On the Lost in Plovdiv page you can find thousands of texts and reasons why you shouldn’t miss Plovdiv when planning your visit to our homeland, but today the main focus will be on Bulgaria, often referred to as the next most popular tourist destination in Europe.
We have often heard comparisons that define Bulgaria as a gem that many travelers haven’t yet found, and since we fully agree with this statement, we will now give you the reasons why.
Bulgaria is located on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordering north with Romania; to the west with Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia; to the south with Greece and to the southeast with Turkey. To the east, along with the coast, the country is washed by the waters of the Black Sea. Maybe it sounds immodest, but here we have everything - mountains, plains, and sea. Bulgaria is the oldest country in Europe that hasn’t changed its name.
How do we get here?
Bulgaria has 4 international airports - in Sofia (the largest), Plovdiv and two in the maritime cities of Varna and Burgas. It is part of the European Union since 2007, so it's pretty well connected with the rest of the cities not only on air but also by bus and rail.
Transport in the country is well developed. The area is not large and doesn’t need long trips to get from one point to another. If you want to visit more distant places and divert from big cities, it is best to rent a car. Another option is bus or rail, but you should keep in mind that the latter has nothing to do with the arrow train but is an interesting experience.
The best time to visit Bulgaria:
It depends greatly on the purpose of travel. If you want to get to know it as a tourist, the best seasons are spring and autumn when the weather is perfect. If you practice winter sports, the season usually begins in December and is closed in early March. Lovers of holiday on the beach can enjoy the sunshine at the earliest from the end of May to the middle of September. All the above is proof of one thing - Bulgaria is wonderful in all seasons and the time to visit is always appropriate.
Bulgarian food
Bulgarian food is a mix of Balkan, Greek and Turkish cuisine. It is rich in spices, aromatic and very tasty. However, here we will try to mention some dishes, which are traditionally popular in our country - banitsa (often eaten for breakfast), patatnik (Rhodope specialty with potatoes), Shopska salad (tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and cheese). You will surely recognize the influence of the neighboring countries in the Bulgarian moussaka, the gouvech, and the delicious cold soup tarator.
Mountains in Bulgaria
The Bulgarian mountains have a rich history (the age of Bulgaria is over 1300 years) and the diversity among them is great, there are mountains with high (nearly 3000 m) peaks and those that look more like hills (Plana - 1337.4 m) with alpine reliefs and others with a moderate climate, etc. The biggest ones are Rila, Pirin, Rhodope and the Balkan Mountains.
Whether you choose to visit them in the winter months to take advantage of the slopes or the rest of the year to walk through the green forests, the mountains in Bulgaria offer countless accommodation options. In the big resorts, you can find both hotel complexes with all the conveniences and traditional guest houses where you will be welcomed by the owners themselves with Bulgarian breakfast and home coziness.
We recommend you don’t miss the numerous routes in the Rhodope Mountains and the Seven Rila Lakes.
Bulgarian seaside:
The Bulgarian Black Sea coast starts from Cape Kartal at the state border with Romania and ends at the mouth of Rezovskariver at the border with Turkey. The length of the coast is 354 km, of which 200 km (120 miles) is a sandy beach.
The biggest cities are Varna and Burgas, but along the whole strip, there are many resorts and resort villages. There are both main tourist spots where an all-inclusive holiday is offered as well as some unused areas where one can camp and rest in nature, the surrounding sea and the sand.
Towns to visit:
As a country of centuries-old history, Bulgaria is rich in historical and cultural landmarks. Whichever direction you take, you will reach a place or locality and historical significance. Small picturesque Balkan towns alternate with depopulated villages and big cities - this is the Bulgarian reality and it undoubtedly has its charm.
We at the digital guide of Plovdiv recommend that you visit Bulgaria as soon as possible in order to be able to experience it as a local and to sink into its atmosphere.
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