ALL ABOUT BULGARIA
Discovering Sofia and Beyond
Sofia is the national capital and the beating heart of modern-day Bulgaria. It’s where you’ll find the most vibrant international scene, attracting tourists, expats, and digital nomads alike with their delicious restaurants, cozy bars, green spaces, and lightning fast internet access.
Plovdiv is the most tourist-friendly city in the country, with ancient Roman ruins, colorful architecture in a quaint Old Town, and a lively pedestrianized neighborhood called Kapana popular for its bars and restaurants. Veliko Tarnovo is also beloved by tourists for its beautiful Ottoman-inspired architecture set into the hills around the bend of the Yantra River, with the interesting Tsaravets fortress in the heart of the city.
Meanwhile, Burgas and Varna are the two biggest cities on the Black Sea Coast, surrounded by countless small coastal towns such as Nessebar and Chernomorets offer quieter beach vibes. Finally, winter resorts like Bansko and Borovets are fantastic snowy weather destinations, offering some of the cheapest skiing in Europe amidst gorgeous mountains.
ALL BULGARIA POSTS
17 Most Instagrammable Places in Sunny Beach & Nessebar
We are absolutely obsessed with the beaches of the Bulgarian Riviera, and none of these are as high on our list for summer beach spots as Sunny Beach and Nessebar. Situated just a short drive apart, you can (and should) easily combine these two beach towns on your...
10 Gorgeous Bulgaria Quotes (with Images!)
It's no secret that we're madly in love with Bulgaria. Even though we've only lived here for a few years, there are just so many reasons to love being in this beautiful country. Here are some of our favorite inspirational Bulgaria quotes with images of some of our...
How to Get a Bulgarian Sim Card & Stay Connected on Your Trip
Headed to Bulgaria and looking to find out how to get a pre-paid Bulgarian sim card for your time here? Great news! Sim cards in Bulgaria are easy to get and data is cheap. Here's everything you need to know to buy a Bulgarian sim card, including which companies to...
How to Visit the Sofia Farmers’ Market & Shop Farm-Fresh
I'm ashamed to say that I only learned that Sofia had a weekly farmers' market on Hristo Botev after living here for two years, but I finally stumbled across it while on a secret burrito run. While small, the Sofia Farmers' Market has a great selection of produce,...
How to Go to the Sofia Opera for an Inexpensive Elegant Night
Whether you love opera or you've never been before, the Sofia Opera is an elegant way to spend an evening in the city. And it won't break the bank! Here's everything you need to know to plan your night, from how to go to the Sofia Opera, how to get tickets, what to...
7 Magical Things to Do in Sofia At Night
We love spending our evenings in Sofia when the city is all lit up and looking especially charming. For a small city, Sofia has a lot of things going on at night. From exploring Sofia's cultural side to hitting up fun clubs and bars, there's plenty of things to do in...
Belogradchik Fortress & Rocks: Bulgaria’s Hidden Gem in the North
Bulgaria is a country with so much yet to be discovered by mass tourism, making traveling here a paradise for those seeking the few last remaining hidden gems in Europe. One may not associate the country of Bulgaria with castles (and truly, Romania's castles have the...
25 of the Best Pieces of Sofia Street Art & Where to Find Them
When I first visited Sofia in 2016, it didn't immediately seem like a street art destination. I'd just spent a month in Athens, where street art is literally everywhere, and Sofia appeared far barer. However, there are several street art initiatives and active artists...
How to Visit Buzludzha: Day Trip to Bulgaria’s Communist UFO
I'm obsessed with Buzludzha. Obsessed. I've been three times, but I know a fourth trip isn't too far around the corner. And it is such a cool place that every time I go, my fiance gets excited to go with me (which is not the case, for say, the opera). Who knew an...
How to Get From Plovdiv to Sofia (By Bus or Train)
Plovdiv is one of my favorite cities in Bulgaria and of course, it features highly on everyone's must-sees when crafting their Bulgaria itinerary! Since Plovdiv is just two hours from Sofia by bus, it couldn't be easier to plan a trip from Sofia to Plovdiv and then...
The 15 Best Bulgarian Beaches: A Guide to the Bulgarian Riviera
Bulgaria has been earning quite the reputation as the perfect European beach destination. The Bulgarian Black Sea coast is beautiful, with rolling waves that are pleasantly warm enough to swim in. Combine that with Bulgaria's budget-friendly prices, and everyone from...
11 Adorable & Instagrammable Places in Plovdiv
The European Capital of Culture for 2019, Plovdiv is making its comeback! It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, with over 6,000 years of settlement. But it's never really hit its stride with tourism - until now. Plovdiv is one of the most...
Bulgarian Food: 21 Classic Dishes of Bulgarian Cuisine
Bulgarian food isn't widely known outside of the country, and one of the most frequent questions I get from friends and family back home is "what is Bulgarian food like?" I'm not sure exactly what they're suspecting, but they always seem surprised when I answer that...
Baba Marta & Martenitsa: 7 Facts about this Bulgarian Holiday
Bulgarians celebrate many local holidays and traditions. Some of my favorites include Surva with its fantastic costumes and dances, and I'm a sucker for Saints Cyril and Methodius Day which celebrates literacy. However, one of my absolute favorite Bulgarian...
25 Photos of Kukeri, the Pagan Dancers who Guard Bulgaria from Evil Spirits
Every year, the Kukeri descend upon Pernik, Bulgaria, to take part in the annual Surva Festival of Masquerade Games. The photographs of the Kukeri have inspired my Bulgaria travel dreams for years. I've never been able to shake the images of these men and women...
6 Fantastic All Inclusive Bulgaria Beach Resorts to Enjoy
Planning your Bulgaria beach holidays? The word is starting to get out that Bulgaria beach resorts are a fantastic way to enjoy some of the loveliest beaches in Europe - without the huge crowds or high prices. There are many Black Sea beach resorts worth mentioning,...
How to Get from Sofia to Pernik & Back by Train, Bus, & Taxi
Pernik is the second largest town in Western Bulgaria after Sofia, and there are many reasons why a visitor to Sofia would want to visit. The most popular reason is to attend the Surva Festival of Masquerade Games, which is a gathering of Kukeri dancers from across...
Sofia or Bucharest: Which East Balkan Capital Should You Visit?
While I'd love to suggest you visit both, if you only have a limited of time, you may find yourself having to choose between Sofia or Bucharest. While I may be a bit biased because I live in Sofia, I think it's a very valid choice. Sofia and Bucharest both offer...
3 Easy Ways to Get From Borovets to Sofia in Two Hours or Less
Are you planning a trip to Borovets for skiing or hiking and need to know how you'll return from Borovets to Sofia when your trip is over? Here's everything you need to know to plan your return trip back to Sofia by bus, private transfer, and taxi. Note that if you...
How to Get from Sofia to Borovets: A Step-by-Step Guide
Planning a ski or hiking adventure in Borovets and need to know how to reach the resort town from Sofia? Whether you're leaving for Borovets directly from the Sofia airport, or you plan to enjoy a few days in the city before you go, here's everything you need to know...
5 Fantastic Borovets Restaurants to Enjoy After the Slopes
I just returned from my first (of hopefully many) winter getaways to Borovets, the lovely Balkan ski resort town in the Rila Mountains. I knew I would love the gorgeous mountain views and fresh air, but I was delighted by just how good the food was. Here are my...