Is Bulgaria Price Visiting? Some Sincere Professionals and Cons

I spontaneously determined to journey to Bulgaria, principally due to a brand new flight connection from my residence metropolis to Sofia. I due to this fact explored Bulgaria with few expectations — and I ended up loving it!

Whereas Bulgaria hadn’t been on my radar, I out of the blue realized what I’d been lacking out on.

An enormous a part of its attraction is you could go to some mindblowing places — such because the epic Belogradchik Fortress or the beautiful Devetashka Cave — and solely should share them with a handful of different guests. If you wish to go someplace earlier than it’s actually ‘found’, go to Bulgaria now.

Nevertheless, Bulgaria can nonetheless really feel a bit like a diamond within the tough and there are elements some guests could like or dislike. Whereas finally subjective, let me share with you a few of my execs and cons of Bulgaria — in addition to just a few issues which might be merely helpful to know.

Hopefully, you discover this handy in making up your personal thoughts as as to if so as to add Bulgaria to your journey record — and to be higher ready while you do.

Professionals and Cons of Bulgaria

Bulgaria is so genuine

I would like to begin this record with an awesome optimistic: Bulgaria is so splendidly genuine. It’s not visited as a lot as another European locations, and you’ll simply inform it hasn’t been spoiled or commercialized almost as a lot.

Do needless to say tourism growth is one or two steps behind different international locations within the area, which you’ll view as a professional or con relying in your perspective. Nothing a backpacker would thoughts, however nonetheless one thing to say in a put up like this.

For example, I felt that in Romania (in Transylvania particularly) extra power has been invested by way of tourism infrastructure, restoration, promotion, and so on. In Bulgaria I felt among the greater mainstream tourism potential remains to be unrealized. In fact, that may additionally make it actually enjoyable to find it for your self.

Interested by what Bulgaria has to supply? Then don’t miss my epic journey vlog that takes you on a journey by means of Bulgaria:

The historical past is tremendous fascinating to study

One thing I like about touring to locations like Bulgaria is the possibility to study elements of European historical past that simply aren’t taught in class.

(At the least, not for me rising up within the Netherlands, the place the historic canon contains solely the large hits just like the French Revolution or the Roman Empire.)

Do you know the Second Bulgarian Empire stretched to cowl elements of modern-day Greece, Romania, Serbia, Albania, and Turkey?

At Tsarevets Fortress in Veliko Tarnovo, you’ll be able to nonetheless get a way of the sheer measurement of its historic capital — within the Center Ages, this metropolis’s grandeur was usually to Rome and Constantinople.

In the meantime, the town of Plovdiv is taken into account one in every of Europe’s oldest facilities of civilization (presumably even the oldest), with a historical past stretching again to the sixth millennium BC.

You possibly can see a number of Roman ruins right here in addition to the stays of the mid-4th century AD basilica, famed for its magnificent flooring mosaics.

Since Bulgaria noticed the approaching and going of many empires over the ages—Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans—there are a number of archaeological websites to discover, with every interval having introduced completely different architectural and cultural influences.

Sofia was nicer than I anticipated

Okay, I get it—Sofia isn’t any Rome or Paris. However Bulgaria’s capital has extra to supply than among the on-line takes had led me to anticipate.

True, Sofia is generally a contemporary metropolis and never all the time so ‘lovely’ in an Instagrammy sense. Nevertheless, it does have its share of implausible structure, a number of compelling museums, and a few implausible Bulgarian meals.

It’s additionally an awesome base due to a number of day journeys that depart right here, to not point out the Vitosha Mountains which might be proper on its southern outskirts.

You possibly can examine my Sofia vlog on YouTube to get an concept of what to anticipate of the town.

My primary tip is to go on a strolling tour of Sofia the very first thing you arrive. Listening to the tales behind the town will convey it to life. Hold your eye out for the superb avenue artwork, don’t miss the fascinating Crimson Flat, and take a while to look at the road life across the Lion Monument or The Metropolis Backyard. (You possibly can discover extra strategies right here.)

Whereas it’s extremely value correctly exploring Sofia, I did discover different Balkan capital reminiscent of Tirana or Sarajevo extra immediately interesting. I saved pondering that some cool revitalization or inventive initiatives might actually convey out the perfect in Sofia, however they nonetheless appear missing.

For a historic metropolis with extra charms and cultural exercise, there may be additionally Plovdiv, which was the European Capital of Tradition in 2019 and has an particularly great vibe.

You possibly can have some epic locations just about to your self

Truthfully, I couldn’t consider how uncrowded sure locations had been in Bulgaria — even on the peak of the summer time season. (I ought to word that I didn’t journey alongside the Black Beach, focusing my journey on cities and nature within the inside.)

An incredible instance is the historic fortress in Belogradchik. It’s one of the distinctive castles I’ve ever seen and the views from the highest are jaw-dropping, however I solely needed to share this enormous website with a dozen or so different guests.

Yep, a shocking view like it is a lot higher loved while you’re not pummeled within the face by a thousand selfie sticks!

That’s simply one of many the reason why it’s value touring a bit of off-path.

Which brings me to the subsequent level…

Touring in Bulgaria is comparatively simple

Bulgaria could appear a bit of unique — at the very least, it’s to me as a Dutch man unaccustomed to the Cyrillic alphabet, amongst different issues. However virtually and logistically, it’s a reasonably simple nation to journey by means of.

Trains or buses are simple to guide. Simply take note they’re NOT usually listed on international apps like Omio, Trainline, and so on. Departure instances are additionally usually incomplete when looking out on Google Maps. For trains, you should buy tickets through the official website. For buses, I used the Bulgarian website BusExpress.

The Metro in Sofia is tremendous simple to make use of. You possibly can merely examine in utilizing any contactless cost technique.

The trade price for the native forex can be simple to recollect: it’s roughly 2 leva to 1 euro.

The language barrier could be very manageable

The Cyrillic alphabet and Bulgarian language generally is a little puzzling at first. At the least, I’ve zero data of both, so I used to be ready to should improvise an awesome deal.

Nevertheless, most indicators are additionally displayed in English and nearly all younger individuals will converse it. Restaurant menus are usually in English as nicely (solely a few times in smaller villages did I discover Bulgarian-only menus). Whereas I met just a few taxi drivers and older individuals who solely spoke Bulgarian, Google Translate was all the time there to assist.

Bulgarians are a pleasant bunch

Whereas I shouldn’t extrapolate too a lot from just a few random encounters on one journey (it’s all the time a bit foolish when journey bloggers do!), what I can say is that I cherished the vibe in Bulgaria. All through my journey, I discovered the locals to be pleasant and open.

Take into account that we’re nonetheless in Slavic territory, so don’t anticipate your waiter to all the time greet you with a Disneyland smile. It’s simply not that type of tradition. Nevertheless, behind just a few stoic facades, I discovered that persons are usually very curious and chatty.

I someway ended up having a prolonged dialog with the safety guard on the archaeological museum in Sofia simply because he puzzled the place I used to be from. When touring by practice or bus, a number of individuals provided to assist me with instructions. And I ended up having pleasant conversations with Bulgarians throughout my hikes. This was typical throughout my journey.

Cultural professional tip: Shaking and nodding are reversed in Bulgaria. When somebody appears to be saying ‘no’, they could imply ‘sure’!

Security is just not a serious concern

I additionally don’t wish to extrapolate an excessive amount of from my private expertise right here, however Bulgaria positively made the impression of being a protected nation for me.

I’m certain avenue crime does occur within the cities, so it is smart to handle your valuables (as wherever). I’ll guess there are some suburbs in Sofia that aren’t as protected as the middle. Usually, although, I didn’t give questions of safety any extra thought than I’d wherever else.

One place I did preserve studying warnings about is Sunny Seashore. It’s a mass tourism vacation spot on the coast with a number of simple prey for criminals (e.g. drunk Brits). I didn’t go, but it surely gave the impression of a spot I’d wish to keep away from anyway.

There’s implausible mountain mountaineering in Bulgaria

It seems Bulgaria is a wonderful vacation spot for mountain mountaineering, with a plethora of trails in a number of mountain ranges together with Rila, Pirin, Balkan Mountains, and Rhodopes.

For an ideal style of what’s on provide, you’ll be able to guide a tour from Sofia to the 7 Lakes hike. Some individuals say that is Bulgaria’s greatest hike.

A ski elevate can take you to round 2100m elevation, so that you’re rewarded with superb views immediately. You may as well adapt your route for various problem ranges or durations. (I did my route in about 5 hours, however you are able to do routes lasting for much longer or shorter.)

Bulgaria can be extraordinarily nicely arrange for multi-day treks the place you stroll from hut to hut. If I’d recognized this, I may need deliberate an extended trek throughout my journey. Some Bulgarians instructed me a couple of five-day trek by means of the Rila Mountains that appeared completely superb. After I come again to Bulgaria, I positively wish to do a mountain trek.

However native hikes seem to be a rarity

As a lot because the mountain trekking is well-supported with huts, indicators, and route maps, my impression is that mountaineering is way much less developed at a neighborhood degree.

Smaller forest trails round villages or cities appear to be missing. I struggled to search out hikes near Veliko Tarnovo for example, regardless of it being in such a splendidly scenic location. (Truly, there was one to a swing at a viewpoint, but it surely was actually arduous to search out.) There weren’t any walks in Lovech both, other than a park by the river.

It felt that outdoors of the large mountain ranges, the path networks don’t actually exist a lot but. I’m simply evaluating this to my adopted residence of Portugal, the place nearly each village appears to have native mountaineering trails.

By some means it was arduous to go for a swim

I really feel like this level is sort of too particular, however what the heck, I’m going to make it anyway. I used to be in Bulgaria on the top of summer time and located it tough at instances to flee the warmth and hit the water!

In Albania, Bosnia-Herzegoniva, or inland Croatia, I not often discovered myself that far-off from a river seaside, lake, waterfall, or another swimming gap. However in Bulgaria, I discovered it tougher to chill off from the searing temperatures that always exceeded 35° C.

I suppose locals will merely head for the Black Beach, which wasn’t on my Bulgaria itinerary. I don’t know if it’s simply me or the precise locations I selected to go to, however I discovered it more durable to search out any water recreation within the inside. If I’d had just a few extra days on my journey, I may need simply made a beeline to North Macedonia for a keep at Lake Ohrid.

If I needed to plan my journey once more, I may need performed it in spring or autumn to keep away from the warmth and have a neater time specializing in the cultural and historic sights.

The delicacies is gorgeous

If in case you have any bother imagining what Bulgarian meals is like, you merely want to take a look at the place Bulgaria is situated on the map and draw your conclusions.

Bulgarian meals sits kind of on the confluence of Slavic / Japanese European delicacies, Turkish influences (owing to the Ottoman instances) and even a little bit of Greek thrown in.

A signature dish, the Shopska salad, could remind you a bit of of a Greek salad. The tarator chilly soup feels faintly like a liquid tzatziki. Kebabs and kofte (minced meat) in flip could remind you a little bit of Center Japanese meals.

It’s an exquisite mixture of flavors and it’s normally at very reasonably priced costs too.

Bulgaria is very reasonably priced

Whereas the locals certainly aren’t thrilled about Bulgaria having at the moment the worst financial system within the EU, it does provide nice worth for cash for outdoor guests.

To offer you some concept, most conventional restaurant meals will value round 10 EUR. A 1st class practice ticket for a 5-hour journey value me round 10 EUR. A half-liter beer is likely to be as little as 1 EUR.

I principally opted for funds resort rooms or guesthouses, that are usually within the 25-30 EUR/night time vary. One exception is the capital, the place funds rooms with a superb score (8.0+) on Reserving are typically nearer to 50 EUR per night time. The most effective place to search for smaller or native resorts is, as all the time, Reserving.com.

When you’re a backpacker then yow will discover loads of dorm beds for 10 EUR an evening. The most effective place to search for hostels is on Hostelworld.com. Don’t miss my information to how hostels work.

It’s now not outdoors of Schengen

The excessive affordability of Bulgaria (for foreigners) has attracted a justifiable share of long-term backpackers in addition to digital nomads searching for a low value of dwelling. The ‘digital nomad village’ in Bansko turned a preferred worldwide cease for nomads because of this.

Nevertheless, in 2024 Bulgaria joined the Schengen zone, which is the realm of the European Union with out border checks. Because of this, Bulgaria is now not engaging to long-term vacationers seeking to keep in Europe past the 90 days allowed by the Schengen visa.

I spoke to hostel homeowners who bemoaned the variety of guests in 2024 being considerably decrease than in earlier years. One principle was that the Schengen scenario could have one thing to do with it.

Beforehand, long-term vacationers from outdoors the EU would have a look at a map for non-Schengen areas and naturally find yourself in Bulgaria, however this move of holiday makers has now dried up. That stated, the low value of dwelling can nonetheless make it a superb alternative for vacationers and nomads.

It’s in all probability apparent by now that I extremely suggest touring to Bulgaria! Feeling impressed? Then try my Bulgaria itinerary or my ideas for Sofia. 

Due to the digital nomad neighborhood in Bansko, I’ve seen many journey bloggers primarily speaking about this mountain city. Nevertheless, there are superb issues to expertise all around the nation.

For a extra full impression, I can positively suggest an prolonged street journey or practice journey by means of Bulgaria. When you’re on the lookout for an unique and largely unspoiled vacation spot in Europe, that is it!