Holidays in Bulgaria

A holiday in Bulgaria will take you to a country situated in southeast 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 Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, to the east on the Black Sea, to the south on Greece and to the southeast on Turkey's European part. The main tourist resorts for Bulgaria holidays are Varna and Bourgas both with conveniently located regional airports, so after you're flight to Bulgaria the transfers are relatively short.

• Country Profile - Bulgaria Holidays
• Getting Around Bulgaria
• Climate for Bulgaria Holidays
• Places of Interest in Bulgaria
• Eating/Drinking in Bulgaria
• Activities in Bulgaria
• General Information for Holidays in Bulgaria
• View Google Map of Bulgaria

View Map of Bulgaria

Country Profile - Bulgaria Holidays

Holidays in Bulgaria have grown recently due to Bulgaria's swift change over the last decade. However a nice feature of Bulgaria holidays are the relatively untouched villages where you will find village folk who ride a donkey to work, eat homegrown potatoes and make their own cheese. The difference now is that they wash it all down in front of a satellite TV.

Holidays in Bulgaria are special because it features cloud-piercing mountain peaks, ancient cities and picturesque hilltop villages echoing with the sound of harmonious choirs. Bulgaria has some of the best sandy beaches in Europe making holidays to Bulgaria ideal for those you enjoy relaxing on a beach. Bulgaria is the jewel of the Balkans with pine-clad forests and rolling fields blanket the land and a diversity of traditions are waiting to be explored.

The Bulgarian Black Sea coast is 380 km marvellous beaches with fine golden sand and natural dunes; calm and safe sea with low sloping sandy bottom and clear water; numerous mineral springs and beautiful nature. The Black sea water is amazingly smooth and is nearly fresh according to the Mediterranean and it is a real pleasure to swim or dive within. Holiday-makers have a huge selection of activities to choose from like yachting, diving, windsurfing, water skiing, snorkeling, underwater fishing and other aquatic sports.

Holidays in Elenite Village; Holidays in Golden Sands; Holidays in Sunny Beach

Capital: Sofia

Population: 8 million (approx.)

Language: Bulgarian

Currency: Bulgarian Lev (BGL)

Religion: Eastern Orthodox

Return to top

Getting Around Bulgaria

Taxis: Reasonably priced and useful way of getting around in towns and cities, or reaching places that aren't accessible by public transport. All taxi-cabs in the country are yellow and each taxi driver has a licence and registration number within the taxi for identification. They operate at daytime and night time rates

Buses: The local buses, run by the government, are frequent and inexpensive. Private bus companies run the longer distance routes.

Return to top

Climate for Bulgaria Holidays

Bulgaria's climate is influenced by the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, with cold damp winters and hot dry summers. Spring (April to mid-June) has mild and pleasant weather. Summer (mid-June to September) has warm, stable weather. Temperatures in the mountain areas are on average 10F or 5C cooler than in the rest of the country.The winter can be bitterly cold, damp and snowy.

Bulgaria Holidays - View 5 Day Forecast

Places of Interest in Bulgaria

City of Varna: Bulgaria's largest city and most popular beach resort with fantastic golden sandy beaches and plenty of watersports, cafes and restaurants.

Zlatni National Park: Next to the resort of Golden Sands benefits from fantastic scenery and an array of wildlife.

City of Nessebar: One of the oldest cities in Europe and has a unique colour and architecture. It is located on a small peninsula in the Black Sea which is linked with the land only by a long and narrow isthmus. It has existed for more than 9,000 years. It emerged as a fortified Thracian settlement; afterwards it was a Greek polis, then a Roman colony. Has 2 parts - the Old Town and the New Town.

Village Hospitality - Golden Sands: Journey through the village of Dolishte and the Botavska Nature Reserve and discover a different side to Bulgaria.

Off Road Adventure - Sunny Beach: Travelling in jeeps you will head up into the mountains passing through the Bunardzik region on the way to Cape Emine.

Return to top

Eating/Drinking in Bulgaria

Gourmets have long since esteemed the merits of Bulgarian cuisine with the verdict that it is tasty, spicy and varied, appealing to one and all. Indeed, who would not like the abundance of fresh vegetables and fruits, juicy meat, grilled or served with piquant sauces, mouth-watering vegetarian dishes, simmered slowly on low heat, the banitsa (cheese pie) which simply melts in your mouth, and famous Bulgarian yogurt?

The Bulgarian "culinary" geography abounds in delicious specialities and exotic dishes.

The cosy, typically Bulgarian folk-style restaurants will tempt you with Shopska salad and chilled grape brandy, stuffed vine leaves or peppers, kavarma the Miller's Way, monastery-style hotchpotch, moussaka and kebab. The smell of oven-fresh bread rolls is mixed with the fragrance of savoury. Thinly sliced loukanka (flat dry sausage) from Smyadovo, pastarma, feta and yellow cheese are temptingly arranged on ceramic plates.

The delicate white wines Dimyat, Misket and Riesling are followed by full reds such as Merlot, Cabernet and Gamza. Cups of steaming coffee are served with sweet jam, pancakes with honey and walnuts or baklava.

Nightlife: The purpose built resorts in Bulgaria offer a varied night life from clubs and bars to folkloric and traditional entertainment. The resorts along the Black sea coast provide a lively nightlife with a choice of restaurants, taverns with folklore programmes, bars with floor shows, night clubs, casino, discotheques and cafes that provide culinary pleasures and a good mood.

Return to top

Activities in Bulgaria

Donkey Safari: You will travel through a quiet village to a place were the traditional drink of Rakia is produced. After that you will travel to an open meadow for a picnic lunch.

Off Road Adventure - Sunny Beach: Travelling in jeeps you will head up into the mountains passing through the Bunardzik region on the way to Cape Emine.

Watersports: There are few sites that are turning into windsurfing sites at certain periods of the year. This sport is getting even more popular in Bulgaria via the several windsurfing competitions throughout the year.

Generally the best time for windsurfing in Bulgaria is from early spring till late autumn. During the hot summer months the wind is stronger late in the afternoon. However September is considered to be more suitable for high speed lovers as the wind is better.

Almost every major holiday resort along the Bulgarian coastline has at least one surfing club, which can offer you equipment and even a few tips if you are beginner.

Return to top

General Information for Holidays in Bulgaria

Time: +2 hours GMT (Oct - Mar); +3 hours GMT (Apr - Sep).

Electricity: 220 volts.

Weights and Measures: Kilo and Metric system.

Banks: 9.00am to 3.00pm (Mon - Fri), Money exchange available in banks and 24-hour change bureau.

Passport/Visa: You will need a valid passport with an entry or transit visa which is issued by the embassies and consulates of the Republic of Bulgaria abroad. No entry visas are required for citizens of the countries with which Bulgaria has a visa-free regime, or of organised tourists who have bought a package tour. No entry visas are required for citizens of the EU and EFTA member states.

Shopping: Best Buys: Bags and accessories are a great buy in Bulgaria as are other hand-made goods such as carpet strips. Bring home some Terlitsi; traditional Bulgarian slippers made from wool and decorated with silk. Opening hours, 10.00 a.m. to 8.00 pm. (Monday to Friday, Saturday until noon)

Return to top