Bulgaria Places: 50 Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria. Bulgaria is a landlocked country in the Balkan region. It is bordered by the Black Sea, the mountains, and rivers of the Danube basin. Bulgaria is a melting pot of cultures, with influences from Greece, the Slavic peoples, the Ottomans, and the Persians.
It has a rich history of traditional dances, musicals, costumes, and handicrafts. The capital of Bulgaria is Sofia, which dates back to the 5th century BC. Sofia is situated at the foot of the domed mountain, Vitosha.
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1. Sofia
Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria’s Balkan nation, is located in the western part of the country on the slopes of the Vitosha mountain. The city’s historical monuments reflect more than 2500 years of occupation, including that of Greece, Rome, the Ottoman Empire, and the Soviet Union.
The medieval Boyana Church in Sofia has frescoes from the 13th century. The 4th-century St. Georges Rotunda Church, built by the Romans, has 10th-century medieval and Ottoman decorations. – Bulgaria Places
2. St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
The Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky is a Bulgarian Orthodox church located in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Constructed in the neo-Byzantine architectural style, the cathedral serves as the Patriarch of Bulgaria’s Cathedral. It is one of the world’s 50 largest Christian churches by mass. – Bulgaria Places
3. National Palace of Culture
Inside, the building has a unified style with an octagon motif and heavy dark colors. The main wall of most of the smaller rooms is covered with large, bright murals showing historical people and events.
In 1981, the center opened to the public in the capital of Sofia, celebrating the 1300th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Bulgaria. It is the largest multi-purpose conference and exhibition center in Southeast Europe and was the brainchild of the daughter of the former Communist leader of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria.
The design of the center was carried out by a group of Bulgarian architects and foreign architects, led by Aleksandar Barov, and landscape designers, led by Ivan Kanaziriev. A team of landscape architects and landscape designers was also responsible for the landscaping of the area around Bulgaria Square. – Bulgaria Places
4. Boyana Church
Boyanska Tsarkva, also known as the Boyana Church, is a 14th-century Bulgarian Orthodox church located on the outskirts of the city of Sofia, the capital of the Republic of Bulgaria, in the Boyana quarter. In 1979, the church was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The church’s east wing was built in the late 14th century or early 16th century. The central wing was added during the 13th century, under the rule of the Second Bulgarian Empire. The entire building was completed in the mid-19th century with an expansion to the west. The walls of the church feature 89 scenes with a total of 240 human figures. – Bulgaria Places
5. Church of St. Nicholas the Miracle-Maker
The Boyana Church, also known as Ruska Tsarkva or Church of St. Nicholas the Wonder-Maker, is a Russian Orthodox Church located in the center of Sofia, Bulgaria. It is located on Tsar’s Boulevard.
The construction of the Boyana Church took place in three phases: from the end of the 10th century to the beginning of the 11th century, and from the middle of the 13th century to the middle of the 19th century.
The oldest part is a single-apse cross-vault church with built-in cruciform supports dating back to the late 10th century or early 11th century. – Bulgaria Places
6. St. George Rotunda Church
The Church of St George is a red brick rotunda from the Late Antiquity. It’s located in Sofia Bulgaria. It was built in the 4th century as a Roman bath, but then it was converted into a church within the walls of the city of Serdica.
It was built during the time of the Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire when Serdica was the capital of Dacia-Mediterranea. – Bulgaria Places
7. National Museum of History
The Natural History Museum is an administered natural history museum of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, United States. The museum is open to the public free of charge and is the most visited museum in the country in 2022, with an estimated 3,9 million visitors.
It was opened in 1910 and is one of the Smithsonian’s first buildings constructed specifically for housing the National Collections and research facilities. The NMHM’s main building covers an area of 140,000 square meters, while the museum’s exhibition and public spaces occupy an additional 30,200 square meters, and the museum employs more than 1,000 staff. – Bulgaria Places
8. St. Sofia Church
The Church of Saint Sofia dates back to the 4th century and is the oldest building in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. During the building of the predecessor church, the Council of Serdica took place, most likely in 343, and 316 bishops were present. The city of Serdica was named after the church in the 14th century. – Bulgaria Places
9. National Archeological Institute with Museum – BAS
The National Museum of Archaeology is located in the heart of Sofia. It is housed in the former Ottoman Mosque, the biggest and oldest in Sofia, which was formerly known as the “koca malmut paşa camii”. – Bulgaria Places
10. Ivan Vazov National Theater
The National Theatre of Bulgaria, named after Ivan Vazov, is the country’s national theatre, the oldest and most respected theatre in the country, and one of the most important monuments of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. The National Theatre is situated in the heart of the city, its facade faces the City Garden. – Bulgaria Places
11. Regional History Museum – Sofia
Central Mineral Baths, located in the heart of the capital city of Sofia, is a landmark site renowned for its mineral springs. Constructed in the early twentieth century near the historic Turkish bath, it served as the public bath of the city until 1986. – Bulgaria Places
12. Vitosha Boulevard
The boulevard of Vitosha, commonly referred to as “Vitoshka”, is a major commercial street in the center of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, featuring a variety of stores, restaurants, and bars. It runs from the National Palace of Culture to the Southern Park and is home to some of the most emblematic buildings in the area, such as the Palace of the Courts and the house of the renowned Bulgarian poet Peya Yavorov.
Popular meeting spots include the Pharmacy, located on the corner of the boulevard between the Patriarch Evtimiy and Vitosha boulevards. – Bulgaria Places
13. Borisova Gradina Park
Borisova Gradiya, also known as Knyaz Gradiya, is the oldest and most renowned park in the capital of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria. Constructed and arranged in 1884, the park is named after the Tsar Boris III of Bulgaria. The garden’s history encompasses three distinct periods under the guidance of three renowned gardeners. – Bulgaria Places
14. Banya Bashi Mosque
Banya Bashi mosque is one of the most famous mosques in Sofia Bulgaria. It was built in 1566 by a famous Ottoman architect, Mimar Sinan, during Ottoman rule in the city. It was named after the phrase “Banya Bashi”, which means “many baths”.
In Turkish, “Banyo” means “bath” and “Bash” means “head” or “main”. So, if you look at the location of the mosque, you’d think it’s called “Head of the Bath Mosque”. It was built over a natural thermal spa, and you can even see steam coming out of vents near the walls. It has a huge dome with a diameter of 15m and a minaret. – Bulgaria Places
15. Plovdiv
The city of Plovdiv, located in southern Bulgaria, is renowned for its ancient architecture, which was constructed around seven hills. The Historical Museum of Archaeology in Plovdiv offers a comprehensive overview of the city’s history, featuring exhibits such as mosaic panels and clay lamps, as well as early coins.
Opera and concerts are performed in the Ancient Theatre, which was built during the time of Emperor Hadrian and has a capacity of 6,000 people. Additionally, a 3D movie, set in the Empire Hadrian-era Ancient Stadium, recreates the city in its 2nd century. – Bulgaria Places
16. Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis
The Roman Theatre of Plovdiv is one of the most well-preserved Roman theatres in the world. It is situated in the heart of the city of Plovdiv, which was once known as Philippopolis.
The theatre was built in the first century AD, most likely during the reign of Emperor Domitian. – Bulgaria Places
17. “Tsar Simeon Garden” Park
This year, the garden has been completely renovated to the delight of both locals and visitors. The goal is to recreate the atmosphere from the First Bulgarian Fair in 1892 and to bring back the spirit of the Kingdom of Bulgaria.
The fountain of Demeter has been brought back to life in the middle of the park, and the Viennese Pavilion has been built with metal openwork. All of this was made possible thanks to the help of Swiss landscape architect Lukas Chevalas, who was invited by Alexander Bogoridi in 1879 to be his gardener.
He was even made an honorary citizen in 1901, and is often referred to as “the Minister of Flowers”. – Bulgaria Places
18. Singing Fountains
The singing fountain by the lake in the beautiful Tsar Simeoni garden is one of the most popular places for locals to meet. During the summer months, you can enjoy a colorful light show with classical music every evening at 21:00. – Bulgaria Places
19. Gate “Hisar Kapia”, Plovdiv
One of the most well-known tourist attractions in the city of Plovdiv, hisar kapia is a 13th-century medieval gate in the old town of Plovdiv. Built on the remains of a Roman-era gate, Hisar Kapia was constructed in the eleventh century AD. Today, it is one of three main entrances to the old Plovdiv acropolis. – Bulgaria Places
20. Hindliyan`s House
The Hindliyan’s House was constructed by an unknown architect to the tastes of the wealthy merchant and landlord Stepan Hindlyan. The connection between the house and Balabanov’s house is very strong. It creates an ensemble of the two houses.
The yard of the Hindliyan joins several farm buildings, a bathroom, and a basement. The front of the yard has a central portico that leads inwards.
The ground floor is arranged around a rectangular hall that leads to three big rooms with a small bay window on the street side, an entrance to the bathroom, and a staircase to the 2nd floor.
This is one of Plovdiv’s most exquisitely decorated houses. Masters-Decorators Chirpan and Mavrid worked on the painting of all walls inside and outside of the house for over 6 months.
The walls are decorated with wall pier and garlands of plants and geometric ornaments and vignettes.
Types of still life and landscape compositions are painted on the ceilings. The pattern of the oriental is painted on the ceiling. – Bulgaria Places
21. Monument of the Red Army “Alyosha”
An 11-meter high reinforced concrete statue depicting a Soviet soldier, Alyosha, stands atop a 6-meter granite-lined pedestal on Plovdiv Hill. The statue commemorates Soviet losses suffered during the occupation of Bulgaria by the Soviet military during World War II and was erected in 1954-1957. – Bulgaria Places
22. Varna
Varna is a port town and seaside resort situated on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, close to the popular resorts of Golden Sands and Albena. Varsa is renowned for the “Gold of Varna”, 6,000-year-old pieces of Thracian jewelry found in a necropolis that is on display in the Archaeological Museum along with other treasures from Greece, Rome, and Ottoman Antiquities. The town’s waterfront promenade is lined with bars and features 19th-century Primorski Park. – Bulgaria Places
23. Euxinograd Palace
The Euxinograd Palace and Park, built in the late 19th century, is a former Bulgarian royal summer palace situated on the Black Sea shore 8 kilometers north of the city center of Varna.
The Palace is currently used as a government and presidential retreat, holding cabinet sessions during the summer months and providing tourist access to several villas and hotels. – Bulgaria Places
24. Archaeological Museum Varna
The foundation of the Archaeological Museum of Varna and its subsequent development is closely linked to the names of two brothers, Herman and Karel, Czechs by birth, who came to Varna in 1894 to help with the education and culture of the sister Slavonic nation after the liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Yoke. The brothers settled in Varna permanently in 1894.
On 12 December 1901, the Society of Socially Active Figures and Teachers of the Archaeological Society of Varna was founded. This society has been the main driving force for interest and study of the history of the region of Varna, the Region of Varna, and the region of Northeast Bulgaria for many years. The inauguration of the archaeological museum was one of the most important tasks of the Society.
On June 11, 1906, the Museum’s first exhibition was held in a room of Girls’ High School. The Director of the Museum was Karel Korpil, who remained in office until he died in 1944. – Bulgaria Places
25. Golden Sands
On the northern part of the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, Golden Sands is located 17 km north of the center of the city of Varna and is connected to the rest of Varna by a continuous stretch of seaside resort communities and villa settlements. The name of the town is derived from the Greek word for beach, “golden sands”.
It is located in the vicinity of a national park with the same name. Varna is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bulgaria, attracting visitors from all over the world. – Bulgaria Places
26. Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral
The Cathedral of the Dormition is the biggest church in Varna and the 3rd largest in Bulgaria. It was inaugurated on August 30, 1886. The Cathedral is the seat of the Bishops of Varna, and Preslav, and is one of the emblematic buildings of Varna. – Bulgaria Places
27. Butterfly House Varna
It’s a beautiful place to visit! Everyone will be mesmerized by the gorgeous butterflies flying all around you. A knowledgeable guide will explain the structure and details of butterfly life. At any moment, you can become a witness to nature’s greatest secret – the butterfly’s exit from its cocoon.
You’ll also see some types of caterpillars and different pupae of butterflies. No one is going to be left untouched. Photos for memories will make your stay at our butterfly house memorable. – Bulgaria Places
28. Amusement park Port Varna
Amusement Park Sea Garden is one of the most unique amusement parks in Varna for kids and their parents. The amusement park is located in the main area of Sea Garden and offers a variety of fun activities for all ages.
Water, extreme, and family activities are available in the park. If you are hungry or thirsty, you can visit Pizza Bar, Serial Monster Cosmic Breakfast, Ice Cream House, or Donut House. – Bulgaria Places
29. Varna Zoo
The Varna Zoo is situated in the Sea Garden area of Varna. It is close to the Dolphinarium and Museum of Natural History. The zoo’s first animals were the bear’s Maxim’ and ‘Longos’, given to the zoo by the sailors of minesweeper “G.Dimitrov” in 1956. – Bulgaria Places
30. Bansko
Bansko is a town located in southwest Bulgaria, at the base of the mountains known as the “Pirin Mountains” which form part of the “Pirin National Park”. The town is the gateway to many ski and snowboarding slopes on the “Todorka Peak” which includes the “Tomba Run” which is one of the most difficult runs in the area.
Bansko lies in the foothills of the mountains and is connected to the rest of the country by footpaths. The area is characterized by the presence of bears and wolves in the mountains. The area is also famous for the “Vihren Peak” which is the highest peak in the area. The area is covered by forest and has glacial lakes.– Bulgaria Places
31. Todorka
The Peak of Todork is the highest in the southwestern part of the Pirin mountains in Bulgaria. It is the only summit on the side ridge of the mountain.
It stands at 2746 meters above sea level and is the eleventh-highest peak in the mountains of Pirin. The peak of Todork is composed of granite, although it is not rocky. – Bulgaria Places
32. Vihren
Vihren is a mountain peak in the Pirin Mountains of Bulgaria. It is the second-highest peak in Bulgaria and the third-highest peak in the Balkans. Vihren is the second-highest mountain in Bulgaria after Musala. It is the third-highest mountain in the Balkans after Mount Olympus and Mount Musala.
Although Vihren has no lakes or streams due to its karstic topography, there are several lakes around the peak of Vihren. A number of the lakes in the Pirin mountains are located around Vihren.
The peak is also home to Europe’s southernmost glacial mass Before 1942, the peak was called Eltepe or Peak of Storms. It was also known as Buren or Lightning-bringer.
The Peak of Storms was originally called Vihren, and the name was changed to Vihren in 1942. The mountain was also known as the ‘Vihren’ or ‘Vixr’ The mountain’s name was changed to ‘The Vihren. – Bulgaria Places
33. Veliko Tarnovo
Veliko Tarnovo is a city located in north-central Bulgaria. It is the administrative center of the Veliko Tarnovo province. It is a historical and cultural center of Bulgaria. It is also known as the City of the Tsars. It is situated on the river Yantra and is famous as the capital of the 2nd Bulgarian Empire. It has a unique architecture that attracts many tourists.
The old part of the city is located on three hills: Tsarevets, Trapezitsa, and Svetlana Hill. On the Tsarevets hill, you can see the palaces of Bulgarian emperors, as well as the Patriarchate, which includes the patriarchal cathedra. – Bulgaria Places
34. Tsarevets Fortress
On the hill of the same name, in the northern part of Bulgaria, on the land of the present-day city of Tarnovo, lies the medieval fortified town of Tskarevets. The highest point of the hill is 206 meters above sea level.
From 1185 to 1393, it was the main fortress and the strongest bulwark of the 2nd Bulgarian Empire. It was also the location of the royal and patriarchal palaces. Today, it is a popular tourist destination. – Bulgaria Places
35. Monument to the Assen Dynasty
The four horsemen are the brothers Asenand Petar (their younger brother), the wise ruler Kaloyan, and their successor Ivan. The giant sword in the center symbolizes the power and growth of medieval Bulgaria.
The monument was built to commemorate the 800th birthday of Asen and his brother Petar’s rebellion and the return of the state to the Bulgarian people after two centuries of Byzantine rule. – Bulgaria Places
36. Mini-Bulgaria Park
“Mini Bulgaria” is the name of the park, which was established on September 30, 2017, by Mr Daniel Panov, the mayor of the area. The park is located very near the main tourist attraction in the area, the medieval stronghold of Tsarevet, looking directly up Baldwin’s Tower.
The area of the park is 12.5 Daa, and on your visit you will be able to see miniature models of the most important monuments and show places of Bulgaria, such as St. Alexandr Nevsky Cathedral, the Ivan Vasilev National Theatre (also in Sofia), the monastery of St. Ignatius, the monastery of Bachkovo, the dormition of Theotokos, many of the palaces and fortresses of Bulgaria, and more.
The history of the state of Bulgaria can be traced back to the Roman Empire, where the capital was our hometown at the time of the first Bulgarian Empire, Pliska. The Roman Theatre of Pliska was the capital of the second Bulgarian Empire, and the aqueduct of Pliska is still standing today. – Bulgaria Places
37. Park “Sveta Gora”
The Sveta Gora Park is one of the most beautiful parks in the old capital Veliko Tarnovo. Perfect for a stroll, or a romantic getaway. The park offers a beautiful panorama of the city. There are many places to sit and children’s playgrounds. Big rocks are used for climbing, there is a skate area and a football field. You can enjoy a delicious coffee at Cafe 23. It’s a great place for tourists.
The park is located in a forest, which means that it is well-shaded on hot summer days. It was named the “Holy Hill” because of the incredible views that can be seen from its paths. – Bulgaria Places
38. Monument of Mother Bulgaria
The Monument of “Mother Bulgaria” is one of the emblematic monuments in the central part of the city. It is situated between two of the main streets in the city – “Independence” str. and “Vasily Levski” str.
The monument commemorates the Bulgarian victims of the Russo-Turkish War, the war between the Serbs and the Ottomans, the war in the Balkans, and the First World War.
The monument features a female figure on a huge pedestal. The figure is “Mother Bulgaria,” kneeling in remembrance and admiration of the dead Bulgarian citizens. On either side of the pedestal are statues of the Bulgarian soldiers from the various wars. – Bulgaria Places
39. Burgas
Burgas is located on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria. The most famous feature of the city is the Church of St.Cyril and Methodius, whose stained-glass windows loom over the main entrance. The Ethnographic Museum offers an exploration of Bulgarian folk culture, featuring colorful costumes and everyday objects.
The Sea Garden is situated along Burgas Bay, with wide promenades, a Summer Theatre, and a viewing point at the end of the pier. – Bulgaria Places
40. Lake Atanasovsko
Atanasovsko salt coastal lake is located north of Burgas in Bulgaria, about 5 km from the Black Sea. It is divided into two parts by a sand strip in the center of the lake. The northern part of the lake is connected to the Black Sea by a canal, while the southern part is used for salt production. A road linking Varna and Burgas runs through the southern part of the lake.
The lake is renowned for its diversity of flora and fauna and is surrounded by marsh and canals that drain the entire local basin to the sea. Due to the high salt content of the lake, which increases yearly due to its connection with the sea, it has been producing salt since 1906, with an annual production of 40,000 tons of sea salt.
Lake Atanasovo, also known as Lake Atanasovo, is a nature reserve established in 1980. – Bulgaria Places
41. The Sea Garden
Whether you’re a “newbie” or an experienced seaweed forager, there’s something for everyone in The Sea Garden. It’s a pocketbook dedicated to the Top Ten Edible Seaweeds on Ireland’s coast, complete with photos and drawings to help you identify them properly, recipes and cooking tips for each one, as well as health benefits and garden uses. There’s also a section dedicated to rocky shore ecology, as well as some interesting stories about how seaweed is part of our Waterford coast’s food heritage.
The Sea Garden was launched in March 2013 by Catherine Cleary, who described it as having the “voice of an expert” as she foraged on the coast. In a review of the book’s design and content, she wrote that it “should be a part of every chef’s kit in Ireland”. The publication comes at a time when we’re becoming more aware than ever of the challenges we face in sourcing nutritious and healthy food. – Bulgaria Places
42. St. Anastasia Island
St. Anastasio Island is a Black Sea island in Bulgaria. It is situated in the Bay of Burgas, about 1.5 km from the coast of Chernomorets, 12 meters above sea level. The island has an area of 1 hectare and is built on volcanic rocks. St. Anastasio is the only inhabited Bulgarian island off the coast of the Black Sea. – Bulgaria Places
43. Nessebar
Nessebar is located in the province of Burgas, on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria. The cobblestone streets of the ancient town, built on a bluff, are lined with the remains of old fortifications and baths from the Byzantine era. The ruins of the 5th-century church of St. Sophia, including stone columns and arched windows, still stand in the town. The church of St. Stephen, built in the 11th century, contains hundreds of murals and a large, intricately carved altarpiece. – Bulgaria Places
44. Sunny Beach
Sunny Beach is a seaside resort located on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria. It is renowned for its water sports and dunes, as well as for its nightlife. The beachfront is lined with a long sandy beach, and in the interior, there is a paintball park and a go-kart track, as well as a water park with many slides.
To the northeast is the yacht marina, and to the south is Nessebar, a town with ancient ruins and the Archaeological Museum with thousands of years old pots and bronze vessels. – Bulgaria Places
45. Rila Monastery
The monastery of Rila was established in the tenth century by a hermit, St John, who was canonized by the Orthodox Church. The hermit’s ascetic abode and tomb became holy places and were converted into a monastery complex, which played a significant role in the social and spiritual life of medieval Bulgaria.
The complex was destroyed by fire in the early nineteenth century and was rebuilt from 1834 to 1862. A typical monument of the 18th to 19th centuries Bulgarian Renaissance, the monument symbolizes the realization of a Bulgarian cultural identity after centuries of occupation. – Bulgaria Places
46. Borovets
The town of Borovets is situated on the north slopes of the Rila Mountains in Bulgaria. Borovets is the main entrance to many ski and snowboarding resorts on the steep and rocky Musala Ridge in Rila National Park.
Cycle routes traverse the alpine terrain. Footpath paths lead through rocky crags and valleys toward the 7 high altitude lakes of the Musala mountain range, including the glacial icy lake. Just north of Borovets, kayaks and other pleasure boats float the placid waters of the Iskar reservoir. – Bulgaria Places
47. Borosport
The office is situated in the Rila hotel lobby, and the center of the resort is at the base of the Ibaraki chairlift Martinovi. Borosport is responsible for the management of the Borovets ski area, including the ski slopes, the ski lifts, the ski passes, and the city transportation.
It is a good place to rent and deposit equipment, take ski lessons, and arrange childcare. However, some hotels offer these services for more affordable prices. There is a shuttle bus to the ski area every half hour.– Bulgaria Places
48. Sozopol
Sozopol is a seaside town situated 35 km southeast of Burgas, on the southern coast of the Black Sea in Bulgaria. Today, Sozopol is one of Bulgaria’s most important seaside resorts.
Sozopol is also the capital of Apollonia, a festival dedicated to the art and film of Apollonians, which is named after an ancient name of the town. – Bulgaria Places
49. Harmanite Beach
Harmanite Beach is situated on the southern side of Sozopol, in the direction of Kavatsite, in the new section of the city. Harmanite Beach is the largest of the two Sozopol beaches and covers an area of 14,280 square meters with sand and dunes.
Harmanite Beach has several discos, restaurants, and a water slide. – Bulgaria Places
50. Castle of Ravadinovo
Ravadinovo Castle is located a few kilometers from the town of Sozopol. Driving from Burgas down the south coast of the Black Sea of Bulgaria, you won’t be able to miss the impressive construction of the steeples, towers, and some roof trusses that are still bare.
The best way to describe Ravadinovo Castle is probably in the words of one of its visitors, ‘this is the most strange building in the most strange place’.
The castle stands in the center of a farm field just a stone’s throw from the highway. The architectural design of the castle is strange, a little extravagant, and exotic for Bulgaria.
Given that the construction of the castle began around 20 years ago, it’s no wonder that it’s one of the most unusual buildings in the country; and it’s also a huge project. – Bulgaria Places
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