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Bulgaria

Bulgaria Travel Guide

Bulgaria is a Balkan country bordering Turkey, Greece, Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, and the Black Sea. When we arrived in Bulgaria after two months in Istanbul, I (Sabrina) immediately asked: why did we leave Istanbul? The thing is Bulgaria has a rough and charmless exterior. However, if you can get past the initial gruffness, you’ll come to know that Bulgaria has a lot to offer. Travel in Bulgaria isn’t neatly packaged for tourists. But, once you dig in and spend some time, you’ll likely have a very rewarding experience. After our trip, we were indeed glad we came.

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Bulgaria Travel Guide

Bulgaria Travel Guide Overview

  • Bulgaria Travel Basics
  • Where to Go in Bulgaria (Map)
  • What to Experience in Bulgaria
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Old Town of Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Bulgaria Travel Basics

Official Name: Republic of Bulgaria

Capital: Sofia

Government: Parliamentary Republic 

Regions: Bulgaria is divided into 28 provinces. 

Population: 7.1 million 

Language: Bulgarian

Currency: Bulgarian Lev (BGN)

Payment Culture: Cash, though we were able to use our credit cards in Sofia and Plovdiv almost everywhere.

Tipping Etiquette: 10%

Water Quality: In Sofia, tap water is generally safe to drink. However, as you travel beyond the capital, we recommend only drinking filtered water.

Something Interesting: The Cyrillic alphabet was invented by two monks (Cyril and Methodius) in the First Bulgarian Empire in the 10th century. Cyrillic is used in Russia and in other Balkan and Slavic nations. 

 
Sofia Roman Ruins, Bulgaria

Where to Go in Bulgaria

Click the dots to explore specific destinations
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Гузен негонен бяга

 

 

 

 

 

Bulgarian Saying

A guilty person runs when he isn’t chased.

What to Experience in Bulgaria

Our favorite things to see and do
St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Bulgaria
St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Sofia

The capital of Bulgaria feels like a living and breathing history book – one that you can walk right into. In a single day, you can discover Sofia’s ancient Greek, Roman, medieval, Ottoman-era, and communist past.

At the Serdika Metro Station, you can walk on an ancient Roman street, gaze at a communist-era building complex (the Largo), and see an Ottoman-style mosque (Banya Bashi). History aside, Sofia is an amazing destination for food and wine.

Look for accommodation in Sofia.

Here’s a perfect Sofia One Day Itinerary

 
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Plovdiv

Plovdiv

Bulgaria’s second largest city is a fascinating destination for travelers who love history, wine and offbeat places. It’s also considered the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe. It was the ancient Thracians, a collection of Indo-European tribes, who originally settled in Plovdiv.

You can easily visit Plovdiv as a day trip from Sofia, or even better as a 2-day trip.

Look for accommodation in Plovdiv.

Learn about how to spend a wine-themed day in Plovdiv.

 
Sofia Saint George Rotunda, Sofia, Bulgaria
@moonhoneytravelers
  • Photo dump from last weekend’s hike above Lake Achensee in Tyrol.
Starting Point: Achenkirch (Bus Stop: Achenkirch Abzw Achensee)
Ending Point: Pertisau (Bus Stop: Pertisau Bootshaus)
Distance: 12.4 km point-to point
Time Needed: 6:30 hours
Elevation Gain/ Loss: 1300 meters
Difficulty: Difficult
📍Tyrol, Austria 🇦🇹 
#achensee #tirol #tyrol #austrianalps #karwendel #visitaustria #austriatrip #austriatravel #austriahiking #lakeachensee #seekarspitze #seebergspitze #hikingblog
  • The unmistakable Kreuzberg pinnacles towering above Saxer Lücke pass. 
The complete trail description is on the blog. 
📍Alpstein, Appenzell Alps, Switzerland 
#alpstein #appenzell #appenzellerland🇨🇭 #appenzellinnerrhoden #appenzellalps #visitappenzell #inlovewithswitzerland #swissalps #hikingtrails #swisstravel #swissmountains @myswitzerland #feelthealps #alpsmountains #swisshiking #kreuzberg #saxerlücke #saxerluecke
  • Berggasthaus Aescher Wildkirchli is a wooden guesthouse built into the rock wall of Ebenalp in the Alpstein.
It has existed in its current form since 1884, making it one of the oldest mountain guesthouses in Switzerland. 
The fastest and easiest way to get to Berggasthaus Aescher is from the Ebenalp plateau, accessible by cable car from Wasserauen. From Ebenalp, it only takes 25 minutes to hike down to Aescher via the Wildkirchli caves.
Alternatively, you can skip the cable car ascent and hike from Wasserauen to Aescher via the stunning Lake Seealpsee.
📍Alpstein, Appenzell Alps
#alpstein #appenzell #appenzellerland🇨🇭 #appenzellinnerrhoden #appenzellalps #visitappenzell #marwees #inlovewithswitzerland #swissalps #hikingtrails #swisstravel #swissmountains @myswitzerland #feelthealps #alpsmountains #swisshiking #berggasthausaescher #berggasthausaescherwildkirchli #aescher #äscher #ebenalp
  • Secret hike in the Alpstein massif in Appenzell, Switzerland 👇
Marwees Ridge Trail
Trailhead: Wasserauen
Distance: 14.5 km circuit
Time Needed: 6:45 hours
Difficulty: Difficult
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1225 meters
Trail guide on the blog.
📍@appenzellerland 
#alpstein #appenzell #appenzellerland🇨🇭 #appenzellinnerrhoden #appenzellalps #visitappenzell #marwees #inlovewithswitzerland #swissalps #hikingtrails #swisstravel #swissmountains @myswitzerland #feelthealps #alpsmountains #swisshiking
  • If you’re visiting the Alps this month, you may be able to experience a traditional alpine cattle drive (Almabtrieb, Alpabzug, Alpabtrieb, Viehscheid, Désalpe, etc…). 
Across the Alps, cattle, goats, and sheep graze in the mountain pastures during the summer months. At the end of the grazing season, farmers herd their animals back down to their winter stables in the valley. 
In many places, this cattle drive descent is a festive occasion, where locals celebrate the safe return of the animals with a homecoming parade, music, food, and general merriment. 
The best places to see traditional cattle drives are Austria (Tyrol, Salzburg, Vorarlberg), Germany (Upper Bavaria), Switzerland, and Italy (South Tyrol). 
More info on the blog:
https://www.moonhoneytravel.com/almabtrieb-alpabzug-cattle-drive-alps/
📍Mayrhofen, Tyrol, Austria 
#almabtrieb #alpabzug #alpabtrieb #viehscheid #désalpe #cattledrive #cowscominghome #tyrol #visittirol #mayrhofen #zillertal #visitaustria #austriatravel #austriantradition #austrianculture #alps #austrianalps #austriatrip #lovetirol #cowsofinstagram #happycows
  • We’re so happy it’s September - the month of clear skies, no thunderstorms (hopefully / it’s been a crazy year), and cooler temperatures. 
📍 @fuerstentumliechtenstein 
#visitliechtenstein #liechtenstein #liechtenstein🇱🇮 #alpsmountains #feelthealps #septembertravel #malbun #europedestinations #europetravel #hikingadventures #alps #liechtensteinpanoramaweg #princelymoments