasion. Visitors can still see the archaeological site as well as a small museum.