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
Where to Stay in Sofia: Best Hostels and Hotels in Sofia
If you're wondering where to stay in Sofia, don't worry - we've got your back! We're both expats who have made Sofia our home, so we know this city well. As we have a lot of people visiting us over the years, we have done our research on the best hotels in Sofia to...
Planning a Trip to Bulgaria: Your Travel Checklist
If you're planning a trip to Bulgaria, you probably have a lot of questions. Well, rest easy - we're here to help. This guide was written by two Americans who have made Bulgaria their home away from home, and we've brainstormed all the things you'd want to check off...
Sofia Airport Tips: 10 Things to Know Before You Fly In or Out of Sofia, Bulgaria
I've flown in and out of the Sofia airport dozens of times. Since my first trip to Sofia in 2016, I've flown either in or out of the Sofia airport thirty-five times, counting tonight's flight to Berlin and not counting the numerous times that I just picked up or...
17 Essential Bulgarian Souvenirs Worth Making Room For
If you're anything like us, you can't resist bringing home some memento of your trips. Whether its a memory card full of photos or a taste of the country's local cuisine, we always bring something back with us from all of our Balkan trips. We've previously written...
How to Easily Get from Sofia to Plovdiv By Bus or Train
Plovdiv is one of the most beautiful cities in Bulgaria and it's no surprise why it is often a must-do on everyone's Bulgaria itinerary. And luckily, because it's an easy two hours from Sofia by bus, it couldn't be easier to get there, whether it's for a day trip or...
11 Magical Things to Do in Sofia in Winter
I love Sofia in winter - the city just comes to life under a pile of snow. I love the look of the yellow vintage trams on snowy streets, the churches covered in snow, the cap of snow on Vitosha in the distance. Here are 11 wonderful things to do in Sofia in winter,...
15 Fantastic Things to Do and See in Arbanasi, Bulgaria
While we both love Sofia, we must admit that Veliko Tarnovo is one of the most beautiful cities in Bulgaria and a can't-miss for travelers to Bulgaria. It's also a popular hub for day trips further afield to explore the small and beautiful traditional villages in...
Lake Atanasovsko: The Pink Lake in Burgas, Bulgaria You Never Knew Existed
If you've spent any time on Instagram, you've probably seen gorgeous pink lakes in the Yucatán peninsula of Mexico or Western Australia. But what few people know is that Bulgaria has its very own pink lake. And what makes Bulgaria's pink lake even better is that you...
13 Bulgarian Castles for Fairytales Lovers and History Buffs
When people from outside of Europe plan their dream European vacations, they almost always see themselves sightseeing at the continent's fairytale castles, but few know that they can do this in Bulgaria! Along with exploring sophisticated Sofia and chilling out on the...
9 Exciting Things to Do in Veliko Tarnovo
Veliko Tarnovo is one of Bulgaria's most picturesque cities, and it's on many tourists "must visit" list of places to see in Bulgaria for a reason. Veliko Tarnovo is located on the beautiful Yantra river, which forms a horseshoe around the city. The city is built on...
40 Fantastic Things to Do in Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s Cultural Heart
Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria and is often considered its cultural capital for its thriving arts and music scene -- in fact, it is the future European Capital of Culture for the year 2019. It's one of the oldest cities in Europe, with over 6,000 years...
13 Caves in Bulgaria for Thrill Seekers and Nature Lovers
Because of Bulgaria’s mountainous terrain, there is a wide variety of caves to be found across the country. Over 4500 have been discovered so far, and it is believed there are many more just waiting for an intrepid explorer to find. Inside Bulgaria's caves, you...
30 Photos of Sofia that Will Make You Fall in Love
Sofia is an easy city to fall in love with. The architecture is beautiful and elegant, with tough, gritty buildings mixed in between. The people are friendly but calm, allowing you to discover Sofia at your own pace. There are amazing natural wonders right outside the...
Kopitoto: A Stunning View of Sofia from the Vitosha TV Tower
The Vitosha Mountain TV Tower is one of Sofia's most recognizable landmarks due to its prominent position a little more than halfway up Vitosha, the mountain massif right by Sofia's center. The TV tower is affectionally called Kopitoto (Копитото) - "The Hoof" - by...
25 of the Most Beautiful Monasteries in Bulgaria & How to Visit Them
It's impossible to go on a road trip in Bulgaria and not see a sign pointing to one or another of Bulgaria's beautiful Orthodox monasteries. While most countries in Europe have monasteries that are popular with tourists, after traveling to almost every country in...
How to Visit Troyan Monastery, A Balkan Mountain Gem
Secluded in the middle of the Balkan Mountains lies Troyan Monastery (Troyanski Manastir/ Троянски манастир), a sixteenth-century Bulgarian Orthodox cloister. The third largest and third most important monastery in the country, it's a wonderful day trip destination...
Saeva Dupka Cave: The Underground Pearl of Bulgaria
Just an hour and a half driving distance from Sofia, you'll find one of the most spectacular caves in all of Bulgaria. The Saeva Dupka cave (Пещера "Съева Дупка" in Bulgarian) is a stunning natural cave in Northern Bulgaria, roughly halfway between Sofia and Veliko...
101 Incredible Things to Do in Sofia
You'll never run out of things to do in Sofia. I remember my very first day of Sofia sightseeing: I walked from an Airbnb in Iztok, passed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Statue of Tsar Liberator, towards the Central Mineral Baths, and by the time I got to...
7 Best Bars in Sofia, Bulgaria (Chosen by Locals!)
NOTE: Due to COVID-19, all of Sofia's bars are currently closed. Need a cocktail fix? Get inspired by these cocktails from around the world! Sofia's a seriously fun city to party in. It hasn't been taken over by stag dos the way that Bucharest has been, and thanks to...
21 Best Restaurants in Sofia (Picked by Locals!)
Sofia doesn't have a huge reputation amongst foodies, but that's not to say there isn't some amazing food to be found in Sofia! We've eaten our way through this city extensively and know our way around a Bulgarian food menu quite well as a result. But as Stephanie and...
Sofia Taxi Guide: Avoid Taxi Scams & Have a Flawless Ride
Sofia is a Taxi City Yes, Sofia has great public transportation, but taxis are still very popular here because they are both cheap and convenient. Regulated by the city, you can feel safe and secure hopping into any of the nearly 5,000 Sofia taxi cars and vans...




















