Often overlooked by most travelers, you’ll find few crowds and plenty of affordable activities when you’re backpacking Bulgaria. I went with few expectations and was blown away by the country’s affordability, incredible history, mountainous landscapes, Black Sea beaches, and upbeat nightlife.
Bulgaria’s extensive history is evident everywhere, from mysterious Thracian tombs to ancient Neolithic settlements to fortresses left behind by powerful stars. And, if you’re a nature lover, there are seven mountain ranges throughout Bulgaria ! Everything about this country is a win. Bulgaria is amazing, and I can’t speak its praises enough !
Things To See And Do In Bulgaria
Visit Sofia : Sofia is Bulgaria’s dynamic capital city full of museums, churches, architecture, and trendy galleries, restaurants, and clubs. Don’t miss the Alexander Nevski Cathedral or the National Art Gallery.
Explore Plovdiv : Plovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria and is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe. Be sure to visit the Roman Amphitheatre, see the Archaeological Museum, or relax in the Tsar Simeon Central Garden.
Visit Veliko Tarnovo : Once the capital of the Bulgarian Empire, Veliko Tarnovo is now a charming university town. Not much happens here. But I loved the cobblestone streets, the castle ruins, the little cafes, and the nearby mountain hikes.
Explore The Rila Mountains : The Rila Mountains are the highest mountain range in the Balkans, with Mount Musala towering to almost 10,000 feet. You can trek to the top or take on some of the less challenging hikes in the mountains. Other highlights around this area include the Seven Lakes Cirque, Ancient Rila Monastery and the Skakavitsa Waterfall.
Relax In Varna : Varna is a major tourist destination during the summer when its beaches fill up with visitors. I had a lot of fun wandering the streets, walking through the central park, and sitting by the beach.
Hit The Beaches On The Black Sea : This 250-mile stretch of Bulgarian coast lies along the Black Sea, and about a third of this is covered in pristine, sandy beaches. I suggest you avoid Sunny Beach unless you want to enjoy the nightlife (it’s to crowded to relax) and check out some of the quieter beaches instead, like Sinemorets Veleka Beach or Pomorie Beach.
Unwind In Balchik : Balchik is a small coastal town on the Black Sea. The area used to serve as the summer residence for Queen Marie of Romania. You can tour her palace on the seaside promenade and admire the blend of Islamic and Gothic architecture. There’s also a botanical garden of over 600 species of plants.
Hike At Emen Canyon : If you’re visiting Veliko Târnovo, head west to Emen Canyon. Carved out by the Negovanka River between tall limestone cliffs, the canyon is home to deep swimming creeks and picturesque waterfalls. A two-hour hike on the Negovanka Ecotrail will take you along 90-meter high bluffs leading to viewpoints over the canyon, topping it off with a visit to a 10-meter waterfall.
Bulgaria Travel Costs
Most hostel dorms in Bulgaria cost between 17-23 BGN per night for a four-six bed room. A dorm with eight beds or more will cost less than 17 BGN per night. Private single hostel rooms start from about 39 BGN per night, while a double private room starts from 44 BGN.
Nightly rates for a budget two-star hotel room with a private ensuite bathroom start at about 44 BGN. If you want to stay at one of the resort areas on the Black Sea, expect to pay double that amount during the summer months.
Airbnb is available across Bulgaria, with shared accommodations (like dorms) starting at about 21 BGN per night. A private room averages at about 56 BGN per night, while a full apartment or home averages about 119 BGN.
Wild camping is legal in Bulgaria, which means you’re allowed to pitch your tent just about anywhere for free except private property. There are also well-maintained campgrounds around the country, especially along the coast. Most tent sites for two people cost from 27 BGN per night.
Bulgaria Food Costs
Food is very affordable throughout Bulgaria. Local street food eats like banica (dough, cheese, and butter) or banitsa (a breakfast pastry) are as little as 1.50 BGN , or you can pick up a kebab for about 5 BGN. There are also plenty of places where you can buy a slice of pizza for 0.55 BGN or less.
Eating out at sit down restaurants is also pretty cheap. A meal at a mid-range restaurant shouldn’t cost more than 10 BGN. Even an entree at an upscale restaurant won’t cost more than 20 BGN. You can eat well here on a budget.
Grocery shopping is very cheap, costing about 35-44 BGN per week for bread, milk, meat, fruits, and other basics.
How To Get Around Bulgaria
Local transportation in Bulgaria is very affordable. Sofia has a subway with two lines connecting the city center and the airport, as well as the central bus and train stations. Tickets are 1.60 BGN each.
The public bus system is the most common mode of public transportation throughout the country. The fare is usually between 1-1.60 BGN. Trolleybuses and trams are also common in many cities and are generally about the same price as the public bus. Some cities, like Sofia, have a daily pass for about 3 BGN per day.
Taxis are readily available everywhere, with rates starting between 0.70-0.90 BGN and then an additional 0.70-0.80 BGN per kilometer. The fare may increase slightly during busy travel times (evenings and nights)
Bulgaria has lots of private and public minibuses and coaches to get you between the smaller towns and cities, as well as along the coast. We used this method of transportation to get to sunny beach.
Check the schedule on those company websites, or use Busbud to research routes. A bus from Sofia to Varna will cost 32 BGN and take seven hours, while Varna to Plovdiv is 25 BGN and also takes seven hours. A three-hour journey from Sofia to Veliko Tarnovo shouldn’t cost more than 20 BGN.
Train travel in Bulgaria is often cheaper than taking the bus, but a lot slower. For example, the same Sofia to Veliko Tarnovo journey costs just 16 BGN but takes five hours by train instead of three by bus.
Where To Stay In Bulgaria
Bulgaria has lots of great hostels and budget hotels. In the rural areas, it’s more common to come across small family-owned accommodations. Here are my suggested places to stay :
Hostel Mostel (Sofia) : This hostel is all about getting together for laid-back gatherings. Housed in a cosily renovated 19th-century building with an atmospheric wooden veranda and comfy seating areas inside. Food’s a pretty big deal here – get involved in the free all-you-can-eat breakfast every morning (waffles and local honey) as well as enjoying a veggie dinner in the evening (includes a beer for free).
Hostel Mostel (Veliko Tarnovo) : This hostel is the cheapest and most comfortable hostel in Veliko Tarnovo ! The only hostel in Veliko Tarnovo where you get a free all you can eat breakfast – 3 kinds of jam, salami, ham, cheese, tomatoes, bread, butter, sugar, milk, tea and coffee and more.
Hostel Mostel (Plovdiv) : This hostel is the cheapest and most comfortable hostel in Plovdiv ! The only hostel in Plovdiv where you get a free all you can eat breakfast.
Yo-Ho-Hostel (Varna) : Yo-Ho-Hostel is the most central place for accommodation in Varna ! Every young and alternative looking person in the city can tell you where Yo-Ho-Hostel is situated. Best recommended hostel in Varna from ‘Lonely Planet’ Guide Book 2008, 2009 ,2011 and 2015 ! The only hostel in Varna recommended from ‘Le Guide du Routard’ from 2008 till 2016 !
How To Stay Safe in Bulgaria :
Overall Bulgaria , is a very safe country. Scams and petty crime like pick-pocketing are the most common danger you’ll face when you’re traveling the country. A common scam is for taxi drivers to tell you that their meter is broken. I suggest for you to insist that you want a taxi with a working meter, or negotiate the cost upfront.
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