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Bulgaria is situated in south east Europe and occupies the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. To the north it borders on Romania, to the west on the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Serbia, to the east on the Black Sea, to the south on Greece and to the southeast on Turkey's European part.
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Buying a property in Bulgaria is fast becoming very popular with the bargain hunting British and rightly so too, with prices like £8,500 for a house with a 1,500 sq. m. plot, only 20 km from Varna airport (for example).
Interest in property in Bulgaria has really taken off this past year or two with some absolute bargains to be had from apartments on the Sunny Beach and Golden Sands Resorts to the Ski Mountain villages like Borovets and Pamporovo. |
Bulgaria’s stunning Black Sea Coast is equal to anything to be found in the Med, with its lively resorts, sweeping golden beaches, bustling cities of culture, ancient wooden townships and lush sloping hills and vineyards. For sun and fun seekers the resorts at Sunny Beach and Golden Sands cannot be bettered with their stimulating mix of relaxing beaches, water parks, jet-skiing, windsurfing, restaurants and clubs where traditional folklore and modern entertainment go hand in hand.
An eclectic mix of ancient and modern can also be found in the areas two major cities of Varna and Burgas, both of which boast fascinating architecture in their churches, cathedrals, museums and public buildings.
The hustle and bustle of city life can be left behind for a few hours with a stroll through the extensive Maritime Park in Burgas or a trip to admire the wide array of birdlife around the four Burgas Lakes. A visit to the magnificent Archaeological Museum in Varna is also a must. |
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Sunny Beach |
Nessebar |
If a slower pace to life is what you crave, potter around the cobblestoned streets of the ancient villages of Sozopol and Nessobar, admiring the breathtaking Black Sea sunsets, or visit the wine cellars and thracian tomb at the nearby village of Pomorie. A tasting trip to the famous Black Sea Gold winery is an excellent way to end the day!
The Ropotamo Nature Reserve and Strandjha Mountain Region are home to some of the most relaxing, lush scenery in Bulgaria whilst a cruise down the Ropotamo River will take you through the fascinating marshlands, home to hundreds of species of rare flora and fauna.
Whilst in this area, a visit to the ancient village of Bulgari, home of the Bulgarian Fire Dance Festival should not be missed. |
Bulgaria, in common with all the Balkan states, is steeped in history and culture and there are so many places along the Black Sea Coast where this rich heritage is brought to life.
The marvellous Summer Palace of Queen Marie and Botanical Gardens in the old town of Balchik have to be seen to be believed and the St Hach Armenian Church in Burgas is also well worth a visit.
Burgas is also the home to the Ethnographical Museum, the National Science Museum, the City History Museum and numerous art galleries. |
Balchik |
Varna Cathedral at night
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Must see highlights in Varna are the Roman Thermae, the Museum of National Revival and the National Naval Museum, the National Archaeological Museum which houses over 100,00 exhibits and of course the 19th century Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin is an imposing landmark at the city centre.
You can enjoy the splendid view from the bell tower but you have to climb up the narrow and spiral staircase of 133 steps. It was Prince Alexander Battenberg who placed the first stone in 1880.
For those craving more modern entertainment the Dolphinarium is well worth a visit. |
Further north along the coast is the Kaliakra Nature Reserve, the boundaries of which actually extend 500m into the Black Sea itself, and which is a popular boat trip destination for tourists staying in Sunny Beach and Golden Sands.
The most breathtaking part of the reserve is at Kaliakra Cape, a pronounced 2km long headland with stunning clifftop views.
The coast is also home to many smaller, less developed and relaxing beach resorts such as Primorsko, Kiten, and Ahtopol on the southern coast and Sveti Konstantin and Albena to the north.
With such a variety of attractions there is no doubt that you will always be able to find something or somewhere to interest and enthuse you on Bulgaria’s magnificent Black Sea Coast. |
Kaliakra Cape
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The National Theatre, Sofia
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Bulgaria is so much more than a beach holiday destination. It is a country rich in history, culture and scenic beauty. Whether in the north, the south or in central Bulgaria and no matter how long your stay, you will always feel the urge to return to see everything which makes this wonderful country so unique and enchanting.
The capital city, Sofia, which nestles on a 545m high plateau at the foot of Mt Vitosha, is the highest capital city in Europe and has so much to offer that a two week stay in the city alone would simply not be enough time to truly appreciate its diversity and beauty.
Find true peace and solitude at the Dragalevtsi Monastery, one of the oldest religious sites in Bulgaria, in its breathtaking location on the slopes of Mt Vitosha, or the architecturally superb Russian Church of St Nikolai in the charming old quarter. |
The grandeur and magnificence of the Alexander Nevski Church and its museum of religious icons cannot fail to engage and enthuse.
The National Gallery for Foreign Art and the Ethnographical Museum are home to some of the most extensive and fascinating collections of art, carvings and sculptures, and traditional costumes, arts and crafts respectively in the whole of Europe.
Those of a more adventurous streak can enjoy a spectacular ride on the chairlift to Aleko on Mt Vitosha before returning to relax with a cool drink in one of the many street cafes which rival the best that even Paris can offer.
If you still have a few reserves of energy left, the National Opera House or the Bourbon Street Nightclub provide unrivalled entertainment depending upon your tastes whilst, for the young at heart, a visit to the Bulgarian Puppet Theatre is an enchanting and uplifting experience. |
Alexander Nevski Cathedral, Sofia |
Vitosha National Park |
One of the most visited and exhilarating attractions outside the city is the Vitosha National Park, which at 22,726 hectares is both the largest and longest established national park in Bulgaria
Its highest point is Mt Cherni Vrah (The Black Peak) which, at 2290m, offers spectacular views of the mountain range and a stunning panorama of Sofia and its environs.
Bulgaria also boasts some of the finest, yet least known, ski slopes in Europe. |
Sofia from the Vitosha National Park |
The four main ski resorts are Bansko, Borovets and Vitosha all within easy travelling distance of Sofia, and Pamporovo, 83km south of Plovdiv. All of these resorts offer competitively priced skiing at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels as well as training and equipment hire.
Accommodation is plentiful, cheap and of an exceptionally high standard and the rapidly developing resorts offer of a wide range of facilities, restaurants and entertainment for all the family.
There are also a number of much smaller yet no less spectacular resorts in the Rila, Pirin and Rodopi Mountain Ranges, areas which, in addition to the skiing, boast some of the most wonderful attractions for the tourist, not least of all the magnificent Rila Monastery. |
Rila Monastry |
Veliko Tarnovo |
Central Bulgaria is the home of a plethora of historical and cultural heritage sites such as the ancient castle and churches in the cliff-side town of Veliko Tarnovo, or the hill top Shumen Fortress, one of the oldest ruins in the country.
The Troyan Monastery, the third largest in Bulgaria is well worth a visit, as are the many quaint house museums in the historical village of Koprivshitsa and watching and mingling with the many artisans at work in the picturesque Etar Ethnographic Village Museum is a heart warming experience.
Tryavna, with its cobblestone streets and traditional folklore, is without a doubt one of the prettiest and friendliest villages in Bulgaria. |
Further north the pace of life is equally serene and relaxing and a visit to the Lopushanski Monastery, which has its own restaurant and guest house within the grounds can be a truly spiritual experience.
Whilst a stroll around the majestic Belogradchik Fortress, with its panoramic view over the picture book beauty of Belogradchik Village and some of the most unusual and unique rock formations to be found anywhere in Europe, is an ideal way of forgetting the stresses and pressures of everyday life. |
The Belogradchik Rocks |
The Danube at Vidin |
And then, of course, there is the most romantic river in Europe, The Danube, which forms the natural border between Bulgaria and Romania.
The Danube Plain boasts some of the most lush green countryside in Eastern Europe and exudes a narcotic serenity all of its own.
The cities along the banks of this marvellous river have a majestic beauty and history.
Particularly worth seeing are the fortresses and historical monuments of Vidin, the starting point for Danube Cruises and site of a regular ferry service to Romania. |
Black Sea Resorts
The Bulgarian Black Sea Coast enjoys a mild and pleasant climate, with nice beaches covered with crystal clear sands. Because of its natural beauty, the Bulgarian Black Sea coast has become a famous international resort area with beaches occupying approximately 130 km of the 378 km coast.
Bulgaria's Black Sea resorts include: Albena with about 40 hotels, Golden Sands with 61 hotels and one campsite, St. Constantine & Elena Resort with 17 hotels and 41 villas, Sunny Beach with 107 hotels, the comparatively smaller tourist centres and holiday villages Elenite, Dyuni, Riviera, and Roussalka, and the picturesque towns of Pomorie, Neseber and Sozopol.
The area's average air temperature in the summer is about 28°C, with the average water temperature at 25°C. There are more than 240 hours of sunshine in May and September and more than 300 hours in July and August.
Yacht clubs and marinas offer a wide range of marine sports. The resorts also offer bowling alleys, horse-riding bases, tennis courts, swimming pools, squash courts, and mini-sport complexes for children. Numerous indoor sports facilities include tennis tables, billiards, and fitness centres. |
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Albena is a winning resort, located in a picturesque and ecologically clean gulf on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, famous for its flower gardens, close to Varna international airport (30 km). Temperate continental climate, vast sand beach, clean sea without any dangerous animals – your guarantee of wonderful conditions for seaside holidays from May until October.
This is a beautiful place on the Black Sea Coast with good location, high standard accommodation and a variety of amenities. Albena is the place where the sea meets the sand. Sport and recreation facilities, numerous entertainment spots, nightlife in bars and beauty facilities – Albena has it all.
The resort is intent on offering its guests the best it can by constantly improving hotel facilities and the standard of service. |
The Black Sea Resort of Albena |
The aptly named Golden Sands |
Golden Sands resort is 17 kilometers away from Varna. It is a magnificent resort with richly wooded hills, white golden beach and clear blue sea.
There are a lot of very famous and ancient mineral water springs in and around the resort..
The resort is situated in the area, which is a Bulgarian National park. The beach strip is 3,5 km. long and up to 100 m wide. The average air temperature in Summer is 27-30 degree and the water temperature is 25-28 degree.
Golden sands suits both sun-worshippers and sightseers being near by Varna the third largest town of Bulgaria, the pearl of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast with a great number of places of interest. |
Sunny Beach Bay
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Sunny Beach resort is situated on 36 km north of Burgas and about 90 km to the south of Varna and is the largest holiday complex on the Black Sea coast.
The Mediterranean climate of the resort is protected by the slopes of the Balkan Mountain to the north, and the wide semi-circular bay facing east over an 8 km long beach strip, 30-60 m wide, fine golden sand, natural dunes and a clean and gently sloping sea with no dangerous fish. |
Sunny Beach family resort |
Sunny Beach has over 100 hotels, erected in long and wide lanes, surrounded by green and shady parks. The resort has 1700 hours of sunshine from May through September and average daily temperature in summer of 27C makes it very desirable family tourism. This holiday haven offers the whole spectre of services as well as plenty of entertainment for adults and children alike. |
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Nessebar was known as Messembria by its founders, Dorian Greeks who founded it in the 6th century BC.
Today, the narrow peninsula (an island in antiquity, it was later connected by a causeway) is one of Bulgaria's most delightful tourist spots.
Designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sight in 1983, the tiny town attracts nearly a million visitors a year. |
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Narrow cobblestone streets wind amongst quaint 19th-century wooden houses, their tiny courtyards filled with smokini (fig) trees and vine trellises.
Although once graced by forty churches, Nessebar's dozen remaining medieval churches are the remnants of both Slav and Greek Orthodox communities that thrived here during the middle ages. As the major historical site on the coast, Nessebar does not lack for hotel, restaurants, discos, etc. |
Sozopol is located 34 km south of Bourgas on a slender rocky peninsula, Sozopol is arguably the most charming place on the Black Sea coast and one of Bulgaria's crown jewels.
Founded in 610 BC by Ionian Greeks from Miletus and named Apollonia in honor of their most adored god, this was the first coastal Greek colony to be established. |
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Today, this charming place is a popular tourist resort best known for its casual ambiance, two sandy beaches, and distinctive nineteenth-century stone and wood houses, some 45 of which are designated national cultural monuments.
While Sozopol is a bustling place during July-August, in the off-season it reverts back to a sleepy fishing village and is a favoured haunt of artists, writers and other contemplative types. |
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| Mountain Resorts |
The friendly winter wonderland of Pamporovo |
Pamporovo
Welcome to the beautiful and hospitable Rhodope Mountains. Since ancient times they have been a source of legends and stories told through the centuries.
Pamporovo, the pearl of the Bulgarian mountain resorts, nestles in the heart of the Rhodopes, 260 km from the capital Sofia, and 85 km south of the city of Plovdiv.
The climate in winter is moderate/mild with a Mediterranean influence. Typical of this region is that nature does not change its moods abruptly, there is no danger of avalanche, and that guarantees the tranquility and safety of your vacation.
If you cannot ski, this is not a tragedy, the ski-school in Pamporovo is one of the best in Europe. Highly qualified instructors, speaking at least two foreign languages, train the beginners, in groups or individually. Specialists will help you to make the snow-board a part of your body.
Pamporovo can offer you scores of scenic routes for seeing the Rhodope Mountain on foot, as well as opportunities to visit some interesting tourist attractions.
And in the summer the magnificient pine forests, green meadows and mountain peaks bathed in sunlight entice walkers and climbers to the incredible Rhodope Mountains the all year round destination. |
Bansko
Bansko is the newest Bulgarian winter resort, recently discovered by the foreign tourists.It provides an interesting combination between the virgin nature of Pirin Mountain and the atmosphere of the ancient Bulgarian small town
Bansko is situated in Southwestern Bulgaria, at the foothills of one of the most beautiful Bulgarian mountains – Pirin, which is a national preserve, included in the World Natural Hereitage list.
The distance from Sofia to Bansko is 160 km and the skiing conditions are excellent. The Pirin mountain has a predominately Alpine character with three peaks towering above 2900 m.
However the slopes offer runs and tracks for all types of skiers, from novice to the experts, while the ski runs are maintained in excellent condition.
The town itself attracts visitors to its 120 cultural monuments, its museums, and Bansko school of icon painting exhibitions. The region is also famous for its cuisine and colourful folklore and offers various entertainment opportunities. Many visitors to Bansko are so taken with the place that they find it hard to leave. |
The modern ski resort of Bansko |
 Borovets,
Bulgaria’s largest ski resort |
Borovets
The oldest and the biggest mountain resort in Bulgaria which has often gathered the skiing elite of the world and seen the rise of many a Bulgarian champion.
Situated at 1350 m above the sea level on the northern slopes of Rila Mountain among age-old pine woods, Borovets is located at the foot of the Mousalla peak (2925 m) – the highest mountain on the Balkan Peninsula. Borovets is easily accessible, being only 73 km from Sofia.
Established at the end of the 19th century as a hunting place for the Bulgarian kings, Borovets gradually developed into a modern ski resort of high class luxury hotels and restaurants and the varied leisure-time entertainments besides the excellent network of ski runs and lifts along the slopes of the Rila Mountain.
Borovets provides excellent opportunities to experience a whole range of winter sports – from Alpine sports to cross-country skiing, ski jumps and biathlon. The resort twice has hosted World Cup Alpine skiing rounds, while the biathlon track is one of the best in the world. |
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