Even if you have been to Bulgaria more than once, explored the local beaches or skied on the mountain slopes, this country has much more to offer you - you just need to change your usual route a little, opening your heart to new experiences. Ancient fortresses and monasteries, unique natural parks, archaeological sites, caves, rocks, roses, and finally, what is not there.
The sights of Bulgaria are not as famous as the tourist sites of neighboring, more popular European countries. However, this does not make them less interesting. By the time of their creation and by their historical significance, they can compete with similar monuments in Greece, Italy, and Turkey. Many Bulgarian cities were founded by the Phoenicians and later transformed by the Romans and Byzantines. Monasteries here were opened by holy hermits, rose plantations were planted by the Turks, vineyards appeared here long before the arrival of the Proto-Bulgarians.
Bulgaria has everything: mountains, sea, healing springs, places of power (for example, the Rupite valley), extraordinary churches. Discover a different Bulgaria!
The best sights of Bulgaria
1. Madara horseman
Madara rider
A unique relief image of a horseman piercing a lion with a spear can be seen on a high cliff in the territory of the Madara National Archaeological Park. The half-covered relief, dated back to the 9th century, is famous for the fact that it is surrounded by inscriptions in which the name of the people - "Bulgarians" is first encountered.
2. Thracian tomb in Kazanlak
Thracian tomb in Kazanlak
The tomb, built at the turn of the IV-III centuries. BC e., is the place of the last resting place of one of the Thracian rulers. It consists of:
- an elongated vestibule built of stone blocks;
- a short corridor with military-themed frescoes on the walls;
- a domed brick tomb, decorated with bright paintings designed to remind viewers of the deceased.
3. Tomb in Sveshtari
Tomb in Sveshtari
Another interesting Thracian tomb from the beginning of the 3rd century BC. NS. is located a few dozen kilometers from Razgrad and is part of the Sboryanovo complex. Its central burial hall (there are 3 of them) is decorated with bright frescoes and sculptures of 10 caryatids. This is the only Thracian tomb in the world where such sculptural images can be found.
4. Boyana Church
Boyana Church
The church in the village of Boyana near Sofia was erected in the XI-XII centuries and since then has been rebuilt and expanded three times. It is famous for its distinctive old frescoes depicting 240 saints and historical figures and 89 religious scenes. The "youngest" paintings were made in the 15th century.
5. Ivanovo - cave monastery
Ivanovo - cave monastery
In the XIII-XIV centuries, Orthodox monks-hesychasts, in search of solitude, discovered caves above the Rusensky Lom River, in the vicinity of the modern village of Ivanovo. The caves were expanded, turning into a rock monastery with churches, cells, decorated with drawings, whose colors are still fresh and vibrant.
6. Old town of Nessebar
Old town of Nessebar
The former town of fishermen, Nessebar has now become a resort center, without losing, however, its medieval charm. The old part of the city is under the protection of UNESCO. While walking around the city, pay attention to the houses sheathed with wood that protected the stone walls from the storm, numerous churches, and windmills.
7. Rila Monastery
Rila Monastery
The active Rila Monastery, which appeared in the Rila Mountains in the 10th century thanks to Saint Ivan Rilski, covers an area of 8000 sq. The complex consists of several residential buildings, located in the form of a quadrangle, the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin with wonderful paintings, the old Hreleva tower. Nearby there is the cave of St. Ivan Rilski.
8. Pirin National Park
Pirin National Park
Original photos can be taken while walking in the Pirin Nature Reserve, famous for its picturesque landscapes. The park is located on the slopes of the Pirin Mountain, overgrown with conifers, among which there are real giants. You should definitely see the purest Pirin lakes and watch birds of prey.
9. Srebarna Biosphere Reserve
Srebarna Biosphere Reserve
There is no better place in Bulgaria for watching waterfowl than the Srebarna reserve, located on the shores of the lake of the same name, 5 meters deep. It is home to many rare birds, amphibians, insects and fish. You can learn more about the local inhabitants at the nearby museum.
10. Neolithic dwellings in Stara Zagora
Neolithic dwellings in Stara Zagora
It is very easy to find a museum displaying the remains of two historical dwellings from the Neolithic period on the map of Stara Zagora. This is a branch of the local history museum, built right above two two-level houses that appeared here 10 thousand years ago.
11. Valley of roses
Valley of roses
The description of the Valley of Roses, even the most detailed and accurate, cannot replace those who have never been there, photographs or videos of this picturesque corner of Bulgaria. This valley is located near the city of Kazanlak. Roses have been cultivated here since the 16th century. Oil rose petals are harvested in early summer, so it is best to come here in May.
12. Ruins of the city of Nikopolis ad Istrum
Ruins of the city of Nikopolis ad Istrum
You can see the remains of the ancient city, founded at the beginning of the 2nd century by the Roman ruler Trajan, by going on an excursion from the city of Veliko Tarnovo to the village of Nikyup. It is believed to have been destroyed by Attila's army in the 5th century. The pavements, the forum, parts of the sewerage system, and the ruins of buildings have been preserved here.
13. Bachkovo monastery
Bachkovo monastery
The male Orthodox Bachkovo Monastery is located in the Rhodope Mountains. It was founded at the end of the 11th century, but from those times, unchanged until now, only a detached crypt has survived. The Cathedral of the Virgin was built in 1604. Thousands of pilgrims come here to worship the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary.
14. City of Melnik
Melnik town
Cozy, neat Melnik, in which less than half a thousand people live, is famous throughout the country and far beyond its borders for architecturally interesting mansions (the oldest house in Bulgaria stands here), wine shops and amazingly beautiful rocks that serve for all this wealth. excellent background.
15. Shipka Pass
Shipka pass
The pass, which became an insurmountable obstacle in the way of the Turkish army during the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878, is now a place of memory, where the park-museum, founded in 1959, the monumental monument of Freedom and the church turned into a memorial remind of the past.
16. Old Plovdiv
Old Plovdiv
The historical center of Plovdiv has been turned into an architectural reserve with this name. Old Plovdiv is located on three hills. These are the same areas that were founded during the time of the Thracians. There are many famous landmarks to see here.
17. Belogradchik rocks
Belogradchik rocks
The natural monument Belogradchik Rocks are multi-colored bizarre sandstone formations. They are located in the Stara Planina mountains. Each rock has its own name. The Romans successfully entered the Belogradchik fortress into the existing landscape, which is open to the public.
18. Baba Vida Fortress Museum
Museum-fortress Baba Vida
The construction of one of the landmarks of Vidin, the Baba Vida fortress, began at the end of the 10th century. For 9 centuries, it was completed and improved. This medieval building, the former residence of King Shishman, is in perfect condition and is a venue for various cultural events.
19. Gabrovo
Gabrovo
Gabrovo is often called Bulgarian Odessa in Russian travel guides. Jokes are made up about the Gabrovo people in the country, which emphasize the excessive frugality of local residents. There is an unusual museum - the House of Satire and Humor, which contains cartoons, posters, books of anecdotes and many other humorous materials.
20. Ledenik's Cave
Ledenik's cave
In the Balkan Mountains, in the vicinity of the town of Vratsa, there is a spacious Ledenika cave, consisting of 10 halls. The cave got its name due to the numerous ice build-ups that appear here every winter. The cave is well lit. Sometimes it hosts concerts of chamber music.
21. Ruins of ancient Pliska
Ruins of ancient Pliska
The ruins of the first capital of the Bulgarians, Pliska, founded by Khan Asparukh in the 7th century, can be visited with a guided tour. Today they are an archaeological reserve. The remains of the Big and Small palaces, water reservoirs, pools, barns have survived to our time. At 1.5 km from the ruins, there is what remains of a huge 9th century basilica.
22. Rotunda of St. George in Sofia
Rotunda of St. George in Sofia
The oldest temple in Sofia, the Rotunda of St. George, appeared in the 4th century and originally served as a baptistery. During the Turkish rule, the Ottomans turned the rotunda into a mosque, painting over the unusual ancient frescoes that covered its walls. The restorers managed to restore these paintings. You can visit the rotunda of St. George with a guided tour. Sometimes services are held here.
23. Fortress Tsarevets
Fortress Tsarevets
The low hill Tsarevets near the town of Veliko Tarnovo was consistently chosen for their fortifications by the Romans, Byzantines and ancient Bulgarians. The current fortress was built on the foundations of a Byzantine fortification. It was destroyed by the Turks at the end of the 4th century.
24. Palace in Balchik "Quiet Nest"
Palace in Balchik "Quiet Nest"
A luxurious villa with an elegant minaret was built in Balchik in 1926-1937 for the Romanian Queen Maria. The architecture of the palace contains details typical of Balkan and Eastern buildings. A botanical garden adjoins the palace, where rare plant species grow. You should definitely see the rose garden and cactus flower beds. There are more than 250 species of them here. This is the second largest collection of cacti in Europe (the first to be found in Monaco).
