Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a country of geographical extremes, with soaring mountain peaks and lowland desert valleys. Boreal forests cover the country’s western half, and Mediterranean scrubland dominates the central portion. Along the coast, you can find high steppe meeting the ocean at dramatic cliffs, but also sandy beaches and sundry marshes. In between, the Bulgarians have turned each of these environments into their home. Bulgaria is the most beautiful, where people have adapted to these extreme environments, from hillside villages to mountain-top monasteries.

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Some trips are more adventurous than others, and Bulgaria is a country that offers adventure. A large country with a relatively small population, Bulgaria balances some of Europe’s most spectacular natural landscapes with one of the highest densities of preserved Roman ruins. However, between the poor quality roads and communication challenges, travel requires advanced planning and patients. The guides below can offer some insights into how to explore Bulgaria.

Select a Region to Explore in Detail

Travel Guides

Should You Visit Sofia?
BulgariaShoplukTravel-Guides

Should You Visit Sofia?

★★★ Summary: Maybe if you like old churches, otherwise no. It’s a somewhat unpleasant city with only a handful of incredible things to see. Don’t…

Exploring Bulgaria’s Folklore Regions
BulgariaHistory in ContextTravel-Guides

Exploring Bulgaria’s Folklore Regions

For countries like Germany and Italy, with their proud and protected regional identities, it is easy to describe the unique cultural characteristics of Bavaria or…

Regions to Explore

Dobruja

Dobruja

The lands of Dobruja are formed by a low-lying mountain range that diverts the Danube north on its voyage to the sea. With the landscape mostly given over to agriculture, most of the population lives on the coast, where you can find some of Europe’s most beautiful beaches and dramatic seaside cliffs. Ancient ruins and fortresses dot the entire coast and offer limitless potential for exploration between the beachside cocktails.
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Northern Bulgaria

Northern Bulgaria

The cradle formed by the wide arc of the Danube Basin, fertile valleys, and rugged limestone peaks laid the foundation for the Bulgarian State. From the ancient capitals of Preslav and Tarnovo, the Bulgarian Kings and Emperors conquered lands as far south as the Aegean, even besieging Constantinople. Today, this legacy is primarily visible as the ruins of their cities and castles, but there are quite a few, and some are truly spectacular. This is a region full of medieval mysteries and dramatic landscapes.
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Pirin

Pirin

Dominated by the peaks of the Pirin Mountains, the people of this region inhabit the wide Struma valley as the river carves its way towards the Aegean Sea. Due to its relative isolation from the rest of Bulgaria, it is considered separate from Shopluk and represents a borderland between Macedonia and Bulgaria. Today it is known for its traditional architecture and excellent wine.
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Rhodope Mountains

Rhodope Mountains

According to apocryphal legend, the ancient Thracian Hero Orpheus wandered the Rhodopes Mountains in grief for his dead wife, Eurydice, before descending into the underworld to rescue her. While Orpheus probably never saw the Rhodopes, the region is nevertheless one of rugged, breathtaking natural beauty worthy of heroic legend. With this many caves, one must undoubtedly lead to the underworld.
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Shopluk

Shopluk

For millennia, the Iskar and Struma Rivers have carved deep gorges through the Balkan, Rila, Osogovo, and Pirin mountains. This rugged region was known only for centuries for its simple, hardy mountain people, the Shopi. Spread over parts of Serbia, Bulgaria, and Macedonia, today, it is known for its dramatic mountain scenery, hidden monastic enclaves, and the city of Sofia.
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Strandzha

Strandzha

Where the fertile Thracian Valley descends along the Maritsa River towards the Aegean, Strandzha is the rocky and heavily forested Thracian coastline of the Black Sea. Nestled between the Balkan Mountains and the Strandzha Forests, the region is home to several ancient towns, Bulgaria’s best wine region, and some of the most unique ecosystems in Europe.
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Thracian Valley

Thracian Valley

The fertile plains of the Mariza River have nurtured civilization for millennia. The Thracians, Greeks, Romans, Slavs, Bulgarians, and Turks have all called this region their home. This melting pot of cultures has created a uniquely Bulgarian identity. In the streets of Bulgaria’s crown jewel, Plovdiv, you can find Roman ruins, mosques, and Shopska salad. Here you will find the best that Bulgaria has to offer.
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Central Europe

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