BULGARIA HOLIDAYS   >   EUROPE


Bulgaria is located in the Eastern Part of the Balkan Peninsula, in South Eastern Europe.

On the crossroad between Europe and Asia, Bulgaria is one of the best European birdwatching destinations.

Provinces in Bulgaria : Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Dobrich, Gabrovo, Haskovo, Kardzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Shumen, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia City, Sofia Province, Stara Zagora, Targovishte, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, and Yambol.

Main cities in Bulgaria : Burgas, Plovdiv, Rousse, Varna.

Capital city Bulagria : Sofia


car hire, holiday rentals, hotels, tour operators  -  bulgaria tours, travel guides, travel to bulgaria

links


Camp sites Bulgaria

  Russalka Holidays   -   see Russalka SOZOPOL
Kavatsi campsite, Gradina campsite, Zlatna ribka campsite, Veselie campsite, Chernomorets campsite

Car Hire Bulgaria

  Sixt   -   
Pick-Up Station / Return Station: Bourgas Airport, Duni, Eleni, Plovdiv, Sofia Airport, Sofia DT, Stara Zagora, Sunny Beach Resort DT, Varna Airport and Varna DT.

  Holiday Autos   -   
Holiday Autos offers the best fully inclusive car hire prices. Get cheap car hire quickly and securely online with holidayautos.co.uk, the experts in online car rental.

Holiday Rentals Bulgaria

  Bungalow.net   -   Holiday homes Bulgaria 

  
Bulgaria Black Sea Coast, Lovech, Pirin/Rhodope Mountains, Sofia/Rila Mountains.

Hotels in Bulgaria

  Hotels in Bulgaria   -   Hotel Guide Bulgaria
Hotels in Sofia, Varna, Golden Sands, Sunny Beach, Balchik, Plovdiv, Sozopol, Bansko, Burgas, Nesebŭr, Veliko Tŭrnovo, Arbanasi, and more

  Hotels in Sofia   -   Hotel Guide Sofia
City Center Sofia, Bulgareklama Inter Expo Centre, Airport Vrazhdebna (SOF)

    -  Hotel in Plovdiv

  My Bularian Holidays   -  Hotels in Bulgaria 

National Parks Bulgaria

  Central Balkan National Park
Located in the heart of Bulgaria, nestled in the central and higher portions of the Balkan Range. The Park contains rare and endangered wildlife species and communities, self-regulating ecosystems of biological diversity, as well as historical sites of global cultural and scientific significance.
  Pirin National Park
  Rila national Park  -  largest national park in Bulgaria
Located about 100 km. south of Sofia, in the central and highest regions of the Rila Mountains. The Park contains rare and endangered wildlife species and communities, self-regulating ecosystems of biological diversity, as well as historic sites of global cultural and scientific significance.
Some of the largest rivers in the Balkan Peninsula originate here. The name Rila is derived from the Thracian word roula, meaning 'lots of water.'

  Bulgarian National Parks
The Bulgarian National Parks protect mountain ecosystems that contain some of the country's most important watersheds and natural resources.

  Green Balkans  -  largest Bulgarian non-governmental nature-conservation organization
Mission : to protect the nature of Bulgaria and the Balkan peninsula.

Travel Agents / Tour Operators

 
Leading specialist holidays tour operator to Bulgaria.



  Via Pontica
Via Pontica Tours organizes a variety of wildlife and cultural tours in Bulgaria.

  Chettusia Tours
Chettusia Tours is a small private eco tourism 
The company specializes in ornithological tours in the Danube Delta, for both private parties and conservation organizations; photo safaris; countryside and monastery tours; and cultural tourism highlighting the customs and traditions of Romanian villages.
Trips in the most beautiful parts of Romania, including Bucovina, Maramures, Transylvania (Brasov, Sighisoara, Prahova Valley), the Romanian Black Sea coast, and more...

Travel Guides Bulgaria / Related books

Travel Guides Bulgaria  [ amazon.co.uk ]

  Dorling Kindersley   -   

  DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Bulgaria
Jonathan Bousfield (Author), Matthew Willis (Author)
Paperback: 288 pages; Publisher: Dorling Kindersley (1 Jun 2011); ISBN-10: 140536064X

  The Rough Guide to Bulgaria - 1858280680
Jonathan Bousfield and Dan Richardson
Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to Bulgaria, the ultimate guide to this picturesque and largely undiscovered country. The full-colour section introduces Bulgaria's highlights, from the sunflower fields of the Balkan range to the country’s wonderfully preserved heritage villages. Using informed accounts, clue -up on all the top sights from the spectacular Trigrad Gorge and the awe-inspiring Church of the Nativity at Arbanasi to the best beaches of the black sea coast. The guide takes a detailed look at Bulgarian history, literature, politics and Balkan cultural life with expert background on everything from the spectacular Rila Monastery to hiking in the Pirin mountains. There are plenty of practical tips on bird-watching, information on all the best accommodation, transportation and restaurants and lively reviews of hundreds of shops, bars and clubs. Discover every corner of Bulgaria with the clearest maps of any guide.
Paperback: 480 pages; Publisher: Rough Guides; 6 edition (2 Jun 2008); ISBN-10: 1858280680; ISBN-13: 978-1858280684.

  Bulgaria - Lonely Planet Country Guide - 174104474X
Richard Watkins (Author)
Paperback: 332 pages; Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; 3rd Revised edition edition (1 May 2008); ISBN-10: 174104474X; ISBN-13: 978-1741044744.

Transport / How do I travel to Bulgaria

  Airport Sofia
  Bourgas Airport
  Plovdiv Airport -  situated 12 km southeast from the city of Plovdiv, Varna Airport and Bourgas Airport are used for domestic flights and only during the summer months handle international charter flights.
  Varna Airport

  

 
Book cheap flights to Bulgaria at ebookers and benefit from discounted airfares. View their latest offers and book your flights, accommodation, car hire and insurance online.

Malev Hungarian Airlines    -   Flight tickets Sofia [ SOF ]

  Airline Tickets Bulgaria / Bargain Flights 
Cheap flights Bulgaria, Price comparison possible.

National trains can be regular (putnicheski), fast (burz) or express (ekspres), with the price going up slightly for speedier travel. Some international and national trains have sleeper cars available

There are regular bus services between Albena, Drouzhba, Golden Sands, St. Konstantine and Varna, and between Elenite, Sunny Beach, Nessebur, Ravda, Sozopol, Primorsko and Bourgas. Tickets are purchased at a kiosk by the bus stop or onboard the bus by the driver.

  Intershipping.net   -   Black Sea ferry line Bourgas - Poti - Novorossiysk - Bourgas


Travel by bus or coach to Bulgaria.


Links 

Bulgaria offers pleasures for each one's taste. Thinking of an active holiday? Bulgaria has it - swimming, skiing, riding, climbing, hunting, fishing... Thinking of relaxing - amazing nature, sunny beaches, healing spas, monasteries and churches, hospitable towns and villages...

Ancient culture, endless beaches and emerald sea, high mountains with marvelous gorges and caves, clear lakes and rivers full of fish, wide valleys, healing springs, ancient culture, hospitable people, temptative cuisine and wines, diverse flora and fauna...

  BulgariaTravel   -   Official Tourism site for Destination Bulgaria
About Bulgaria, Getting to Bulgaria, Destinations, Sights & Activities, Accommodation, Transport, and much more
  Government   -   Republic of Bulgaria
Prime Minister, Council of Ministers, Useful Tips, Useful Links, and more

  Sofia Municipality   -   Capital City Bulgaria 
Founded seven thousand years ago, Sofia is the second oldest city in Europe. It has been given several names in the course of history and the remnants of the old cities can still be seen today.
Serdika was the name of the central dwelling of the ancient Thracian tribe known as "Serdi". It bore that name when it became part of the Bulgarian state at the beginning of the ninth century and was soon recognised as one of the most important feudal towns, acquiring the Slavic name Sredets.
Near Sofia lies Boyana church, which is one of the most valuable memorials of Bulgarian and European culture. The church boasts frescoes, acclaimed by specialists as "the best examples of eastern mediaeval art during its twelve century history".

  Tourist attractions in Sofia

  Burgas province  -  see Regional Administration Burgas
Located in southeastern Bulgaria, on the southern Black Sea coast. Its capital is the city of Burgas.
  Dobrich Province  -
Municipalities and towns in Dobrich Province : Balchik, Dobtich, Dobrich-city, General Toshevo, Kavarna, Krushari, Shabla, Tervel
  Haskovo / Khaskovo   -   see Haskovo Regional Administration
There are wonderful conditions for summer and winter family breaks in the holiday houses in village Mineralni bani -balneological resort, 18 km west of Haskovo and also on the cost of the Ivaylovgrad reservoir in village Borislavtsi. The first steps in the rural tourism made the municipalities of Stambolovo, Topolovgrad, Ivaylovgrad, Lyubimets and Madzharovo.
Its main city is Haskovo. Other municipalities Dimitrovgrad, Harmanli, Haskovo, Ivaylovgrad, Lyubimets, Madzharovo, Mineralni Bani, Simeonovgrad, Stambolovo, Svilengrad, Topolovgrad.
  Lovech   -   Regional Administration Lovech
The Lovech district is in the central Northern Bulgaria and includes eight municipalities: Lovech, Troyan, Teteven, Lukovit, Ugurchin, Yablanitza, Letnitza and Apriltzi.
Main city is Lovech. 
  Montana   -   Regional Administration Montana
Main city is Montana. Other municipalities : Berkovitsa, Boychinovtsi, Brusartsi, Chiprovtsi, Georgi Damyanovo, Lom, Medkovets, Valchredram, Varshets, Yakimovo
  Plovdiv Province   -   Plovdiv Region   -   central Bulgaria, formerly part of Eastern Rumelia
18 municipalities": Asenovgrad, Brezovo, Kaloyanovo, Karlovo, Krichim, Kuklen, Laki, Maritsa, Perushtitsa, Plovdiv, Parvomay, Rakovski, Rodopi, Sadovo, Stamboliyski, Saedinenie, Hisarya, Sopot. 
Several major spa resorts : Hisarya, Narechen, Banya and minor spas at Klisura, Asenovgrad, Kuklen, Rosino , Krasnovo, Stoletovo and others. There are many natural landmarks, especially in the Central Balkan National Park, including the spectacular waterfall Raysko Praskalo, the highest in the Balkans.
  Ruse   -   Ruse Province  - 
Main city is Rousse. Other municipalities : Borovo, Byala, Dve mogili, Ivanovo, Slivo pole,Tsenovo, and Vetovo.
  Sofia / Sofiya   -  Sofia City   -   capital and largest city of Bulgaria
Located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of the mountain massif Vitosha. It is the administrative, cultural, economic, and educational centre of the country.
  Varna province  -  Varna District Administration
Municipalities Varna Provincwe : Avren, Aksakovo, Beloslav, Byala, Varna, Vetrino, Valchi dol, Devnya, Dolni Chiflik, Dalgopol, Provadia, andSuvorovo.

More provinces in Bulgaria : Blagoevgrad, Dobrich, Gabrovo, Kardzhali, Kyustendil, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven , Razgrad, Shumen, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia City, Sofia Province, Stara Zagora, Targovishte, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, and Yambol. See Provinces of Bulgaria.

  Arbanassi
  Balchik
The town is situated on the Black Sea coast and it is 31 km from Varna. The place was first harbour by the lonians in V-th century before Christ. The town is attractive with the palace complex and the botanical garden atmosphere. It is interesting to walk along and observe the Tartar quarter with the cobbled streets and the stone and adobe houses.
  Bansko
Bozhentsi Architectural and Historique Reserve
  Bourgas   -   Port of Burgas
Port of Bourgas is established pursuit to the Decree for Construction, signed by Prince Ferdinand I on 20 December 1894. The opening ceremony has been held on 18 May 1903 and since this moment the port is considered as open for commercial shipping. Few years before, in 1899, the first Bulgarian port light-the Light of Bourgas, has been put on.
  Dobrich   -   Municipality of Dobrich   -   2nd largest economic center in Northeastern Bulgaria
Important cultural, economic and administrative centre in the northeast economic region of the country. Situated almost in the center of the Dobrudzha plateau, 50 km to the north of Varna.
  Etura Architectural and Ethnographic Complex
  Glavinitsa
The Glavinitsa municipality is situated in the northeastern part of the Republic of Bulgaria. It is on the territory the District of Silistra [ good conditions for country tourism in the village of Malak Preslavets ].
  Kavarna   -   City of Kavarna
Black Sea coastal town in the Dobruja region of northeastern Bulgaria. See also Interactive Map of kavarna
  Kiten
Kiten is a small town, situated 45 km south from Bourgas. It's only 5 km far from Primorsko. The two beaches are covered with golden sands, the beach strip is wide and the sea shallow, clean, warm, with a sand bottom.
  Koprivshtitsa   -    Bulgarian museum town
Lovely town tucked in the bosom of "Sredna gora" mountain, surrounded by age old forests, brought to life by crystal clear streams and rivers and the ancient echoes of the Bulgarian revolutionary spirit. See Municipality Koprivshtitsa.
  Kotel
  Kranevo
A quaint little village situated along the shore of a sheltered bay, 25 km from the city of Varna, between the Welt-known Black Sea resorts Golden Sands and Albena. The vast golden beaches, clean sea, gently sloping sea bottom and curative mineral water make for a wonderful summer vacation
  Lovech
The town of Lovech is famous for being called "the town of lilac" and it is the administrative, economic, cultural and tourist center of the district of Lovech.
  Montana   -   city in northwestern Bulgaria   -   City of Montana
Located 40 km northwest of Vratsa and 30 km east of the Serbian border, situated on the river Ogosta, north of Stara Planina, surrounded on the south and east by uplands.
  Melnik
  Nessebur - Nessebar
Just 5 km from the resort of Sunny Beach, Nessebur is one of the oldest towns in Europe and is included in the World Heritage List. Nature and human fantasy have created a vision rising from the sea. The small rocky peninsula houses a strange harmony of Thracian fortification walls, ancient public buildings, some 40 medieval churches and wooden houses with bay windows overlooking narrow streets. Steeped in lyrical calm and museum quiet, the town resounds with the multilingual speech of the tourists in the summer.
  Plovdiv   -   second largest city, situated along the two banks of the river Maritza
Plovdiv is very, very old. The Eternal City, as Rome is conventionally called, is much younger. Athens, Carthage and Constantinople came into being later. A contemporary of Troy and having survived Mycenae, Plovdiv is a city upon layers of cities and an epoch upon layers of epochs. Plovdiv is all in one: a Thracian and classical Greek polis, the pride of Philip of Macedon, the capital of Thrace under the Roman Empire, a centre of Byzantinism, a stronghold of the Bulgarians, a dream of the crusaders -- a magnificent, wealth and most important city.
Kendros, Eumolpia, Philippopolis, Pulpudeva, Thrimonzium, Pulden, Populdin, Ploudin, Filibe -- those were the ancient names of Plovdiv throughout its 6000 to 8000 years of existence.
  Pomorie
The town of Pomorie is situated on a narrow rocky peninsula, jutting out 3 sq. km in the Black Sea, 18 km away from the resort Sunny Beach. The famous Pomorie curative mud lake and salt pans, numerous vineyards and gardens are located nearby.
  Primorsko
Primorsko is situated south from Bourgas and it's famous for its 10 kilometers long sandy beach, the longest on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. This resort is known as a place which is preferred by young people who come here and stay in the big number of rest homes, hostels, student dorms and campgrounds.
  Rousse   -   largest Bulgarian port on the riverbank of the Danube
  Silistra
The municipality of Silistra is located in the north-eastern part of Bulgaria, on a low Danubian terrace. The municipality borders on neighbouring Romania by land and by the Danube. The town of Silistra is the nearest Bulgarian port to Reni and Izmail - Ukrine ports through which Bulgaria imports coal, timber and other raw materials [ river Danube, the Biosphere Park "Srebarna", the many archeological and cultural sites on the territory of the municipality ].
  Shiroka Lucka
  Sozopol
The town of salvation is situated on a rocky peninsula jutting deeply into the Black Sea and surrounded by small islands. The passage of time has obliterated much and only archaeological excavations and written sources testify to the existence of Thracian settlers and of ancient Apollonia. Sozopol today is a romantic oasis for fishermen and artists.
  St. Constantine
St. Constantine is the oldest resort, quiet and peaceful, located amidst an age-old park, with secluded beaches and spa treatment possibilities, favoured by middleaged tourists. It is located 10 km north from Varna.
  Toutrakan
Toutrakan municipality covers an area of 440 sq. m located in the north-eastern part of the Danube plain. It includes the municipal centre and 15 villages.
The Danube river and the wealth of cultural and historical attractions turn Toutrakan into an attractive and tourist centre. Boat trip to Pozharevo Island: sheatfish fishing, sheatfish fishing with professional angles, net casting, fishing net making, pulling at the oars, camping, fish soup cooking, broiled fish, grilled fish, excellent facilities for sun baths and swimming
  Tryavna
  Varna
  Veliko Tarnavo   -   probably the most beautiful city Balkan
  Zheravna

  Alexandar Nevski Cathedral  [ Sofia ]
Whose magnificent icons and frescoes are world famous.
  Batschkovo   -   Monastery of Batschkovo
  Black Sea
  Boyana Church  -  at the foot of the Vitosha Mountain in the Sofia suburb of Boyana
The church's unique feature are its mural paintings. They stun today's visitors with their beauty, expressiveness and deep humanness, even more than seven centuries after being painted.
Beside saints and martyrs, the unknown artist has also painted the figures of the donors - Kaloyan and Desislava - and the royal couple King Constantine and Queen Irina. These genuine masterpieces of 13th century painting, created 200 years before the European Renaissance mark a remarkable peak in Eastern Christian Art. A UNESCO world heritage site.
  Etara
  Kazanlak
Besichtigung des Thrakischen Grabmals und einer Rosenöldestillation.
  Monastery of Rila   -   UNESCO world heritage
  Koprivstitza   -   Land of roses 
  Pirin Mountains
  St George Rotunda
Part of a large archeological complex with rare Roman architectural features
  Sveta Sofia Basilica  -  inspired the city's coat of arms
  Valley of Roses
In late May and early June every year, the rose-picking season starts in the Valley of Roses which stretches between the Balkan Range and the Sredna Gora Mountains.Rose-picking starts at dawn, before sunrise and before the rose fragrance has had a chance to disappear. The Bulgarian oleaginous rose yields 70 percent of the world's attar of roses used by every well known perfume company as an essential component of its products. This is the time of the Festival of Roses, celebrated with carnivals, processions, folk songs and dances in Karlovo and Kazanluk on the first Sunday in June

Other tourist attractions include: the Church of Sveta Nedelya, the Banya Bashi Mosque (16th century) and nearby Turkish baths, the Hall covered market and clock tower Synagogue, the National History Museum, the Sveta Petka Saamardzhiiska Church, the Russian Church, the Alexandar Batenberg Square, the flea market, antique shops and cafes around the Kristal Square, the tree-lined Alexsandar Nevski Square, named after its famous Cathedral, and the international art collection housed in the St. St. Cyril and Methodius Foundation.
The area surrounding Sofia is rich in natural beauty. The tranquillity and charm of Mount Vitosha offers ideal spots for picnics or walking in the summer and superb skiing in the winter. The picturesque villages at its foothills are just a short tram or bus ride away from the bustling capital.

  Bulgaria Domino   -   see municipalities
National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria
  Bulgarian Post
  Easy Bulgarian
"If you are coming to Bulgaria on tourism or business and feel that it's important to learn enough Bulgarian so that you feel comfortable communicating with Bulgarians on a basic, everyday level, then this is the course for you."
  Radio   -   Bulgarian National Radio
  Science Academy and Bulgarian Universities
  TV  -  Bulgarian National Television
  University Bulgaria   -   Sofia University
  Universities in Plovdiv: Technical University, Agricultural University, Academy for Musical and Dancing Art, Medical University, Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski"
  Universities in Varna : University of Economics, Medical University, Technical University, Naval Academy, Varna Free University.

Cuisine   -   Bulgarian Kitchen   -   Recipes

Bulgarian food is close to the traditional European cuisine. Traditional Bulgarian menu includes bread, yogurt and fresh milk, cheese, tomatoes, paprika, potatoes, onions, beans and fruits, brandy and red or white wine.

Some typical Bulgarian specialties and meals: Shopska salad, Mlechna salad, Tarator [ cold served soup from yogurt, fresh cucumbers, seasoned with walnuts, garlic and dill ], Sirene po Shopski, Kebapche [ barbequed minced meat rolls ], Kuyfte [ minced meat balls ], Shish Kebab, Banitsa [ baked pumpkin pastry filled with cheese or meet, Creme Caramel.

  Bulgarian Cuisine
Essentially South Slavic, it shares characteristics with other Balkans cuisines.

History of Bulgaria

Independence: 22 September 1908 (from Ottoman Empire)

This picturesque small country has been existing for more than 13 centuries in Europe, linking East and West. Bulgaria remembers ancient civilisations and great people that wrote its turbulent history.

  Bulgaria's History   -   Wikipedia 
The Bulgars, ancient people from the Volga region in today's Ukraine and Russia, merged with the local Slavic and Thracian inhabitants south of the Danube river in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In the successive centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Empire.
Bulgaria regained its independence in 1878 as an autonomous principality and was proclaimed a fully independent kingdom in 1908...

  History City of Sofia
Antiquity, Middle Ages, Ottoman rule, and Liberated Bulgaria.

Music, Art & Culture, Events in Bulgaria

One has to see the magnificent Thracian treasures, the monumental but beautiful work of the Greek and Roman cities in order to understand why Bulgaria became the cradle of Slav culture.
For thirteen centuries the Bulgarian has been creating literature, art and music. Bulgarian culture has given the world men of great achievements, unparalleled in history.

  Culture of Bulgaria
A number of ancient civilizations, most notably the Thracians, Ancient Greeks, Romans, Slavs, and especially Bulgars, have left their mark on the culture, history and heritage of Bulgaria. Because of this Bulgarian nation has one of the richest folk heritage in the world....

  Sts. Cyril and Methodius National Library
National Library of Bulgaria. Largest national book collection in the country and the oldest cultural institute after the Liberation of Bulgaria.

Learn Bulgarian [ Amazon ] 
Bulgaria - the Folk Music of Bulgaria 
To hear a song sample, click on the song titles

  National Folklore Fest - Koprivshtitsa  -   held once every five years
Set up in 1965 to celebrate the nation's wealth of village music-making and dance,

  Center for Traditional Music and Dance [ New York ]
Formerly known as the Balkan Arts Center and the Ethnic Folk Arts Center.

 
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