20 Gorgeous Places to Visit in Bulgaria

Bulgaria offers very varied trips. The Mountain slopes of Bansko and Pomporovo attract skiers in the winter, and the Black Sea beaches draw crowds in the summer months. It has a unique charm all of its own. Here are my favorite beauty spots in this extraordinary country…

1. The Black Sea Beaches

In my opinion, an excellent place to start is the country’s famous coastline. Bulgaria is known for its Black Sea coastline, with long sandy beaches dotted with hotels, traditional fishing villages, and historical sites.

Tourists flock to the glitzier resorts of Sunny Beach and Golden Sands, but I personally believe the city beaches in Varna and Burgas are just as beautiful.

2. Nessebar

Often referred to as the Pearl of the Black Sea, the historic town of Nessebar dates back to antiquity when it was founded as a Thracian settlement known as Menebria. Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Bulgarians, Crusaders, and Ottomans all took turns fortifying the ancient town and the narrow peninsula on which it is located.

Today, a stroll on its cobblestone streets will bring you to remnants of 40 brick churches dating back to the 5th century. The beautiful town is such an important site, and UNESCO recognizes it as a World Heritage Site.

3. Sozopol

One of the oldest towns on the Black Sea coastline, Sozopol is a famous fishermen’s village and seaside resort.

Located 35 kilometers south of Burgas, Sozopol was known in the 6th century BC as Apollonia, complete with a temple dedicated to Apollo. The town is small enough for a casual stroll.

You can walk along the quays as the day’s catch is unloaded or through the old town, with its wooden houses desperately calling out for repair. If the sea is too deep or rough for swimming, you can always sunbathe on the rocks along the shore! 

4. Rila Monastery

Known as the Jerusalem of Bulgaria, this picturesque Eastern Orthodox monastery in the forested mountains less than two hours south of Sofia is worth a pilgrimage visit.

Named for St. Ivan of Rilski, a tenth-century hermit who lived in a nearby cave, the monastery has been built, burnt, and rebuilt over the centuries, with the latest construction dating to the 1800s.

Enter the courtyard, and you will be stunned by the perfect harmony of the church, with its graceful arches in bold stripes of black and white set under a row of sculpted gargoyles, tiled roofs, and five domes reaching towards the sky.

In the distance are the peaks of the Rila Mountains, complimenting an oasis of serenity perfect for religious hermits and modern visitors alike.

5. Varna

Varna is one of the major tourist destinations in the country. It is easy to see why, in my opinion, it’s a beautiful city with fantastic beaches, excellent restaurants, and lovely green spaces. Varna is often referred to as the sea capital of Bulgaria, as many locals flock to the city in the warmer months.

Varna has many picturesque beaches with fine golden sand and crystal-clear water. A few good surf breaks are also available if you prefer to surf or bodyboard.

Rapongi Beach is perhaps the best beach in Varna, as it is well-maintained and doesn’t get too crowded. You can also travel north to the resort of Sunny Day or Sirius Beach, both stunning locations popular with tourists.

There are plenty of other activities to enjoy in the city, including many excellent clubs, restaurants, and bars along Kraybrezhna Aleya. This part of the city is charming and beautiful at night.

6. Plovdiv Old Town

Plovdiv, the second-largest city in the country, has something that Sofia does not – an old town on a hill. The city was founded some 6,000 years ago and developed on seven hills, but one was destroyed at the beginning of the 20th century.

The Old Town towers over the city centre with structures from different eras, including a remarkably well-preserved Roman amphitheatre.

The Old Town is best known for its Bulgarian Renaissance architectural style, with colourful houses displaying the National Revival’s unique exterior characteristics on every corner. Walking up the hill is a delight, with the many galleries and house museums all worth a visit.

7. Belogradchik

Belogradchik Fortress is an artificial construction set against a stunning outcrop of rocks. The combination is so unique and picturesque that it seems lifted from a Disney fairytale. What’s even more unique than the fortress is the surrounding countryside.

The Belogradchik Rocks, named in 2009 as Bulgaria’s candidate to be selected as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, is a stunning arrangement of strange-shaped sandstone and conglomerate rock formations.

8. Lake Atanasovsko

Lake Burgas is a beautiful bright pink lake just west of Burgas. Unlike most other pink lakes worldwide, the lake’s colour is not solely caused by high salt levels.

Although there is a lot of salt in the lake, it is also influenced by the farming of brine shrimp in the water. The lake’s colour tends to vary depending on where the fishermen and salt miners are currently active. Multiple basins in the middle of the south side of the lake are used for salt mining.

These basins often have the most vivid colours, ranging from dark red to soft pink. Unlike other pink lakes, it is possible to swim in Lake Burgas.

It is encouraged because the mud the lake contains is said to have medicinal properties. Some locals believe it has anti-ageing properties and can heal specific ailments; because of this, it’s a well-known wellness attraction. 

9. Koprivshtitsa

Walking the narrow alleyways of the village of Koprivshtitsa, some two hours east of Sofia, you’ll feel transported back to the momentous months of 1876, when the locals bravely fought against their oppressive Ottoman rulers.

Inside the colorful houses, representatives of Bulgarian National Revival architecture of the 19th century, local patriots plotted their rebellion leading up to the first shot in the unsuccessful April Uprising.

The village contains memorials and museum houses displaying ethnographical treasures, old weapons and farm implements, national costumes, artwork, and jewelry.

10. Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Tarnovo was the historic capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire between the 12th and 14th centuries. It is located in the centre of the country and is a popular tourist attraction.

The reconstructed Tsarevets fortress bears no resemblance to the medieval palaces of the tsars who ruled from the hilltop until their defeat by the Ottomans in 1393. Still, you can almost sense the country’s former greatness when walking through the gates of this picturesque stronghold! 

11. Melnik

Melnik is known for two things. It is the smallest city in Bulgaria and is home to some of the country’s best wineries.

It will take you minutes to walk up the town’s one main street, but you’ll sit for hours at a local tavern, your head spinning under the intoxicating spell of the rich red wines.

If you get up from your seat, the nearby pyramidal Melnik Rocks and the Rozhen Monastery are worth a visit. 

12. Pomorie

Pomorie is a picturesque coastal resort town in Burgas Bay on the eastern seaboard of Bulgaria. Easily one of the most beautiful places to visit in Bulgaria, the city sits on a narrow rocky peninsula with spectacular views of the coastline to the north and south.

While it attracts many Bulgarian tourists yearly, it is a secret that most foreign tourists don’t know about. The town has two distinct sections — the old town center to the east and the newer, more touristy section to the west/southwest.

The senior town center is charming, with many small hotels, authentic shops, and restaurants. The eastern tip of the peninsula has several small beaches that are usually less crowded than those to the north or southwest.

Sunset Resort is located to the southwest of the town. It is a modern resort adjacent to South Beach, the largest beach in the city. This is a more touristy part of the town, but it is a fantastic location if you want a resort with modern amenities. Pomorie Lake is one of the “must-see” locations in Pomorie.

Located to the north of town, it is a stunning saline coastal lagoon home to dozens of bird species. Medicinal mud is produced at the lake, and visitors can enjoy a refreshing mud bath.

Other attractions in the area include the Museum of Salt, the Pomorie Museum of History, and the street markets in Kableshkovo (held every Thursday). Two local wineries worth visiting are Winery Messembria and Stratsin Winery.

13. The Evksinograd Residence

The Evksinograd Residence is one of the most romantic buildings in Bulgaria. Located 8 kilometres north of Varna, this 19th-century palace was often used as a holiday home for royalty.

The mansion’s exterior is very similar to French mansions of the 18th century. It is ornate, romantic, and quite beautiful. The interiors are luxurious, with marble fireplaces, French chandeliers, large dining halls, antique furniture, and rare paintings. Expect to see a lot of gold and silk!

The grounds surrounding the park are no less decadent. French park architects were designed to lay out the 800-acre park. They planted many rare species of plants, some of which are alive today.

At one stage, there were more than 500 species of flowers in the grounds and greenhouses. A winery was added to the palace in 1891, and excellent wines are still produced today. It produces Chardonnay, Riesling, Traminer, Muscat Ottone and Vratsa Muscat wines.

Tourists can visit the palace, explore the parks, and even sample the wines. They can also stay in the palace complex, which has a restaurant on the grounds. It is a beautiful building that is sure to delight.

14. Seven Lakes

This group of gorgeous glacial lakes is located high in the Rila Mountains. The appropriate time to visit the lakes is in the summer, as even in June, the lakes can be frozen, with the terrain alternating between deep snowdrifts and patches of brilliant wildflowers.

The lakes are located one above the other in a mountain valley, interconnected by streams and waterfalls. Access to the lakes is difficult, although riding a ski lift shortens the distance up the steep mountainside.

Legends say the lakes were formed by the tears of a female giant, crying for her beloved! Aw! 

15. Belogradchik Fortress

Belogradchik Fortress is an old fortress in northwest Bulgaria on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains. It’s close to the Bulgarian town of Belogradchik, home to about 5,000 people.

The fortress was established as a surveillance post when the Roman Empire controlled the region. In the 14th century, the Bulgarian tsar Ivan Stratsimir extended it to include fortified garrisons.

The Ottomans captured the fortress in 1396, making it even more important for repelling the Hajduk insurrectionists in the area.

The way the fortress runs between the vast sections of natural rock is awe-inspiring, with some incredibly scenic views from the top of the defence.

16. Tevno Vasilashko Lake

Tevno Vasilashko Lake is one of the most spectacular locations in Europe. It is a magnificent glacial lake surrounded by rugged mountain peaks in Pirin, Bulgaria.

The lake’s unique, saturated blue color reflects the vast mountains nearby. Tevno Lake is the largest of a series of glacial lakes in the Vasilashko Lakes area.

The other lakes are Fish Vasilashko Lake, Upper Vasilashko Lake, Rainbow-shaped Vasilashko Lake, and Upper Todorino Lake. They are all beautiful lakes, but Tevno Vasilashko Lake is the most impressive.

There are tour operators who offer one-day trips up the Vasilashki glacial valley, visiting three or four of the lakes. It is a magical journey that showcases an incredible part of this unique country!

17. Best For Alpine Village

Dolen Village is an alpine village in the western Rhode Mountains (about 26 km from Gotse Delchev). It is one of the most romantic villages in Bulgaria, with narrow cobblestone roads, stone walls, and authentic buildings designed in the Bulgarian Revival style.

The village was founded in the 16th century by Bulgarians escaping the Ottomans who had invaded the country. It flourished in the 18th century as multiple industries in the area became prosperous.

Many houses have stone foundations, timber walls, and overhanging top stories. Inside, there are usually ornate ceilings and elaborate carpentry on display.

The locals have added wonderful gardens to most homes, so walking the streets is like being a part of a beautiful fairy tale. It is an experience you won’t forget.

18. Pirin National Park

Most travellers don’t realize how picturesque Bulgaria’s natural environment is until they see the Pirin National Park. It is a 403.56 km2 park in southwestern Bulgaria. It encompasses most of the Pirin Mountains, a vast mountain range covering the southwest part of the country.

Pirin National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and is part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. The park is home to over 100 glacial lakes, the largest being Popovo Lake. Many stunning glaciers are also located throughout the mountains.

The park has hundreds of animal species, including the beautiful boreal owl, white-backed woodpecker, fire salamander, agile frog, red deer, and Eurasian three-toed woodpecker.

If you are lucky, you might glimpse one of the park’s rarer animals, such as the lesser spotted eagle, golden eagle, or peregrine falcon! 

19. Kamchia Biosphere Reserve

The Kamchia Biosphere Reserve stands out as a National Park because of its massive size and pristine natural environment. This reserve is a 1,200-hectare (2,965-acre) UNESCO-listed biosphere located on Bulgaria’s northern coastline.

It has a varied landscape ranging from vast floodplains at the mouth of the Kamchia River to long beaches adjacent to the Black Sea coastline.

Established in 1977, it contains many ancient forests and spectacular natural waterways. The reserve is located 20 km south of Varna and is surrounded by the villages of Bliznatsi, Staro Oriahovo, and Shkorpilovtsi.

Kamchia is the perfect location for hiking, camping, boating, or relaxing on one of the many vast beaches.

20. Zheravna

Located in the rolling hills of the Balkan Mountain Range is the magical village of Zheravna. The town is an architectural reserve consisting of more than 200 houses built during the Bulgarian National Revival period in the 18th and 19th centuries.

I love that walking through the village feels like travelling back in time! You will marvel at the beautiful buildings’ detailed red ceramic roof tiles and elaborate timber decorations. Many of the buildings have been converted into guest houses, so it is possible to stay in the town.

The interiors of the guest houses are just as lovely as the exteriors, featuring wooden carvings and ornate carpentry performed by artisans hundreds of years ago. Plenty of nature walks surround the village, plus several museums and an art gallery, all of which I’d recommend visiting!