Bulgaria presents very different journeys. The Mountain slopes of Bansko and Pomporovo appeal to skiers within the winter, and the Black Sea seashores draw crowds in the summertime months. It has a singular attraction all of its personal. Listed below are my favourite magnificence spots on this extraordinary nation…
1. The Black Sea Seashores
A superb place to start out is the nation’s well-known shoreline. Bulgaria is thought for its Black Sea shoreline, with lengthy sandy seashores dotted with motels, conventional fishing villages, and historic websites.
Vacationers flock to the glitzier resorts of Sunny Seashore and Golden Sands, however I personally consider town seashores in Varna and Burgas are simply as stunning.
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Location: the jap half Bulgaria from Romanian Black Sea resorts within the north to Turkey within the south
Also known as the Pearl of the Black Sea, the historic city of Nessebar dates again to antiquity when it was based as a Thracian settlement often known as Menebria. Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Bulgarians, Crusaders, and Ottomans all took turns fortifying the traditional city and the slender peninsula on which it’s positioned.
At this time, a stroll on its cobblestone streets will deliver you to remnants of 40 brick church buildings courting again to the fifth century. The attractive city is a vital website, and UNESCO acknowledges it as a World Heritage Website.
One of many oldest cities on the Black Sea shoreline, Sozopol is a well-known fishermen’s village and seaside resort.
Situated 35 kilometers south of Burgas, Sozopol was identified within the sixth century BC as Apollonia, full with a temple devoted to Apollo. The city is sufficiently small for an informal stroll.
You’ll be able to stroll alongside the quays because the day’s catch is unloaded or via the outdated city, with its wood homes desperately calling for restore. If the ocean is just too deep or tough for swimming, you’ll be able to all the time sunbathe on the rocks alongside the shore!
Often known as the Jerusalem of Bulgaria, this picturesque Japanese Orthodox monastery within the forested mountains lower than two hours south of Sofia is value a pilgrimage go to.
Named for St. Ivan of Rilski, a tenth-century hermit who lived in a close-by cave, the monastery has been constructed, burnt, and rebuilt over the centuries, with the most recent development courting to the 1800s.
Enter the courtyard, and you’ll be surprised by the proper concord of the church, with its sleek arches in daring black-and-white stripes set below a row of sculpted gargoyles, tiled roofs, and 5 domes reaching in direction of the sky.
Within the distance are the peaks of the Rila Mountains, complimenting an oasis of serenity excellent for non secular hermits and trendy guests alike.
Greatest time to go to: 07:00 to 19:30 all 12 months spherical
5. Varna
Varna is likely one of the main vacationer locations within the nation. It’s straightforward to see why it’s so widespread I assumed it was a fantastic metropolis with incredible seashores, wonderful eating places, and beautiful inexperienced areas. Varna is sometimes called the sea capital of Bulgaria, as many locals flock to town within the hotter months.
Varna has many picturesque seashores with superb golden sand and crystal-clear water. Just a few good surf breaks are additionally obtainable in case you desire to surf or bodyboard.
Rapongi Seashore is maybe the perfect seaside in Varna, as it’s well-maintained and doesn’t get too crowded. You can even journey north to the resort of Sunny Day or Sirius Seashore, each beautiful places widespread with vacationers.
There are many different actions to get pleasure from within the metropolis, together with many wonderful golf equipment, eating places, and bars alongside Kraybrezhna Aleya. This a part of town is charming and exquisite at night time.
Plovdiv, the second-largest metropolis within the nation, has one thing that Sofia doesn’t – an outdated city on a hill. The town was based some 6,000 years in the past and developed on seven hills, however one was destroyed originally of the twentieth century.
The Outdated City towers over town centre with constructions from totally different eras, together with a remarkably well-preserved Roman amphitheatre.
The Outdated City is greatest identified for its Bulgarian Renaissance architectural model, with vibrant homes displaying the Nationwide Revival’s distinctive exterior traits on each nook. Strolling up the hill is a delight, with the various galleries and home museums all value a go to.
7. Belogradchik
Belogradchik Fortress is a man-made development set towards a surprising outcrop of rocks. The mix is so distinctive and picturesque that it appears lifted from a Disney fairytale. What’s much more distinctive than the fortress is the encompassing countryside.
The Belogradchik Rocks, named in 2009 as Bulgaria’s candidate to be chosen as one of many New Seven Wonders of Nature, is a surprising association of strange-shaped sandstone and conglomerate rock formations.
8. Lake Atanasovsko
Lake Burgas is a fantastic shiny pink lake simply west of Burgas. In contrast to most different pink lakes worldwide, the lake’s color isn’t solely brought on by excessive salt ranges.
Though there’s a whole lot of salt within the lake, it’s also influenced by the farming of brine shrimp within the water. The lake’s color tends to range relying on the place the fishermen and salt miners are presently lively. A number of basins in the midst of the south aspect of the lake are used for salt mining.
These basins typically have essentially the most vivid colors, starting from darkish pink to gentle pink. In contrast to different pink lakes, it’s attainable to swim in Lake Burgas.
It’s inspired as a result of the mud the lake accommodates is claimed to have medicinal properties. Some locals consider it has anti-ageing properties and may heal particular illnesses; due to this, it’s a well known wellness attraction.
9. Koprivshtitsa
Strolling the slender alleyways of the village of Koprivshtitsa, some two hours east of Sofia, you’ll really feel transported again to the momentous months of 1876, when the locals bravely fought towards their oppressive Ottoman rulers.
Contained in the colourful homes, which signify Bulgarian Nationwide Revival structure of the Nineteenth century, native patriots plotted their revolt, main as much as the primary shot within the unsuccessful April Rebellion.
The village accommodates memorials and museum homes displaying ethnographical treasures, outdated weapons and farm implements, nationwide costumes, paintings, and jewellery.
10. Veliko Tarnovo
Veliko Tarnovo was the historic capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire between the twelfth and 14th centuries. It’s positioned within the nation’s centre and is a well-liked vacationer attraction.
The reconstructed Tsarevets fortress bears no resemblance to the medieval palaces of the tsars who dominated from the hilltop till their defeat by the Ottomans in 1393. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to virtually sense the nation’s former greatness when strolling via the gates of this picturesque stronghold!
11. Melnik
Melnik is thought for 2 issues. It’s the smallest metropolis in Bulgaria and is house to a number of the nation’s greatest wineries.
It can take you minutes to stroll up the city’s one fundamental road, however you’ll sit for hours at an area tavern, your head spinning below the intoxicating spell of the wealthy pink wines.
Should you rise up out of your seat, the close by pyramidal Melnik Rocks and the Rozhen Monastery are value a go to.
12. Pomorie
Pomorie is a picturesque coastal resort city in Burgas Bay on the jap seaboard of Bulgaria. Simply probably the most stunning locations to go to in Bulgaria, town sits on a slender rocky peninsula with spectacular views of the shoreline to the north and south.
Whereas it attracts many Bulgarian vacationers yearly, it’s a secret that almost all overseas vacationers don’t learn about. The city has two distinct sections — the outdated city heart to the east and the newer, extra touristy part to the west/southwest.
The senior city heart is charming, with many small motels, genuine outlets, and eating places. The jap tip of the peninsula has a number of small seashores which are often much less crowded than these to the north or southwest.
Sundown Resort is positioned to the southwest of the city. It’s a trendy resort adjoining to South Seashore, the biggest seaside within the metropolis. It is a extra touristy a part of the city, however it’s a incredible location if you need a resort with trendy facilities. Pomorie Lake is likely one of the “must-see” places in Pomorie.
Situated to the north of city, it’s a beautiful saline coastal lagoon house to dozens of chook species. Medicinal mud is produced on the lake, and guests can get pleasure from a refreshing mud bathtub.
Different sights within the space embody the Museum of Salt, the Pomorie Museum of Historical past, and the road markets in Kableshkovo (held each Thursday). Two native wineries value visiting are Vineyard Messembria and Stratsin Vineyard.
13. The Evksinograd Residence
The Evksinograd Residence is likely one of the most romantic buildings in Bulgaria. Situated 8 kilometres north of Varna, this Nineteenth-century palace was typically used as a vacation house for royalty.
The mansion’s exterior is similar to French mansions of the 18th century. It’s ornate, romantic, and fairly stunning. The interiors are luxurious, with marble fireplaces, French chandeliers, giant eating halls, vintage furnishings, and uncommon work. Anticipate to see a whole lot of gold and silk!
The grounds surrounding the park are not any much less decadent. French park architects had been designed to put out the 800-acre park. They planted many uncommon species of vegetation, a few of that are alive at the moment.
At one level, greater than 500 species of flowers had been within the grounds and greenhouses. A vineyard was added to the palace in 1891, and wonderful wines are nonetheless produced at the moment. It produces Chardonnay, Riesling, Traminer, Muscat Ottone, and Vratsa Muscat wines.
Vacationers can go to the palace, discover the parks, and even pattern the wines. They’ll additionally keep within the palace complicated, which has a restaurant on the grounds. It’s a stunning constructing that’s certain to thrill.
14. Seven Lakes
This group of attractive glacial lakes is positioned excessive within the Rila Mountains. The suitable time to go to the lakes is in the summertime, as even in June, they are often frozen. The terrain alternates between deep snowdrifts and patches of sensible wildflowers.
The lakes are positioned one above the opposite in a mountain valley, interconnected by streams and waterfalls. Entry to the lakes is troublesome, though using a ski elevate shortens the space up the steep mountainside.
Legends say the lakes had been shaped by the tears of a feminine big, crying for her beloved! Aw!
15. Belogradchik Fortress
Belogradchik Fortress is an outdated fortress in northwest Bulgaria on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains. It’s near the Bulgarian city of Belogradchik, house to about 5,000 folks.
The fortress was established as a surveillance put up when the Roman Empire managed the area. Within the 14th century, the Bulgarian tsar Ivan Stratsimir prolonged it to incorporate fortified garrisons.
The Ottomans captured the fortress in 1396, making it much more vital for repelling the Hajduk insurrectionists within the space.
The best way the fortress runs between the huge sections of pure rock is awe-inspiring, with some extremely scenic views from the highest of the defence.
16. Tevno Vasilashko Lake
Tevno Vasilashko Lake is likely one of the most spectacular places in Europe. It’s a magnificent glacial lake surrounded by rugged mountain peaks in Pirin, Bulgaria.
The lake’s distinctive, saturated blue coloration displays the huge mountains close by. Tevno Lake is the biggest of a sequence of glacial lakes within the Vasilashko Lakes space.
The opposite lakes are Fish Vasilashko Lake, Higher Vasilashko Lake, Rainbow-shaped Vasilashko Lake, and Higher Todorino Lake. They’re all stunning lakes, however Tevno Vasilashko Lake is essentially the most spectacular.
There are tour operators who supply one-day journeys up the Vasilashki glacial valley, visiting three or 4 of the lakes. It’s a magical journey that showcases an unbelievable a part of this distinctive nation!
17. Greatest For Alpine Village
Dolen Village is an alpine village within the western Rhode Mountains (about 26 km from Gotse Delchev). It is likely one of the most romantic villages in Bulgaria, with slender cobblestone roads, stone partitions, and genuine buildings designed within the Bulgarian Revival model.
The village was based within the sixteenth century by Bulgarians escaping the Ottomans who had invaded the nation. It flourished within the 18th century as a number of industries within the space grew to become affluent.
Many homes have stone foundations, timber partitions, and overhanging high tales. Inside, there are often ornate ceilings and elaborate carpentry on show.
The locals have added fantastic gardens to most properties, so strolling the streets is like being part of a fantastic fairy story. It’s an expertise you gained’t neglect.
18. Pirin Nationwide Park
Most travellers don’t notice how picturesque Bulgaria’s pure setting is till they see the Pirin Nationwide Park. It’s a 403.56 km2 park in southwestern Bulgaria. It encompasses many of the Pirin Mountains, an enormous mountain vary overlaying the southwest a part of the nation.
Pirin Nationwide Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Website in 1983 and is a part of the World Community of Biosphere Reserves. The park is house to over 100 glacial lakes, the biggest being Popovo Lake. Many beautiful glaciers are additionally positioned all through the mountains.
The park has lots of of animal species, together with the attractive boreal owl, white-backed woodpecker, hearth salamander, agile frog, pink deer, and Eurasian three-toed woodpecker.
If you’re fortunate, you may glimpse one of many park’s rarer animals, such because the lesser noticed eagle, golden eagle, or peregrine falcon!
19. Kamchia Biosphere Reserve
The Kamchia Biosphere Reserve stands out as a Nationwide Park due to its huge dimension and pristine pure setting. This reserve is a 1,200-hectare (2,965-acre) UNESCO-listed biosphere on Bulgaria’s northern shoreline.
It has a different panorama starting from huge floodplains on the mouth of the Kamchia River to lengthy seashores adjoining to the Black Sea shoreline.
Established in 1977, it accommodates many historical forests and spectacular pure waterways. The reserve is positioned 20 km south of Varna and is surrounded by the villages of Bliznatsi, Staro Oriahovo, and Shkorpilovtsi.
Kamchia is the proper location for mountaineering, tenting, boating, or stress-free on one of many many huge seashores.
20. Zheravna
Situated within the rolling hills of the Balkan Mountain Vary is the magical village of Zheravna. The city is an architectural reserve consisting of greater than 200 homes constructed through the Bulgarian Nationwide Revival interval within the 18th and Nineteenth centuries.
I like that strolling via the village appears like travelling again in time! You’ll marvel on the stunning buildings’ detailed pink ceramic roof tiles and elaborate timber decorations. Lots of the buildings have been transformed into visitor homes, so it’s attainable to remain within the city.
The interiors of the visitor homes are simply as pretty because the exteriors, that includes wood carvings and ornate carpentry carried out by artisans lots of of years in the past. Loads of nature walks encompass the village, plus a number of museums and an artwork gallery, all of which I’d advocate visiting!
