Guides and travel stories from Bulgaria.
75 articles
A guide to the Vrachanski Balkan Nature Park: the God's Bridge rock arch near Lilyache, the seasonal Skaklya waterfall above Zgorigrad, the Borov Kamak falls, and when in spring to time the water.
A travel guide to Vratsa: the Vratsata gorge and its 400-metre rock face, the Ledenika show cave, the Rogozen Treasure of 165 silver vessels, and the Botev memorial at Okolchitsa — an hour and a half from Sofia.
Grape harvest in the Struma and Thracian valleys, Rhodope forests turning gold in October, the last safe hiking window, and a coast without the crowds.
Shopska salad and rakia to open, banitsa from the bakery, the mixed grill, clay-pot stews and the fasting dishes that make the country quietly vegetarian-friendly.
Sofia's German market by the National Theatre, Plovdiv's Kapana bazaar, Bansko's ski-town lights and the coastal markets — when they open and what to expect.
A guide to Bulgaria's greatest monasteries after Rila: Bachkovo in the Rhodopes, Troyan in the Balkan Mountains and Rozhen near Melnik — their history, frescoes, miraculous icons and how to visit each.
A guide to the karst country around Lovech: the vast film-famous Devetashka Cave, the turquoise Krushuna Falls and the God's-eyes Prohodna Cave — three of Bulgaria's natural wonders in one day trip.
A travel guide to the Rusenski Lom valley south of Ruse: the UNESCO Ivanovo Rock-Hewn Churches and their medieval frescoes, the Cherven fortress, the working Basarbovo rock monastery, and how to combine all three in one day.
A travel guide to Ruse, Bulgaria's largest Danube port and 'Little Vienna': neo-Baroque architecture, Freedom Square, the Sexaginta Prista Roman fortress, and day trips to the Ivanovo rock churches, Cherven fortress and Basarbovo monastery.
A travel guide to Bulgaria's far northeast: the Danube town of Silistra with its Roman tomb and Medzhidi Tabia fortress, and the UNESCO Srebarna Nature Reserve — a pelican-filled lake and one of Europe's great birdwatching spots.
A travel guide to the Trigrad Gorge and the Devil's Throat Cave in the Western Rhodopes: the vertical marble canyon, the roaring underground waterfall, the nearby Yagodina Cave and the Eagle's Eye viewpoint.
How to visit Krushuna Falls, Bulgaria's largest travertine cascade: the eco-trail loops, entrance fee, best season for full water, photography tips and pairing it with Devetashka Cave and Prohodna.
How to visit Prohodna Cave near Karlukovo — the Eyes of God rock formation, Bulgaria's longest cave tunnel: getting there from Sofia, best light for photos, bungee jumps and pairing it with Devetashka Cave and Krushuna Falls.
Everything you need to plan a Rhodope Mountains trip: Smolyan, Pamporovo, Trigrad Gorge, Shiroka Laka, Perperikon, caves, spa towns, food, itineraries and when to go.
A travel guide to Smolyan, the highest town in Bulgaria: the Smolyan Lakes, the planetarium, the Canyon of Waterfalls, day trips to Pamporovo, Shiroka Laka and the Trigrad caves.
How to hike Botev Peak (2,376 m), the highest summit of the Balkan Mountains, from Kalofer — past Raysko Praskalo, the highest waterfall in the Balkans.
A guide to the Buzludzha Monument: what it is, how to get there, whether you can go inside, the mosaics, and the best time to visit Bulgaria's UFO landmark.
How to hike Cherni Vrah (2,290 m), the summit of Vitosha above Sofia — routes from Aleko, the lifts, difficulty, season, and Bulgaria's easiest big peak.
A guide to the Kom–Emine trail, Bulgaria's ~600 km E3 traverse of the Balkan Mountains from Kom Peak to the Black Sea: route, duration, difficulty and season.
How to hike Malyovitsa (2,729 m), the cradle of Bulgarian mountaineering in northern Rila — the route from the hut, difficulty, season, and where to stay.
The highest peak of every major Bulgarian mountain — Musala, Vihren, Botev and more, with elevations, difficulty, base towns and how to climb each.
How to climb Musala (2,925 m), the highest peak in Bulgaria and the Balkans: the Borovets gondola, the route, huts, distances, season and what to pack.
How to climb Vihren (2,914 m), Bulgaria's second-highest peak, from Bansko — the route, the fearsome Koncheto ridge, huts, season and what to pack.
A complete travel guide to Bansko ski resort: pistes, gondola tips, lift passes, parking, family skiing, après-ski, driving distances, and where to stay.
