Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s main lure is its long, sandy Black Sea Coast – which still boasts swaths of stunning beaches and picturesque bays despite the expansive construction work – but there is so much more to this country, and so much of it remains largely untouched and unvisited by overseas tourists. Networks of well-maintained hiking trails and horse-riding routes allow you to discover Bulgaria’s lush mountainous and forested landscapes, especially around the Rila and Pirin Mountains, inhabited by bears, lynx, rare birds and other kinds of wildlife now becoming scarce elsewhere in Europe.

Getting around the country is easy, with cheap and efficient public transport to ferry you between the cities and into the remoter, rural corners, where the traditional, slow pace of life continues much as it has done for centuries. Here you’ll come across multicoloured monasteries, filled with fabulous icons and watched over by bushy-bearded priests, and impossibly pretty timber-framed villages with smoke curling lazily over the stone-tiled roofs and donkeys complaining in the distance, where headscarfed old ladies and their curious grandchildren still stare in wonderment at the arrival of outsiders. The cities, too, are often overlooked highlights, from dynamic, cosmopolitan Sofia with its lovely parks, sociable alfresco bars and fascinating museums, to the National Revival architectural treasures and Roman remains of Plovdiv, and the youthful maritime cockiness of Varna.

Our Top Picks for Bulgaria:

1 Sofia
Experience captivating museums, gorgeous churches and the country's best restaurants in Bulgaria's cosmopolitan, youthful capital

2 Rila Monastery
Bulgaria's largest and most revered monastery is renowned for its colourful frescoes

3 Plovdiv
Feast your eyes on the National Revival architecture and awesome Roman Amphitheatre in the old town

4 Koprivshtitsa
This beautifully preserved National Revival–era village is a revered monument to Bulgarian nationhood

5 Bansko
Bulgaria's premier skiing destination, trendsetting Bansko is increasingly popular with international party people

6 Kazanlak
Discover Bulgaria's Thracian heritage in this bustling town with its ancient tombs and memorable market

7 Varna
Bulgaria's cultivated maritime capital hosts fascinating museums, a lively urban beach scene and buzzing nightlife

8 Nesebar
The Black Sea coast's most photogenic town is packed with medieval churches and redolent with ancient history

9 Tryavna
Lovingly restored Tryavna delights with its cobblestone streets, National Revival-era homes and churches

10 Veliko Tarnovo
The medieval capital of the Bulgarian tsars entrances with its majestic fortress and dramatic views

11 Strandzha Nature Park
Lush forests, varied and abundant wildlife and mysterious archaeological ruins characterise this remote park

12 Pirin National Park
With stark, sweeping peaks and long valleys, the Pirin Mountains are a paradise for hikers

13 Bachkovo Monastery
Pilgrims and tourists alike are drawn to Bachkovo for its ethereal art and miracle-working icon of the Virgin

14 Belogradchik
This tiny mountain village boasts world-class weirdness with primordial stone formations protecting a Roman fort

15 Rusenski Lom Nature Park
Rugged scenery and sublime medieval monasteries carved from cliffs are highlights at this expansive reserve