MestalaMestala
HomePlacesMapMy tripBlogAboutFAQ
EN|БГ

Discover Bulgaria with Mestala.

AboutFAQLicensePrivacy
EN|БГ
HomeBlog

Blog

Guides and travel stories from Bulgaria.

AllCities & Towns52Beaches & Coast9Mountains & Hiking19Ski & Winter6Itineraries & Road Trips21Culture & History37Events & Festivals9Nature & Landmarks37Travel Tips21

58 articles

Top Things to Do in Gabrovo: Bulgaria's Capital of Humour (Travel Guide)
Cities & TownsCulture & History

Top Things to Do in Gabrovo: Bulgaria's Capital of Humour (Travel Guide)

Discover Gabrovo, Bulgaria: Visit the House of Humour and Satire, Sokolski Monastery, Racho the Blacksmith, and Uzana in the geographic centre of Bulgaria.

9 August 20268 min read
Pleven Panorama & Sights: Visiting Bulgaria's Historic Siege Site
Cities & TownsCulture & History

Pleven Panorama & Sights: Visiting Bulgaria's Historic Siege Site

A complete guide to Pleven: Explore the Pleven Panorama, learn about the historic 1877 siege, visit St. George Mausoleum, and relax in Kaylaka Park.

9 August 20266 min read
Shipka Pass Travel Guide: Freedom Monument, Church & Driving Tips
Culture & HistoryMountains & Hiking

Shipka Pass Travel Guide: Freedom Monument, Church & Driving Tips

A complete guide to crossing the Shipka Pass: Climb the 890 steps to the Monument of Freedom, visit the gold-domed Shipka Memorial Church, and explore nearby Buzludzha.

9 August 20267 min read
Tryavna: Bulgaria's Woodcarving Town
Cities & TownsCulture & History

Tryavna: Bulgaria's Woodcarving Town

A travel guide to Tryavna in the Balkan Mountains: the oldest preserved Revival square in Bulgaria, the 1814 clock tower, the Daskalov House sun ceilings, the Tryavna woodcarving school, and how to combine it with Bozhentsi and Dryanovo.

9 August 20268 min read
The Central Balkan Road Trip: Veliko Tarnovo to the Rose Valley
Itineraries & Road TripsCulture & History

The Central Balkan Road Trip: Veliko Tarnovo to the Rose Valley

A complete 4-day driving itinerary across the Balkan Mountains: Veliko Tarnovo, Dryanovo, Tryavna, Bozhentsi, Etar, Gabrovo, Shipka Pass, and Kazanlak.

9 August 20265 min read
Vidin Travel Guide: Baba Vida Castle & Top Things to Do
Cities & TownsCulture & History

Vidin Travel Guide: Baba Vida Castle & Top Things to Do

A complete travel guide to Vidin on the Danube: Explore Baba Vida castle, visit the restored Synagogue (Jules Pascin Centre), and pair it with Belogradchik and Magura Cave.

9 August 20266 min read
Bulgarian Food: The Dishes Worth Seeking Out
Culture & HistoryTravel Tips

Bulgarian Food: The Dishes Worth Seeking Out

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.

22 July 20268 min read
Christmas Markets in Bulgaria: Sofia, Plovdiv & Bansko
Events & FestivalsSki & Winter

Christmas Markets in Bulgaria: Sofia, Plovdiv & Bansko

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.

22 July 20265 min read
Bulgaria's Monasteries Beyond Rila: Bachkovo, Troyan & Rozhen
Culture & History

Bulgaria's Monasteries Beyond Rila: Bachkovo, Troyan & Rozhen

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.

16 July 20264 min read
Ivanovo Rock-Hewn Churches & the Rusenski Lom Valley (UNESCO)
Culture & HistoryNature & Landmarks

Ivanovo Rock-Hewn Churches & the Rusenski Lom Valley (UNESCO)

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.

16 July 20267 min read
Ruse: Bulgaria's 'Little Vienna' on the Danube
Cities & TownsCulture & History

Ruse: Bulgaria's 'Little Vienna' on the Danube

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.

16 July 20268 min read
Buzludzha: Bulgaria's Abandoned Communist 'UFO' Monument
Culture & History

Buzludzha: Bulgaria's Abandoned Communist 'UFO' Monument

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.

8 July 20266 min read
Bansko Ski Resort: Pistes, Gondola, Lift Passes & Parking
Ski & Winter

Bansko Ski Resort: Pistes, Gondola, Lift Passes & Parking

A complete guide to Bansko ski resort: 75 km of pistes, the gondola from town, lift pass prices, night skiing, parking, family skiing, and where to stay.

4 July 202612 min read
Belogradchik Rocks & Fortress: NW Bulgaria's Wonder
Nature & LandmarksCulture & History

Belogradchik Rocks & Fortress: NW Bulgaria's Wonder

A guide to the Belogradchik Rocks and Fortress: how to get there, what to see, the Magura Cave, parking, family tips, distances and where to stay.

4 July 20268 min read
Borovets: Ski Slopes, Lifts & Hiking Musala
Ski & WinterMountains & Hiking

Borovets: Ski Slopes, Lifts & Hiking Musala

A complete guide to Borovets: ski sectors Sitnyakovo and Yastrebets, gondola tips, night skiing, lift passes, hiking Peak Musala, and accommodation.

4 July 202610 min read
Borovets vs Bansko vs Pamporovo: Which Ski Resort to Pick
Ski & Winter

Borovets vs Bansko vs Pamporovo: Which Ski Resort to Pick

Borovets, Bansko, or Pamporovo? Bulgaria's top ski resorts compared on pistes, snow, beginners, lift passes, nightlife, and transfer times.

4 July 202610 min read
Bulgaria in Winter: Top Things to Do & Places to Visit Beyond Skiing
Ski & Winter

Bulgaria in Winter: Top Things to Do & Places to Visit Beyond Skiing

Discover the best of Bulgaria in winter beyond the slopes: hot thermal spa towns, quiet snow-covered monasteries, the Kukeri mask festival, and winter hiking.

4 July 20268 min read
Bulgarian Festivals & Traditions: Kukeri and Baba Marta
Events & FestivalsCulture & History

Bulgarian Festivals & Traditions: Kukeri and Baba Marta

A guide to Bulgaria's festivals and traditions: Kukeri mummers, Baba Marta martenitsi, the Kazanlak Rose Festival and Nestinarstvo fire dancing.

4 July 20268 min read
Bulgarian Wine & Melnik: Top Wineries & Travel Guide
Culture & History

Bulgarian Wine & Melnik: Top Wineries & Travel Guide

A complete guide to Bulgarian wine and Melnik: famous wine regions, local grape varieties, Melnik cellars, sandstone pyramids, and Rozhen Monastery.

4 July 20266 min read
Things to Do in Nessebar: A Guide to the UNESCO Old Town
Cities & TownsCulture & History

Things to Do in Nessebar: A Guide to the UNESCO Old Town

The best things to do in Nessebar Old Town: medieval Byzantine churches, archaeological sites, where to park, the beaches and trips to Pomorie.

4 July 202612 min read
Rila Monastery: The Complete Day-Trip Guide from Sofia
Culture & HistoryItineraries & Road Trips

Rila Monastery: The Complete Day-Trip Guide from Sofia

Plan a day trip to Rila Monastery from Sofia: driving distances, parking, how long to spend, family tips, what to see, and where to stay overnight.

4 July 20269 min read
Things to Do in Sozopol: Old Town, Beaches & Apollonia Festival
Cities & TownsBeaches & Coast

Things to Do in Sozopol: Old Town, Beaches & Apollonia Festival

The best things to do in Sozopol: the historic Old Town, the town beaches, the Apollonia Arts Festival and trips south to Primorsko and Sinemorets.

4 July 202610 min read
Top 5 Blue Flag Beaches in Bulgaria for 2026
Beaches & Coast

Top 5 Blue Flag Beaches in Bulgaria for 2026

Official 2026 list! Discover the top 5 Blue Flag beaches in Bulgaria. A detailed travel guide with directions, parking info, amenities, and entertainment.

30 June 20266 min read
The Bulgarian National Revival Trail: 4-Day Road Trip Itinerary
Culture & HistoryItineraries & Road Trips

The Bulgarian National Revival Trail: 4-Day Road Trip Itinerary

A complete 4-day Bulgarian National Revival road trip: Koprivshtitsa, Panagyurishte, Karlovo, and Kalofer — drive times, house-museums, and practical tips.

29 June 20266 min read
Previous123Next