The birthplace of the Cyrillic alphabet, that lies in the Balkan Peninsula and was ruled by the Ottoman Empire for 500 years is the picturesque and serene Bulgaria.

Comprising mountains, beaches, lakes, fortresses, jaw dropping architecture of the Byzantine and the Ottoman era, eclectic cuisine to name a few, this country definitely deserves an accolade in the list of top tourist destinations and gives the assurance of a lot of fun things to do. It was one of my destinations this summer and these are the top 10 things to do in Bulgaria for every travel enthusiast:

1. Spend an entire day in the capital city of Sofia:

Amongst the many things to see in Bulgaria, a visit to the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is an absolute must. Located at the center of the city, this orthodox cathedral was built in the memory of the slain Russian liberators who in 1878 helped free Bulgaria from the Ottoman rule. The sheer beauty of the exterior of the cathedral captivates you like no other.

Take a walk on the Vitosha Boulevard, which is a top contender in the best places to visit in Bulgaria. Its name is derived from the Vitosha mountains surrounding Sofia and it comprises a posh street filled with upscale restaurants, boutiques and stores. Hop onto one of the trams built in the communist era to check out the various neighbourhoods of the city.

While in the city I will recommend a meal at Happy Grill, where the fish salad, the seafood rice, grilled chicken with mushroom sauce and mashed potatoes, and the spicy prawns are to die for. Having said that, the chicken platter and shrimp noodles at Raffys are delectable as well: not to forget the homemade Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread) biscuit cake here is not to be missed at any cost and it must be incorporated in the list of marked with Bulgaria things to do.

2. Bulgaria is best seen by road

While renting, make sure you have an international driving permit to avoid overpaying for insurance at the airport. Please do keep in mind that parking can sometimes be a challenge in Sofia although parking is free on weekends and between 7:30 pm-8:30 am on weekdays. Most convenient way of exploring the best places to visit in Bulgaria is by road but you must keep this in mind that Bulgaria drives on the right hand side.

3. Treat your tastebuds to authentic Bulgarian cuisine at Hajdringer Cellar in Sofia

The travel experience is incomplete without surprising your taste buds with authentic Bulgarian cuisine. The next thing item in the list of things to do in Bulgaria is having an affair with the local delicacies. Hajdringer Cellar is one of the most popular and oldest restaurants. Make sure you reserve a table in advance. Besides the food, their homemade wormwood wine infused with twenty-four different mountain herbs is by far, the best wine I have ever sipped on. You will also be entertained by a Bulgarian orchestra.

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4. Bulgaria has roses everywhere

The country is known to produce the best quality Damask rose oil in the world. Visit the city garden in Sofia to admire them and you may be lucky enough to catch a street fair. Most importantly don’t leave without buying rose oil. It is one of the things you must do in Bulgaria.

5. Visit Belogradchik where the Kaleto fortress will await you in all its magnanimity

This city comprises the famous Belogradchik Rocks and its various rock formations that are encompassed within the fortress and the Magura caves. These rocks were formed millions of years ago and were once at the bottom of the sea. You can get a magnificent view of these unique rocks right at one end of the fortress, where you can sit on the edge and enjoy the silence (a weekday visit might just ensure it). The Magura caves are lovely too and one of the best places to visit in Bulgaria. At one point in the caves you find yourself standing 56m below the Earth’s surface. Please carry something warm as it can get as cold as 6 degrees C (43 degrees F). This underlying beauty is your perfect escape into the true beauty of nature and that’s why it made it to the list of things to do in Bulgaria.

6. Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria.

The Old town in Plovdiv is one of the must visit places in the city. It still holds parts of the Roman walls, the medieval ruins of Tsar Ivan Asen II’s fortress and the Bachkovo monastery which makes it a famous point of interest. We stayed overnight here. The walk around this old town with old stone houses, museums, Roman theatre make this part of the city pretty special. Don’t miss the Kapana art district with its lovely cafes which is one of the most happening places in Plovdiv today. Also don’t miss taking a picture with the old man from the old town.

7. Do eat at the Skaptobara burgers

Also while in Plovdiv, do eat at the Skaptobara Burgers. Although you will find them in Sofia, I landed up on their branch here. The house fries are crunchy and yummmmm to say the least.

8. Try the Banitsa

Try the Banitsa which consists of a filo pastry, eggs and cheese (I mean what’s not to like) and Perioshka at Kapana district in Plovdiv . In the communist era people would wait in a queue for 5-6 hours to have one of these. Guzzle it all down with the Boza – a fermented drink made with wheat or millet.

9. Make a trip to the thermal spas at Sapareva Banya

Another major attraction for things to do in Bulgaria, the significant thermal spas. The one at Kotvata is the best and has good views too. Dip yourself in all their outdoor pools and especially in the hot tub which has really, really hot water. Did you know that Bulgaria is ranked second after Iceland, in terms of their hot springs existence in all of Europe. Bulgaria is said to have about 500 such mineral springs. In fact there are numerous spots in the city & countryside where drinking mineral water runs from public drinking fountains.

10. Trek to the Seven Rila lakes

Last but not the least trek to the Seven Rila lakes has to be the highlight of your trip and one of the best things to see In Bulgaria. Start your day early and type “Lift to Seven Rila lakes” on google maps and check the weather in order to plan your day. The chairlift to the lake costs 20 Lev for a round trip and you can pay only in cash. It’s a 20 minute ride to the base of the trek. During the trek take multiple stops to admire the stunning views of the lakes. I’d recommend going during July-August because of the weather, but then it will be super crowded then. If you want to experience serenity at its best and sit amidst snow capped Balkan mountains and admire uninterrupted views of the half frozen lakes then definitely early June is fantastic; in which case don’t forget your gloves, warm jackets, raincoats. Also pack some munchies as you may not find much to eat along the way, but once your trek is completed you can eat at the Rila chalet just before you take the chair lift down.

And that’s a wrap up of things to do in Bulgaria – for the time being. I hope I can go back someday and walk the trodden path, overwhelmed with beautiful memories and perhaps be numbed with this stunner of a country once again in a different light as there are a lot of fun things to do in this city. It has managed to occupy one of the top positions on my list of favourites.

If you enjoyed reading this article, please do leave a comment below. You could also follow me on Instagram, Facebook & YouTube to stay updated about my adventures.

Also read:- Best places to visit in Copenhagen, Denmark

FAQ Related to best Things to do in Bulgaria

What is the best way to reach Bulgaria?

There are  multiple international airports in Bulgaria at Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and Burgas which are connected well with the US, European and other countries. 

How is the Climate of Bulgaria?

Bulgaria has a temperate continental climate and its southern parts are influenced by the Mediterranean stream. On the other hand, the climate of eastern part of the country is affected by the Black Sea. You will find a lot of sunny days from May to October and the winter makes this country ideal for a lot of winter sports. Winter sports is one of the most prominent Bulgarian things to do for adventure seeking travellers.

How to rent a car in Bulgaria?

There are a lot of car rental companies like Hertz and Budget in Bulgaria which allows travellers to rent cars but you need to have an international licence. Also keep in mind that travel rules are followed strictly in Bulgaria.

Is there a language barrier in Bulgaria?

The official language is Bulgarian but a majority of the population in Bulgaria speak English so you need not to worry about that.