Bulgaria : Must See
Bordered by the Black Sea, Bulgaria has an exceptional architectural and cultural heritage bequeathed by the civilizations of the past. Orthodox monasteries, churches, Roman ruins, Thracian tombs and mosques are part of the country's landscapes. Sofia, the capital, is particularly famous for its Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral, a beautiful example of Neo-Byzantine architecture. Plovdiv, the country's second largest city and European Capital of Culture in 2019, is also worth a visit. As the world's largest producer of rose oil, Bulgaria is renowned for its Valley of Roses, which stretches between Sredna Gora and the central Balkan.
The Black Sea Coast
Bulgaria’s coastline stretches for 378 km. It is dotted with seaside resorts and long and beautiful sandy beaches. The most famous holiday resorts are Golden Sands and Albena, located north of Varna, then Sunny Beach, north of Bourgas.
The National Parks
Pirin National Park is the most beautiful nature reserve in the country, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can still find wolves, bears, deer and foxes as well as protected species. Bulgaria has 3 national parks: Rila, Pirin and Central Balkan.
The Rose Valley
The Valley of Roses is located in the center of Bulgaria. It is famous for its vast fields where rose bushes were beautifuly planted. The valley is home to many remains of Thracian civilization such as the tombs of Kazanlak and Starosel.
Nessebar
The ancient city of Nessebar and its architecture are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also nicknamed "the city of 40 churches". The many typical wooden and stone houses give the town a calm and authentic atmosphere.
Veliko Tarnovo
With a history of more than 5000 years, Veliko Tarnovo is the medieval capital of Bulgaria. The setting is splendid: the Yantra river draws meanders inside an amphitheater of medium wooded mountains. The houses are set upstairs, one on top of the other.
Varna
Varna, the "Pearl of the Black Sea", is a port city and a seaside resort on the Black Sea coast. It is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Bulgaria. From the pedestrian zone you will walk to the beach through a huge maritime garden. You will be charmed by its bay, its port and its inland lake.
Plovdiv
Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria and one of the oldest cities in Europe. Bulgaria's specality is the mixture of Thracian, Roman, Bulgarian and Ottoman cultures. Its architectural heritage is very diverse: cobbled streets, city walls, mosques, ancient theaters, churches with iconostases and residences from the 19th century.
Sofia
Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, is the largest city in the country. It is a modern and dynamic capital that is also the university center of the country. The capital's history goes back to ancient times, which is why its cultural and artistic heritage is so diverse. Sights in Sofia include Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Hagia Sophia.
