Welcome to Bulgaria

Travelers in the know have long been smitten with Bulgaria, land of golden beaches, humming cities and pristine natural landscapes. Wake up, grab one of the country’s famous banitsas (a savory doughy treat) and yogurt for breakfast, then head out to explore.

First, to the Black Sea for its gorgeous sandy beaches and lively resort towns – Primorsko is a favorite. Move on to the untamed inland terrain, with its network of hiking huts, bike paths and ski fields – there are no less than seven mountain ranges within the country.

Take a breath and discover Bulgaria’s storied history, from the Roman ruins of Varna and Plovdiv to the fortress ramparts at former capital Veliko Târnovo. Visit the 10th-century Rila Monastery and admire the art and wood carvings of ornate Orthodox churches.

Be sure to visit the friendly villages strewn throughout the Rhodope and Balkan Mountains for the most authentic look at Bulgarian lifestyles and culture.

Unique Facts

• There’s history, and then there’s Bulgarian history. Plovdiv is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe. The capital, Sofia, was founded 7,000 years ago, making it the second oldest city in Europe. That’s a lot of history to catch up on!
• The oldest golden treasure in the world was found in Varna. Visit the National Historical Museum in Sofia and the Varna Archaeological Museum to glimpse the gold pieces, as well as copper and pottery artifacts.
• Do you wear perfume? It likely contains Bulgarian rose oil – each gram of oil is produced from 1,000 rose blossoms. The country’s Rose Valley produces about half of the world’s rose oil.
• Bulgaria is second only to Iceland when it comes to Europe’s natural mineral springs. It’s a spa lover’s paradise.
• There are currently nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bulgaria, with more on the list to be considered. Among the most popular: the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak, the Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari and the Ancient City of Nessebar.

Language

Bulgaria’s official language is Bulgarian.

When To Go

The best time to go to Bulgaria is April to October. April to May and September to October are considered the shoulder seasons and less expensive than the high season, June through August.

Airports

Sofia Airport

Passport Validity

Passport must be valid at time of entry for three months past arrival date.

Visa Required By US Citizen?

None for stays of 90 days or less

Vaccinations

The CDC recommends the following vaccine for most travelers when visiting Bulgaria: Hepatitis A. Depending on where you are traveling, you may also need Hepatitis B and Rabies vaccines.

Electrical Outlets

Power plugs and sockets: type F. Standard voltage: 230V. Frequency: 50Hz.

Currency

Official local currency: Lev

Getting Around

The Bulgarian road system is largely underdeveloped and, therefore, driving is dangerous. The roads are in poor condition and heavily potholed. Rockslides and landslides are frequent on mountain roads.

Sofia has an extensive metro and bus system. Taxi service is available.

Driver’s License

A valid US driver’s license and international driving permit are required.

US Embassy Info

U.S. Embassy Sofia
16, Kozyak Street
Sofia 1408, Bulgaria
Telephone: +(359) (2) 937-5100
Emergency After-HoursTelephone: +(359) (2) 937-5101
Fax: +(359) (2) 937-5209
ACS_Sofia@state.gov

Local Visitor Info

National Tourist Information Center
pl. “Sveta Nedelya” 1, 1000 Sofia Center
Sofia, Bulgaria
Tel: +359 2 933 5826

Local Emergency Phone Numbers

Ambulance: 150
Police: 166
Fire: 160

Safety and Security

Crime most often involves ATM skimming and credit card fraud.