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Holidays in Bulgaria
With traditional beach resorts and glorious nature all around you, it’s no surprise that Bulgaria holidays are becoming more popular. This wonderful country has beach holidays for all tastes, tons of water sports, and some incredible scenery to explore. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or an escape for the whole family, we’ve got lots of holidays in Bulgaria that’ll suit you.
3-23 °C °C
Relax on the beach during the warm, dry, sunny summers on the Black Sea coast .
3 to 3.5 hours
If you’re going to the warm Black Sea resorts, Bourgas airport lies 35km south of Sunny Beach and 40km northwest of Duni.
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With a Black Sea coastline, holidays in Bulgaria offer many wonderful beaches. Sunny Beach is one of the biggest resorts and attracts visitors from all over the world. Relax at the poolside every morning, before stepping out onto the sand and going for a refreshing swim. Sunbathing on Sunny Beach is the perfect way to unwind, before exploring the nearby town of Nessebar, with its winding street. Nessebar’s old city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, so take your camera. Explore the 5th century church and marvel at the ancient ruins, before finding a quiet street café and watching the world go by. The historic cities of Varna and Sozopol are also found on the coastline with many miles of beautiful, jagged coastline in between.
Endless coastline aside, this is a country of inspiring natural scenery where forests, mountains, valleys, and waterfalls are waiting to be discovered, especially in Stranja National Park. In the summer months, it’s popular with hikers and mountain bikers and there are many guided and self-guided tours available. Visit the ancient stadium in the 6000BC city of Plovdiv, or explore the wonderful museums in Varna. With horseback riding tours, waterparks, and incredible architecture, holidays to Bulgaria offer your whole family the time of their lives.
This country is very much rooted in community and tradition and they’re welcoming to curious visitors. Folk festivals are popular all over the country, while authentic meals combine eastern European flavours with those of Turkey and Greece.
Sun seekers: Enjoy a relaxing swim in the Black Sea and all-day sunbathing on Sunny Beach.
History lovers: Bask in the late afternoon sun, as you stroll around the historic town Nessebar with its 5thcentury church and Byzantine-era baths.
Language: The language spoken here is Bulgarian.
Currency: The official currency is the Bulgarian Lev (or Leva) and although you might see prices in Euros, this is only for reference.
Local time: It’s two hours ahead of GMT/UK time.
Fly to: If you’re going to the Black Sea resorts, Bourgas airport lies 35km south of Sunny Beach and 40km northwest of Duni.
Flight time from UK: The flight time is around 3 to 3.5 hours.
Tourist information: More information on holidays to Bulgaria can be found at http://bulgariatravel.org.
Visa & health: Before you travel, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bulgaria for recommendations and advice on visas and health for your holiday.
Temperature: 3 to 23 (°C).
Bulgaria holidays have the perfect summer sun at the Black Sea resorts, with temperatures up to 28 (°C). This means you can sunbathe, swim, and play beach games without getting too hot. Rainfall tends to increase a little over summer, but it soon dries out in the sun. Temperatures hover in the mid-teens during the spring and autumn, making these seasons perfect for trekking.
By bus: Travelling by privately-run buses is a great way to get around on a budget. These high-speed routes allow you to explore far and wide in comfort, without hitting your wallet too hard.
By hire car: Rent a car to really get off the beaten track. Explore the country’s many hidden villages, although bear in mind that most signs are in Cyrillic. Take a map and have a truly adventurous holiday to Bulgaria.
By train: Seeing this country by train is a wonderfully romantic way to get around. This destination has great domestic train lines as well as buses that cross international borders to Turkey, Greece, and Romania.
By taxi: Taxis are easy to find and very affordable, but make sure the meter is switched on. Ask your hotel to write your destination in Bulgarian script in case the driver can’t speak English.
Easter: During Orthodox Easter, families head to local churches and play games with coloured eggs on Holy Saturday. This traditional event gives visitors a great insight into the culture here.
Varna: In historic Varna, throughout the summer there’s music, theatre and folklore in outdoor stages across the city.
Folklore festival: The ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, holds its annual Folklore Festival when it comes alive with singing, dancing, and acts from all over the world.
Roses are red: Harvests are widely celebrated, and you can enjoy one of these traditional events in June’s with the Rose Festival in Kazanlak in the centre of the country.