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๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ Bulgaria

Black Sea beach resorts, the frescoed Rila Monastery, Roman ruins and ski slopes โ€” Bulgaria is one of Europe's best-value year-round destinations.

Schengen visa ๐Ÿ“… Best: Mayโ€“Sep ๐Ÿ’ต $75/day avg
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Capital
Sofia
๐Ÿ’ฑ
Currency
Bulgarian Lev (BGN)
๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ
Language
Bulgarian
๐Ÿ“…
Best time
Mayโ€“Sep
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Visa
Schengen visa
๐Ÿ’ต
Avg daily budget
$35 โ€“ $250
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Safety
Generally safe
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Main airport
Sofia (SOF)
Overview

Why travellers love Bulgaria

Sofia and Plovdiv (one of Europe's oldest cities) offer culture, the Rila Monastery a spiritual highlight, and the Black Sea coast cheap summer sun.

Winter brings affordable skiing in Bansko.

Where to go

Top places in Bulgaria

The destinations worth building your trip around.

Sofia

Sofia

๐Ÿ—“ 1โ€“2 days

Domed cathedrals and Roman ruins.

CultureCity
Plovdiv

Plovdiv

๐Ÿ—“ 1 day

Roman theatre and arty old town.

CultureHistory
Rila Monastery

Rila Monastery

๐Ÿ—“ 1 day

Bulgaria's stunning mountain monastery.

CultureNature
Black Sea coast

Black Sea coast

๐Ÿ—“ 2โ€“3 days

Beaches at Sunny Beach and Nessebar.

BeachBudget
Plan day by day

Bulgaria itineraries

Ready-made routes โ€” tap a duration to see the plan.

Route
Sofia โ†’ Plovdiv โ†’ Rila Monastery
Trip length
5 days
Est. budget
$175 โ€“ $1,250
1–2

Sofia

Domed cathedrals and Roman ruins.

๐Ÿ—“ 2 daysโœจ Culture ยท City
3–4

Plovdiv

Roman theatre and arty old town.

๐Ÿ—“ 2 daysโœจ Culture ยท History
5

Rila Monastery

Bulgaria's stunning mountain monastery.

๐Ÿ—“ 1 dayโœจ Culture ยท Nature
Route
Sofia โ†’ Plovdiv โ†’ Rila Monastery โ†’ Black Sea coast
Trip length
7 days
Est. budget
$245 โ€“ $1,750
1–2

Sofia

Domed cathedrals and Roman ruins.

๐Ÿ—“ 2 daysโœจ Culture ยท City
3–4

Plovdiv

Roman theatre and arty old town.

๐Ÿ—“ 2 daysโœจ Culture ยท History
5–6

Rila Monastery

Bulgaria's stunning mountain monastery.

๐Ÿ—“ 2 daysโœจ Culture ยท Nature
7

Black Sea coast

Beaches at Sunny Beach and Nessebar.

๐Ÿ—“ 1 dayโœจ Beach ยท Budget
Route
Sofia โ†’ Plovdiv โ†’ Rila Monastery โ†’ Black Sea coast
Trip length
10 days
Est. budget
$350 โ€“ $2,500
1–3

Sofia

Domed cathedrals and Roman ruins.

๐Ÿ—“ 3 daysโœจ Culture ยท City
4–6

Plovdiv

Roman theatre and arty old town.

๐Ÿ—“ 3 daysโœจ Culture ยท History
7–8

Rila Monastery

Bulgaria's stunning mountain monastery.

๐Ÿ—“ 2 daysโœจ Culture ยท Nature
9–10

Black Sea coast

Beaches at Sunny Beach and Nessebar.

๐Ÿ—“ 2 daysโœจ Beach ยท Budget
โœจ Build a custom Bulgaria itinerary โ†’
Visa & entry

Bulgaria visa requirements

Visa required?
Schengen rules apply
Allowed stay
90 days / 180 (Schengen)
Visa on arrival
No
eVisa
ETIAS (from 2025)
Passport validity
3 months beyond stay
Visa type
Schengen visa
โš ๏ธ

Visa rules change frequently. Bulgaria joined Schengen โ€” visa-exempt nationals will need ETIAS; others a Schengen visa. Always verify with the official Bulgaria immigration / e-visa website before travelling.

Full Bulgaria visa guide โ†’Use the visa checker โ†’
Money

Bulgaria budget guide

Budget

$35/day
  • Hostels & guesthouses
  • Local food & markets
  • Public transport
  • Free sights & nature

Luxury

$250+/day
  • 4โ€“5โ˜… hotels & resorts
  • Fine dining
  • Private transfers
  • Premium experiences
Full Bulgaria budget guide โ†’
Things to do

Top attractions in Bulgaria

โ›ช

Rila Monastery

Striped frescoes in the mountains.

๐Ÿ›๏ธ

Plovdiv Roman theatre

A still-used ancient amphitheatre.

๐Ÿ•Œ

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Sofia's golden-domed landmark.

๐Ÿ–๏ธ

Black Sea beaches

Cheap, sunny summer coast.

๐ŸŽฟ

Bansko skiing

Affordable winter slopes.

Get outside

Nature in Bulgaria

All nature
Blog

Bulgaria travel articles

All guides