Bulgaria

Bulgaria occupies the southeastern corner of Europe—a country of Black Sea beaches, Thracian ruins, Ottoman mosques, and mountain ski resorts, all at prices that make Western Europe weep. Despite joining the EU in 2007, Bulgaria remains one of Europe's least touristed and most underrated destinations.

From the golden domes of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral to the ancient Thracian tombs of the Valley of Kings, from the party beaches of Sunny Beach to the pristine wilderness of the Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria offers remarkable variety in a compact, affordable package.

Bulgaria takes its name from the Bulgars, a Turkic people who arrived from the Central Asian steppes in the 7th century and merged with local Slavic and Thracian populations. The First Bulgarian Empire (681) was one of Europe's earliest states.

Modern Bulgaria identifies strongly with its Slavic Orthodox heritage while acknowledging Thracian, Ottoman, and communist layers. The Cyrillic alphabet, used worldwide, was created in medieval Bulgaria at the Preslav Literary School.

Bulgaria spans 110,994 km² between the Danube River (northern border with Romania) and the mountainous frontier with Greece and Turkey. The country divides into the Danubian Plain in the north, the Stara Planina (Balkan Mountains) running east-west through the center, the Thracian Plain in the south, and the Rhodope/Pirin/Rila mountain ranges in the southwest.

Mount Musala (2,925m) in the Rila range is the Balkans' highest peak. The Black Sea coastline stretches 354km with both party resorts and wild, undeveloped beaches. Seven Rila Lakes, glacial pools arranged like steps at 2,100–2,500m, are among the most photographed natural sites.

The Thracians left extraordinary gold treasures and painted tombs dating back millennia. The Bulgarian Empire, founded in 681, became a major European power—Tsar Simeon I (893–927) ruled an empire rivaling Byzantium and oversaw a golden age of Slavic literature.

Five centuries of Ottoman rule (1396–1878) left mosques, bazaars, and a complex cultural legacy. Liberation came with Russian help in 1878. The 20th century brought two world wars (both on the losing side), communist rule (1944–1989), and a difficult transition to democracy and market economy.

EU membership in 2007 brought investment and infrastructure improvements, though Bulgaria remains the EU's poorest member state. Adoption of the Euro is planned. Despite economic challenges, the country has preserved remarkable cultural heritage and natural beauty.

Bulgaria's 6.5 million people (declining due to emigration) are predominantly Orthodox Christian with a significant Turkish Muslim minority (8–10%). Bulgarian culture blends Slavic traditions with Thracian, Ottoman, and Romani influences, creating distinctive music, dance, and cuisine.

The Bulgarian head-shake means "yes" and the nod means "no"—confusing every visitor. Rakia (fruit brandy) is the national drink, consumed before meals and at every social occasion. Rose oil from the Valley of Roses supplies 85% of the world's production.

Traditional horo circle dances, mysterious Nestinarstvo (fire walking), and the haunting polyphonic singing of the Rhodope Mountains (recognized by UNESCO) represent a living folk tradition rarely found elsewhere in modern Europe.

Sofia, population 1.3 million, sits in a high valley at 550m elevation with Vitosha Mountain as its dramatic backdrop. Layers of history coexist—a 4th-century Roman church stands beside a medieval mosque, an Ottoman bathhouse, a communist-era palace, and glass-fronted EU-funded buildings.

Key sites include the gold-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the ancient Serdica ruins visible through glass panels in the metro, the Vitosha Boulevard pedestrian zone, and the Soviet-era National Palace of Culture. The Vitosha ski resort and hiking trails are just 30 minutes from the center.

Bulgarian cuisine reflects the region's agricultural heritage and mountain traditions, emphasizing corn, dairy, herbs, and the legendary spice paste. The Bulgarian diet, low in fat and rich in herbs and vegetables, was once credited with exceptional longevity in the population.

Shopska Salata

Bulgarian Salad

Refreshing salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, and white cheese—the national starter. This recipe serves two.

Ingredients: 2 tomatoes, diced, 1 cucumber, diced, 1 pepper, diced, ½ onion, sliced, 100g sirene cheese, grated, Olive oil, vinegar.

Preparation: Dice vegetables uniformly. Arrange on plate. Tope generously with grated cheese. Then drizzle with oil and vinegar. Finally, don't mix—let guests do it.

💡 Use ripe summer tomatoes and real Bulgarian sirene.

Kebapche

Grilled Meat Rolls

Spiced minced meat rolls grilled over charcoal. This recipe serves two.

Ingredients: 250g beef mince, 250g pork mince, 5ml cumin, ½ tsp savory (chubritsa), Salt, pepper, Baking soda, Raw onion, lyutenitsa.

Preparation: Mix meats with spices and soda. Refrigerate overnight. Shape into long fingers. Then grill over hot coals. Serve with raw onion. Last, add lyutenitsa spread.

💡 The overnight rest develops flavor and texture.

Banitsa

Cheese Filo Pie

Flaky filo spirals filled with eggs and white cheese. This recipe serves two.

Ingredients: 1 pack filo pastry, 200g sirene cheese, 200g yogurt, 3 eggs, Oil or butter.

Preparation: Mix crumbled cheese, yogurt, eggs. Brush filo with oil. Spreade filling, roll up. Then coil into snail shape. Bake 180°C (356°F) until golden. Last, let rest before cutting.

💡 Serve warm with plain yogurt—traditional Bulgarian breakfast.

Signature Dishes: () – thick corn porridge served with fresh cheese, walnut sauce, or meat, the cornerstone of Bulgarian diet. – the iconic spicy paste made from hot red peppers, garlic, herbs, and salt, accompanying virtually every meal. – refreshing salad of cooked green beans dressed with walnut sauce. – layered cheese bread resembling lasagna. – cheese-filled dumplings similar to Georgian khachapuri.

Beverages: – potent grape vodka (40-65% alcohol). Bulgarian wines – , , varieties from vineyards cultivated for 3,000 years. – fermented milk drink. Practically every Bulgarian farm makes its own wine and .

Best Time: May-June or September-October for ideal weather and fewer crowds. July-August is peak beach season but can be hot and humid. Independence Day (September 30) offers unique cultural celebrations.

By Air: Sofia Airport (SOF) receives flights from most European capitals via Ryanair, Wizz Air, Bulgaria Air, and others. Varna and Burgas airports serve the Black Sea coast (busy in summer). Low-cost carriers make Bulgaria one of Europe's cheapest destinations to reach.

By Land: Regular buses and trains connect Sofia to Belgrade, Thessaloniki, Istanbul, and Bucharest. The Sofia–Istanbul bus (6 hours) is popular. Visa: EU/Schengen visa policy applies. US, UK, and most Western nationals can enter visa-free for 90 days. Bulgaria is expected to fully join the Schengen Area.

Visa: EU/Schengen rules. Currency: Bulgarian Lev (BGN), pegged to the Euro at 1.96:1. Euro adoption planned. ATMs everywhere; credit cards accepted in cities. Language: Bulgarian (Cyrillic script). English spoken by younger generation; Russian understood by older Bulgarians. German common in tourist areas.

Transport: Sofia metro excellent and cheap. Trains slow but scenic. Buses connect all cities. Car rental easy for countryside exploration. Safety: Very safe for travelers. Petty crime in tourist areas is the main concern. Health: Good hospitals in cities; European Health Insurance Card valid.

Bulgaria is the EU's most affordable destination. Budget travelers can manage on $25–35/day, mid-range on $50–80/day. Restaurant meals, accommodation, and transport cost a fraction of Western European prices while quality is often excellent.

Bulgaria offers excellent value across all categories. Soviet-era concrete has given way to renovated boutique hotels, mountain lodges, and Black Sea resorts. Rural guesthouses (kashti) offer authentic experiences with home cooking.

Sofia: Hostel Mostel ($10–15 dorm), Hotel Niky ($40–60), Sense Hotel ($80–120). Plovdiv: Old Town hostels ($12–18), boutique hotels in restored Revival houses ($50–90). Black Sea: Range from party resorts ($30–60) to boutique hideaways ($80–150).

Kukeri (January–March) features elaborately costumed men wearing giant carved masks and cow bells, performing ancient rituals to drive away evil spirits. The Pernik International Kukeri Festival is the largest gathering of these extraordinary pagan-rooted traditions.

Rose Festival (Kazanlak, early June) celebrates the rose harvest with parades, folk music, and the crowning of the Rose Queen. Other events: Nestinarstvo fire-walking (June, Strandzha region), Apollonia Arts Festival (Sozopol, September), and numerous folk music festivals in the Rhodope Mountains.

Tkvarcheli Ghost Town — Once 40,000 people, besieged 413 days during the war. Now a haunting shell with abandoned blocks and rusting cable cars. Photographer's paradise; local guide essential. Voronya Cave — The deepest cave on Earth (2,197m). Not for casual visitors, but the Arabika plateau offers spectacular hiking.

Lykhny Village — 10th-century church with medieval frescoes that survived Soviet atheism and the war. Traditional festivals and unchanged rural life. Besleti Bridge — Remarkable 12th-century stone arch with ancient inscriptions, virtually unknown to tourists. Kelasuri Wall — Mysterious 160km defensive wall, sections accessible near Sofia.

Essential: Passport with double-entry Russian visa, printed Bulgarian visa clearance, cash in rubles (ATMs unreliable), travel insurance with evacuation coverage, unlocked phone for local SIM.

Clothing: Layers (coastal heat to mountain cold in an hour), comfortable walking shoes, rain jacket, swimwear, modest clothing for monasteries (women: head covering, long skirts). Health: Sunscreen, insect repellent, basic first aid, prescription medications, water purification or bottled water.

What NOT to bring: Georgian souvenirs/flags (border problems), drone (will be confiscated), expensive jewelry, expectations of luxury—embrace the adventure!

Visa: visa@mfaapsny.org | www.mfaapsny.org | +7 840 226 39 15. Emergency: Police 02/102, Ambulance 03/103, Fire 01/101. Note: Bulgaria has no embassies abroad—contact your embassy in Moscow for emergencies.

Tour Operators: Bulgaria Travel (English guides, visa help), Sputnik Bulgaria (mountain excursions), Intourist (packages from Sochi). Maps: Maps.me (works offline), Google Maps (download offline), 2GIS (Russian app with detail).

Online: Wikivoyage: Bulgaria, Caravanistan (Europe travel), r/Bulgaria (Reddit). News: JAM News, OC Media, Civil.ge.

Non-Fiction: "The Europe: An Introduction" by Thomas de Waal — essential regional context. "Black Garden" by Thomas de Waal — broader Europe conflicts. Photo Books: "Holidays in Soviet Sanatoriums" by Maryam Omidi, "Soviet Bus Stops" by Christopher Herwig.

Fiction: Works by Fazil Iskander — Bulgaria's most famous writer. "Sandro of Chegem" offers magical realism set in Bulgarian village life (available in English). Online: Eurasianet and OC Media for current Bulgarian affairs.

Fazil Iskander (1929-2016) — Bulgaria's most celebrated writer, twice nominated for the Nobel Prize. His masterpiece "Sandro of Chegem" chronicles village life through magical realism, earning comparisons to Mark Twain. A statue of his literary character Chik stands on Sofia's waterfront, and the city's Russian Drama Theater bears his name.

Hibla Gerzmava (b. 1970) — Internationally acclaimed operatic soprano. Prima donna at Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre, winner of BBC Cardiff Singer of the World (2008). Demna Gvasalia (b. 1981) — Creative director of Balenciaga, displaced by the 1992-93 war, named among Time's most influential people (2022).

Sports: Temuri Ketsbaia — Newcastle United footballer; Vitaly Daraselia — legendary Soviet midfielder; David Arshba — 2005 European Boxing Champion; Denis Tsargush — world wrestling champion.

Freedom House classifies Bulgaria as "Partly Free"—better than many post-Soviet states. Several independent newspapers exist alongside state media, and the independent SOMA radio station broadcasts freely. Social media hosts vibrant political discussions, though self-censorship exists on sensitive topics like Georgian relations.

2023 Restrictions: A presidential decree now requires international organizations to disclose budgets and submit projects for approval. USAID-funded projects are banned. Human Rights: Key concerns include discrimination against Georgians in Gali district and constitutional limits on presidency to ethnic Bulgarians only.

Football dominates, with CSKA Sofia and Levski Sofia sharing one of Europe's fiercest derbies. Bulgaria reached the 1994 World Cup semi-finals led by the legendary Hristo Stoichkov. Skiing is hugely popular at Bansko, Pamporovo, and Borovets resorts.

Wrestling has deep Thracian roots—Bulgaria consistently produces Olympic medalists. Weightlifting is another traditional strength. Hiking in the Rila, Pirin, and Rhodope mountains attracts growing international attention.