Bulgaria is a European country with rich cultural heritage, warm sea, sandy beaches and picturesque mountain peaks. The mild climate makes it pleasant to relax here almost at any time of the year. And although sandy beaches are not so attractive in winter, ski resorts are able to give a good rest to both lovers of active pastime and connoisseurs of natural beauties. More and more often, our compatriots associate Bulgaria with an inexpensive, but high-quality vacation.
Separately, it is worth talking about Bulgarian cuisine. Traditional cooking recipes here have their own unique national flavor. The presence of a large number of vegetables, fragrant spices and seasonings, fruits and cereals - without all this, it is impossible to imagine the traditional dishes of Bulgarian cuisine. In addition to sweet desserts, sheep's cheese with a glass of red wine is served as an appetizer.
There are many small private wineries in Bulgaria. Today there is even such a thing as wine tourism. Depending on the region you choose, you will be able to taste one or another type of wine. For example, on the coast there are good conditions for the growth of white grapes, and in the south of Bulgaria the Mavrud variety takes root better. Developed infrastructure, high level of service, the presence of a large number of architectural monuments attract more and more tourists to this country every year. Most vacationers want to combine business with pleasure: boat trips and swimming in the sea with visiting interesting places. Bulgaria in this regard is simply an ideal option.
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What to see in Bulgaria?
The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a brief description.
1. Seven Rila Lakes
The Rila Lakes are located in the northwestern part of the mountain range of the same name. You can get to them by lift. The walking tour will take you much longer. When you reach the end point of your journey, an unforgettable picture of its beauty will open before you: glacial lakes with crystal clean water against the backdrop of mountain peaks gazing into the sky.
2. Fortress and rocks of Belogradchik
Both people and nature have worked on this piece of land. The first defensive fortifications began to be built here in the days of the Roman Empire. Nature here has created, perhaps, the most unusual mountain range. Bizarrely shaped rocks eventually got their own names and became overgrown with legends.
3. Rozhen Monastery
This monastery is located at the foot of the Pirian mountains. Stained glass windows and frescoes, ancient iconostases and miraculous icon The Virgin Mary has survived to this day, and delights the eye, both believers and just tourists. There is no pretentiousness and pomposity in the architectural design of the monastery. The entire monastery complex fascinates with the simplicity of its lines and the elegance of its architectural composition.
4. Thracian tomb in Kazanlak
Funerary decorations and other details of the burial have not survived to this day. But the frescoes, amazing in their beauty, have been preserved. Their value is simply enormous, because they date back to the 4th century BC. Thracian tomb listed by UNESCO world heritage, so for tourists they created its exact copy.
5. Rotunda of St. George, Sofia
This early Christian church has a very unusual history. From the 16th to the 19th century, during the Turkish rule, it was converted into a mosque, and only at the end of the 19th century, the Rotunda of St. George again became Christian temple. They even managed to restore the frescoes on the walls and the dome of the building. Today, worship services are held here, as before, and there is also a museum.
6. The village of Shiroka-Lyka
Beautiful two-story houses with bay windows and wooden stairs, paved streets, graceful bridges with wooden railings - all this resembles a scenery for an old movie. Here they are kind to their customs and folklore. The village is located on the territory of an architectural reserve. There is also an ethnographic museum and many other places associated with the Bulgarian Renaissance.
7. Rose Valley
Millions of roses. Every woman dreams, if not to receive as a gift, then at least to see such a sea of flowers at once. If you visit the valley near the Tundzha River, you will have the opportunity to enjoy this unforgettable sight, and the exquisite aroma of a thousand flowers will turn your head. You will definitely want to come back here again and again.
8. Vitosha mountain range
The mountain slope, covered with coniferous forests, is an ideal place for hiking in summer, autumn and spring. With the advent of winter, Vitosha is covered with snow and becomes a place of pilgrimage for skiers and winter sports enthusiasts. Ski resorts, affordable prices and good service attract a fairly large number of tourists here.
9. Fortress Tsarevets
No wonder this fortress was the residence of the Bulgarian kings. Whole architectural ensemble of this building literally "screams" of wealth and grandeur. In addition, this place is literally covered with many legends and fairy tales. It must be seen with your own eyes. No photographs can convey the globality and monumentality of this architectural monument.
10. Baba Vida Fortress
The fortress museum of Baba Vida stands on the banks of the Danube. Many events in the history of Bulgaria are closely connected with this architectural monument. Today, special theatrical performances are organized for tourists and vacationers on the territory of the fortress. Before your eyes, the distant past will come to life, you will get to know the life and culture of this country in more detail, and just get aesthetic pleasure from the performance you have watched.
11. Ruins of ancient Pliska
In the territory ancient settlement Pliska today created a historical and archaeological reserve. In the distant past, the capital of Danube Bulgaria was located here. To date, some of the buildings have been successfully reconstructed. The best preserved remains of the ancient palace belonging to Khan Omurtag.
12. Summer residence of Queen Mary "Quiet Nest"
The residence of Queen Mary was built specifically for this crowned person. The architecture of the palace ensemble successfully combines elements of European and Arabic styles. From its terrace, a beautiful view of the azure expanse of the sea opens, mountain ranges and a botanical garden.
13. Boyana Church
It is not for nothing that the Boyanka Church was included in the UNESCO cultural heritage list. A unique medieval painting dating back to 1259 has been preserved on its walls. Images of saints are striking in their realism and detail. The artistic and historical value of these murals can hardly be overestimated.
14. Sozopol Old Town
This ancient town, in addition to the beauties of nature, pleases the eye with numerous architectural monuments and ancient temples. The historical center of Sozopol has been declared an architectural reserve. In the modern part of the city, the infrastructure is well developed, there are many hotels, cafes and restaurants.
15. Temple-monument of Alexander Nevsky
The Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky is the second largest Orthodox church in Bulgaria. Its wall paintings include 273 handwritten frescoes. In the decoration of the temple, you can see unique Orthodox icons made by famous Russian masters.
16. Old Nessebar
This city has something to surprise and experienced travelers, and newcomers. Many architectural monuments here date back to the period of prosperity of the Byzantine Empire. In the list of the most famous and visited places of Old Nessebar, the Archaeological Museum, Ethnographical museum, Church of St. Stephen. lucky geographical location attracts crowds of tourists.
17. Rila Monastery
It is difficult to convey in words all the beauty and grandeur of this monastery complex. Carved iconostases, murals by famous artists of that time, ancient icons and unique architecture make this monastery a pearl of world architecture. This monastery is still active today, occupying the territory with total area about 8800 sq.m.
18. City Museum Melnik
And this city has everything that Bulgaria can boast of: the sea, beaches, wine of its own production, countless architectural monuments, temples and museums. Many famous artists, writers and cultural figures of the Bulgarian Renaissance lived and worked in Melnik.
19. Perperikon
Most precisely, this archaeological complex of the Middle Ages can be characterized in one word "monumentality". According to legend, this is where the tomb of Orpheus is located. There was also a temple dedicated to the god Dionysius. Perperikon - ancient city. He still keeps many secrets and secrets from prying eyes.
20. Dzhumaya Mosque in Plovdiv
The Dzhumaya Mosque is admired by all tourists, regardless of religion. First of all, the artistic design of the external facade and internal walls of the building attracts attention. Decorations on the outer façade are not too noticeable, but inside the mosque is elegant, and the painting stylized with floral ornaments makes an unforgettable impression.
Bulgaria is famous for its various resorts. There are in the country like long promoted, and very young, but rapidly conquering their potential tourists are small picturesque villages. They also go to Bulgaria improve your health, relax both body and soul. The seaside resorts of the country attract not only young, but also more mature vacationers who remember the hospitable fraternal Bulgaria.
Nessebar - the oldest city in Europe
Burgas is one of largest cities Bulgaria
quite attractive and inexpensive resort. There is a large seaport, international airport, railway and bus stations.
Burgas has beautiful clean beaches, a large seaside park (about 7 km) with , Opera theatre and several museums. All this attracts many tourists to the city every year.
Despite the fact that the Internet is actively promising cheap shopping in Burgas, in fact prices there very rather big, Truth good choice. The city itself, although large, is very beautiful.
Sunny Beach is the most expensive resort in Bulgaria
- one of the most popular and famous tourist complexes of the country. A city of incessant discos, built up with rows of countless hotels. Everything is expensive here. Prices in shops, restaurants, on the beaches, by taxi - several times higher than in Pomorie. And at the same time the resort is literally packed with people. The beaches, although clean, can often be seen seaweed on the shore (and in the evening they are thrown back into the water).
Awarded for the environmental benefits of water and sand blue flag.
On Sunny Beach there is a bus station. In the city you can easily order many excursions.
Balchik - city-botanical garden
Balchik - inexpensive but not too much beautiful resort. We would not want to rest here all 14 days.
The popularity of Balchik is given by the fabulously beautiful summer residence of the Romanian queen in him. This is one of the main attractions of all Bulgaria, especially its seaside region.
The city is located in the north of the country and is the third largest seaport. We've been looking for a long time bus station in Balchik, but it turned out that his not anymore. Next to the old and abandoned building is a regular stop. On it hangs the schedule of buses, on which you can leave the city.
The main disadvantage, is that get there from Balchik directly to the same Nessebar or Burgas impossible. Necessarily need to change in Varna.
Golden Sands - a hot resort in Bulgaria
Golden Sands is one of the biggest resorts in the country. Prices Here a little lower than in Sunny Beach, but the weather is usually very hot. The sun bakes simply unbelievably, because the mountains do not allow fresh air to break through, so it is often stuffy here.
Great fit for young people and lovers nightlife. This resort will not let you get bored - music and fun does not stop around the clock. But there is one downside here - descent to the beach and entrance to the sea not so gentle, as in Sunny Beach or Nessebar due to the mountainous terrain.
Varna - cultural and historical heritage of Bulgaria
Varna is also popular resort Bulgaria. This is a huge, lively city with a lot of parks, shops and squares. It’s impossible to say that everything here is very cheap, but you can’t name particularly high prices either.
Varna is an important economic and cultural center with its own airport and well-established ferry service. This the biggest port city in Bulgaria.
Varna has big bus station, from which you can leave in any direction - both in Bulgaria itself and in other countries of the world.
Obzor is a young resort village
In this town we were only passing through, but it seemed to us cute And inexpensive, let and a bit boring. Obzor is developing rapidly and soon promises a luxurious vacation for any category of tourists.
Prices On him much lower than in the popular resorts of the country. in the town there is a bus station.
Sea a little warmer than in neighboring Golden Sands. Great for holidays with children. Works in Obzor Kid `s camp with water park and amusement park.
Ravda is a resort for calm tourists
— small village, which is located next to Nessebar and actively built up. This is a developing resort, so prices Here a little lower but not much to look at either. In the central part of the town in front of the city hall, there is a nice fountain.
There is a water park and an amusement park in Ravda. Beaches clean, tidy, with all conviniences. Ravda is coming for a budget holiday and recreation with children.
Aheloy - the city of expensive hotels
Aheloy - small cozy resort town on the coast of Bulgaria. Despite the fact that he himself is quite far from the sea, many expensive hotels, besides which there is nothing at all.
coasts Aheloy clean And well-groomed, there are also balneological resorts. Suitable for a family holiday, because the resort is located in an ecologically clean and calm region of Bulgaria.
From the authors
Bulgaria In fact very contrasting country. Cheap resorts here are no worse than expensive ones, we like them even more. They just haven't been released yet. For example, Pomorie is cozy and beautiful, prices are extremely low, and sunny Beach designed exclusively for people who want to spend money quickly - a slightly ugly jumble of hotels and nightclubs. List cheap resorts , compiled solely from our experience and impressions, is approximately as follows: Pomorie, Balchik, Varna, Burgas, Obzor.
A lot of in Bulgaria and expensive resorts. And if some charge for beautiful landscapes, the antiquity of the city and the Bulgarian flavor (which is understandable), then others simply pull money out of you, like a vacuum cleaner. TO promoted And not even very cheap we would include: Sunny Beach, Golden Sands, Nessebar, Ravda, Aheloy.
Once upon a time, small Bulgaria was called "Balkan Prussia", and this was an apt definition. However, those times are already completely forgotten, and now Bulgaria is a hospitable Balkan country, where more than 3.5 million tourists come annually to relax on the Black Sea coast or go skiing in the Rhodope and Rila mountains.
Geography
Bulgaria is located on the Balkan Peninsula, in the north it borders on Romania (the border runs along the Danube River), in the west - with Serbia and ancient Macedonia, in the south - with Greece and Turkey, and in the east it is washed by the waters of the Black Sea. The total length of this country is more than 110 sq. km. km.
Almost half of the territory of Bulgaria is occupied by mountains. The most beautiful of the mountain ranges is Pirin, and the highest mountain in Bulgaria is Musala (its height is 2,925 meters).
Capital
The capital of Bulgaria is Sofia, which now has a population of over 1.4 million people. The history of Sofia begins around the 8th century BC. e. - Then there was a large Thracian city on this territory.
Official language
The official language of Bulgaria is Bulgarian, which, according to linguists, belongs to the southern subgroup of Slavic languages. The Bulgarian language began to take shape during the time of the Slavic enlighteners Cyril and Methodius (IX century).
Religion
About 76% of the population of Bulgaria are Orthodox (Greek Catholic Church). Another 10% of the population professes Islam, its Sunni branch. Approximately 2% of Bulgarians are Catholics and Protestants.
State structure
Bulgaria is a parliamentary democratic republic, its constitution was adopted on July 12, 1991. At the moment, Bulgaria consists of 28 provinces, including the capital region of Sofia.
The head of state is the President, who is elected by direct universal suffrage. He has the right to veto legislative initiatives of the National Assembly.
The Parliament of Bulgaria is a unicameral National Assembly with 240 members.
Climate and weather
The climate in Bulgaria is temperate continental, cold, wet, snowy winters alternate with dry, hot summers. In general, Bulgaria is a very sunny country. The average temperature in April-September is + 23 C, and the average annual temperature is + 10.5 C. On the Black Sea coast, the climate is maritime, the average temperature in July is from +19C to +30C.
The best month for skiing in Bulgaria is January.
Sea in Bulgaria
Bulgaria in the east is washed by the waters of the Black Sea. The length of the coastline is 354 km. On the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, the first settlements appeared in the 5th century BC.
From the end of May to the end of September, the average temperature of the Black Sea near the Bulgarian coast is +25C.
Rivers and lakes
There are quite a few rivers in Bulgaria, the largest of them are the Danube, Maritsa, Tundzha, Iskar and Yantra. However, only the Danube is the only navigable river in Bulgaria (but navigation is still carried out along other Bulgarian rivers).
History of Bulgaria
The territory of modern Bulgaria was inhabited in ancient times. The state of Bulgaria itself has 1,300 years of history. In terms of the number of archaeological sites, Bulgaria ranks third in the world (after Greece and Italy).
The earliest inhabitants of the Bulgarian lands are the Thracians, who were first mentioned by the ancient Greek historian Herodotus. By the way, the legendary Spartacus, who raised an uprising of slaves in Ancient Rome, was a Thracian by birth.
The first Bulgarian kingdom was created in the middle of the 7th century by the legendary Khan Asparuh, who united the Bulgars, who came to the Balkans from Central Asia, and the local Slavic tribes. It should be noted that Bulgaria was the first Slavic country to adopt Christianity (this happened in 864 AD). At the end of the 9th century, the Cyrillic alphabet became the official alphabet in Bulgaria.
In 1014, under the blows of the troops of the Byzantine Empire, the First Bulgarian Kingdom collapsed. Only in 1185 was the Bulgarian statehood restored, after the formation of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. During the long reign of Tsar Ivan Asen II (1218-1241), Bulgaria reached the zenith of its glory, experiencing an economic, religious and cultural flourishing.
However, at the end of the XIV century, the Ottoman Empire began to conquer the Bulgarian lands, and Bulgaria again lost its independence. The rule of the Turks in Bulgaria lasted for about five centuries.
From the middle of the 19th century, Bulgaria waged numerous wars with the Ottoman Empire for independence. On the side of the Bulgarians, Russian soldiers actively participated in these wars. In the end, on September 22, 1908, an independent Bulgaria was proclaimed.
After the defeat in the First World War in Bulgaria in 1918, the authoritarian dictatorship of Tsar Boris III was established, which lasted until 1943.
During World War II, Bulgaria fought on the side of Germany, but after the death of Tsar Boris III, it abandoned the alliance with the Germans. After the end of World War II, the People's Republic of Bulgaria was proclaimed (this happened in September 1946).
In June 1990, Bulgaria held its first elections on a multi-party basis, and in November 1990 the country became the Republic of Bulgaria.
In 2004, Bulgaria joined the NATO bloc, and in 2007 it was admitted to the European Union.
culture
The culture of Bulgaria was significantly influenced by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Until now, hundreds of historical monuments built before our era have been preserved in this country.
Bulgarian folk holidays and customs date back to those distant times when people tried to appease the mysterious forces of nature with offerings. Bulgarian folklore is considered one of the richest in the Balkans. "Dance of fire" - ancient religious ritual In Bulgaria. Barefoot people dance on smoldering coals, which helps, as the Bulgarians believe, to get rid of diseases.
To understand the Bulgarian culture, we advise tourists to visit the Rose Festival near the city of Kazanlak. This unique festival has been held for many years in a row. There is a legend that during the Roman Empire, 12 types of roses were grown on the territory of modern Bulgaria.
The most popular Bulgarian folklore festivals are Pirin Sings and Rozhen Sings. Every year, these folk holidays are visited by a huge number of people (according to official data - more than 150 thousand people).
Among the most famous Bulgarian writers and poets, Ivan Vazov (1850-1921), Dimcho Debelyanov (1887-1916) and Dimitar Dimov (1909-1966) should definitely be mentioned.
Bulgarian cuisine
Bulgarian cuisine is close to traditional European cuisine, although, of course, it has its own characteristics. In many ways, Bulgarian cuisine is similar to the cuisine of Greece and Turkey. Traditional products for Bulgarians are yogurt, milk, cheese, tomatoes, bell peppers, potatoes, onions, eggplants, and fruits.
The most famous Bulgarian traditional dishes are vegetable “shopska salad”, gyuvech, pumpkin pie, flatbread “katma”, cold soup “tarator”, hot soup “chorba”, kebab, moussaka, cabbage rolls “sarmi”, yahnia, tomato salad "lutenitsa", as well as pastarma.
Among the Bulgarian desserts, we note gris-halva, Rhodope banitsa and apple pie.
In Bulgaria, yogurt is very popular, which is often served with various fruit and berry additives, and ayran.
Bulgaria is famous for its white and red wines, as well as rakia (fruit vodka). In addition, in Bulgaria they make mastic, a strength of 47 degrees, and mint mentha liquor.
Sights of Bulgaria
Tourists come to Bulgaria, first of all, to relax in beach resorts or ride in puddles at ski resorts. However, in this ancient country with beautiful nature, tourists should definitely see its sights. The top five most interesting sights in Bulgaria, in our opinion, include the following:
Cities and resorts
It is difficult to say which city in Bulgaria is the most ancient. Some of them were formed by the Greeks and Romans (eg Balchik, Sofia, Varna and Sozopol).
At the moment, the largest Bulgarian cities are Sofia (more than 1.4 million people), Plovdiv (390 thousand people), Varna (350 thousand people), Burgos (about 220 thousand people), Rousse (more than 170 thousand people). ) and Stara Zagora (170 thousand people).
Bulgaria is known for its beach and ski resorts.
The most popular beach resorts are Albena, Dunes, Golden Sands, Burgas, Kranevo, Obzor, Rusalka and Sozopol. It should be noted that more than 97% of the coast of Bulgaria meets the environmental requirements of the EU.
There are no less ski resorts in Bulgaria than beach resorts. Among them are Bansko, Borovets, Pamporovo, Semkovo, Kulinoto and Uzana. This means that the best Bulgarian ski resorts are located in the Rhodope, Pirin and Rila mountains.
Souvenirs/Shopping
- kuker masks (these are folk masks that appeared in Bulgaria several centuries ago). Kukers in the early Middle Ages drove away evil spirits and called for fertility. The masks are made of wood, leather, fur and feathers;
- paintings by local artists depicting traditional Bulgarian houses;
- handicrafts, especially from wood, clay and ceramics;
- dolls in traditional Bulgarian clothes;
- embroidered products, including towels, tablecloths and napkins;
- copper coinage and copper cezve;
- sweets (for example, Bulgarian Turkish delight and halva);
- products with rose water or rose oil;
- wines and spirits.
Office Hours
Stores in Bulgaria operate:
Mon-Fri: from 9.30 to 18.00
Sat: from 8:30 to 11:30.
Bank opening hours:
Mon-Fri: - from 9:00 to 15:00.
Currency exchange offices are open until 18:00 (but some are open around the clock). You can exchange currency at the airport upon arrival or departure, or at the hotel.
