If you are looking for the top 10 places to visit in Bulgaria, you will quickly see that Bulgaria does not feel like a polished tourist trap. Here, you can stumble into 2,000-year-old Roman ruins right inside a modern subway station, or drive through rural valleys where locals harvest roses and fruits by hand.
Bulgaria is a destination for people who are looking to experience a corner of Europe that is beautiful but still authentic in many ways.
If you would rather explore it with a local guide, see our Best of Bulgaria
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Plovdiv: Bulgaria's Most Ancient City
Plovdiv is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, built around seven distinct hills rising out of the Thracian plain. The city has a millennial history, with layers of remains left behind by the Thracians, Romans, and Ottoman Turks. The heart of the city is a beautiful pedestrian promenade that cuts right through a 2nd-century Roman Stadium.
What to See in Plovdiv: Walk the ancient cobblestone streets to see the remarkably preserved Roman Theatre, which still hosts live opera and theater performances in the summer. Visit the colourful 19th-century Bulgarian National Revival mansions – many of them open their doors as museums and art galleries. Finish the day with a beer in Kapana District – a lively pedestrian zone packed with independent coffee shops, eateries, and craft beer bars.
The Rila Monastery
Hidden in the lush forests of the Rila Mountains, this monastery is the spiritual heart of Bulgaria. Founded in the 10th century by a hermit monk, it functioned as a fortress for the Bulgarian language and culture during five centuries of Ottoman rule.
What to See in the Rila Monastery: Walk the courtyard and admire the brilliantly coloured exterior frescoes of the main church, depicting biblical stories and moral allegories. Visit the Monastery Farm Museum for a glimpse into the practical side of monastery life. Inside, you will find an old watermill, the historic bakery furnace, and original farming equipment.
Veliko Tarnovo: Bulgaria's Medieval Capital
Veliko Tarnovo is the medieval capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, built along the twisting gorges of the Yantra River. The city is spread across several hills and valleys, and the houses sit amphitheatrically along the vertical cliffs.
What to See in Veliko Tarnovo: Cross the long stone bridge to explore the vast ruins of Tsarevets Fortress. Tsarevets Hill was home to the Bulgarian king, royals, and medieval clergy. In the afternoon, wander the historic market street – Samovodska Charshiya. This is where local artisans work in open-fronted shops, making traditional pottery, silver jewellery, and copperware by hand.
Belogradchik Rocks
Belogradchik Rocks are located in the quiet northwest corner of the country, near the borders with Romania and Serbia. Over millions of years, natural erosion sculpted a vast landscape of massive, oddly shaped sandstone formations. Roman and medieval settlers built a fortress directly into the gaps between the natural stone structures.
What to See in the Area: Visit the Belogradchik Fortress (Kaleto), where you can hike through the historic remains for panoramic views over the valley. Drive 20 minutes to one of Bulgaria’s largest caves – Magura – famous for some of the earliest prehistoric cave paintings in Europe. The cave maintains a constant 12°C (53°F) temperature, and a local winery uses one of the deep caverns to age natural sparkling wines. Inside, you can experience a unique wine tasting underground, surrounded by stalactites.
Bulgaria's Rose Valley
Bulgaria’s Rose Valley is nestled at the heart of Bulgaria, between the Balkan Mountains and the Sredna Gora range. It is breathtakingly beautiful and vital to the global production of rose oil.
What to See Around the Rose Valley: If visiting in late May and early June, plan your trip around the rose festivals in Kazanlak or Karlovo. Here you can take part in traditional morning rose picking, enjoy folklore dances, and parades.
Pro Tip: The Rose Valley is best explored in May and early June. This is when the roses are blooming, and the region is busiest. To better plan your visit, check out our Guide to Visiting Bulgaria’s Rose Valley.
Varna: Bulgaria's Coastal Capital
Varna is the third-largest city in Bulgaria, often referred to as the country’s “sea capital.” The city is globally famous among historians as the cradle of the oldest European civilization. In 1972, a prehistoric burial site called the Varna Necropolis was accidentally discovered here. Over 3,000 artifacts were found, including the oldest golden treasure in the world, dating back to the 5th millennium BC.
What to See in Varna: Visit the Varna Archaeological Museum, home to the oldest gold treasure. Later, head out and explore the Roman Thermae – the ancient public baths are among the largest Roman ruins in the Balkans.
Bulgaria's Lavender Fields
Bulgaria is the world’s leading producer of lavender oil, having quietly surpassed France in production volume. While fields are scattered around the country, the most picturesque plantations can be found around the Chirpan region and throughout the Rose Valley (near Karlovo and Kazanlak).
When to Visit: The lavender comes into full bloom between mid-June and mid-July. At the end of June, you can catch lavender festivals in both Chirpan and Karlovo. Chirpan offers installations among the purple fields, lavender walks, and folklore performances. In Karlovo, you can see live demonstrations of traditional copper oil distillation in 19th-century courtyards.
Melnik Wine Region
Tucked in Bulgaria’s southwest near the Greek border, Melnik is officially the smallest town in Bulgaria. It is famous for its unique microclimate, traditional white houses, and the towering sand pyramids that surround the entire valley. The dry, hot weather makes it perfect for growing heavy red grapes.
What to See in Melnik: Explore Kordopulov House – a massive 18th-century merchant home. Admire its stained-glass architecture and walk through the stunning wine cellar tunnels, where you can try some local reds from one of Bulgaria’s oldest wine traditions. Take a scenic drive or hike up to Rozhen Monastery – a peaceful, medieval monastery overlooking the mountains.
Bansko: The Mountain Escape
In winter, Bansko is Bulgaria’s largest and busiest ski resort. In summer, it’s a popular base for hiking trips and outdoor activities.
Traditionally, Bansko was home to prosperous merchant families who built their homes out of solid river stone and massive timbers. The town has preserved its charming core with old architecture from the Bulgarian National Revival period. Beneath the town centre are hidden massive underground tunnels designed to survive Ottoman raids.
What to See in Bansko: Visit the Holy Trinity Church. On the outside, it looks like a small fortress, while the interior is beautifully decorated with brilliant wall paintings and a beautifully carved iconostasis. In the evening, enjoy traditional Bulgarian food in the old town taverns, known as mehanas.
Sofia: Bulgaria's Layered Capital
Sofia is a city where 7,000 years of history sit directly under the modern pavement. Ancient ruins are built right into the central subway station, meaning daily commuters walk past Roman stone fortress walls on their way to work.
What to See in Sofia: Explore the Ancient Serdica Complex – the central metro underpass where you can walk intact Roman streets, and see ancient underfloor heating systems (hypocausts). Visit the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral – the massive, gold-domed monument built to honor the soldiers who died liberating Bulgaria in 1878. Take a short drive or taxi up to the Boyana Church – a UNESCO-listed church with stunning 1259 frescoes whose realistic human expressions predated the Italian Renaissance by decades.
FAQs
Is Bulgaria safe for tourists?
Yes, Bulgaria is generally a very safe country for travellers. Even petty crime is rarer than in some of Europe’s big cities like Barcelona and Paris. Your biggest concern might just be uneven pavements and slippery cobblestones in the country’s old towns.
Do I need a visa for Bulgaria, and is it part of Schengen?
Bulgaria is a member of the European Union and is fully part of the Schengen Area for air, sea, and land travel. If you hold a passport from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, or any EU nation, you do not need a visa for short-term tourist stays up to 90 days within 180 days. Because it is in Schengen, any time spent in Bulgaria counts toward your total 90-day Schengen limit.
Can I use Euros in Bulgaria, and do I need cash?
Since January 2026, Bulgaria part of the Eurozone, so you can use Euros for daily transactions. Credit cards and contactless payments (Apple Pay/Google Pay) are standard at gas stations, hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets. However, you will need to carry some cash for the countryside, entrance fees at remote monasteries, and souvenir stalls.
What are the best things to buy in Bulgaria?
If you are looking for authentic, locally made products to take home, the most famous Bulgarian goods are:
Rose and Lavender Oils: Bulgaria is a top global producer of pure essential oils. Look for high-quality cosmetics, soaps, and pure oils in specialized local pharmacies or boutiques.
Trojan Ceramics: Traditional earthenware pottery characterized by distinctive, hand-painted geometric patterns and warm earth tones.
Rakia: The national alcoholic beverage, a strong fruit brandy typically distilled from grapes or plums.
Local Wine: Look for indigenous Balkan grape varieties you cannot easily find elsewhere, such as Mavrud (a rich, heavy red) or Melnik 55.
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