Bulgaria Travel Guide

Golden Sands

Golden Sands ( Zlatni Piasaci) is one of the biggest vacation resort complexes along the northern coastline, famous for its healing hot-water mineral springs as well as its beautiful two-mile (4km) stretch of fine sandy beach, making it a popular vacation destination. The resort is 11 miles (18km) north of Varna, and sits at the foot of the forested hills of the Zlatni Piasaci National Park, which is one of the oldest in the country and features a variety of interesting flora and fauna. Golden Sands offers the whole family ideal holiday conditions with plenty of entertainment, sporting activities, warm and clean water, year round luxury hotels and villas, restaurants, bars and spa treatments, making it one of the more desirable vacation destinations on the Black Sea Coast.

Sunny Beach

Lying about 22 miles (35km) north of Bourgas, the Sunny Beach is the largest Bulgarian sea resort situated on a wide semi-circular bay along the southern part of the Black Sea Riviera, with a five-mile (8km) strip of beach backed by natural golden sand dunes, which is regarded as the best beach along the coast and is a widely popular vacation destination. It is naturally protected by the Balkan mountain range to the north, and with its warm Mediterranean climate, clean and calm water and safe swimming, it is a perfect all-round vacation destination, living up to its motto 'Where families come first'. Only the most world-weary of visitors could get bored here among a wide variety of activities and entertainment, including almost every kind of sport imaginable and plenty of fun and games for children. The resort comprises of more than 120 modern hotels, and offers a wide range of services as well as organized day trips to surrounding attractions, including the ancient town of Nessebur.

Nessebar

North of Bourgas lies the ancient town and popular Bulgarian vacation destination of Nessebar, located on the tip of a long and narrow peninsula in the Black Sea. The picturesque town is one of the oldest in Europe, emerging as a fortified Thracian settlement over 9,000 years ago and changing hands many times before being captured by the Bulgarians in the 7th century. Like many European cities, Nessebar has an old town and a new town, but it is the old quarter that gives the peninsula its character, and is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A popular tourist attraction, Nessebar charms vacationers with its narrow cobblestone streets, period wooden houses, courtyards, taverns and romantic atmosphere. The old town is famous for its medieval churches, with beautiful facades and well-preserved interiors that are remnants of the historic Slav and Greek Orthodox communities. Nessebar is an architectural and historic monument of Bulgarian culture and is one of the most popular tourist resorts along the southern coast. It offers a good selection of private accommodation, and the new town has modern facilities as well as larger hotels.

Varna

As the third largest city in Bulgaria, and one of the country's most attractive towns and a popular vacation destination, Varna is known as Bulgaria's Seaside Capital and the 'Pearl of the Black Sea Coast'. The town is arranged in tiers along the curve of Varna Bay, and besides being a popular beach resort, it rivals the important cities of Sofia and Plovdiv in its wealth of museums, art galleries, historical buildings and cultural entertainment, and as such is a year-round vacation destination.

The 19th-century Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin is an impressive landmark, while the extensive ruins of the Roman Spa in the center of town constitutes the largest ancient building in Bulgaria, dating back to 1700. Varna is the main port for commercial and naval shipping and has a casual, cosmopolitan atmosphere with a Mediterranean charm created by the sunny climate, calm sea, beach promenades and red-tiled roofs, popular with vacationers.

Varna is the gateway to the nearby beach resorts, including Albena and the mega-resort of Golden Sands, and numerous scenic spots along the coast are within easy reach, such as the nature reserve at Kamchia and the crumbling rock formations and dramatic cliffs along the Balchik coast.

Pamporovo

A modern ski resort in the heart of the Rhodope Mountains at an altitude of 5,413ft (1,650m), Pamporovo is a popular vacation destination with its sunny climate and powdery snow. The town provides a variety of excellent ski runs for all degrees of difficulty, most of them starting from the Snejanka peak above the resort, and the ski school center is one of the best in Europe with highly qualified instructors and an international reputation. The unique Mediterranean climate is extremely healthy and provides excellent conditions for climatic therapy and health tourism all year round, including a Balneotherapy Center that operates from within the resort. Off the slopes there are numerous opportunities for entertainment and interesting tourist attractions; the Rhodope Mountains have long been the source of legends and stories, including the mythical singer Orpheus, and the region is full of rich folk traditions and culture.

Borovets

A fantastic vacation destination, Borovets is the oldest and biggest ski resort in Bulgaria, situated on the northern slopes of the Rila Mountains at the foot of Moussala, the highest peak in the country. Nestled among old pine forests, the resort was founded in 1896 as a hunting place for the kings and gradually developed into a modern resort with luxury hotels, restaurants and a superb network of ski runs varying in difficulty. There is also a wide choice of off-slope entertainment and nightlife as well as organized trips to places of interest in the Rila Mountains. Winters are mild and snowy and the air is clean, clear and invigorating.

Sandanski

A popular vacation retreat, Sandanski is an internationally-renowned health destination situated in the foothills of the Pirin Mountains and is one of Bulgaria's best spa resorts. Sandanski records the highest number of sunny days in Bulgaria, and a combination of clean air, mild climate, beautiful surroundings and natural mineral springs makes it an ideal town for rehabilitation, recreation and spa treatments. The town is famous for its treatment of respiratory problems, particularly bronchial asthma, but the comprehensive balneo-climatic treatments also have beneficial effects on numerous other conditions.

Sandanski is a small town in the Bistritsa River valley, with a population of around 30,000. The city center is a beautiful place to walk around, with a number of restaurants, shops, hotels, art galleries and internet cafes. The town hosts several festivals throughout the year and is a point of departure to various attractions in the Pirin Mountains, including the sandstone pyramids in Melnik, the thermal hot springs at the Rupite volcanic crater, and the Rila Monastery.

Bansko

Tucked into the foothills of the Pirin Mountains in Bulgaria, the ski resort town of Bansko is charming and historic against its stunning alpine backdrop. Bansko's alpine skiing, hiking, and rock climbing opportunities are extensive, and its culture and history, stretching back to the 10th century, is rich and vibrant with traditional taverna-style cuisine and colorful folklore. The traditional stone and wooden buildings are an integral part of its charm and character and many relics and monuments survive from its past. While bansko is well-known for its alpine skiing, the town is near the resort of Shiligarnika, which boasts Bulgaria's best downhill skiing.

Golden Sands

Golden Sands ( Zlatni Piasaci) is one of the biggest vacation resort complexes along the northern coastline, famous for its healing hot-water mineral springs as well as its beautiful two-mile (4km) stretch of fine sandy beach, making it a popular vacation destination. The resort is 11 miles (18km) north of Varna, and sits at the foot of the forested hills of the Zlatni Piasaci National Park, which is one of the oldest in the country and features a variety of interesting flora and fauna. Golden Sands offers the whole family ideal holiday conditions with plenty of entertainment, sporting activities, warm and clean water, year round luxury hotels and villas, restaurants, bars and spa treatments, making it one of the more desirable vacation destinations on the Black Sea Coast.

Sunny Beach

Lying about 22 miles (35km) north of Bourgas, the Sunny Beach is the largest Bulgarian sea resort situated on a wide semi-circular bay along the southern part of the Black Sea Riviera, with a five-mile (8km) strip of beach backed by natural golden sand dunes, which is regarded as the best beach along the coast and is a widely popular vacation destination. It is naturally protected by the Balkan mountain range to the north, and with its warm Mediterranean climate, clean and calm water and safe swimming, it is a perfect all-round vacation destination, living up to its motto 'Where families come first'. Only the most world-weary of visitors could get bored here among a wide variety of activities and entertainment, including almost every kind of sport imaginable and plenty of fun and games for children. The resort comprises of more than 120 modern hotels, and offers a wide range of services as well as organized day trips to surrounding attractions, including the ancient town of Nessebur.

Nessebar

North of Bourgas lies the ancient town and popular Bulgarian vacation destination of Nessebar, located on the tip of a long and narrow peninsula in the Black Sea. The picturesque town is one of the oldest in Europe, emerging as a fortified Thracian settlement over 9,000 years ago and changing hands many times before being captured by the Bulgarians in the 7th century. Like many European cities, Nessebar has an old town and a new town, but it is the old quarter that gives the peninsula its character, and is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A popular tourist attraction, Nessebar charms vacationers with its narrow cobblestone streets, period wooden houses, courtyards, taverns and romantic atmosphere. The old town is famous for its medieval churches, with beautiful facades and well-preserved interiors that are remnants of the historic Slav and Greek Orthodox communities. Nessebar is an architectural and historic monument of Bulgarian culture and is one of the most popular tourist resorts along the southern coast. It offers a good selection of private accommodation, and the new town has modern facilities as well as larger hotels.

Varna

As the third largest city in Bulgaria, and one of the country's most attractive towns and a popular vacation destination, Varna is known as Bulgaria's Seaside Capital and the 'Pearl of the Black Sea Coast'. The town is arranged in tiers along the curve of Varna Bay, and besides being a popular beach resort, it rivals the important cities of Sofia and Plovdiv in its wealth of museums, art galleries, historical buildings and cultural entertainment, and as such is a year-round vacation destination.

The 19th-century Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin is an impressive landmark, while the extensive ruins of the Roman Spa in the center of town constitutes the largest ancient building in Bulgaria, dating back to 1700. Varna is the main port for commercial and naval shipping and has a casual, cosmopolitan atmosphere with a Mediterranean charm created by the sunny climate, calm sea, beach promenades and red-tiled roofs, popular with vacationers.

Varna is the gateway to the nearby beach resorts, including Albena and the mega-resort of Golden Sands, and numerous scenic spots along the coast are within easy reach, such as the nature reserve at Kamchia and the crumbling rock formations and dramatic cliffs along the Balchik coast.

Pamporovo

A modern ski resort in the heart of the Rhodope Mountains at an altitude of 5,413ft (1,650m), Pamporovo is a popular vacation destination with its sunny climate and powdery snow. The town provides a variety of excellent ski runs for all degrees of difficulty, most of them starting from the Snejanka peak above the resort, and the ski school center is one of the best in Europe with highly qualified instructors and an international reputation. The unique Mediterranean climate is extremely healthy and provides excellent conditions for climatic therapy and health tourism all year round, including a Balneotherapy Center that operates from within the resort. Off the slopes there are numerous opportunities for entertainment and interesting tourist attractions; the Rhodope Mountains have long been the source of legends and stories, including the mythical singer Orpheus, and the region is full of rich folk traditions and culture.

Borovets

A fantastic vacation destination, Borovets is the oldest and biggest ski resort in Bulgaria, situated on the northern slopes of the Rila Mountains at the foot of Moussala, the highest peak in the country. Nestled among old pine forests, the resort was founded in 1896 as a hunting place for the kings and gradually developed into a modern resort with luxury hotels, restaurants and a superb network of ski runs varying in difficulty. There is also a wide choice of off-slope entertainment and nightlife as well as organized trips to places of interest in the Rila Mountains. Winters are mild and snowy and the air is clean, clear and invigorating.

Sandanski

A popular vacation retreat, Sandanski is an internationally-renowned health destination situated in the foothills of the Pirin Mountains and is one of Bulgaria's best spa resorts. Sandanski records the highest number of sunny days in Bulgaria, and a combination of clean air, mild climate, beautiful surroundings and natural mineral springs makes it an ideal town for rehabilitation, recreation and spa treatments. The town is famous for its treatment of respiratory problems, particularly bronchial asthma, but the comprehensive balneo-climatic treatments also have beneficial effects on numerous other conditions.

Sandanski is a small town in the Bistritsa River valley, with a population of around 30,000. The city center is a beautiful place to walk around, with a number of restaurants, shops, hotels, art galleries and internet cafes. The town hosts several festivals throughout the year and is a point of departure to various attractions in the Pirin Mountains, including the sandstone pyramids in Melnik, the thermal hot springs at the Rupite volcanic crater, and the Rila Monastery.

Bansko

Tucked into the foothills of the Pirin Mountains in Bulgaria, the ski resort town of Bansko is charming and historic against its stunning alpine backdrop. Bansko's alpine skiing, hiking, and rock climbing opportunities are extensive, and its culture and history, stretching back to the 10th century, is rich and vibrant with traditional taverna-style cuisine and colorful folklore. The traditional stone and wooden buildings are an integral part of its charm and character and many relics and monuments survive from its past. While bansko is well-known for its alpine skiing, the town is near the resort of Shiligarnika, which boasts Bulgaria's best downhill skiing.

Golden Sands

Golden Sands ( Zlatni Piasaci) is one of the biggest vacation resort complexes along the northern coastline, famous for its healing hot-water mineral springs as well as its beautiful two-mile (4km) stretch of fine sandy beach, making it a popular vacation destination. The resort is 11 miles (18km) north of Varna, and sits at the foot of the forested hills of the Zlatni Piasaci National Park, which is one of the oldest in the country and features a variety of interesting flora and fauna. Golden Sands offers the whole family ideal holiday conditions with plenty of entertainment, sporting activities, warm and clean water, year round luxury hotels and villas, restaurants, bars and spa treatments, making it one of the more desirable vacation destinations on the Black Sea Coast.

Sunny Beach

Lying about 22 miles (35km) north of Bourgas, the Sunny Beach is the largest Bulgarian sea resort situated on a wide semi-circular bay along the southern part of the Black Sea Riviera, with a five-mile (8km) strip of beach backed by natural golden sand dunes, which is regarded as the best beach along the coast and is a widely popular vacation destination. It is naturally protected by the Balkan mountain range to the north, and with its warm Mediterranean climate, clean and calm water and safe swimming, it is a perfect all-round vacation destination, living up to its motto 'Where families come first'. Only the most world-weary of visitors could get bored here among a wide variety of activities and entertainment, including almost every kind of sport imaginable and plenty of fun and games for children. The resort comprises of more than 120 modern hotels, and offers a wide range of services as well as organized day trips to surrounding attractions, including the ancient town of Nessebur.

Nessebar

North of Bourgas lies the ancient town and popular Bulgarian vacation destination of Nessebar, located on the tip of a long and narrow peninsula in the Black Sea. The picturesque town is one of the oldest in Europe, emerging as a fortified Thracian settlement over 9,000 years ago and changing hands many times before being captured by the Bulgarians in the 7th century. Like many European cities, Nessebar has an old town and a new town, but it is the old quarter that gives the peninsula its character, and is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A popular tourist attraction, Nessebar charms vacationers with its narrow cobblestone streets, period wooden houses, courtyards, taverns and romantic atmosphere. The old town is famous for its medieval churches, with beautiful facades and well-preserved interiors that are remnants of the historic Slav and Greek Orthodox communities. Nessebar is an architectural and historic monument of Bulgarian culture and is one of the most popular tourist resorts along the southern coast. It offers a good selection of private accommodation, and the new town has modern facilities as well as larger hotels.

Varna

As the third largest city in Bulgaria, and one of the country's most attractive towns and a popular vacation destination, Varna is known as Bulgaria's Seaside Capital and the 'Pearl of the Black Sea Coast'. The town is arranged in tiers along the curve of Varna Bay, and besides being a popular beach resort, it rivals the important cities of Sofia and Plovdiv in its wealth of museums, art galleries, historical buildings and cultural entertainment, and as such is a year-round vacation destination.

The 19th-century Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin is an impressive landmark, while the extensive ruins of the Roman Spa in the center of town constitutes the largest ancient building in Bulgaria, dating back to 1700. Varna is the main port for commercial and naval shipping and has a casual, cosmopolitan atmosphere with a Mediterranean charm created by the sunny climate, calm sea, beach promenades and red-tiled roofs, popular with vacationers.

Varna is the gateway to the nearby beach resorts, including Albena and the mega-resort of Golden Sands, and numerous scenic spots along the coast are within easy reach, such as the nature reserve at Kamchia and the crumbling rock formations and dramatic cliffs along the Balchik coast.

Pamporovo

A modern ski resort in the heart of the Rhodope Mountains at an altitude of 5,413ft (1,650m), Pamporovo is a popular vacation destination with its sunny climate and powdery snow. The town provides a variety of excellent ski runs for all degrees of difficulty, most of them starting from the Snejanka peak above the resort, and the ski school center is one of the best in Europe with highly qualified instructors and an international reputation. The unique Mediterranean climate is extremely healthy and provides excellent conditions for climatic therapy and health tourism all year round, including a Balneotherapy Center that operates from within the resort. Off the slopes there are numerous opportunities for entertainment and interesting tourist attractions; the Rhodope Mountains have long been the source of legends and stories, including the mythical singer Orpheus, and the region is full of rich folk traditions and culture.

Borovets

A fantastic vacation destination, Borovets is the oldest and biggest ski resort in Bulgaria, situated on the northern slopes of the Rila Mountains at the foot of Moussala, the highest peak in the country. Nestled among old pine forests, the resort was founded in 1896 as a hunting place for the kings and gradually developed into a modern resort with luxury hotels, restaurants and a superb network of ski runs varying in difficulty. There is also a wide choice of off-slope entertainment and nightlife as well as organized trips to places of interest in the Rila Mountains. Winters are mild and snowy and the air is clean, clear and invigorating.

Sandanski

A popular vacation retreat, Sandanski is an internationally-renowned health destination situated in the foothills of the Pirin Mountains and is one of Bulgaria's best spa resorts. Sandanski records the highest number of sunny days in Bulgaria, and a combination of clean air, mild climate, beautiful surroundings and natural mineral springs makes it an ideal town for rehabilitation, recreation and spa treatments. The town is famous for its treatment of respiratory problems, particularly bronchial asthma, but the comprehensive balneo-climatic treatments also have beneficial effects on numerous other conditions.

Sandanski is a small town in the Bistritsa River valley, with a population of around 30,000. The city center is a beautiful place to walk around, with a number of restaurants, shops, hotels, art galleries and internet cafes. The town hosts several festivals throughout the year and is a point of departure to various attractions in the Pirin Mountains, including the sandstone pyramids in Melnik, the thermal hot springs at the Rupite volcanic crater, and the Rila Monastery.

Bansko

Tucked into the foothills of the Pirin Mountains in Bulgaria, the ski resort town of Bansko is charming and historic against its stunning alpine backdrop. Bansko's alpine skiing, hiking, and rock climbing opportunities are extensive, and its culture and history, stretching back to the 10th century, is rich and vibrant with traditional taverna-style cuisine and colorful folklore. The traditional stone and wooden buildings are an integral part of its charm and character and many relics and monuments survive from its past. While bansko is well-known for its alpine skiing, the town is near the resort of Shiligarnika, which boasts Bulgaria's best downhill skiing.

Golden Sands

Golden Sands ( Zlatni Piasaci) is one of the biggest vacation resort complexes along the northern coastline, famous for its healing hot-water mineral springs as well as its beautiful two-mile (4km) stretch of fine sandy beach, making it a popular vacation destination. The resort is 11 miles (18km) north of Varna, and sits at the foot of the forested hills of the Zlatni Piasaci National Park, which is one of the oldest in the country and features a variety of interesting flora and fauna. Golden Sands offers the whole family ideal holiday conditions with plenty of entertainment, sporting activities, warm and clean water, year round luxury hotels and villas, restaurants, bars and spa treatments, making it one of the more desirable vacation destinations on the Black Sea Coast.

Sunny Beach

Lying about 22 miles (35km) north of Bourgas, the Sunny Beach is the largest Bulgarian sea resort situated on a wide semi-circular bay along the southern part of the Black Sea Riviera, with a five-mile (8km) strip of beach backed by natural golden sand dunes, which is regarded as the best beach along the coast and is a widely popular vacation destination. It is naturally protected by the Balkan mountain range to the north, and with its warm Mediterranean climate, clean and calm water and safe swimming, it is a perfect all-round vacation destination, living up to its motto 'Where families come first'. Only the most world-weary of visitors could get bored here among a wide variety of activities and entertainment, including almost every kind of sport imaginable and plenty of fun and games for children. The resort comprises of more than 120 modern hotels, and offers a wide range of services as well as organized day trips to surrounding attractions, including the ancient town of Nessebur.

Nessebar

North of Bourgas lies the ancient town and popular Bulgarian vacation destination of Nessebar, located on the tip of a long and narrow peninsula in the Black Sea. The picturesque town is one of the oldest in Europe, emerging as a fortified Thracian settlement over 9,000 years ago and changing hands many times before being captured by the Bulgarians in the 7th century. Like many European cities, Nessebar has an old town and a new town, but it is the old quarter that gives the peninsula its character, and is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A popular tourist attraction, Nessebar charms vacationers with its narrow cobblestone streets, period wooden houses, courtyards, taverns and romantic atmosphere. The old town is famous for its medieval churches, with beautiful facades and well-preserved interiors that are remnants of the historic Slav and Greek Orthodox communities. Nessebar is an architectural and historic monument of Bulgarian culture and is one of the most popular tourist resorts along the southern coast. It offers a good selection of private accommodation, and the new town has modern facilities as well as larger hotels.

Varna

As the third largest city in Bulgaria, and one of the country's most attractive towns and a popular vacation destination, Varna is known as Bulgaria's Seaside Capital and the 'Pearl of the Black Sea Coast'. The town is arranged in tiers along the curve of Varna Bay, and besides being a popular beach resort, it rivals the important cities of Sofia and Plovdiv in its wealth of museums, art galleries, historical buildings and cultural entertainment, and as such is a year-round vacation destination.

The 19th-century Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin is an impressive landmark, while the extensive ruins of the Roman Spa in the center of town constitutes the largest ancient building in Bulgaria, dating back to 1700. Varna is the main port for commercial and naval shipping and has a casual, cosmopolitan atmosphere with a Mediterranean charm created by the sunny climate, calm sea, beach promenades and red-tiled roofs, popular with vacationers.

Varna is the gateway to the nearby beach resorts, including Albena and the mega-resort of Golden Sands, and numerous scenic spots along the coast are within easy reach, such as the nature reserve at Kamchia and the crumbling rock formations and dramatic cliffs along the Balchik coast.

Pamporovo

A modern ski resort in the heart of the Rhodope Mountains at an altitude of 5,413ft (1,650m), Pamporovo is a popular vacation destination with its sunny climate and powdery snow. The town provides a variety of excellent ski runs for all degrees of difficulty, most of them starting from the Snejanka peak above the resort, and the ski school center is one of the best in Europe with highly qualified instructors and an international reputation. The unique Mediterranean climate is extremely healthy and provides excellent conditions for climatic therapy and health tourism all year round, including a Balneotherapy Center that operates from within the resort. Off the slopes there are numerous opportunities for entertainment and interesting tourist attractions; the Rhodope Mountains have long been the source of legends and stories, including the mythical singer Orpheus, and the region is full of rich folk traditions and culture.

Borovets

A fantastic vacation destination, Borovets is the oldest and biggest ski resort in Bulgaria, situated on the northern slopes of the Rila Mountains at the foot of Moussala, the highest peak in the country. Nestled among old pine forests, the resort was founded in 1896 as a hunting place for the kings and gradually developed into a modern resort with luxury hotels, restaurants and a superb network of ski runs varying in difficulty. There is also a wide choice of off-slope entertainment and nightlife as well as organized trips to places of interest in the Rila Mountains. Winters are mild and snowy and the air is clean, clear and invigorating.

Sandanski

A popular vacation retreat, Sandanski is an internationally-renowned health destination situated in the foothills of the Pirin Mountains and is one of Bulgaria's best spa resorts. Sandanski records the highest number of sunny days in Bulgaria, and a combination of clean air, mild climate, beautiful surroundings and natural mineral springs makes it an ideal town for rehabilitation, recreation and spa treatments. The town is famous for its treatment of respiratory problems, particularly bronchial asthma, but the comprehensive balneo-climatic treatments also have beneficial effects on numerous other conditions.

Sandanski is a small town in the Bistritsa River valley, with a population of around 30,000. The city center is a beautiful place to walk around, with a number of restaurants, shops, hotels, art galleries and internet cafes. The town hosts several festivals throughout the year and is a point of departure to various attractions in the Pirin Mountains, including the sandstone pyramids in Melnik, the thermal hot springs at the Rupite volcanic crater, and the Rila Monastery.

Bansko

Tucked into the foothills of the Pirin Mountains in Bulgaria, the ski resort town of Bansko is charming and historic against its stunning alpine backdrop. Bansko's alpine skiing, hiking, and rock climbing opportunities are extensive, and its culture and history, stretching back to the 10th century, is rich and vibrant with traditional taverna-style cuisine and colorful folklore. The traditional stone and wooden buildings are an integral part of its charm and character and many relics and monuments survive from its past. While bansko is well-known for its alpine skiing, the town is near the resort of Shiligarnika, which boasts Bulgaria's best downhill skiing.