PLACES TO VISIT IN BULGARIA
- berfinozelsel
- Jul 15, 2024
- 8 min read
BULGARIA TRAVEL GUIDE
HISTORY OF BULGARIA
Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, has a very ancient history, dating back to the 5th century BC. It is currently the most populous city in the country, with a population of approximately 1.2 million. In second place is Plovdiv (Plovdiv), with a population of approximately 300 thousand.
The city of Sofia was founded in the 7th century by the historical Serdi tribe. Later, the Romans captured this region and named the city "Serdika", which means the city of the Serdis. Serdika became an important trade and administrative center over time, but was subject to raids over time.
After the domination of the Romans, the city fell into the hands of the Slavs and remained under the rule of the Byzantine Empire until 1185.
In the 14th century, the Bulgarian State came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, and while under Ottoman rule, the name of the city was changed to "Sofia", meaning "wisdom". Sofia remained under Ottoman rule until the last quarter of the 19th century.
Bulgaria became a one-party socialist state in 1946 as part of the Eastern Bloc led by the Soviet Union. However, the socialist regime collapsed in 1990 and a democratic constitution was adopted in 1991, making the country a unitary parliamentary republic.
Approximately 76.9% of Bulgaria's population consists of Bulgarians, and the majority of the population is Orthodox Christian. The country's currency is the Bulgarian Lev (BGN). There is a relief of the Madara cavalryman on the back of the coins.
PLACES TO VISIT AND SEE
There are important buildings to see in the cities of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, and Plovdiv. Here are suggestions for your visit list in these cities:
Alexander Nevski Cathedral: This cathedral, one of the symbolic buildings of Sofia, attracts attention with its magnificent architecture and interior decoration. It is worth seeing for its icons and frescoes.
St. Sofia Church: St. Sofia Church, one of the oldest churches in Sofia, offers an important historical heritage with its historical structure dating back to the 6th century.
Serdika Archaeological Complex: You can visit the Serdika Archaeological Complex to see the historical ruins of the city and artifacts from the Roman period.
Saint Sophia Monument: This statue, one of the symbols of the city, is located in the center of Sofia.
Sveti Georgi Rotunda Church: You can visit Sveti Georgi Church, which is an important church in terms of history and architecture.
Banya Basli Mosque: This mosque from the Ottoman period is part of Sofia's historical heritage.
National Theatre: Sofia National Theater is an ideal venue to watch major theater works.
Sofia Synagogue: You can visit the Synagogue, one of the important centers of the Jewish community in Sofia.
Vitosha Mountain: Located right next to the city, Vitosha Mountain is famous for nature walks, skiing and natural beauties.
Roman Stadium (Philippopolis Stadium): Located at one end of Knyaz Aleksandar I Street, this 2nd century stadium carries the traces of the ancient period to the present day.
Plovdiv Old Town: Plovdiv Old Town, famous for its restoration works, colorful houses, stone-paved streets and flowering gardens, is one of the most beautiful and historical areas of the city.
Plovdiv Ethnographic Museum: Located in Plovdiv Old Town, this museum hosts rich collections of folk culture and traditional handicrafts in a historical house.
Ancient Theater (Ancient Theater of Philippopolis): Located in Plovdiv Old Town, this ancient theater is one of the best preserved examples of theater from the Roman period. It is still used for events. It is an ancient building dating back to the 1st century.
Rila Monastery: It is one of the most famous monasteries in Bulgaria and is located on the banks of the Rila River in Bulgaria's Rila Mountains. Rila Monastery is known as the largest and most important Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Free city tours in Sofia and Plovdiv are a great option for visitors who want to explore the city's history and cultural heritage. By participating in these tours, you can visit important historical buildings and interesting points of the city with experienced guides.
The free tour of Sofia starts from the point where the lion statues are located in front of the City Court building. The tour takes approximately 2 hours and is accompanied by English or Spanish-speaking guides. During the tour, you will have a pleasant experience with other participants while learning about the important historical and cultural points of the city. The tours are free, you can donate to the guides at the end of the tour if you wish, but donating is not mandatory.
The free tour in Plovdiv similarly starts in Plovdiv Old Town. The Plovdiv tour also lasts approximately 2 hours and is an excellent opportunity to discover the historical and cultural heritage of Plovdiv. During the tour, you will have the opportunity to get to know the rich history of the city more closely by visiting important points such as the Roman Stadium, Ancient Theater and Ethnography Museum.
These free city tours are a great starting point for anyone who wants to explore the history and culture of Bulgaria. The fact that tourists have the opportunity to join different groups according to their interests also increases the attractiveness of these tours. You can be a part of the tour without registering, allowing you to have a spontaneous discovery experience. I hope you have an unforgettable Bulgaria experience with these free tours in Sofia and Plovdiv. I leave you the links of the tour sites in the two cities for you to review:
WHAT SHOULD WE EAT?
Recommendations and information for dining experiences in Bulgaria:
Local Delicacies:
Banitsa: Bulgaria's famous pastry, a buttery pastry filled with white cheese.
Shopska Salad: A delicious salad made of red pepper, cucumber, onion, parsley and grated feta cheese.
Kachamak: A delicious dish made with corn flour and cheese.
Tarator: Cucumber soup with light milk is a particularly refreshing starter during the summer months.
Bulgarian Drinks:
Bulgarian Wine: Bulgarian wines made with local grapes such as Mavrud are quite famous.
Craft Beer: You can try local craft beers like Glarus or Vitoshko Lale.
Boza: Boza, one of the traditional drinks of Bulgaria, is preferred for breakfast in winter.
Eating Tips:
Street food is generally affordable, and you can find local snacks such as Banitsa at affordable prices.
On average, you can pay around 14 BGN for a hearty meal in a traditional restaurant.
There are also affordable options at fast food restaurants.
It would be a great idea to try local delicacies and have unforgettable food experiences while visiting Bulgaria. Bulgarian cuisine offers rich and diverse flavors, and discovering these flavors in local restaurants can be truly enjoyable.
While traveling in Bulgaria, you can try country-specific dishes and discover different restaurants with a local guide through services such as free city guide. These types of guide services generally aim to introduce local flavors by presenting traditional dishes of Balkan countries to tourists. With these experiences, it will be possible to explore Bulgarian culture more closely and enjoy local life. To review the free flavor tour: https://www.balkanbites.bg/
WHERE SHOULD I STAY?
We would like to highlight 3 areas for your stay in Sofia;
Serdika Region: An ideal region to see historical buildings and explore the city, providing easy access to places to visit. It is ideal for those who want to discover historical and cultural riches.
Vitosha Boulevard and Surroundings: A lively area with lots of restaurants and activities. It has a vibrant and lively atmosphere in the evenings. It is ideally located for those who want to be close to eating places.
Aleksandr Nevsky Cathedral Surroundings: An excellent choice for those who want to watch the view of the cathedral. It is a great spot to see the magnificence of the cathedral, especially in the evening. It is ideal for those who prefer to be close to historical and touristic places.
If you book the hotel or house you will stay in in these regions, you can easily plan your trip.
For those with a car, accommodation options with parking may be preferred. For accommodation, you can find the most suitable house or hotel in the city by using platforms such as Booking.com and Airbnb. Additionally, it is important to consider the characteristics of the region and your needs when evaluating accommodation options.
We stayed in two different houses on Airbnb and had no problems in either of them. To give you an idea; The first house we stayed in:
https://www.airbnb.com.tr/rooms/50994887 (nightly fee: 1700TL)
The second house we stayed in was:
https://www.airbnb.com.tr/rooms/954291266210263466 (nightly fee: 2100TL)
HOW TO GO? TRANSPORT
Bulgaria's capital Sofia, Burgas, Varna and Plovdiv have international airports.
It is possible to travel from Europe to Bulgaria by train. For information about the Istanbul-Sofia Train: https://www.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr/trenler/uluslararasi-trenler
It is available on intercity trains, you can check it on the website of the Bulgarian State Railways. https://www.bdz.bg/en
Bus services are organized from Bulgaria's neighboring countries and other European cities. Or you can go with your own vehicle, like we did.
You have many options for transportation in the city, such as bus, tram and metro. There are daily, 3-day or weekly pass tickets that offer unlimited use on all public transportation vehicles. You can buy them from them. There are ticket machines that you can use at metro stations.
Car rental is extremely affordable here, costing as little as BGN 25 per day. You don't need a car to get around the city, but if you want to explore the area, a car can be useful. Drivers must be at least 21 years old and have an IDP (International Driving Permit). Be sure to read this article for the points you need to pay attention to regarding urban parking.
In Bulgaria, there is a concept application called Vignette, in our HGS logic, it must be pasted on the windshield of your vehicle, otherwise there is a 36 euro fine.
WHEN TO GO?
Sofia experiences all four seasons, and the busiest season for tourists is the summer months (June-August). June can sometimes be rainy, but daily temperatures are usually above 30°C. Hostel and hotel prices increase during this period, so it may be a more expensive time to visit.
In our opinion, the best time to visit Sofia is spring (April-May) or autumn (September-October). During these seasons, there are more pleasant temperatures, fewer tourist crowds, and accommodation prices are more affordable. The vegetation around Mount Vitosha is especially spectacular in autumn and is ideal for wonderful walks. While spring temperatures vary between 5-21°C, autumn temperatures vary between 6-17°C.
Winter months (December-March) are the quietest time in Sofia because temperatures drop below freezing. The weather may be snowy and changeable during this period. If you like winter sports, you can take advantage of the skiing opportunities at Vitosha Mountain or Bansko. Accommodation is also cheaper during the winter months. However, unless you are coming for winter activities, I would not recommend visiting in winter.
Summer months (June to August) are ideal to visit Sofia if you want warm weather and time on the Black Sea coast. Average temperatures are between 29-32°C and are suitable for water sports. Mountainous regions can generally be cooler.
Spring and autumn months can be variable in terms of weather. In spring, temperatures vary between 5-21°C, while in autumn it varies between 2-21°C. If you want a quieter and more affordable visit, these seasons are great times to explore Sofia. Autumn months (September-October) are a time when the leaves begin to change color and are ideal for walks.
SUGGESTIONS!
Learning the Cyrillic alphabet can be really useful! If you have time while planning your trip, we recommend that you take a look at the Cyrillic alphabet. If you are thinking of visiting Bulgaria, knowing the Cyrillic alphabet will make it easier for you to read and understand the signs. Even if you know how to read some letters, you can easily read and understand signs and building names.
Here are some important letters of the Cyrillic alphabet and their pronunciations:
Б (B): Pronounced like "b".
В (V): Pronounced like "v".
Г (G): Pronounced like "g".
Д (D): Pronounced like "d".
Ж (J): "je"
З (Z): Pronounced like "z".
И (İ): Pronounced like Turkish "i".
Л (L): Pronounced like "l".
П (P): Pronounced like "p".
Р (R): Pronounced like "r".
С (S): Pronounced like "s".
У (U): Pronounced like Turkish "u".
Ф (F): Pronounced like "f".
Х (H): An "h" sound, like the German "Bach".
Ц (Ts): Pronounced like "ts".
Ч (Ç): It is pronounced like Turkish "ç".
Ш (Ş): Pronounced like Turkish "ş".
Щ (Şt): Pronounced like "ş".
Ъ (Soft Sign): It lengthens sounds such as "a" or "ı" in the word.
Ь (Hard Sign): Allows a letter to be softened.
Ю (Yu): Pronounced like "yu".
Я (Ya): Pronounced like "ya".
You can read signs and building names more easily with these Cyrillic alphabet letters. For example; "Пловдив": Writing of the word "Plovdiv" in Cyrillic alphabet
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