Bulgaria travel guide: Sofia, mountain monasteries and the Black Sea
Bulgaria is a good-value country of mountains, old towns, Orthodox monasteries and a long Black Sea coast. A short trip works best as Sofia plus one or two places reached by bus, train or a day tour. The one thing to know is that Bulgaria joined the euro on 1 January 2026, so you no longer need leva.
The short answer
- First trip
- Start with three nights in Sofia, then add Plovdiv and the Rila Monastery. That gives you a capital, an old town and a mountain monastery.
- How long
- Four days covers Sofia with one trip out. A week lets you add Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo, and ten days or more reaches the Black Sea.
- Best time to go
- May to September for the coast and hiking. Winter suits the ski resorts, and spring and autumn are good for towns.
- Getting around
- Buses reach almost every town and are often quicker than trains. Trains link the main cities but are slow. Cities are walkable.
- Money
- The euro since 1 January 2026. Cards are widely taken in cities and resorts, and cash helps in villages and mountain huts.
- Book ahead
- Summer rooms on the coast, ski-season weekends and any tour that needs a driver or a guide.
Best cities to visit in Bulgaria
Sofia
A relaxed capital of Orthodox churches, Roman ruins, parks and a mountain on its doorstep. It suits anyone who wants a low-cost city break with good food and easy day trips.
Give it 2 to 3 days
Beyond the cities
Rila Monastery
The country's best-known monastery, in a forested valley in the Rila mountains, with painted arcades and a World Heritage listing. It is about two hours from Sofia by road, and day tours and public buses both go.
Plovdiv
One of Europe's oldest continuously lived-in cities, with a Roman theater and an old town of colorful houses. Buses and trains from Sofia take roughly two to two and a half hours.
Veliko Tarnovo
A town of stacked houses above a river gorge, under the ruins of a medieval fortress. It is a few hours from Sofia by bus, so it suits a night or two.
The Black Sea coast
Varna and Burgas are the main bases, with beaches, old towns and resorts that are busiest in July and August. Flights or a long bus ride from Sofia are the usual ways there.
Bulgaria itineraries
- Four days: Sofia and Rila Monastery
Spend three nights in Sofia on the old center, the cathedral and a museum or two. On the fourth day take a bus or a day tour to Rila Monastery and return in the evening.
- Seven days: Sofia, Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo
Three nights in Sofia, with a day out to Rila. Then two nights in Plovdiv and two in Veliko Tarnovo, moving by bus. Buses are frequent, but check times the day before.
- Ten days: the cities and the Black Sea
Sofia, Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo as above, then a few nights on the coast at Varna or Burgas. A hire car is the simplest way to cover the middle of the country, but buses work.
Best time to visit Bulgaria
May to September is the main season. Days are warm and long, the Black Sea is good for swimming from June to September, and mountain trails are open. July and August are hot in the cities and busy on the coast.
Spring and autumn are good for towns and monasteries, with milder days and fewer visitors. Winter is cold, and the ski resorts are at their best from about December to March. Many coastal places shut for the season.
How to get around Bulgaria
- BusesIntercity buses are the most useful public transport for visitors, with frequent services between Sofia and the main towns. Buy tickets at the station or online on the day, and check the departure station, as large towns can have more than one.
- TrainsThe national operator is BDZ. Trains link Sofia with Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas and other cities, but are often slower than the bus. Interrail and Eurail passes are accepted on BDZ trains.
- Cars and toursA hire car helps in the mountains and for villages with little public transport. Guided day trips from Sofia suit Rila Monastery and other sights that are hard to reach by bus.
- Within citiesSofia has a metro, trams, buses and trolleybuses. Old towns such as Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo are best on foot, and local taxis are cheap if you use a booking app.
What to book before you go
These are the ones that sell out across Bulgaria. Each city guide has its own list.
- Black Sea rooms in July and August1 to 3 months ahead
Resorts fill on summer weekends, and the better hotels go first.
- Ski-season weekends1 to 2 months ahead
Bansko and the other resorts are busy from December to March, especially at weekends and over the New Year.
- Day tours and driversa few days ahead
Rila Monastery and other sights run on small groups, and places fill in summer.
Money, tipping and practical things
- CurrencyThe euro since 1 January 2026. Older prices may still show in leva (lev) beside the euro price for a while.
- Cards and cashCards and phone payments are taken in cities, hotels and most restaurants. Carry some cash for markets, small villages, buses and mountain huts.
- TippingAbout 10 percent is usual in restaurants if service is not added. Round up for taxis.
- Tourist taxesHotel and guesthouse stays can carry a small local tax, set by each municipality and usually added to the bill by the property. Check your booking for it.
- EntryNon-EU visitors are registered at the border by the EU's Entry/Exit System. Whether you need a visa, and an ETIAS travel authorization once it starts, depends on your passport: check the EU's official site, travel-europe.europa.eu, before you book.
- PlugsType C and Type F sockets at 230 volts. Most UK and US plugs need an adapter.
What to skip in Bulgaria
- The big coast resorts at the height of summer
Sunny Beach and the largest resorts are crowded and loud in July and August. Choose Varna, Burgas or a smaller town if you want a calmer stay.
- Cramming too many towns into a short trip
Distances are modest, but buses and mountain roads are slower than they look. Pick two or three bases rather than six.
- Taxis hailed in the street
Fares can be inflated. Use a booking app, or ask your hotel to call one.
Bulgaria: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Bulgaria?
Four days is enough for Sofia and a trip to Rila Monastery. A week lets you add Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo, and ten days or more reaches the Black Sea coast.
What are the best places to visit in Bulgaria?
Sofia comes first. Beyond it, Plovdiv, Rila Monastery, Veliko Tarnovo and the Black Sea coast are the most popular choices.
Is Bulgaria cheap for tourists?
It costs less than most of western Europe, especially for meals, local transport and guesthouses. Prices rise on the coast in summer and in the ski resorts in winter.
What is the best time to visit Bulgaria?
May to September for the coast and hiking, and spring or autumn for towns and monasteries. Winter suits skiing.
Is Bulgaria easy to get around without a car?
Yes, for the main route. Buses reach nearly every town and trains link the large cities. A car only helps in the mountains and for remote villages.
Which currency does Bulgaria use?
The euro, which replaced the lev on 1 January 2026. Cards work in most cities and resorts, and cash is useful in villages.
Do you need cash in Bulgaria?
A little. Cards are common in cities, but carry some euros for markets, buses, small guesthouses and mountain huts.