9 top towns not to miss in Bulgaria
Bulgaria has sights, culture and cuisine, yet it’s still pretty under the tourist radar and rarely mentioned alongside eastern European stars such as Poland and Czech Republic. From glorious mountains and natural parks to sparkling waters and sandy beaches, the Bulgarian landscape is extremely varied and sprinkled with picturesque towns and villages where life still proceeds at a slower pace.
Here are the top towns not to miss when visiting Bulgaria:
Sofia
Sofia
Nestled at the foot of the impressive Vitosha Mountain, close to the Serbian border, Sofia is one of Europe’s oldest cities. Its long history goes back to over 7,000 years ago, meaning that there’s plenty for visitors to see and do, Major sites include the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, one of the largest Eastern Orthodox churches in the world, the red-brick church of St. George Rotunda with its beautifully detailed medieval frescoes, and the National Historical Museum, housed in the former residence of dictator Todor Zhivkov.Where to stay: Sofia Hotel Balkan I 5 Sveta Nedelya Square I website
Where to eat: Hadjidraganovite Izbi I ul. "Hristo Belchev" 18 I website
Plovdiv
Plovdiv, panoramic view
Less than two hours south of Sofia, Bulgaria’s second city has a thriving cultural scene that won it the title of European Capital of Culture for the year 2019. Its pretty old town boasts atmospheric cobblestone alleys, picture-perfect corners and cosy cafés, while the hipster neighbourhood of Kapana is filled with delightful restaurants, bars and art galleries. But Plovdiv’s biggest draws are the traces left by ancient Romans, such as a perfectly-preserved theatre and the remains of a large stadium that could seat 30,000 spectators.Where to stay: Hotel Evmolpia I 4 Pernik str. I website
Where to eat: Hebros Restaurant I K Stoilov 51 I website
Kazanlak
Kazanlak Center, stealman [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]
Where to stay: Hotel Palas I P. Stainov Str. 9 I website
Where to eat: Magnolia Restaurant I N. Petkov Str. 1 I website
Nessebar
Nessebar, Sergey Galyonkin from Kyiv, Ukraine [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)]
Where to stay: Aqua Paradise Resort I European road E 87 I website
Where to eat: Old Sailor I Dobromir 8
Burgas
Where to stay: Grand Hotel & SPA Primoretz I Al. Batenberg 2 I website
Where to eat: Ethno Restaurant I Aleksandrovska 49
Bansko
Bansko, Красимир Косев [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)]
Where to stay: Pirin River I Ikonom K. Chuchulayn 74-78 I website
Where to eat: Matsurev Han I 15, Otets Paisiy Str. I website
Sozopol
Sozopol
One of Bulgaria’s coastal highlights, Sozopol is an attractive town rich in history but young at heart that mainly attracts beachgoers and party crowds. The wooden houses of the old town, some over 100 years old, are a must-see, and there’s a bustling cultural scene, too, with plenty of festivals and concerts such as the popular Apollonia Art and Film Festival that takes place in September. Fishing is still one of the main activities for locals, as evident at the picturesque marina crowded with fishing boats and countless fish restaurants.
Where to stay: Hotel Casa del Mare I 36 Kiril I Metodii Str.
Where to eat: Mehana Neptune I Morski Skali
Varna
Varna is another popular holiday destination on the Black Sea coast, offering fabulous sandy beaches, interesting historical sites and great Bulgarian cuisine. Besides beaches, the main attractions here are the Varna Chalcolithic Necropolis, which is said to contain “the oldest gold treasure of mankind", and the magnificent Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin, which is one of the biggest religious buildings in the country. Varna is also home to a unique Stone Forest, a protected area covered in stone columns of all shapes and sizes.
Where to stay: Modus Hotel I 46 Stefan Stambolov Str. I website
Where to eat: Staria Chinar I Macedonia Str. 154 I website
Koprivshtitsa
Koprivshtitsa
Located right in the centre of Bulgaria, Koprivshtitsa is a scenic little town that played a key role in the history of the country, being the place where the battle for independence against the Ottoman empire started in April 1876. Nowadays a vast array of objects retracing the events of those revolutionary days can be seen in the many museums dotting the town centre, such as the house-museum of Todor Kableshkov, one of the leaders of the April uprising, and that of Georgi Benkovski, another prominent Bulgarian rebel. What’s more, every year Koprivshtitsa hosts a series of popular music and folklore festivals.
Where to stay: Stoichkovata Kashta I H.N. Palaveev Street 96 | website
Where to eat: Pod Starata Krusha I H.N. Palaveev blv. 76 I website
Getting there & around
Bulgaria is well connected to all major cities in Europe with Bulgaria Air and low-cost carriers like Wizzair, EasyJet and Ryanair.
