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Southeast Europe

BulgariaTravel guide

Explore Bulgaria visa rulesCommon scams in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is in the Balkan region of Europe, beside the Black Sea. Its capital is Sofia. Visitors come for beaches, mountain sports, old towns, churches and ancient ruins.

Why go

  1. Black Sea beaches and seaside towns.

  2. Mountain resorts for winter sports.

  3. Ancient Greek and Roman ruins.

  4. Historic churches, monasteries and medieval fortresses.

  5. Caves, canyons and national parks.

Best time to go: Summer brings warm, breezy weather on the coast. Winter is the season for mountain sports, with cold weather and snow.

Getting there

By air

  • Bulgaria has international airports in Sofia, Varna, Burgas and Plovdiv. Most traditional international airlines fly to Sofia.
  • Low-cost airlines serve Bulgaria, but schedules change with the season. Check directly with the airline.
  • Summer charter flights serve Varna and Burgas from many European cities. Winter charter flights may offer bargains to Sofia and Plovdiv.

By land

  • Trains connect Bulgaria with Romania and Turkey. Timetables can change, so check with Bulgarian State Railways before travelling.
  • The Istanbul–Sofia sleeper train passes through Plovdiv. Passengers must leave the train for passport checks at the Turkish border.
  • The source reports that direct trains from Greece and Serbia are not running in 2026 because of railway work. Buses connect Sofia with Belgrade and Niš.

By sea

  • Danube river cruises stop at Bulgarian ports, including Vidin and sometimes Ruse. Some offer trips inland.
  • A ferry carrying vehicles and cargo connects Burgas with Batumi in Georgia. Passenger accommodation is very basic.

Getting around

  • Bus

    Buses are the fastest way to travel around the country and frequently connect larger cities. Confirm departure times locally because online timetables may be incomplete or old. Arrive before departure time. Buses leave on time and do not wait for late passengers. Outside Sofia and the Black Sea coast, staff may speak only Bulgarian. Destinations are often written only in Cyrillic, the alphabet used for Bulgarian. Keep your ticket, which shows your starting point and destination. Coastal buses connect Varna, Sunny Beach, Burgas and many towns along the coast.

  • Train

    Trains are inexpensive and usually slower than buses. The railway serves every major city except Smolyan. The main routes are Sofia–Varna and Sofia–Burgas. Reserve sleeping spaces early because they often sell out. You can buy tickets at station ticket offices, usually 20–30 minutes before departure. Sales stop five minutes before the train arrives or leaves. If boarding at a stop without a ticket office, enter the first carriage and buy from the inspector. Last-minute boarding elsewhere can mean a higher fare. Bring water, snacks, toilet paper and hand cleaner for longer trips. Trains have no dining cars or food trolley service. Have a return ticket stamped at the station ticket office before travelling back. Ask the conductor whether a listed change requires you to leave your carriage.

  • Car

    Drive on the right. Keep headlights on at all times and wear seat belts. Road conditions vary, and some roads have potholes or no marked lanes. Drive carefully, especially around blind bends where other cars may move across the road to avoid holes. Main-road signs often use Latin letters, but smaller-road signs may use only Cyrillic. Use navigation or a road map. For any bump or scrape in a rental car, call the police immediately so they can record the damage for insurance. Check your rental terms closely. Do not drink and drive or offer police a bribe. Use guarded parking in cities and tourist areas, especially for an expensive car. Ask your accommodation whether parking is available.

What to see and do

  • Ancient City of Nesebar

    A historic seaside city with church ruins and World Heritage status.

  • Rila Monastery and Boyana Church

    Both are World Heritage sites and important religious sights.

  • Thracian tombs at Kazanlak and Sveshtari

    These World Heritage sites preserve remains of Bulgaria's ancient past.

  • Pirin National Park and Srebarna Nature Reserve

    Both are natural World Heritage sites.

  • Tsarevets and Baba Vida

    Explore medieval fortresses in Veliko Tarnovo and Vidin.

  • Sofia and Plovdiv

    See ancient city remains in both cities and historic buildings in Plovdiv's Old Town.

Food and drink

  • Salads

    Salads are a major part of Bulgarian meals. A traditional meal starts with a salad.

  • Soups and vegetable dishes

    Bulgarian cooking includes hot and cold soups and many dishes made with locally grown vegetables.

  • Grilled meats and stews

    Pork is the most common meat. Fish and chicken are also widely eaten.

  • Dairy products

    Bulgarian cuisine is known for the variety and quality of its dairy products.

  • Moussaka, gyuvetch and baklava

    These dishes reflect Turkish and Greek influences on Bulgarian cooking.

  • Wine

    Bulgaria has a variety of wines. Wine is commonly served with the main dish.

Money

Euro (€), currency code EUR. One euro equals 100 cents.

  • Carry cash for rural areas. Credit and debit cards are generally accepted in major cities.
  • Shops and other businesses usually do not accept foreign currencies.
  • Bulgaria replaced the lev with the euro on 1 January 2026. The Bulgarian National Bank exchanges remaining lev notes and coins free of charge without a time limit.
  • Do not exchange money on the street. Be cautious when paying unfamiliar websites or using cash machines.

Tipping: Tips are not added to restaurant bills. You may leave 5–10% if you wish, but tipping is not necessary in many restaurants run by their staff.

Typical costs

  • A one-way bus ticket from Sofia to the Black Sea costs €12–15.
  • Electronic road passes cost €5.30 for one day, €10 for a week or €19.90 for a month, as listed for September 2026.
  • Guarded parking ranges from about €3.12 a day to about €1.04 an hour. A rented parking space averages about €31.17 a month.

Language

  • Bulgarian is the official language and uses the Cyrillic alphabet.
  • English is more common among younger people, in tourist areas and in large cities, but ability varies.
  • Turkish is widely spoken by the Turkish minority, especially in the northeast and the southern Rhodope Mountains.
  • Some older people speak Russian, though their ability to hold a conversation varies.
Dobar den
Good day; a greeting when passing someone.
Kak ste
How's it going?
Resto
Change, as in money returned after payment.
Taksa obsluzvane / serviz
Service charge.
Vagon
Train carriage.
Myasto
Seat or place.
Otivane i vrashtane
Return ticket.
Zaverka
Stamping or validating a ticket.

Staying safe

  • Bulgaria is generally safe, but watch your belongings in crowds, at stations and on public transport.
  • Avoid showing money openly. Avoid dark streets and walking in suburbs at night, especially around Sofia.
  • Watch for holes and uneven surfaces when walking.
  • Use guarded parking for expensive cars. Do not leave one in an unguarded lot or on the street.
6 common scams in Bulgaria, and how to avoid them

Local customs

Do

  • Greet people with “dobar den” when passing a quiet stall or someone in a small town.
  • Call the local alphabet Cyrillic or Bulgarian. Bulgarians are proud of its history.
  • Approach sensitive historical and political topics with questions rather than judgments.
  • Remember that nodding means “no” and shaking the head means “yes”, the reverse of many countries.

Don't

  • Do not call the Bulgarian alphabet the “Russian alphabet”.
  • Do not expect shop staff at the till to enjoy casual conversation.
  • Avoid arguments about Macedonia, especially with people likely to take offence.
  • Do not attempt to bribe police.

Staying healthy

  • Most food is safe to eat. Be more cautious with meat from fast-food stands because hygiene checks can be uneven.
  • Tap water is described as safe and good quality in mountain regions.
  • Avoid drinking tap water in northern Bulgaria and areas near the seaside.
  • Bring water and snacks on long train journeys because there is no onboard food service.

Phone and internet

  • The three mobile networks are A1, Yettel and Vivacom.
  • Mobile coverage reaches almost the whole country, with gaps in the highest and most remote mountain areas.
  • All three networks provide at least fourth-generation mobile service, known as 4G. Fifth-generation service, or 5G, is expanding.
  • Free wireless internet is often available in libraries and petrol stations.

Where to stay

  • Hostels are available in Sofia and Plovdiv. Inexpensive hotels are found in cities, with luxury hotels in larger cities.
  • Coastal boarding houses can be very cheap. Inspect any room offered by someone meeting arriving buses or trains before agreeing to stay.
  • Guest houses and villas are available in mountain towns and by the sea. Rural accommodation can offer good value.
  • Mountain huts and villas are available to rent. About a dozen monasteries also offer overnight stays.

Schengen Area

One visa, 29 countries

A Schengen visa from any member lets you travel across all of them, with no passport checks at the borders between them. With it, a trip to Bulgaria can also take in:

  • Up to 90 days in any 180
  • One visa for every member
  • No border checks between members

Whether you need the visa at all depends on your passport. Check the entry rules for Bulgaria before you plan the route.

Outdoor adventures in Bulgaria

Bulgaria has mountain walks, winter ski resorts and sandy Black Sea beaches. Rila, Pirin and the Balkan Mountains offer marked trails for day walks and longer trips. Near Burgas, wetlands and salt ponds offer birdwatching.

  • Rila mountain hikes

    HikeRila

    Day walks or multiday trips Late June–September for the highest areas

    Follow the network of marked mountain trails. Mountain huts and lodges provide places to stay.

    • Plan high mountain walks for summer, when the snow has generally melted.
    • Musala Peak reaches 2,925 m.

  • Northern Pirin and the main ridge

    HikePirin Macedonia

    Day walks or multiday trips Late June–September for the highest areas

    Use the marked hiking trails in Northern Pirin. Mountain huts and lodges offer accommodation for longer walks.

    • The main ridge route crosses The Foal, a very narrow section with safety protection.
    • Vihren reaches 2,914 m.

  • European Long Distance Route E3

    TrekBalkan Mountains

    Late June–September for the highest areas

    Follow the E3 along the mountains' main southern ridge, from Bulgaria's western border towards the seaside. Huts and lodges provide mountain accommodation.

    • The best season for the highest mountain areas is summer, after the snow has melted.

  • Central Balkan National Park

    HikeBalkan Mountains

    Day walks or multiday trips Late June–September for the highest areas

    Walk on the Balkan Mountains' marked trail network. Huts and lodges are the main mountain accommodation.

    • Choose summer for walks in the highest areas, when snow has generally melted.

  • Bulgarka Nature Park

    HikeBalkan Mountainsnear Gabrovo

    Explore the park near Gabrovo using the Balkan Mountains' marked walking trails.

  • Rhodope Mountains village walks

    HikeRhodope Mountains

    Easy Day walks or multiday trips

    Choose from the area's easy hiking routes and stay in local guest houses.

  • Vitosha mountain

    SkiingBulgarian Shopluknear Sofia

    Winter for skiing and snowboarding; summer for walks

    Visit Vitosha just south of Sofia for winter sports or summer mountain strolls.

  • Bansko

    SkiingPirin Macedonianear Bansko

    Winter

    Visit the ski resort of Bansko on the slopes of Pirin.

  • Borovets

    SkiingRila

    Winter

    Visit Borovets, a mountain and ski resort in Rila.

  • Pamporovo

    SkiingRhodope Mountains

    Winter

    Visit the winter ski resort of Pamporovo in the Rhodope Mountains.

  • Chepelare

    Skiing

    Winter

    Visit Chepelare for winter sports.

  • Sunny Beach

    BeacheBulgarian Black Sea Coast

    Summer

    Stay at or visit Sunny Beach on the southern Black Sea coast.

  • Albena, Golden Sands, Nesebar, Primorsko, Sveti Vlas and Sozopol beaches

    BeacheBulgarian Black Sea Coast

    Summer

    Choose one of these named seaside resorts for a beach visit or stay.

  • Burgas Sea Garden beach

    BeacheBulgarian Black Sea Coastnear Burgas

    Summer

    Walk through the Sea Garden from the central bus and train station. Small stairs lead down to the sandy beach.

  • Devil's Throat cave

    Cave

    Visit Devil's Throat cave; access and tour arrangements are not specified.

  • Ledenika cave

    Cave

    Visit Ledenika cave; access and tour arrangements are not specified.

  • Magurata cave

    Cave

    Visit Magurata cave; access and tour arrangements are not specified.

  • Snezhanka cave

    Cave

    Visit Snezhanka cave; access and tour arrangements are not specified.

  • Poda birdwatching

    WildlifeBurgas wetlandsnear Burgas

    Take public transport to Poda at Burgas's southern entrance on the E87 towards Sozopol, before the turn for Kreimorie. Watch birds from the conservation centre's three viewing terraces.

    • Cost: Adults: 4 лв; lecture: 12 лв.

  • Flamingos at the Burgas salt ponds and lakes

    WildlifeNorth of Burgasnear Burgas

    Especially August

    Look for flamingos around the salt ponds and lakes north of Burgas. Walking through the Sea Garden leads towards the salt pans.

  • Kaylaka Park trails

    HikePleven areanear Pleven

    Walk from Pleven or take trolleybus 3 or 7 to its last stop. Follow trails towards cliffs and caves.

  • Kaylaka Park rowing

    More to doPleven areanear Pleven

    Walk from Pleven or take trolleybus 3 or 7 to its last stop. Rent a boat at the park's pond and row.

  • Kaylaka Park bicycle lanes

    CyclingPleven areanear Pleven

    Use the bicycle lanes in Kaylaka Park. The park is reachable from Pleven on foot or by trolleybus 3 or 7 to the last stop.

  • Sofia Bike Tour countryside ride

    CyclingSofia and surrounding countrysidenear Sofia

    April–November

    Join the Sofia Bike Tour at the Ivan Vazov National Theatre. Departures are listed daily at 11:00 and 17:00. Rent a bicycle from the tour operators.

  • Bachkovo Monastery surrounding paths

    HikeBachkovo area

    Easy

    From Plovdiv, take a bus from platform 1 at the Rhodope bus station, across the tracks from the train station. Walk on the paths around Bachkovo Monastery.

Airports, metros and trains in Bulgaria

Airports with scheduled flights

  • BOJBurgas AirportBurgasMain international airport
  • PDVPlovdiv International AirportPlovdivMain international airport
  • SOFSofia AirportSofiaMain international airport
  • VARVarna AirportVarnaMain international airport

Metro and subway

  • SofiaSofia Metro50 stations55 kmsince 1998

Trains

Rail network
4,029 km
Electrified
3,005 km

People and safety in Bulgaria

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mixed.

  • Christian72%
  • Jewish12%
  • Muslim11%
  • No religion5%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal

  • Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
  • Legal gender change is recognised.
  • Laws protect against discrimination.

Women travellers

Ranked #38 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

64% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 93 of 198 countries can visit Bulgaria easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required83
  • Freedom of movement10
  • Visa required105

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Europe43 of 45 countries
  • Americas26 of 35 countries
  • Oceania10 of 14 countries
  • Asia12 of 50 countries
  • Africa2 of 54 countries

Questions

What money should I bring?

Bulgaria uses the euro. Carry cash for rural areas; cards are generally accepted in major cities.

Can I travel without booking tickets online?

Yes. Train tickets can be bought at station ticket offices, usually 20–30 minutes before departure; sales stop five minutes before the train arrives or leaves.

Is it easy to get around by bus?

Buses frequently connect larger cities and are the fastest way around the country. Confirm times locally and arrive early, as buses do not wait.

Will people speak English?

English is more common among younger people and in tourist areas and large cities. Outside these areas, learning basic Bulgarian and Cyrillic place names can help.

Can I drink the tap water?

The source describes mountain tap water as safe. It advises avoiding tap water in northern Bulgaria and near the seaside.

What number do I call in an emergency?

Call 112 for all emergencies. If it does not connect, call 166 for police, 150 for an ambulance or 160 for the fire department.

What kinds of accommodation are available?

Choices include hostels, boarding houses, hotels, guest houses, villas and mountain huts. Some monasteries also offer overnight stays.

Do I need to tip in restaurants?

Tipping is optional, and tips are not added to the bill. You may leave 5–10% if you wish.

What should I know before driving?

Drive on the right, keep headlights on and wear seat belts. You need an electronic road pass, and road conditions vary.

Does nodding mean yes?

The source describes the opposite convention: nodding means “no” and shaking the head means “yes”.

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