Bulgaria is what you need. Holidays in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is an amazing country for beach holidays and sightseeing for both independent tourists, and for lovers of vacation packages. So that possible troubles do not spoil your rest, take our tips for tourists in Bulgaria.

In Bulgaria you can find a vacation for every taste... Resorts like Sunny Beach and Golden Sands consist of hotel complexes. From here you can get out on any excursions around historical sites Bulgaria. Connoisseurs of unique architecture, cobbled streets and cozy restaurants should be advised of Sozopol and Nessebar. There are also new districts in these cities, consisting entirely of hotels and entertainment venues. These districts are noisier than the historical part of the city; such a vacation is suitable for lovers of active pastime. It is worth going on excursions to the ancient Bulgarian monasteries, as well as to the ancient capital of Bulgaria - Veliko Tarnovo - one of the most unusual small towns in the world, standing in the mountains on the edge of the gorge, unusually beautiful and cozy.

In Bulgaria, you can limit yourself to some breakfasts, or you can take All-Inclusive. It's a matter of taste. V tourist places there are many cafes and restaurants with fairly affordable prices. A good lunch with first, second and dessert can cost from 5 EUR. In tourist areas, pizza (portion from 1 EUR), kebabs (from 2 EUR), pancakes with various fillings (cheaper than pizza) are sold.

It is not necessary to stay in a hotel in Bulgaria... You can rent an apartment or an apartment for your vacation. Many residents of seaside towns and villages, as well as in ski resorts, rent one of the floors of a private house to tourists for a low fee. V Bulgaria has a fairly low crime rate, even local gypsies are mainly engaged in animal husbandry or blacksmithing.

Change your currency in the morning... There are a few things to keep in mind when exchanging currency. At the bank branches you will be asked for your passport. In simple exchangers, as a rule, it is not needed, unless you may be asked for your surname. The exchange rate is higher in the morning. If you need to change large sum, then do not delay this until the evening. For example, in the morning the euro cost about 1.93 Bulgarian leva, in the evening - already 1.91.

Sea weather can change very quickly, therefore watch the flags on the beach that are posted by rescuers. The principle is like a traffic light: green - you can swim, remembering the buoys; yellow - be careful and careful; with a red flag, rescuers will whistle as soon as you enter the sea more than three meters.

Getting around Bulgaria most convenient on buses that run regularly between all relatively large cities. Buses are municipal (cheaper and easier) and private (more expensive and more comfortable). Convenient for Russians is that the timetables and directions are written in Cyrillic. Services railways it makes sense to use only on popular directions, for example: Sofia - Varna or Sofia - Burgas, in other cases it is easier to get there by bus. When traveling by taxi, you need to be careful: it is best to order a car by phone.

In Bulgaria, the language barrier is practically not perceptible, but you should not relax too much. Holidays in Bulgaria are comfortable because the staff of hotels and restaurants, as well as the majority of local residents, speak tolerably Russian (the only exceptions are small towns in the mountainous and central parts of the country, far from the sea). This is somewhat relaxing. However, so that there is no misunderstanding, the order in cafes and restaurants should be voiced clearly and clearly, do not hesitate to ask whether you have been understood correctly.

It is worth remembering that a nod of the head, indicating our agreement- "Yes" in Bulgaria means negation- "No", and vice versa.

In cafes and restaurants, it is customary to leave a tip in the amount of about 10% of the cost of the bill..

As souvenirs from Bulgaria being taken Bulgarian ceramics, embroidered textiles, rose oil and cosmetics based on it, rose petal jam, Turkish delight and spirits: Bulgarian wine and rakia, as well as handmade leather, copper and silver products. It is cheaper to buy alcohol, jam and Turkish delight in supermarkets. Ceramics and magnets are sold in large quantities in tourist areas, in the old town. Moreover, in Duty Free at the airport, the same clay plates cost almost three times more. The cheapest place to buy leather goods is in Nessebar. In Sofia, the best shops are located along Vitosha Boulevard and in the gallery in front of National Palace culture (NDK).

As in many southern countries, at lunchtime, when the sun is especially hot, Bulgarians have a rest. That's why many private service establishments are closed in summer from 12 to 16 hours.

Telephone communication in Bulgaria

You can make calls in Bulgaria from almost anywhere. A call from a post office or a call center will be much cheaper than, for example, from a hotel. Calls within the country by mobile phone are very cheap, therefore, in order to call each other within the country, we recommend that Russian tourists purchase local SIM cards. It is most convenient to pay for local mobile communications with payment cards, which are sold everywhere and cost from 5 to 60 leva. it must be remembered that payment cards must correspond to the company whose SIM card you purchased.

Bulgaria

Many people choose this country for family holidays, the most popular time to visit with children is from May to October, but in the rest of the year tourists have something to see and where to have fun. is actively developing, the state allocates special programs, in order to take its rightful place among European resorts.

The geology of the country is also of interest, where there are the Balkan Mountains, the Black Sea and rivers on the plains, which allows you not only to bask on the beaches of Bulgaria, but also to engage in active recreation: descending the rivers (rafting), climbing mountains, etc.

Resorts of Bulgaria

All kinds of recreation are offered in this country: these are seaside resorts for summer vacations, excursion tours to cities with a 13-century history, and winter ski resorts. Marine resorts of Bulgaria Sunny Beach, Rusalka, Golden Sands, Balchik, Albena, Pomorie and Nessebar have proven themselves with modern comfortable conditions, entertainment centers and fun water parks.

Mediterranean climate and golden sandy beaches make tourism and vacation in Bulgaria unforgettable. The purest sea breeze blows through the windows of modern hotels, mixed with the smell of coniferous forests surrounding the hotels. Club life at night will also find its fans and leave a romantic impression.

Ski resorts in Bulgaria

Winter ski resorts in Bulgaria Bansko, Borovets, Vitosha Mountain, Chepelare and Pamporovo welcome tourists from December to February with fresh mountain air, relatively low prices and excellent service. Bulgaria is loved by tourists for its snowy slopes. Moreover, they are good for beginners and athletes with an average level, and the climate is warmer than in the mountains of Austria or France, so here it is much more convenient to have fun with the whole family.

Medical resorts in Bulgaria

Most vacationers choose exactly medical resorts in Bulgaria, which are represented by all types of services at any time of the year. On the Rila massif there is a ski resort where tourists are welcomed by mountain lakes with mineral springs. Hundreds of thousands of tourists have experienced the miraculous effect of the balneological resorts on the Rhodope mountain range. Thermal springs in the sanatoriums of Sandanski, Golden Sands, Hisar, Velingrad and Pomorie help to overcome various diseases (from skin to urological). However, even in the capital itself there are mineral springs with temperatures ranging from 20 to 50 ° C.

Tours in Bulgaria

You can start traveling around this country from the capital - Sofia, where sights of bulgaria literally at every turn. Here you can visit the ruins of the Thracian fortress of Serdika, the Cyril and Methodius library with mysterious and beautiful treasures inside, the Banya-Bashi mosque.

For those who are interested in herself Bulgaria, with its amazing history, will offer an ethnographic tour that starts from the village of Bata near Bourgas. Here you can be offered tours in Bulgaria to the lakes of Burgas. They attract tourists with unearthly beauty, clear waters and the opportunity to fish. Romantic natures will be offered to visit the valleys of roses on the slopes of the most beautiful mountains, and cruise lovers - sailing along the Danube.

Holidays in Bulgaria

Visiting Bulgaria is possible with a national visa, and for holders of multiple Schengen visas, entry is simplified. To apply for a Bulgarian visa, a lot of effort and documents are not required, special certificates are not required, the package of documents is standard. Regular visitors to the country are given a multivisa or three-year visa, which will allow them to get a high-quality vacation in Bulgaria and enjoy the resorts repeatedly and without difficulty.

Beaches in Bulgaria

On the coastline of the Black Sea, golden beaches of Bulgaria... Most of them are equipped with all the services for a civilized rest: changing rooms, toilets, the ability to rent sun loungers, umbrellas and other accessories, although there are also untouched places. There are more than 700 sandy beaches in the resorts of Bulgaria.

Bulgaria hotels

Choosing a place to stay is easy and pleasant. Hotels Bulgaria are presented for every taste and wallet, of various "stars". Hotels can be both family complexes and SPA, with their own beaches and beautiful forest landscapes. At the resorts "Golden Sands" and "Sunny Beach" fun pastime will be provided by the availability of water parks with a symbolic fee.

Transport in Bulgaria

Moving around Bulgaria is easy and comfortable by any means of transport. For tourists, a special transport in Bulgaria for transportation on tours, you can rent a car for self-formation of the route, you can travel by river and rail. For short-distance movements (for example, to water parks) minibuses are provided.

Is it possible in Turkey? Is there something to see there? Do you need a visa? We answer the most popular questions about holidays in Bulgaria.

There are three main reactions of tourists that a travel agent has to deal with when working with a Bulgarian destination:

Full acceptance: “yes, we decided to start with Bulgaria”, “let's repeat Bulgaria”, “we love Bulgaria, we plan to rest there for the 3rd, 5th, 10th time”. Usually oriented tourists start a conversation with such phrases. Easy, fast and relaxed.

Complete denial: "just not Bulgaria." It is not worth selling a vacation in a country to which a potential tourist has formed a stable and categorical "no", negative or denial. Or you need to spend time to break the stereotype with iron arguments.

Gradually adopting a direction as a good alternative: “let's look at Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria”. It is with such a request that you most often have to work and gradually lead the tourist to the fact that Bulgaria is an excellent budget alternative to more expensive summer destinations.

And "budgetary" in this case is not equal to "cheap". This is tantamount to the good level and quality of rest that you get in other countries, only in Bulgaria it will be more affordable.

Bulgaria - alternative:

• Family vacation on ALL (all inclusive) in Turkey, Greece and Egypt. First of all, according to the price segment, secondly - according to the climatic factor (not everyone is suitable for a very hot and humid summer season in Turkey and a very hot, albeit dry season in Egypt), and Greece is traditionally in a different price segment. Bulgaria is ideal for families traveling with a child for the first time. Especially with a baby (infant). Short flight (1 hour 45 minutes), one time zone, dry and comfortable climate of the Black Sea, products we understand and National cuisine in general, a gorgeous sandy strip of a long coastline - all this is ideal for quick and relatively easy adaptation of children of different ages.
• Prestigious youth rest. Who doesn't dream of unrealistic parties in the clubs of Ibiza or Mykonos, or at least Lloret de Mar? But while dreams are dreaming, and soul and body right now is eager to go to a techno-style sea party or to an “open air-disco-party” or to super-fashionable clubs or foam parties, then why not - Golden Sands and Sunny Beach are waiting for you at numerous parties, where, surprisingly or not, you will come across a huge number of tourists from different parts of the world, who will confirm to you that club vacation in Bulgaria is just "wow"!
• Wellness holiday on European resorts, resorts of Israel, in the Crimean health resorts... Several balneological resorts with hydrogen sulphide springs and curative mud, the availability of balneo hotels and spa treatments attract fans of this type of recreation to Bulgaria.

TOP-15 QUESTIONS ABOUT HOLIDAYS IN BULGARIA

Do you need a visa?

Bulgaria - visa destination. The national Bulgarian visa is opened in 7-10 working days with a minimum package of documents. The consular fee is 60 euros for an adult, for children under 12 years old - free of charge. Bulgaria in 2012 allowed entry to the country on Schengen visas, but there is a prerequisite - the visa must be multiple-entry.

When is the season in Bulgaria?

The summer season in Bulgaria officially runs from June to October. This is how the flight program of charter flights from Minsk is planned. You absolutely shouldn't be afraid of the first dates of June and the last dates of September. Climatic changes have added a sure + to the temperature. The season is gradually increasing, but prices on these dates are falling significantly, as is the flow of tourists. The high season starts at the end of June and lasts until the end of August, characterized by increased demand and higher hotel prices.

What airport do we arrive at?

There are two new and modern arrival airports on the coast - Varna (northern part of the coast) and Burgas (southern part of the coast). The transfer time depends on where you arrive. Find the Obzor resort on the map of the coast - this is exactly the middle, all resorts north of Obzor - arrival to Varna, all resorts to the south - to Burgas. What about the Review? - more often and more conveniently in Burgas. Taking into account the advantage of having two airports on the coast, the transfer to the main resorts rarely takes more than an hour, mostly 30-40 minutes.

Is the north coast colder?

The temperature difference is very conditional, but at the very beginning and at the end of the season you can pay attention to this, the distance from Varna to Burgas is only 130 km. But the microclimate will already be different. North coast- "green and wet" due to forests and national parks, but the southern coast is more "steppe and dry". Make the most of the emphasis on choosing the resort that is right for you, and not part of the coast.

Best Family Resorts?

Albena, Sunny Beach, St. Constantine and Helena, Golden Sands, Nessebar, Sozopol - a huge number of hotels in these resorts work on the "all inclusive" concept and offer a range of services and infrastructure for this type of holiday. Over the past 10 years, many hoteliers have either translated hotels and adapted concepts or continue to develop in this direction. Most large hotels, chain hotels (for example, RIU, Sol) and gated complexes work this way.

Are there hotels like in Turkey? We want it like in Turkey!

There are as many as three large gated resorts: Albena, Elenite and Dyuny. The concept of recreation here is practically in every all-inclusive hotel, and the infrastructure is focused on full-fledged recreation for adults and children at the hotels themselves (the area of ​​the complexes, sports grounds, water parks, amphitheaters for shows, disco bars and spa centers).
As for the Dunes complex, it is even better than in Turkey. One of the most popular and recommended gated resorts for quality family holidays in the middle and high price segment.

Where to get treatment on the coast?

It is very important to know that there are two types of balneotherapy on the coast, based on the medical profile and indications, choose the right place for you. Resorts with hydrogen sulphide and mineral springs: St. Constantine and Helena, Riviera club complex, Rusalka and Albena resort complex. And here the best resort Pomorie is still considered mud therapy, although in any of the coastal spa centers you can order mud applications. But there is no other such specialized hotel like anywhere else. A unique hotel with a professional approach to treatment and recovery. Chelsea footballers and other sports stars periodically undergo rehabilitation courses here (argument?).

Where are the best hangouts?

In our club. Everything here is simple and not simple. We'll have to stay between two fires, or rather between Golden Sands and Sunny Beach. Golden Sands have a higher level of positioning of the resort in Europe and a rating, which means prices will be higher, but the prestige of some places is higher. Whole planes of European tourists arrive on vacation in the "disco & bar tour" style. There is not a single person in Golden Sands who has not heard of the Arrogance Music Factory club or PR club, or the Go-Go girls club.

But Sunny Beach is about to catch up with Golden Sands, because there is a whole paradise here, or rather the beach - Cacao beach and the club of the same name, as well as another legendary club - Bedroom Beach. Armin van Buuren lit the night at the open air sunny beach. And you? Of course, the choice of clubs is huge now (these are Orange, Mania and many other clubs in the very center of the large resort coast). And the clubs amaze with their sound technology, style and creative parties.

Where to rent an apartment in Bulgaria?

Apartments in Bulgaria? Yes Yes Yes! This is a separate category of accommodation facilities. As a rule, these are new modern complexes of different levels with "apartment-type" rooms for families or a large company for any period, even a long one. And here special attention should be paid to a very modern and really beautiful resort - St. Vlas. The apartments of St. Vlas stand out qualitatively, because the resort is more accessible for a free-form holiday (without reference to all-inclusive meals) than neighboring Sunny Beach, is beautifully designed and has a huge number of rave reviews in the style of “here as in Europe”.

Where else to look for apartments on the coast? - in Sunny Beach, Nessebar, Sozopol, Obzor.

How many resorts are there in Bulgaria?

25 main resorts along the entire Bulgarian coast from north to south. And the coastline of Bulgaria from the border with Romania to the border with Turkey is 354 km for a minute. Impressive, isn't it?

Is there something to see there?

In the ancient land of the "golden apple", that is, in Bulgaria, there are 11 cultural and natural UNESCO monuments. You could end on this, but catch the "must see": the city of Nessebar, the city of Balchik and the palace of the Romanian queen in the Botanical Garden, monasteries (Aladzha, Rilski, St. George, etc.), the city of Sozopol, the first capital of Bulgaria - ancient city Veliko Tarnovo, the city of Plovdiv and the modern capital of Sofia. If this is not enough, then in the south there is a border with Turkey, which means that you can expect a trip for one or two days to Istanbul, and in the north the border with Romania - and magnificent Bucharest - is easy. And don't forget the short seasonal "aroma" excursions: Rose Valley or lavender fields near Varna. Plus a huge variety of active, entertaining, educational excursions (jeep safari, "Bulgarian village", wine tastings, fishing).

What is the currency in Bulgaria?

Bulgarian lev (BGN) tightly pegged to the European currency: 1 Euro ~ 1.95 Bulgarian. leva. The stability of the exchange rate and the national currency is precisely what provides here a low level of prices within the country. There are ATMs everywhere, and almost everywhere you can pay with a card. Exchange offices have been working officially for a long time, there are no threats of fraud during exchange operations in official places. Security in the country is another plus of a holiday in Bulgaria.

What to bring from Bulgaria?

Souvenirs: rose oil and cosmetics from the Valley of Roses (can be bought at any resort, in specialty stores or sections in supermarkets); Bulgarian embroidery: tablecloths, clothing items; silverware (we recommend shops and stalls in old Nessebar); spices and seasonings - yes, that same Sharena salt or variegated salt, the aroma of which is soaked through and through all Bulgarian "mehans" - traditional restaurants. And, of course, Bulgarian wines (you cannot return from the country without the legendary "Mavrud") and brandy. Finally, grab something made of ceramics - they are very good!

What will surprise us?

For example, the sweetest national feature of Bulgaria is that the Bulgarians nod their heads up and down when they are denied, and when they agree to the right and left, that is, "yes" they have "no", and "no" is "yes". So watch your hands.

The Bulgarian ice cream will surprise, the beaches will surprise, the prices will surprise, the tsa-tsa will surprise you - the Bulgarian national dish of small sea fish - the Bulgarian lavender will surprise you, the golf riviera in Kaliakria will surprise you, the Dunes will surprise you, they will surprise ... people who were able to create resorts of this scale with European quality mark.

Welcoming Bulgaria offers tourists the best beaches of "their" Black Sea, great holidays with children and budget ski tours. Sunny Beach and Golden Sands, Bansko, Borovets and health resorts - everything about Bulgaria from the intricacies of tourism: hotels, weather, map, tours and visa.

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Bulgaria and tourists from Russia have a long-standing, pre-perestroika friendship. And, I must say, the reasons for its occurrence - beautiful nature, extensive "excursion", warm sea and hospitality of local residents - are still evident. At the same time, many hotels today have freshened up after renovation, the service has improved and, of course, the prices for tours have grown. But still not enough for the country to become expensive destination, inaccessible to the "mass tourist". So for a relatively inexpensive family vacation, especially with children, and with the same inexpensive and high-quality treatment, many travelers now go to Bulgaria. Winter Bulgaria is quite suitable for beginner skiers without extra requests, as well as youth companies and families with children.

The import of foreign currency is unlimited, amounts above 10,000 EUR, including travelers checks and bills of exchange, will have to be declared. To export foreign currency in excess of 30,000 BGN, you need to obtain a special certificate of the absence of debts in the country, as well as a certificate of declaration of cash. Import and export of national currency is prohibited. The remaining leva can be exchanged before leaving the country by submitting a certificate of the initial exchange from the exchange office. It makes sense to declare personal jewelry and expensive electronics.

When crossing the border at the airport, duty-free import of 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 100 cigarillos or 250 g of tobacco is allowed, in other cases the limits are reduced by 5 times. You can bring 1 liter of strong alcohol, 2 liters of drinks with a strength of up to 22%, 4 liters of wine or 16 liters of beer. These permits only apply to travelers over 17 years of age. Please note that on the way back, the Russian customs will not allow more than 3 liters without duty alcoholic beverages including beer. With the duty, the limit can be increased by only 2 liters. When flying or arriving in Bulgaria by sea, it is allowed to import coffee, perfume, tea, toys, electronics and other non-prohibited goods in the amount of up to 430 EUR, while crossing the border overland - up to 300 EUR.

When traveling by car, the customs will only give the go-ahead for fuel in the tank and an additional 10 liter canister.

The import of meat and milk products, except for baby food, is prohibited. Objects and things of historical, artistic or archaeological value cannot be imported and exported without a special permit. Naturally, no drugs, weapons, poisons, psychotropic drugs and other universally prohibited things.

Tax free

Tax free refund in Bulgaria is a story full of rumors and ambiguities. What do we actually have: there are quite a few stores operating in the system; you can find them both in large cities and in small ones. The minimum check from such a point of sale must be at least 300 BGN, and the cost of one product - from 50 BGN. Carefully check the data in the form filled out by the seller - from the name and address outside the EU to a detailed list of purchases, do not forget to keep the cash and Tax free receipt.

Money will not be refunded for alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco, liquid fuels and goods that are not subject to VAT.

Do not open the packaging or check in your purchases as luggage, the Bulgarian customs officials will ask you to show the purchased item. That is, it will be possible to try out a new camera or flaunt in a fashionable sheepskin coat only after going through all the procedures and receiving money. VAT in the country is 20%, but after the voluntary-compulsory withdrawal of the banking commission and the not very clean exchange rate at airports, somewhere around 12-13% will remain on hand.

Tax refund points are available at the airports of Sofia, Burgas and Varna. If you are traveling in a different way, you can send all documents with customs stamps to the E&S Tax Services office in Sofia, leave the package of documents in a special mailbox on the border of Bulgaria with non-EU countries, try to return money in Russia through the Tax free bank, or contact with documents to the store, returning to Bulgaria within 6 months from the date of purchase.

How to get there

Bulgaria meets tourists at 4 international airports - in Sofia, Burgas, Plovdiv and Varna, you can also get there by train, by sea or Danube, by buses or your own car.

Aeroflot and Bulgaria Air regularly fly from Moscow to Sofia, the travel time is about 3 hours. In the low season, you will have to get to other cities with transfers via Istanbul or Athens; during the summer navigation period, direct flights and charters to Bulgaria are launched from several airlines at once, moreover, not only from the capitals, but also from a number of Russian cities.

In the summer, travel agencies launch bus routes to Bulgaria, the road from Moscow takes about 48 hours, the time for walking on transit settlements most likely won't. Ticket price - from 200 EUR. Also, large Bulgarian cities are connected by bus routes with all of Europe.

The shortest way in your own car is through Ukraine, which at the moment is perhaps not the best option. Another route is 400-500 km longer, it goes through Belarus and practically repeats the railway journey. The total length of the road between Moscow and Sofia is about 2,600 km.

Alas, there is no way to get there by sea from the Russian coast. If you really want to take a boat, you will have to go through Ukraine, Romania or Turkey, or buy a tour on the Danube in one of the European countries.

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Transport

Domestic flights are poorly developed and connect the capital with only a couple of airports. A direct flight from Sofia to Varna will take about an hour. But everything is not bad with the BJ railway network. It takes 4 hours by train from Sofia to Plovdiv, a full ticket costs 9.5-11.8 BGN. It takes about 8 hours to get from the capital to Burgas, tickets - 21.5-26.8 BGN for 2nd and 1st class, respectively. Prices on the page are for November 2018.

It is also convenient to travel around the country by buses: they regularly run between all more or less large cities. Buses are municipal (cheaper and easier) and private (more expensive and with a certain degree of comfort). The price of a bus trip depends on the level of comfort; on average, traveling between cities over a distance of 50-70 km will cost 5-8 BGN. An additional bonus for dear Russians: timetables and directions are written in Cyrillic.

When traveling by taxi, you need to be careful: in the country there are a large number of private owners disguised as taxi drivers, so to speak, who do not guarantee the safety of tourists. It is best to order a car by phone.

Urban transport

There are buses, trolleybuses and fixed-route taxis in the cities of the country, while in Sofia trams and metro are the main mode of transport. A single bus ride costs about BGN 0.60-1.0, such a ticket can be purchased from the driver. The cost of a single travel pass ranges from 2 BGN per day, a travel pass for a week costs about 9 BGN, for a month - 37 BGN. Tickets can be bought at kiosks or from the driver. Traveling in a minibus can be a little more expensive.

Taxis in Bulgaria are yellow with traditional "checkers", a price list with prices must be fixed on the side window, often you can even get a check from the driver. Walk past the cars and try to calculate the average cost of a trip in your area, filtering out the most obscenely expensive offers. When landing, look at the counter, sometimes extraneous numbers are found there "by accident". On average, for 1 km of a taxi ride, they ask for 0.70–0.90 BGN during the day and 0.90–1.10 BGN at night, plus the "initial tax" - the boarding price. In resort areas, airports and train stations, prices are higher - up to BGN 3 per km, here the ability to negotiate will come in handy.

Hotels in ski resorts provide their guests with a shuttle to the ski lift station. Depending on the level of the hotel, it will either be free of charge, or it will cost 1.50–2 BGN per person one way.

For independent travel in the country, you need to purchase a special sticker for the windshield of the car - a vignette that gives permission to travel on most Bulgarian roads. Tourist vignettes cost from 15 BGN per week to 30 BGN per month. Driving without such a sticker is fraught with fines. Pay attention to parking signs in cities. Often on weekdays, an hour of parking will cost 1-2 BGN, and on weekends you can leave your car here for free. Bribes to police officers are categorically contraindicated.

Rent a car in Bulgaria

Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Varna: st. Macedonia, 53; tel .: 602-718; Web site .

Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Ruse: st. Nish, 1; tel .: 822-252

Ambulance: 150, Fire Department: 160, Police: 166, Roadside Assistance: 146

Information Desk: 144, Weather Forecast Service: 175, Time Service: 180.

Bulgarian language

Many Bulgarian words, even though they sound completely "Russian", can actually mean something completely unexpected. For example, in a hotel restaurant a hungry tourist may well be offered “eggs in the eyes” early in the morning (that is, fried eggs), and at lunchtime they can recommend an appetizing “chushka burek” (nothing more than stuffed peppers). At the same time, they may react unexpectedly to an innocent request to serve a loaf for tea there: “roll” in Bulgarian is a bride. Well, if someone from the Bulgarians notices a lady that today she looks simply "fearful", the impudent person is just right to answer ... a compliment in return. After all, "fearful" means "great"!

Many Bulgarian words, even though they sound completely “Russian”, can actually mean something completely unexpected, and what we call an affirmative nod means “no”, and vice versa.

Typical Bulgaria

Beaches in Bulgaria

In the main Bulgarian resorts, the beaches are sandy, common and free. This is often the reason for their increased "population density", especially on weekends near major cities... Umbrellas and sunbeds - for money: the cost of a sunbed from 6 BGN, an umbrella from 4 BGN. Most of the Bulgarian beaches boast Blue flag Of the European Union - a sign of environmental friendliness. On the beaches you can play volleyball or tennis, rent a velomobile, ride horses.

Youth hungry for partying, adventure and nightlife, you should pay attention to the beaches of Sunny Beach and Golden Sands - there are all conditions for the very active rest... At the same time, 10 km wide beaches Sunny Beach is also suitable for parents with children, the entrance to the water in the bay is gentle, the infrastructure of the resort is built almost on the same level with the sea, there is plenty of entertainment for children. But in Golden Sands it can be difficult with a child due to the peculiarities of the local mountainous landscape, and the entrance to the sea is not so soft.

For those for whom comfort and peace on vacation is more important than noisy entertainment, there is a direct road to the beaches of such resorts as Ahtopol, Kiten, Obzor, Tsarevo and Sozopol. Tsarevo and Ahtopol have not yet been captured by mass development, the towns themselves are small, prices are low, the beaches are clean and beautiful, and most importantly - empty. Sozopol will allow you to combine beach vacation and acquaintance with local architecture - the old part of the city is a continuous monument of history under the protection of UNESCO. Kiten and Obzor are good for families with children and budget trips. And Obzor also has the warmest sea.

Skiing

Treatment in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is not only fun, bright, tasty, but also healthy! The country is justly proud of its health resorts, built next to hundreds of life-giving springs of thermal and mineral waters, sources of healing mud that can put even a seriously ill person on their feet. An important advantage of Bulgarian health resorts over similar institutions in other EU countries is more democratic prices and a mild climate. In addition, most of the clinics are located nearby in the forested mountains or near the sea, which provides additional therapy with fresh and clean air.

In the mountainous suburb of Sofia, on the banks of the mountain river Kakach, there is a whole resort town of Bankya, famous for the prestigious sanatorium of the United Nations Health Organization.

Mineral waters in different parts of the country help to get rid of various ailments. For example, waters rich in iodine and bromine are extracted along the entire coast. The siliceous springs in Kyustendil and Hisar are recommended for diseases of the skin, digestive tract and hypertension. The same springs come to the surface in the balneological capital of the country Velingrad and the homeland of Spartak Sandanski, in these towns fluoride waters, useful for the stomach and endocrine system, are also mined.

No less popular is mud therapy, which helps to improve the condition of people with problems of the musculoskeletal system, skin, cardiovascular, nervous systems and many other diseases. In total, there are half a dozen estuary lakes and lagoons in Bulgaria that provide healing mud. Most famous resort and the source of mud for peloid therapy is located on the Black Sea coast - the health-restoring capabilities of Pomorie were known back in the days of Ancient Rome. Nowadays, mud is mined here for many sanatoriums and for the production of cosmetics, which is worth buying and taking home with you as a truly useful souvenir from your vacation.

Pilgrimage

Orthodox Bulgaria is an important point on the map for pilgrimage and acquaintance with the Christian world of the Slavs. Many shrines and temples of this small country have come down to our times in excellent condition, and acquaintance with them will bring a lot of pleasure to a caring person.

It is worth starting with a trip to the capital. Be sure to visit not the most pompous, but the most important for Christianity Cathedral of St. Sophia - one of the oldest Orthodox churches in the world. A grandiose memorial church of St. Alexander Nevsky is located just a stone's throw away, a little further - the beautiful Russian embassy church, which stores the relics of St. Seraphim. After another 500 m you will find the ancient Rotunda of St. George, built in the 6th century, and the Cathedral of St. Nedelya. In general, there are so many iconic Christian places in Sofia that the whole trip can be devoted only to this city.

But not one capital city is famous for its monasteries and temples. In Varna, devote time to the majestic Assumption Cathedral - the symbol of Bulgarian independence. Then head to the north, where Aladzha Monastery is carved into the rocks next to Golden Sands - the habitat of medieval hermit monks. In Burgas, visit the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius with its iconostasis decorated with the finest wood carvings. A 30-minute drive from Plovdiv, surrounded by mountains and forests, is the Bachkovo monastery, which has absorbed Byzantine, Bulgarian and Georgian culture.

The main shrine of Bulgaria is completely away from busy highways and big cities, in the protected Rila mountains. The Rila Monastery attracts believers with its magnificent frescoes, impressive medieval architecture, a unique museum, and, of course, the relics of John of Rila and one of the most important Bulgarian icons - the miraculous icon of the Mother of God “Odigitria”.

What to bring

Tasty

All peoples, to one degree or another, are proud of their "most-most" alcohol. In Bulgaria it is rakia fruit vodka. They make it from plums, peaches, pears, apples, apricots, cherries, grapes, insist on herbs - no health and vacation will be enough to taste all varieties. Less hyped, but also worthy of attention are anise mastic, mint and pink liqueurs. When shopping for alcohol, do not forget about customs limits. Take Turkish Delight as a gift for the whole family. It is not as sweet as Turkish, but very aromatic, tasty and inexpensive. To this we add nougat with nuts, rose petal confitures and sweets from the Plovdiv confectionery factory.

Shops are open from Monday to Friday, Saturday is a short day. Many retail establishments work seven days a week (in resorts often until 22:00). Grocery stores are often open around the clock (as evidenced by the “Non-stop” sign). Try in the first days to find a large supermarket where locals shop, this will seriously save on groceries and gifts.

Be sure to try "lukanka" - a local raw smoked sausage. This product is unpretentious to transport, so you can safely take it home. Also, do not forget about herbal teas for cold winter evenings and spices - fragrant and stimulating the appetite.

Traditional household

Bulgarian craftsmen are famous for their ceramics, a real hostess will appreciate baking pots, a solid teapot or chic painted plates. As a set for ceramics, take a bright traditional tablecloth and a set of kitchen towels with potholders in folk ornaments. Coffee lovers should look for a copper turk.

Useful

It is banal and unambiguous - rose oil, as well as perfumes and cosmetics based on it. For a change - creams, tonics, soaps and other beauty attributes based on lavender, olive and grapes.

Cuisine and restaurants

Bulgarian cuisine stands out for its special piquant taste, spicy seasonings, an abundance of vegetables and an addiction to open hearths and pottery. It is worth trying the famous stuffed peppers, "lutenitsa" (spicy pasta that is smeared on bread), "kebab" (meat on a spit), "kebabche" (fried meat sausages), "gyuvech" (stew with potatoes and vegetables), " kavarmu "(a meat dish with mushrooms, onions and potatoes), Bulgarian soup" tarator "and" banitsu "- puff pastry pies with cottage cheese, pumpkin or feta cheese. Bulgarians are generally distinguished by their addiction to feta cheese - the traditional Shopski salad is another confirmation of this.

However, not a single cheese: dairy products are generally highly respected in the country: "kiselo mlyako" (a drink like curdled milk), "ayran" - a salty mixture of yogurt and water, and even a cold soup "tarator" (a terrible union of curdled milk, cucumbers for the uninitiated) , garlic and nuts). We also recommend trying the local cheeses - the hard yellow “kashkaval” and the soft “siren” made from sheep's milk.

Local wines are a great addition to a delicious lunch or dinner. Among the red wines are Pamid, Gumzu and Melnik, and among the whites - Khan Krum Traminer, Galatea and Kadarku.

There are, of course, familiar cafes and restaurants in Bulgaria, but for a proper acquaintance with the country's cuisine it will not be superfluous to find out the local names of catering points and their essence. Mekhana is a small family restaurant with traditional cuisine, often decorated as a country house - wood, brick, ceramics, old dishes, rural household items, tablecloths and ornamented plates. Mehana is an entourage, a sense of antiquity and a pleasant gastronomic attraction. The guest will be offered a menu with such an abundance of dishes that his head starts spinning from the choice. Often, explanations in the menu are duplicated in English, and Russian is not uncommon. But even without this, you can guess by familiar words and mouth-watering pictures. The average bill in the resort area without drinks will be about 12-15 BGN. A glass of wine - 2–5 BGN, a glass of beer - 1.50–2 BGN. In places with less promoted prices are lower.

Those with a sweet tooth are expected in "sweet karnitsa" - this is the name of the local pastry shops. Don't miss the opportunity to discover the world of Bulgarian desserts and soft drinks. A piece of cake or pastry costs on average 1–3 BGN, ice cream from 0.80 BGN, coffee 0.80–1.30 BGN, fresh juices and cocktails from 1.50 BGN.

Guides in Bulgaria

Entertainment and attractions in Bulgaria

Multifaceted Bulgaria is ready to surprise even the most inveterate traveler with its sights - natural resources will reveal incredible beauty of mountains, lakes, vineyards and pink valleys to you, National parks and forests, architectural monuments will tell about different eras - from the Byzantines and Romans to the struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire, and impressive temples and churches will not leave indifferent even a non-religious person.

Active entertainment

Fans of water sports, in addition to the warm Black Sea, should appreciate the country's main water parks. Aqualand is located in the center of Bulgaria, on the outskirts of Lauta Park in Plovdiv, a good option for those who have devoted their holidays to city tourism. The rest are scattered along the coast: the relatively small Aqua planet in Primorsko, the very impressive Aqua Paradise in Nessebar and Action in Sunny Beach, surrounded by the greenery of Aquapolis in Golden Sands and Aquamania in the resort town of Albena. Water parks are open from late May to mid-September.

Sofia has an interesting extreme adventure park "Kokolandia" and the oldest zoo in Bulgaria, and the country's largest family theme park, Happy Land, is located in the vicinity of Varna.

Architectural monuments

Majestic monasteries and grandiose temples, Byzantine architecture, the ruins of ancient Roman fortresses, Ottoman mosques - fans of contemplative historical tourism can only complain that the most interesting places are scattered all over Bulgaria and they are not always in cities. Of course, you can explore Sofia for a long time and with pleasure - visit the ancient Thracian fortress of Serdika, the main cathedral of Bulgaria and the Banya-Bashi mosque - one of the oldest in Europe. And do not forget to look around - this city is literally filled with antiquity. In Golden Sands, visit the rocky monastery of Aladzha, in Plovdiv - the ruins of the Roman theater, in the Rila Mountains - the Rila Monastery; also interesting are the cave churches near Ivanovo, the Thracian tombs in Sveshtari or Kazanlak, the Roman baths in Varna and do not forget about the city-museum of Nessebar and the place of military glory - the Shipka Pass.

Natural Monuments

A third of Bulgaria is covered with forests, the country has many beautiful mountains and lakes, united in natural and national parks. The largest of them are Pirin and Rila. Here, travelers will find eco-routes through protected areas, mineral and thermal springs, clean air, high-quality ski slopes. In the Burgas Bay there is one of the few islands of the Black Sea - the island of St. Anastasia to the Ethnographic Museum Holidays and events

At least one in four corresponds to reality somehow. Most are either very outdated, or more like crafts that promote the interests of travel agencies. At least we got this impression after a trip to Bulgaria.

A similar breakfast awaited us every day at the Vanini Hotel. In the reviews of other tourists it was said that it is not possible to eat breakfast, and if you are also a little late, then there will be no normal tea. Maybe because we were never late, but we were always offered a choice of not only tea, but also coffee with hot chocolate.

Bulgaria is a country of contrasts

For luxurious and expensive hotels Sunny Beach, literally a few hundred meters from the huge water park, hides an abandoned wasteland.

Even in the most expensive resort in Bulgaria, there are many places in the backyards that, to put it mildly, do not look very good. As, by the way, in any city in the world.

The level of service in Bulgaria is better than we expected

Reading on the Internet about the level of service in Bulgaria, one gets the impression that everything is very, very bad here.

In fact, even in the cheapest hotel, the level of service was quite sufficient and exceeded that in Montenegro.

Of course, if you choose a cheap accommodation option, you should not count on the service of a 5-star hotel. But the necessary minimum (bed, shower, toilet, air conditioner, refrigerator) is also present in the simplest room.

There are no good 5 * hotels in Bulgaria and All Inclusive - not true

This year many travel companies instead of Turkey and Egypt, they plan to sell exactly Bulgaria.

In terms of the level of service, the resorts of Golden Sands are in no way inferior to the five-star hotels of Sharm El Sheikh and other cities that Russian-speaking tourists love.

At the same time, the prices for holidays in Bulgaria are still lower, the consumer attitude towards vacationers is not yet felt.

Don't believe me? Compare and check for yourself (by default it searches for the nearest dates).

Cheapness in Bulgaria is no longer quite true

On the internet, you can read about surprisingly low ones. Unfortunately, due to sharp jumps in the exchange rate of the ruble and the hryvnia, these prices have almost nothing to do with reality.

Don't have to wait for the group leader - just waste your time

What money to take to Bulgaria?

This is the type of leva - the currency of Bulgaria.

They walk in Bulgaria levs BULGARIAN LEV COURSE:
1 lev = 0.52 euros;
1 lev = 0.61 dollars;
1 lev = 40 rubles;
1 lev = 15 hryvnia;
1 lev = 0.83 Belarusian rubles.
(You can find out their course by clicking on the inscription anywhere on our website). But the import and export of Bulgarian currency from the country is prohibited by law.

In exchange offices or banks, you can easily exchange dollars, euros, rubles, hryvnias and many other currencies for levs.

How much money do you need to take for a vacation in Bulgaria?

By and large, it will not be possible to name a fixed amount - it all depends on your appetites and habits.

For example, we once spent only $ 200 in 14 days. This is taking into account the large number of self-guided tours and museum tickets.

If we were strictly saving, we would even fit in $ 100, but they would only be enough for food.

But we must understand that this is the very, very minimum. Suitable for poor students who at that time could not afford full travel. Now, in the same 14 days, I would spend at least $ 1000, and maybe more, taking into account and.

You can take an umbrella to Bulgaria, or you can buy it here

I want to walk along the old medieval streets - Nessebar

It is very interesting and romantic to walk along the streets of old Nessebar in the evening.

In Bulgaria, we lived in Nessebar... The city is very beautiful and romantic, albeit quite expensive. It makes a special impression Old Nessebar with its cobbled streets, dozens of small churches and old Bulgarian buildings.

There are such articles about Nessebar on our website:

I want to relax cheap, but high quality - Pomorie

If we ever come to Bulgaria again, we will definitely live in Pomorie... We remember this city not only for its indescribable resort atmosphere, fantastic landscapes and interesting sights, but also for its low prices.

I want to live in a big city with cheap shopping and sights - Varna or Burgas

It is to the central street of Burgas that tourists are brought who want to inexpensively and thoroughly skimp.

In our opinion, in this case, it is best to go to or Varna. Both of these cities are quite large and very interesting.

Varna has a little more attractions, there is a dolphinarium and a small zoo, many beautiful fountains. Nearby is the Golden Sands resort, Aladzha monastery, etc.

I love beautiful nature and parks very much - Balchik

We didn't really like Balchik by itself - it is very shabby, especially closer to the bus station and further from the sea. There are no special attractions in the city, it turns out to be expensive to go.

Other cities and resorts in Bulgaria

In fact, there are a lot in Bulgaria. Of those that we managed to visit, I would like to advise Obzor. Someone might like Aheloy, where you can see a wooden house 20 meters from a five-star hotel.

We will not talk about the places where we have not been, but we will be very grateful if you share your impressions with us.

Food and dining in Bulgaria - how to save

A 1.5 liter bottle of water in Bulgaria will cost you an average of 0.5 BGN.

In Bulgaria, you can eat both in restaurants and food from supermarkets.

And if you also take into account that even inexpensive sausage in Bulgaria is made from meat, and the products we know (for example, the President brand) are many times better, then in general it makes no sense to take something from home.

Be sure to try the Bulgarian products - they are delicious

• Tarator- this is something like our okroshka, but without meat and potatoes. Oddly enough, the drink turned out to be very tasty. It refreshes well in summer.
• Kaymak- Bulgarian fermented milk product, which in taste and consistency is very similar to something between sour cottage cheese and heavy cream.
• Ayran- Bulgarian milk drink.
• Cheese- both hard and homemade cheeses are delicious. We also liked locally produced processed cheese - they have a very unusual taste.
• Fruits- most are very tasty, but not expensive.

When do I need to take groceries from home?

Quite small. The choice in supermarkets there is also small. If, for example, your child is used to a particular brand of baby food, it is better to take it from home.

Duner- local version of shawarma with meat, potatoes and vegetables. Many sites recommend it, but every time we came across a lot of vegetables and a completely ridiculous portion of meat. In general, I did not like it.

Tsarevitsa is the most popular fast food in Bulgaria

The prince is sold literally on every corner. This is boiled corn that stands from 1 to 2.5 leva BULGARIAN LEV COURSE:
2 lev = 1.05 euros;
2 lev = 1.23 dollars;
2 lev = 80 rubles;
2 lev = 30 hryvnia;
2 lev = 1.66 Belarusian rubles.
Course and prices may not be accurate.... Locals love it very much, tourists buy less often.

Souvenirs and shopping in Bulgaria - what and where to buy?

There are very few interesting nationalities in Bulgaria. It is difficult to bring home something national and useful at the same time.

You can go to Istanbul for shopping

You can easily get from Bulgaria to Istanbul even by bus. They say there is great shopping there - we didn't check. But at least the city itself is amazing.

Travel by public transport - it is 2 times cheaper

Travel by public transport in Bulgaria - profitable. You can visit the same places as on excursions, but 2-3 times cheaper and without time limit.

The buses are very comfortable, with air conditioning and comfortable seats, and they run quite often.

Many sights can be visited only with a rented car.

Unfortunately, some of the sights can only be visited during an excursion or by a rented car.

For example, Cape Kaliakra, Beaten stones, Aladzha monastery, Ropotamo, Ravadinovo castle and many, many others.

Visit the botanical garden in Balchik - just an amazingly beautiful place

When planning your visit, be sure to set aside an entire day for it. There really is a lot to see. - one of the most beautiful places in the seaside part of Bulgaria. It is better to come here in the evening - the city becomes surprisingly romantic and mysterious. It was interesting and informative for us to visit the monastery of St. George in Pomorie.

In is located, which stores the icon of St. George the Victorious. The place is famous not only for its holiness and healing power, but also for its beauty.

The entrance to the monastery and the monastery museum is free. You should definitely visit this place.

Thracian tomb in Pomorie is not worth visiting

But you can spend neither time nor money on the Thracian tomb - there is nothing special there, and the ticket price is high (4-5 levs) BULGARIAN LEV COURSE:
5 lev = 2.62 euros;
5 lev = 3.07 dollars;
5 lev = 200 rubles;
5 lev = 75 hryvnia;
5 lev = 4.15 Belarusian rubles.
Course and prices may not be accurate.... For this money, you can easily visit several good museums.

On the way to the tomb, you can find a field where kiwi grows. Despite the fact that it looks slightly abandoned, we do not recommend picking the fruits - guard dogs do not sleep.

In Burgas, it is worth visiting the Seaside Park and the exhibition of sand figures

We especially remember the Seaside Park and the thematic one - we recommend visiting.

Also come to the main street, next to the monument to Alyosha. In the morning, a foggy curtain of small water droplets is created there.

There is a dolphinarium and a zoo in Varna

In Varna, you can take your children to the dolphinarium or visit the local small zoo. Of course, there are many churches and other interesting places in the city.