MestalaMestala
HomePlacesMapTripBlogAboutFAQ
EN|БГ

Discover Bulgaria with Mestala.

AboutFAQLicensePrivacy
EN|БГ
HomeBlog

Blog

Guides and travel stories from Bulgaria.

AllCities & Towns42Beaches & Coast9Mountains & Hiking19Ski & Winter6Itineraries & Road Trips19Culture & History30Events & Festivals9Nature & Landmarks32Travel Tips21

84 articles

Botev Peak & Raysko Praskalo: Hiking the Central Balkan
Mountains & HikingNature & Landmarks

Botev Peak & Raysko Praskalo: Hiking the Central Balkan

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.

8 July 20265 min read
Cherni Vrah: Hiking Vitosha's Summit from Sofia
Mountains & HikingNature & Landmarks

Cherni Vrah: Hiking Vitosha's Summit from Sofia

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.

8 July 20264 min read
The Kom–Emine Trail: Bulgaria's Great Balkan Traverse
Mountains & HikingNature & Landmarks

The Kom–Emine Trail: Bulgaria's Great Balkan Traverse

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.

8 July 20264 min read
Malyovitsa: Rila's Most Iconic Day Hike
Mountains & HikingNature & Landmarks

Malyovitsa: Rila's Most Iconic Day Hike

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.

8 July 20264 min read
The 7 Highest Peaks of Bulgaria: A Summit-by-Summit Guide
Mountains & HikingNature & Landmarks

The 7 Highest Peaks of Bulgaria: A Summit-by-Summit Guide

The highest peak of every major Bulgarian mountain — Musala, Vihren, Botev and more, with elevations, difficulty, base towns and how to climb each.

7 July 20266 min read
Climbing Musala: Bulgaria's & the Balkans' Highest Peak
Mountains & HikingNature & Landmarks

Climbing Musala: Bulgaria's & the Balkans' Highest Peak

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.

7 July 20265 min read
Vihren & Koncheto: Hiking Pirin's Marble Summit
Mountains & HikingNature & Landmarks

Vihren & Koncheto: Hiking Pirin's Marble Summit

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.

7 July 20265 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 20263 min read
Bulgaria's Natural Wonders: Top Caves, Waterfalls & Rock Formations
Nature & Landmarks

Bulgaria's Natural Wonders: Top Caves, Waterfalls & Rock Formations

Discover Bulgaria's top natural wonders: Prohodna Cave ('God's Eyes'), Krushuna Waterfalls, Belogradchik Rocks, earth pyramids, and Pobiti Kamani.

4 July 20267 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 20267 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
Hiking the Seven Rila Lakes: Trail, Lift & Best Time
Mountains & HikingNature & Landmarks

Hiking the Seven Rila Lakes: Trail, Lift & Best Time

A complete guide to hiking the Seven Rila Lakes: the trailhead, chairlift, loop trail, parking, family tips, distances from Sofia, and where to stay.

4 July 20267 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
Bulgaria Thermal Springs: Velingrad, Hisarya & Devin
Nature & Landmarks

Bulgaria Thermal Springs: Velingrad, Hisarya & Devin

Bulgaria's top spa towns and thermal springs: Velingrad, Hisarya, Devin and Sapareva Banya — health benefits, mineral pools, and hotel tips.

4 July 20267 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
Kalofer, Bulgaria: Things to Do, Family Tips & Best Time to Visit
Cities & Towns

Kalofer, Bulgaria: Things to Do, Family Tips & Best Time to Visit

Planning a trip to Kalofer? Discover the birthplace of Hristo Botev — museums, the famous monastery, family-friendly tips, parking, and the best time to go.

29 June 20269 min read
Karlovo Travel Guide: Sights, Nature & Practical Tips
Cities & Towns

Karlovo Travel Guide: Sights, Nature & Practical Tips

Planning a trip to Karlovo? Explore our ultimate travel guide featuring the Vasil Levski Museum, Suchurum Waterfall, parking tips, and family activities.

29 June 20265 min read
Panagyurishte Travel Guide: Sights, Gold & History
Cities & TownsCulture & History

Panagyurishte Travel Guide: Sights, Gold & History

Discover the best sights in Panagyurishte. A practical travel guide featuring the famous Thracian Gold Treasure, museums, parking tips, and family activities.

29 June 20264 min read
Koprivshtitsa: A Guide to Bulgaria's Museum Town
Cities & TownsCulture & History

Koprivshtitsa: A Guide to Bulgaria's Museum Town

Plan your weekend getaway to Koprivshtitsa. Discover the best house-museums, the Kalachev Bridge, driving distances, and where to stay for an authentic experience.

25 June 20266 min read
Kazanlak & the Rose Valley: Bulgarian Rose Festival Guide
Cities & TownsCulture & History

Kazanlak & the Rose Valley: Bulgarian Rose Festival Guide

Plan your trip to Kazanlak and the Rose Valley. Discover the flexible dates for the Rose Festival, the unique Rose Museum, Mount Shipka, and Buzludzha.

23 June 20267 min read
15 Incredible Places in Bulgaria You Must Visit
Itineraries & Road TripsNature & Landmarks

15 Incredible Places in Bulgaria You Must Visit

Looking for travel ideas? Discover the 15 most beautiful and iconic landmarks in Bulgaria—from the Rila Lakes to Plovdiv Old Town and Belogradchik.

19 June 20267 min read
The Best Day Trips from Varna: Top Destinations Nearby
Itineraries & Road TripsCities & Towns

The Best Day Trips from Varna: Top Destinations Nearby

Planning a day trip from Varna? Discover the best itineraries: Balchik Palace, Cape Kaliakra, Aladzha Monastery, the Madara Rider, Pliska, and Pobiti Kamani.

19 June 20266 min read
The Ultimate Bulgarian Black Sea Coast Road Trip Itinerary
Beaches & CoastItineraries & Road Trips

The Ultimate Bulgarian Black Sea Coast Road Trip Itinerary

Planning a coastal drive in Bulgaria? The full route from Durankulak to Rezovo: Tyulenovo, Cape Kaliakra, Nessebar, Sozopol and the Veleka mouth.

19 June 20266 min read
Golden Sands vs Sunny Beach vs Sozopol: Which to Choose?
Beaches & Coast

Golden Sands vs Sunny Beach vs Sozopol: Which to Choose?

Planning a Bulgarian beach holiday? A direct comparison of Golden Sands, Sunny Beach, and historic Sozopol: beaches, nightlife, family travel, parking, and transit.

19 June 20267 min read
Previous1234Next