It is actually the Republic of Bulgaria which is at the southeastern part of Europe. Its border connects with Romania , Serbia , Greece and Turkey .Its capital is Sofia , which is also the largest city of the country .The population of the country is about 70 million. It was one of the oldest countries of Europe in 681 AD. Forest is one third of countries land scape. Though Bulgarian tourism attracts millions of foreign tourists yearly but yeah unfortunately 2020 was a dead year of tourism all around. Tourist in 2021 wants to know if Bulgaria is safe to travel in 2021 and the safe places to visit in Bulgaria .
Bulgarian lev is the currency used in Bulgaria.
yes Tap water is totally safe in Bulgaria . Even in the city of Sofia there are waterfalls and reservoirs of mineral water which is the cleanest and the tastiest water around the world . People visiting the place usually fill bottles with this water .
No , Bulgaria is not expensive country if compared to countries like Italy , Finland and Britain . A comfortable land package of Bulgaria will cost almost 700-900 USD per person.
Yes , Bulgaria is safe to visit in 2021 most probably after mid of the year. In 2020 compared to countries like Italy , Spain and UK , Bulgaria stands at a better place .
With the introduction of vaccine tourism is predicted to boom in the year 2021 , however social distancing measures is required to be followed .
Well , vegetarian Bulgarian food is available in Bulgaria and in restaurants. Though every restaurants menu will be full of meat , chicken and beaf dishes but you will also get some vegetarian dishes .
Some of the vegetarian dishes of Bulgaria are –
a) Shopska salad
b) Mish-mash
c) Vine-leaf sarmi
d) Sirene po shopski
e) Fried peppers
f) Bean soup
g) Banitsa
h) Tarator
Summer season is the best time to travel to Bulgaria. Summer in Bulgaria falls in the months from June – September .
People who love to skie visit Bulgaria in the month of December in winters.
a) Sofia
b) Plovdiv
c) Varna
d) Burgas
e) Ruse
f) Stara Zagora
g) Pleven
h) Sliven
The best places to see in Sofia , Bulgaria are
a) Metro Station Serdika
b) Sofia University
c) National Palace of Culture
d) The Largo
e) Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
f) Boris’ Garden
g) National Theater Ivan Vazov
h) The Mineral Bath
The best places to visit in Varna, Bulgaria are
a) The Sea Garden (Seaside Park)
b) Cape Galata
c) Mother of God Cathedral’s Dormition
d) Roman Thermae
e) Saint Athanasius Church
f) Stoyan Bachvarov Theatre
g) State Puppet Theatre Varna
h) Palace of Culture and Sports
i) National maritime museum
j) Varna Sea Port
k) Ethnographic Museum
l) Euxinograd Palace
m) Petrified Forest
Places to Visit in Bulgaria !
Description of main cities of Bulgaria
Sofia
It is the largest as well as the capital city of Bulgaria .This city is of Utmost important for countries economy. It is also the 13th largest city in the European Union .
Sofia has emerged as an IT start up hub and also stands 10th in the ranking of best places for start up business .
Well people say Sofia is the most budgeted capital city of any country of Europe 🙂
Sofia got its name from Saint Sofia Church which is having significance in the city as well as in the country .There are many sports clubs in the city .
Usually people visiting Bulgaria travels to Sofia and then give preferences to any other Balkan city .
Plovdiv
It is an ancient city which was built in and around 7 hills .Thracian tribes are said to be the first inhabitants of the city .
Plovdiv International Fair is proudly hosted twice in a year in the city for its historical sites.
Then old Plovdiv city is just like any other old town with narrow and compact streets with most of them blocked for cars.
The administration very intelligently came up with Plovdiv City Card that gives tourists admission to local museums , deals in Bars and restaurants and few other tourist places .
You can check the details of the Plovdiv City Card here at their own website
Varna
It is usually also called the marine capital of Bulgaria . It is the 3 rd largest city of Bulgaria which is famous for its water parks , aquariums and museums .
It is also one of the biggest tourist destination of the country .
Verna is having a humid and sub tropical climate especially in the autumn winters . Her e the summers begin from may till November initial days .
It also has Varna city card for the tourists and visitors around ! There are variety of cards based on the requirement of the person . This card gives free entry to museums , churches and many other historical sites.
Burgas
It is a city which is the 4th largest one in Bulgaria and is a hub of Bulgarian fishing and fish processing industry. The city has an population of almost around 20million .
Burgas is surrounded by the Burgas lake and is situated at the western most side of the sea. The cities largest port is the port of Burgas.The Burgas Wetlands are highly identified for their importance to biodiversity and as an asset pool for products used by people.
Buragas lake are a home to some many endangered species of birds . Many photographers and bird researchers gets attracted towards it .
Ruse
It has got the most important river port from where most of the trade of the country is connected to . Ruse is also called the little Vienna because of its known Neo-BaroqueandNeo-Rococo achitecture.
It has got extremely hot summers and winters , summers can go upto 42 Celcius and winters can dip until -15 Celcius.
Ruse is the fifth largest city of Bulgaria and the birthplace of Nobel laureate in LiteratureElias Canetti.
Stara Zagora
This city was discovered by Phillip II of Macedon in 342 BC. During the liberation war ,city was destroyed and burnt into ashes by Turkish army . The marks of which are even visible now also .
City has got an influence of Sofia in the temperature as yearly average temperature of city is 14 Celcius.
Pleven
The city has an population of almost 1 lakh which makes it 7th most populated country of Bulgaria .Chemichal , textlie , cement and glass industry is one of the economical strongholds of city .
The Pleven Regional Historical Museum is famous tourist magnet. Pleven has one of the five medical universities of Bulgaria.
Sliven
It is the 8th most populous city of Bulgaria which is based just on the foot of rocky massif. This city is also known for its flowing speedy winds which is formed due to the positioning of the city and the mountain .
Just like another old city it also has got its culture showcased on city centred roads and old cafes.
Many people visit here for hiking and trekking on this rocky mountain.
Best places to visit in Sofia, Bulgaria
Metro Station Serdika
It is a M1 and M4 lines station of Sofia Metro which has a lot of significance for the city . The metro was places to operate in the year 2000. However With the introduction of Serdika II this station was turned into an exchange between the Red and Blue lines.
It is one of only three metro stations in the world where the same line proceeds through the station twice.
It has become an awesome tourist hub of the city , people usually visit these metro stations to see.
Sofia University
It is the oldest higher education institution in Bulgaria . It has 3 departments and 16 faculties where more than 20,000 students gets their education .
It has been ranked as the top most university of Bulgaria. The university was founded in 1975.
It has also become the point of tourist attraction and people visiting Sofia usually visits the university which is named on the name of the city 🙂
National Palace of Culture
It was inaugurated in the 1981 to honour the ancient history of city . It was inaugurated at the 1300th Anniversary of Bulgaria 🙂
It is one of the biggest multifunctional conference and exhibition centre of Europe.
The structures total functional area is almost 120000 square meters, it has got 8 floors, 4 terraces, and 3 underground levels.
There are 12 multi-operational hallways which has 50 to 4,000 seats. Each hall has a thematic look.
Any visiting Sofia should not ignore or miss this National Palace of Culture.
The Largo
It is contemplated to be one of the foremost examples of Left wing Classicism architecture in Europe. You will also find it as one of the prime landmarks of Sofia.
Its construction was completed in the year of 1955.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
It performed as the cathedral church of the Patriarch of Bulgaria. It is considered as one of the 50 largest Christian church monuments by volume in the world. It is one of Sofia’s representative figure and central tourist spot.
It has 45 m high gold plate Dome with the bell tower.They have 12 bells with the total weight of more 23 tons .Italian marble of many colours are used in the interior of the cathedral .
Boris’ Garden
It is also known as Knyaz-Borisova gradina. It is the elderly and finest known park in Sofia. Its establishments and positioning initiated in 1884 .
The name of this park is kept after Bulgarian Tsar Boris III. The history of the park cuddles 3 periods under 3 eminent gardeners.
It is given the honour of Bulgaria’s national theatre. It is also been said as elderly and most trustworthy theatre in the country and has become one of the important landmarks of Sofia.
National Theater Ivan Vazov
It is situated in the core of the city and the front of it facing the City Garden.
The Mineral Bath
It is a landmark in the hub of Sofia which is the capital of Bulgaria. It is a region which is popular for the mineral springs.
It was established in the 20th century near the previous Turkish bath and was used as city’s public baths until 1986.
Tourists usually come here to fill bottles and take that with them . It is believed that this water is medicinal and is a remedy to many body deceases.
What are the best places to visit in Varna, Bulgaria ?
The Sea Garden
It is the Bulgarian port city of Varna’s immense, elderly and famous public park. It is also uttered to be the biggest topography park in the Balkans. It is situated throughout the city’s coastal region on the Black Sea.
It is also a significant traveller attraction and a national structure of terrian architecture. Also read at Wikipedia
Cape Galata
It is a district of Varna and is 1 of 2 districts situated in the south part of the town. There were only 2030 inhabitants and is still the minimal populated quarter in Varna.
It is popular for its certain geographical placement. The locality is located near to the Galata Cape and is 1 of the highest lying areas in Varna.
Another cause for the considerable interest in Galata are the quickly rising prices in the area.
Mother of God Cathedral’s Dormition
It was originally established in 1886. It is the home of the primacy of Varna and Preslav and one of the emblem of Varna.
It is a three-naved cross-domed basilica marked 2 corridors and dimensions of 35 by 35 m.
The primary altar being devoted to the Dormition of the Theotokos, the north one to Saint Alexander Nevsky and the south one to Saint Nicholas the Miracle Worker.
Roman Thermae
These are a complex of historic Roman baths in the Black Sea harbour city of Varna . The Roman Thermae are located in the south part of the advanced city.
These baths were built in the late 2nd century AD and ranked as the fourth-biggest conserved Roman thermae in Europe and the biggest in the Balkans.
Saint Athanasius Church
You will see the half mooned walls which are rich blue in colour. This ambience will not be found in any other regional structure .
The paintings and other structures are in amazing state. There are gold ornamentations also, which gives it an awesome outlook. You will find it a bright and healthy place.
A cheery on the cake is that it Especially just next door to the Baths.
Stoyan Bachvarov Theatre
It is a Dramatic Theatre in Varna. It was established in 1921 as the Municipal Professional Theatre. It is a historic monument in the core of the city blueprinted by Nikola Lazarov . It took 20 years to get constructed mainly from 1912- 1932.
Its name was given on the name of one of the most significant actor of times Stoyan Bachvarov.
The State Puppet Theatre
It was founded in the resort of Varna in the mid of 20th century. More than 250 productions have been showcases here on this stage, more than 200000 shows which has been seen by more than 80,00,000 audiences.
It has got an important place in the heart of the city .
Palace of Culture and Sports
This palace is an indoor structure for culture and sports . The structure has 3 sports halls – “Kongresna Hall”, “Mladost Hall” and “Hall 20”. The Palace of Culture and Sports was intact in 1968. Know more at Wikipedia
National maritime museum
The first initiations of the Maritime Museum were practiced in 1883 when the gathering of old sea articles started in Ruse .
The first public explanation of the Maritime Museum was in Varna and was created in1923 because the public organization called the Bulgarian Public Maritime Agreement.
The visitors can look primary ancient anchors and shop leftovers which were found on the bottom of the Black Sea Desk models show the variety of the ship gathering of the naval and the commercial fleet in diverse periods.
Varna Sea Port
Port of Varna EAD has 2 terminals:Varna East Port Terminal, that is located down into the Bay of Varna at only 1 km distance from the city core.Varna West Port Terminal is –the most advanced port provision at the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria. It is situated at 30 km west of Varna city, on the west shore of Beloslav Lake.
Ethnographic Museum
It is one of the most engrossing museums of Bulgaria, the Ethnographic museum is located in a house connecting to the age of Revival, which was established around 1860. The ethnographic museum was created in 1974.
The museum showcases the rich diversification in culture and style of life of the inhabitants in the Varna.
Euxinograd Palace
It is a late 19th-century previous summer palace and park on the Black Sea coast. It is 8 kms from downtown Varna.
This palace is presently a governmental and presidential retreat hosting cabinet meetings in the summer and provides entry for tourists to various hotels. Know more Wikipedia
Petrified Forest
This petrified forest was configured 50,00,000 years ago . However it was still a chunk of the sea floor. Its other name is Pobiti Kamani and Stone desert.
Pobiti Kamani is a rock occurrence situated on the road between Varna and Sofia around various villages near Varna. It comprises of various groups of natural rock emergence on a total area of 70 km².
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You can see some places from Varna in real time!
Active WEB Cameras of the city of Varna 2023
https://shortly.bg/LzzTm