10 BEAUTIFUL PLACES TO VISIT IN BULGARIA!

Hello everyone,

Bulgaria is one of the oldest European countries established in 681 AD. It's a country rich in culture, history, good food, hospitable  people, and beautiful nature.

If you are planning a trip to Europe you most likely aren't going to Bulgaria only because you may not know enough about it. I'm here to tell you a little bit about it and show you some amazing places you should definitely include in your travel itinerary. 

Bulgaria is a hidden gem in southeastern Europe that will leave a special place in your heart once you discover its beauty and charm.

SOFIA

Let's start with Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. The city’s landmarks reflect more than 2,000 years of history, including Greek, Roman, Ottoman and Soviet occupation.

1. SAINT ALEXANDER NEVSKY CATHEDRAL

The Eastern Orthodox Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a marvel of the neo-Byzantine architectural style with beautiful domes and arches filled with religious paintings and mosaics. If you happen to visit the cathedral during a service your experience will be elevated. It's quite beautiful and spiritual.

2. VITOSHA MOUNTAIN

Vitosha mountain lies on the outskirts of Sofia and is one of the city's symbols and the closest site for hiking, alpinism, and skiing. Vitosha is the oldest nature park in the Balkans. It's one of my favorite locations when I want to escape from city life and reconnect with nature. 

If you happen to visit Vitosha mountain, you must visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Boyana Church Museum and then hike up to Boyana Waterfall. Bulgaria is full of spectacular hikes and waterfalls and Boyana Waterfall is definitely one that won't leave you disappointed. 

The best time to experience this natural wonder is in the spring when it is at its most lavish state due to all the snow melting down the mountain. 

The actual hike can be rated moderate to hard, but it is so worth it. All the trails in the mountain are clearly marked and there is an opportunity for great photos around every corner.

3. "VITOSHKA" or also called VITOSHA BOULEVARD

One thing to love about Bulgaria is the amazing food and abundance of restaurants, cafés, and retail shopping. Vitosha Boulevard is like the Rodeo Drive of Hollywood. It is one of the busiest and liveliest streets in Sofia filled with a variety of cozy art cafés, restaurants, and high fashion labels and outlets. It's the hot spot for business lunch meetings or romantic date nights. It's Sofia's main commercial street in close proximity to theaters, museums, parks, bars, and the National Palace of Culture.

There is so much more to do and see in Sofia that I could just keep writing and writing but I want to tell you about some of the other beautiful cities and places in Bulgaria that you must visit on your next European adventure. So, I'm going to move on, but just remember - when in Sofia, enjoy an afternoon coffee on Vitosha Boulevard with friends, go see a live theater performance, enjoy live music at one of Sofia's trendy bars, and then, recharge your batteries in the gorgeous Vitosha Mountain nature park. 

RILA MOUNTAIN

1. THE SEVEN RILA LAKES

Rila is the tallest mountain in Bulgaria and the Balkan Peninsula with its highest peak - Musala reaching 2925m. Rila is home to the most picturesque and most visited lake groups in Bulgaria - the Seven Rila Lakes. I don't have personal photos of the lakes to show you, but please Google this natural wonder and discover its enchanting beauty.

Definitely, definitely make sure the Seven Rila Lakes makes it on your list of places to visit in Bulgaria because it really is a complete sensory experience you will remember forever.

2. RILA MONASTERY

Rila mountain is also the home of the Rila Monastery - one of the most significant cultural sites - Bulgaria's national symbol, listed on UNESCO's World Heritage list. It was founded in the 10th century by St John of Rila. 

3. STOB EARTH PYRAMIDS

The Stob Earth Pyramids, also known as Stobski Pyramids, are located at the western foothills of Rila mountain. The pyramids vary in shape from sharp through conical to mushroom-like. The pyramids are a tourist destination, although not as popular as the much larger Melnik Earth Pyramids, but still a wonderful example of the vastness and diversity of Bulgaria's landscape. 

PLOVDIV

Plovdiv is the cultural capital of Bulgaria and the second largest city. It is an ancient city built around 7 hills.

1. THE ANCIENT TOWN OF PLOVDIV

It's just the most inspiring and culturally invigorating walk you will take whilst in Bulgaria. The Roman theatre of Plovdiv is one of the world's best-preserved ancient theatres and it is currently in use. During the summer months, the theatre hosts theatrical plays and musical shows.

2. NEBET TEPE

Nebet Tepe is one of the hills of Plovdiv where the ancient town was founded and it is one of the most popular spots where locals and tourists enjoy watching the sunset.

Hisar Kapia Gate, the Regional Ethnographic Museum, and the trendy district Kapana are other places You must add on to your Plovdiv itenerary. 

VELIKO TARNOVO 

Veliko Tarnovo is a city with immense historical significance as it is knows as the capital of the Bulgarian Empire. It is one of the most beutiful cities I have ever visited, located in the middle of the northern part of Bulgaria. Veliko Tarnovo was built on three hills: Tsarevets, Trapezitsa, and Sveta Gora.This small picturesque city is home to one of Europe's grandest medieval monuments, the Tsarevets Fortress, which leads me to my next place you must visit when you are in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria. 

1. TSAREVETS FORTRESS

Tsarevets served as the Second Bulgarian Empire's primary fortress between 1185 and 1393. The fortress is massive, composed of thousands of feet of stone walls, many of which are up to 12 feet thick, and covers a total area of over 50,000 square feet. 

An emblematic attraction for Veliko Tarnovo is the Sound and Light show that lights up the whole Trarevets Fortress with dramatic music, multicolor lights, lasers and chiming bells to depict the tumultuous history of Bulgaria. Go see it!

2. THE OLD TOWN

Take a walk around Samovodska Charshiya in the Old Town of Veliko Tarnovo. This street is entirely pedestiran and has preserved so much of Bulgaria's history, spirit, and culture. There are beutiful street art and murals, an abundance of artisian and crafts shops where you can watch craftspeople at work, great restaurants and bars, and beutifully restored houses which house various workshops for everything from wood carving and pottery to weaving and painting. 

3. HOTNISHKI WATERFALL

Now...there is one place that will literally take your breath away. Hotnishki Waterfall in the town of Hotnitsa which is 15km from Veliko Tarnovo. Just go. You will witness the vastness of Bulgaria's natural beauty. 

Besides endless ranges of luscious green forests and mountains, Bulgaria also has some of the most beautiful beaches along the Black Sea Coastline. Major cities to consider are Varna and Burgas. There are cute towns like Nesebar, Sozopol and Sinemorets. The Cancun of Bulgaria is Sunny Beach. And then, there is Sveti Vlas. Don't miss an unforgettable vacation on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coastline.

The photos I have here are from Sozopol, which was just magical and I think you can sense that. Just imagine being there. 

I have to probably write ten more blog posts about Bulgaria to be able to include everything that this beautiful country has to offer and it still wouldn't be enough. I hope you were able to learn a little bit about Bulgaria from this post and maybe you feel inspired to plan a vacation so you can see all this beauty for yourself. 

~ Photography: @dani.ela.photography

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