What is prohibited in Bulgaria. Get involved in alcohol tourism. Search for flights to Bulgaria
Viktor Pashinsky
At least one in four corresponds to reality somehow. Most are either very outdated, or look more like crafts that promote the interests of travel agencies. At least that's the impression we got 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 was not possible to eat breakfast, and if you were also a little late, then there would be no normal tea left. Maybe because we were never late, but we were always offered a choice of not only tea, but also coffee with hot chocolate.
The next false opinion: there are a lot of algae on the beaches of Bulgaria. Actually it is not. Sometimes algae are thrown ashore, but on equipped beaches they are quickly removed, and on wild ones you rarely see them at all.
Bulgaria is not the USSR - debunking a popular myth
Many do not want to go to Bulgaria, fearing to see a kind of relic of the past, almost the USSR.
In fact, the country has come a long way in recent years. It is part of the European Union, decent roads have been built here, hotels have been completely modernized and new ones have been set up.
The only thing left from the USSR is the quality of products. Even cheap food in the supermarket is much more like natural food than we have at home.
You can verify this for yourself by looking.
Bulgaria is a country of contrasts
For luxury and expensive hotels Sunny Beach, literally a few hundred meters from a huge water park, hides an abandoned wasteland.
Even on the expensive resort Bulgaria - there are many places in the backyards that look, to put it mildly, not 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 here is very, very bad.
In fact, even in the cheapest hotel, the level of service was quite sufficient and exceeded that in Montenegro.
Of course, if you choose cheap option housing, you should not count on the service of a 5-star hotel. But necessary minimum(bed, shower, toilet, air conditioning, refrigerator) is present in the simplest room.
There are no good 5* hotels in Bulgaria and All Inclusive is not true
This year many travel companies instead of Turkey and Egypt, they plan to sell Bulgaria.
In terms of service level, the resorts of Golden Sands are in no way inferior to five-star hotels in Sharm El Sheikh and other cities beloved by Russian-speaking tourists.
At the same time, the prices for vacations in Bulgaria are still lower, the consumer attitude towards vacationers is not yet felt that way.
Don't believe? 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. Unfortunately, due to sharp fluctuations in the exchange rate of the ruble and the hryvnia, these prices have almost nothing to do with reality.
You can not wait for the leader of the group - just waste time
What money to take to Bulgaria?
This is the lev, the currency of Bulgaria.
Levs go in Bulgaria (their rate can be found by clicking on the inscription anywhere on our site). But importing and exporting Bulgarian currency from the country is prohibited by law.
In exchange offices or banks, you will be exchanged for left dollars, euros, rubles, hryvnias and many other currencies without any problems.
How much money do you need to take on 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 in view of the large number of independent excursions and tickets to museums.
If we were strictly saving, we would even fit in $ 100, but they would only be enough for food.
But you need to understand that this is the very, very minimum. Suitable for poor students who at that time could not afford full travel. Now I would spend at least $ 1000 in the same 14 days, 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. Makes a special impression Old Nessebar with its stone-paved streets, dozens of small churches and old Bulgarian buildings.
About Nessebar on our website there are such articles:
I want to relax cheaply, but with 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 low prices.
I want to live in a big city with cheap shopping and attractions - Varna or Burgas
Exactly on main street Burgas brings tourists who want to cheaply 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.
There are a few more sights in Varna, there is a dolphinarium and a small zoo, many beautiful fountains. Nearby is the resort of Golden Sands, Aladzha Monastery and.
I love beautiful nature and parks very much — Balchik
We didn’t really like Balchik itself - it is very shabby, especially closer to the bus station and further from the sea. There are no special sights in the city, it turns out to be a little expensive to go.
Other cities and resorts in Bulgaria
In fact, there are a lot in Bulgaria. Of those where we managed to visit, I would like to advise Obzor. Some may like Aheloy, where you can see a wooden house 20 meters from a five-star hotel.
We will not talk about places where we have not been, but we will be very grateful if you share your impressions with us.
Meals and food in Bulgaria - how to save
A 1.5 liter bottle of water in Bulgaria will cost you an average of 0.5 levs.
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 Bulgarian products - they are very tasty
- Tarator- this is something like our okroshka, but without meat and potatoes. Oddly enough, the drink turned out to be very tasty. It is very refreshing in summer.
- Kaymak- Bulgarian fermented milk product, which in taste and texture is very similar to something between sour curd and heavy cream.
- Airan- Bulgarian milk drink.
- Cheese- both hard and homemade cheeses are very tasty. We also liked locally produced processed cheeses - they have a very unusual taste.
- Fruits Most are delicious and not expensive.
Cheese in Bulgaria, to put it mildly, is not very cheap, but very tasty. Try it yourself and see for yourself easily.
Bulgarian figs are almost half the size of Montenegrin ones, but no less tasty and nutritious.
We tried Kaimak for the first time in Bulgaria. Quite an unusual taste for a "dessert".
When should you take groceries from home?
Ancient Nessebar will delight you with the beauty of the ancient city - come here in the evening
- one of the most beautiful corners in the coastal part of Bulgaria. It is better to come here in the evening - the city becomes surprisingly romantic and mysterious.
It is worth visiting the monastery of St. George - a very unusual and peaceful place.
It was interesting and informative for us to visit the monastery of St. George in Pomorie.
In is located, keeping the icon of St. George the Victorious. A place known not only for its holiness and healing power but also beauty.
Entrance to the monastery and the monastery museum is free. It is definitely worth visiting this place.
The Thracian tomb in Pomerania is not worth visiting
But you can not waste your time or money on the Thracian tomb - there is nothing special there, and the ticket price is high (4-5 leva). For this money, you can safely visit several good museums.
On the way to the tomb, you can find a field where kiwis grow. Despite the fact that it looks a little abandoned, we do not recommend picking 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 theme park - we advise you to visit.
Also come to the main street, next to the monument to Alyosha. In the morning, a foggy curtain of small drops of water is created there.
Varna has a dolphinarium and a zoo
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.
Bulgarians are very friendly people. You need to do something extraordinary to make them offended or angry. But still, there are taboos and peculiarities here.
Use the word "chicken"
As well as other expressions with this root. In Bulgarian, "kur" is a very indecent word denoting one of the variants of the name of the male genital organ. Chicken in Bulgarian is “kokoshka”, chicken meat is “pileshko”, smoking is “pushene”. The second taboo is words with the root "put", for example "traveler"; this root is consonant with another taboo word, already associated with the female genital organ. Influenced by the neighboring Croats, some advise not to pronounce the word "matches" in Bulgaria (on the shores of the Adriatic - an unprintable curse). There are disputes, some representatives of the Bulgarian youth claim that the consonant Bulgarian words "pichka" (tough girl) and "pich" (tough guy) in local language there is also a positive connotation, but the older generation may not agree with this.
Believe that the sights are authentic
Bulgaria has not only cheap beaches and nutritious National cuisine, but also many historical sights: the remains of ancient Greek seaside colonies, Roman fortresses, there is also a local Stonehenge - Beglik-Tash. Some of them are included in the list of objects world heritage UNESCO. However, if you visit the same object twice, with an interval of, say, a year, you will notice a surprising thing: they change. A well-known case, in winter seaside cities nothing much to do but build.
A perfect example is the Roman castle in Kabil, near Yambol. There it is quite obvious that some of the objects (terms, basilica) have already been “completed” and are ready for tourists to visit, and the other part (barracks) has not yet been brought into a “marketable” form. However, this does not detract from their historical significance. But historical exaggerations or even completely fake sights are found all over the world.
Unlike their eastern neighbors, the Bulgarians do not like to bargain, and if a tourist from Russia starts to knock down the price, they will also be offended. Bulgaria is a poor country, even Russian pensioners (at least those who come here) are considered to be quite wealthy people here. The desire to get a discount of some lev (half a euro) will be perceived by Bulgarians as pettiness. The same sharp response will come from a taxi driver, and from an old man selling fruits in a seaside park, and from a grandmother who sits next to an ancient fortress and sells green fig jam.
There is no hurry here: several cars can stand in a traffic jam for 15 minutes on a narrow street and patiently wait until a truck is unloaded in front of them, which brought drinks to a small shop. And no one will say a rude word to anyone, some will even get out of the car to participate in the process. However, not even out of a desire to speed it up, rather to communicate. The cook will prepare a signature dish for you for a long time, the saleswoman in the store will diligently hang the kebapcheta you have chosen (a kind of cutlets. - Approx. ed.). Everything goes on as usual, even in the highest season.
Scandal as a method of emotional pressure does not work in this country - neither in a store where the cashier has gone somewhere, nor in a restaurant where you are billed for ten minutes, nor in a hotel where you noticed stains on the mirror in the room in the corner. An enraged Bulgarian is rarely seen, usually they endure their difficulties in silence. Perhaps worldly peace should be learned from them.
Walk in the gypsy quarter
The number of gypsy population in some regions of Bulgaria reaches 15% of the total number of inhabitants of the region and, moreover, is growing, because the titular nation gives birth to children at a much lower rate and, moreover, leaves en masse for other EU countries in search of good work. There is a gypsy quarter in almost every settlement. With a high probability, you will notice it from afar - mountains of garbage, shabby houses, small children right on the roadway and horses in harness right there, and loud but peculiar music sounds from the windows. It is better to take pictures of local exotic without leaving the car, otherwise the chance of losing your movable property is very high.
Now the forests in Bulgaria are only in the mountains. And it's not at all like our usual woodlands: stones, steep paths, sheep and shepherds, snakes, thorns, jackals and larger predators. The berries and fruits that you find there are much worse in quality than those sold on the market, and the mushrooms may be local, unfamiliar to you. In general, there is nothing to do here. However, ecotourism is developing in Bulgaria: eco-trails with dry closets, information stands about the inhabitants of the protected area, convenient bridges and places for picnics and fishing began to appear. Ecotrails (Bulgarian for "eco-poteka") can be found on mountain resorts, but they are popular not in winter, but in summer and autumn.
Get involved in alcohol tourism
It would seem that wherever you look, the Marquis of Carabas grows grapes in all the fields, and along the road you will see wine production every now and then. And the Bulgarians themselves love to drink, while knowing the measure: you won’t meet a drunk on the street, and in a number of cities (for example, in Plovdiv, Varna, Pernik and others), regional laws even prohibit drinking alcohol on the street. The same responsible behavior is expected from tourists: not only the beach and brandy. And there really is something to see here.
Bulgaria - amazing country for a beach holiday and sightseeing as for independent tourists, and for lovers of holiday packages. So that possible troubles do not spoil your holiday, take on board our tips for tourists in Bulgaria.
In Bulgaria you can find holidays for every taste. Resorts like Sunny Beach and Golden Sands consist of hotel complexes. From here you can go on any excursions to the historical places of Bulgaria. Connoisseurs unique architecture, cobbled streets and cozy restaurants, you can advise Sozopol and Nessebar. These cities also have new districts consisting exclusively of hotels and entertainment venues. In these areas it is noisier than in 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 one breakfast, or you can take All-Inclusive. It's a matter of taste. IN tourist places 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 is sold (portion from 1 EUR), kebabs (from 2 EUR), pancakes with various fillings (cheaper than pizza).
It is not necessary to stay in a hotel in Bulgaria. You can rent an apartment or apartment for vacation. Many residents of coastal cities and towns, as well as ski resorts, rent one of the floors of a private house to tourists for a low fee. IN Bulgaria has a fairly low crime rate, even local gypsies are mainly engaged in animal husbandry or the Kuznetsk business.
Change currency in the morning. When exchanging currency, there are a few things to keep in mind. Bank branches will ask you for your passport. In simple exchangers, as a rule, it is not needed, except that you may be asked for your last name. The exchange rate is higher in the morning. If you need to exchange a large amount, then do not delay it 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, That's why watch the flags on the beach posted by lifeguards. The principle is like a traffic light: green - you can swim, remembering the buoys; yellow - be careful and careful; with a red flag, lifeguards will whistle as soon as you enter the sea more than three meters.
Move around Bulgaria most convenient on buses that run regularly between all relatively major cities. Buses are municipal (cheaper and easier) and private (more expensive and more comfortable). Convenient for Russians is that the timetable and directions are written in Cyrillic. Services railways it makes sense to use only on popular routes, 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 noticeable, but you should not relax too much. Holidays in Bulgaria are comfortable because the staff of hotels and restaurants, as well as most of the local residents, speak Russian tolerably (the only exceptions are small towns in the mountainous and central parts far from the sea). This is somewhat relaxing. However, so that there is no misunderstanding, the order in cafes and restaurants must be voiced clearly and clearly, without hesitating to ask again if you have been understood correctly.
It is worth remembering that a nod of the head, denoting our agreement- "yes", in Bulgaria means denial- "No", and vice versa.
In cafes and restaurants, it is customary to leave a tip in the amount of about 10% of the bill value..
As souvenirs from Bulgaria being driven Bulgarian ceramics, embroidered textiles, rose oil and cosmetics based on it, rose petal jam, Turkish delight and spirits: Bulgarian wine and brandy, as well as handmade leather, copper and silver products. Alcohol, jam and Turkish delight are cheaper to buy in supermarkets. Ceramics and magnets are sold in large quantities in tourist areas, in the old town. At the same time, in duty free at the airport, the same clay plates are almost three times more expensive. Leather products are the cheapest to buy in Nessebar. in Sofia best stores 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, the Bulgarians have a rest. That's why many private service establishments are closed from 12:00 to 16:00 in summer.
Telephone communication in Bulgaria
You can call in Bulgaria from almost anywhere. A call from a post office or call center will cost much less than, for example, from a hotel. Calls within the country mobile phone very cheap, therefore, in order to call each other on the territory of 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.
Welcome Bulgaria offers tourists best beaches"their" Black Sea, great vacation with children and budget ski tours. Sunny Beach and Golden Sands, Bansko, Borovets and medical resorts- everything about Bulgaria from the Subtleties of tourism: hotels, weather, map, tours and visa.
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Bulgaria and tourists from Russia are connected by a long-standing, pre-perestroika friendship. And, I must say, the reasons for its occurrence - beautiful nature, an extensive "excursion", the warm sea and the hospitality of the locals are still there. At the same time, many hotels today have freshened up after repairs, the service has improved and, of course, prices for tours have grown. But still not so much that the country has become an expensive destination, inaccessible to the "mass tourist". So for a relatively inexpensive family vacation, especially with children, and just as inexpensive and quality treatment many travelers now go to Bulgaria. Winter Bulgaria is quite suitable for beginner skiers without super requests, as well as youth companies and families with children.
The import of foreign currency is unlimited, amounts above 10,000 EUR, including traveler's checks and bills, 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 cash declaration certificate. Import and export national currency prohibited. The remaining leva can be exchanged before leaving the country, for this you need to present 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 the age of 17. Please note that on the way back, Russian customs will not allow more than 3 liters of alcoholic beverages, including beer, without duty. With a fee, 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, when crossing the border by land - up to 300 EUR.
When traveling by car, customs will only approve the fuel in the tank and an additional 10 liter canister.
The importation of meat and milk products is prohibited, except for baby food. It is not allowed to import and export objects and things of historical, artistic or archaeological value without a special permit. Naturally, no drugs, weapons, poisons, psychotropic drugs and other universally prohibited things.
tax free
The return of Tax free in Bulgaria is a story entangled in many rumors and ambiguities. What we have in practice: there are quite a lot of stores operating in the system, you can find them both in large cities and in small ones. The minimum check from such an outlet 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 detailed list purchases, do not forget to keep the cash register and Tax free check.
Money will not be returned for alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco, liquid fuels and goods that are not subject to VAT.
Do not open the package and do not put your purchases in luggage, the Bulgarian customs officers 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 not the most clean exchange rate at airports, somewhere around 12-13% will remain on hand.
There are Tax refund points at Sofia, Burgas and Varna airports. If you leave in another 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 the money in Russia through a 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 the Danube, by bus or by your own car.
Aeroflot and Bulgaria Air planes regularly fly from Moscow to Sofia, the journey time is about 3 hours. IN low season other cities will have to be reached with transfers through Istanbul or Athens, during the summer navigation period, direct flights and charters to Bulgaria are launched from several airlines at once, and not only from the capitals, but also from a number of Russian cities.
In the summer, travel agencies launch bus flights to Bulgaria, the journey from Moscow takes about 48 hours, the time for walking along transit settlements most likely won't. Ticket price - from 200 EUR. Also major Bulgarian cities are connected bus routes with all of Europe.
The shortest way on your own car lies through Ukraine, which at the moment, perhaps, is not the best option. Another route is 400-500 km longer, it goes through Belarus and practically repeats rail travel. The total length of the road between Moscow and Sofia is about 2600 km.
By sea from the Russian coast, alas, you can’t get there yet. If you really want to take a boat, you will have to go through Ukraine, Romania or Turkey, or buy a tour along the Danube in one of the European countries.
Search for flights to Bulgaria
Transport
Domestic air traffic is poorly developed and connects the capital with only a couple of airports. A direct flight from Sofia to Varna takes about an hour. But all is well with railway network BJ. By train from Sofia to Plovdiv it takes 4 hours, 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 the 2nd and 1st class, respectively. Prices on the page are for November 2018.
It is also convenient to move 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, moving between cities for a distance of 50-70 km will cost 5-8 BGN. 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 traders masquerading as taxi drivers, let's say, not guaranteeing the safety of tourists. It is best to order a car by phone.
Urban transport
In the cities of the country there are buses, trolleybuses and fixed-route taxis, and in Sofia the main mode of transport is trams and metro. A single bus ride costs about 0.60–1.0 BGN, such a ticket can be purchased from the driver. The cost of a single travel pass ranges from 2 BGN per day, a week pass costs about 9 BGN, for a month - 37 BGN. Tickets can be bought at kiosks or from the driver. Bus fares can be a bit more expensive.
Taxis in Bulgaria are yellow with traditional “checkers”, a price list with prices should be fixed on the side glass, often you can even get a check from the driver. Walk past the cars and try to figure out the average cost of a ride in your area, filtering out the obscenely expensive offers. When landing, look at the counter, sometimes extraneous numbers are “accidentally” found there. 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 price of landing. In resort areas, airports and railway stations, prices are higher - up to 3 BGN per km, the ability to negotiate is useful here.
Hotels in ski resorts provide their guests with a shuttle service to the ski lift station. Depending on the level of the hotel, it will either be free or cost 1.50–2 BGN per person one way.
For independent trips around the country, you need to purchase a special sticker on 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 strictly prohibited.
Car rental 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 service: 175, accurate 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 for eyes” (that is, fried eggs) early in the morning, and at lunch they can recommend an appetizing “chushka burek” (nothing more than stuffed peppers). At the same time, they can react unexpectedly to an innocent request to serve a bun for tea: “bun” in Bulgarian is a bride. Well, if one of the Bulgarians notices a lady that today she looks just “scary”, it’s time for the insolent person to answer ... with a compliment in return. After all, "terrible" 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, public and free. This often explains their increased "dense population", especially on weekends near major cities. Umbrellas and sunbeds - for money: the cost of a sunbed is from 6 BGN, an umbrella from 4 BGN. Most Bulgarian beaches can boast the Blue Flag European Union- a sign of environmental cleanliness. On the beaches you can play volleyball or tennis, rent a velomobile, ride horses.
Youth, thirsty for parties, adventures and nightlife, you should pay attention to the beaches of Sunny Beach and Golden Sands - there are all conditions for the most active rest. At the same time, 10 km of wide beaches in Sunny Beach are 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 a lot of entertainment for children. But in Golden Sands with a child it can be difficult because of the peculiarities of the local mountainous landscape, and the entrance to the sea is not so soft.
For those to 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, they are empty. Sozopol will allow you to combine beach holiday and getting to know the local architecture - the old part of the city is a solid monument of history under the protection of UNESCO. Kiten and Obzor are good for holidays 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 rightly proud of its health resorts, built next to hundreds of life-giving springs of thermal and mineral waters, sources of therapeutic mud that can put even a seriously ill person on his feet. An important advantage of Bulgarian sanatoriums over similar establishments in other EU countries is more affordable 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, a whole resort town Bankya, famous for the prestigious UN Health Organization sanatorium.
Mineral waters in different areas countries help to get rid of various ailments. For example, waters rich in iodine and bromine are mined along the entire coast. 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 birthplace of Spartak Sandanski, in these towns fluorine waters are also extracted, which are useful for the stomach and endocrine system.
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, giving healing mud. Most famous resort and the source of mud for pelotherapy is located on the Black Sea coast - the health-restoring possibilities of Pomorie have been known since ancient rome. Now mud is mined here for many sanatoriums and for the production of cosmetics, which are 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 getting to know them will bring a lot of pleasure to a caring person.
You should start with a trip to the capital. Be sure to visit not the most pompous, but the most important for Christianity, St. Sophia Cathedral - one of the oldest Orthodox churches in the world. Literally a stone's throw away is the grandiose memorial church of St. Alexander Nevsky, 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 is famous for its monasteries and temples. In Varna, spend time with the majestic Assumption Cathedral, the symbol of Bulgarian independence. Then head north, where, in the neighborhood of Golden Sands, the Aladzha Monastery, the habitat of medieval hermit monks, is carved into the rocks. 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, the Bachkovo Monastery took refuge, which absorbed Byzantine, Bulgarian and Georgian culture.
The main shrine of Bulgaria is completely away from busy roads and big cities, in the protected Rila mountains. The Rila Monastery attracts believers with magnificent frescoes, an impressive medieval architecture, unique museum, and, of course, the relics of John of Rylsky and one of the most important Bulgarian icons - the miraculous icon of the Virgin "Hodegetria".
What to bring
delicious
All peoples, to one degree or another, are proud of their "most-very" alcohol. In Bulgaria, it is a fruity vodka rakia. They make it from plums, peaches, pears, apples, apricots, cherries, grapes, they insist on herbs - no health and vacation will be enough to taste all varieties. Less hyped, but also worth attention are anise mastic, mint and rose liqueurs. When buying alcohol, do not forget about customs limits. Bring Turkish Delight as a gift for the whole family. It is not as sweet as Turkish, but very fragrant, tasty and inexpensive. Here we will add nougat with nuts, rose petal confiture and sweets from the Plovdiv confectionery factory.
Shops are open from Monday to Friday, Saturday is a "short day". Many shopping establishments are open seven days a week (in resorts often until 22:00). Grocery stores are often open around the clock (which will be indicated by a "Non-stop" sign). Try in the first days to find a large supermarket where they shop locals, this will seriously save on products and gifts.
Be sure to try "lukanka" - a local raw smoked sausage. This product is unpretentious for transportation, so you can safely take it home. And do not forget about herbal teas for cold winter evenings and spices - fragrant and exciting appetite.
Traditional household
Bulgarian craftsmen are famous for 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 cezve.
Useful
Trite and unequivocal - rose oil, as well as perfumes and cosmetics based on it. For a change - creams, tonics, soaps and other attributes of beauty based on lavender, olive and grapes.
Cuisine and restaurants
Bulgarian cuisine stands out for its special piquant taste, spicy spices, an abundance of vegetables and a passion for open hearths and earthenware. It is worth trying the famous stuffed peppers, "lutenitsa" (spicy pasta, which is smeared on bread), "kebab" (meat on a spit), "kebabche" (fried meat sausages), "guvech" (stew with potatoes and vegetables), " kavarmu" (meat dish with mushrooms, onions and potatoes), Bulgarian soup "tarator" and "banitsu" - puff pastry pies with cottage cheese, pumpkin or cheese. Bulgarians are generally distinguished by their passion for cheese - the traditional Shopsky salad is another confirmation of this.
However, not a single cheese: dairy products are generally highly respected in the country: “sour milk” (a drink like yogurt), “airan” - a salty mixture of yogurt and water, and even cold soup “tarator” (a terrible union of yogurt, cucumbers for the uninitiated , garlic and nuts). We also recommend trying local cheeses - hard yellow "kashkaval" and soft "siren" made from sheep's milk.
Local wines are the perfect complement to a delicious lunch or dinner. Among the red wines, Pamid, Gymza and Melnik can be distinguished, among the whites - Khan Krum Traminer, Galatea and Kadarka.
Of course, there are 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 outlets and their essence. "Mehana" is a small family restaurant of traditional cuisine, often decorated as a rural house - wood, brick, ceramics, old dishes, rural household items, tablecloths and plates in ornaments. "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 the choice makes your head spin. Often explanations in the menu are duplicated on English language, not uncommon and Russian. But even without this, you can guess from familiar words and mouth-watering pictures. The average check in the resort area without drinks will be about 12-15 BGN. A glass of wine - 2–5 BGN, a mug of beer - 1.50–2 BGN. In places less hyped prices are lower.
Those with a sweet tooth are welcome in "sweet shops" - this is the name of local confectioneries. Do not miss the opportunity to discover the world of Bulgarian desserts and soft drinks. A piece of cake or a cake costs an average of 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 to you the incredible beauty of mountains, lakes, vineyards and pink valleys, National parks and forests, architectural monuments will tell about different eras - from the Byzantines and Romans to the struggle for independence from Ottoman Empire, and impressive temples and churches will not leave indifferent even a non-religious person.
Active entertainment
lovers water activities in addition to the warm Black Sea, the main water parks of the country should be appreciated. Aqualand is located in the center of Bulgaria, on the outskirts of the Lauta Park in Plovdiv, a good option for those who devote their holidays to urban tourism. The rest are scattered along the coast: a relatively small Aqua planet in Primorsko, very impressive Aqua Paradise in Nessebar and Action on Sunny Beach, surrounded by the greenery of Aquapolis in Golden Sands and Aquamania in resort town 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 in the vicinity of Varna there is the country's largest thematic family park happy land.
Architectural monuments
Majestic monasteries and grandiose temples, Byzantine architecture, the ruins of ancient Roman fortresses, Ottoman mosques - fans of contemplative and historical tourism can only complain that the most interesting places scattered throughout Bulgaria and they are not always located in cities. Of course, you can explore Sofia for a long time and with pleasure - visit the ancient Thracian fortress 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 rock monastery Aladzha, in Plovdiv - the ruins of the Roman theater, in the Rila Mountains - the Rila Monastery; also interesting cave churches near Ivanovo, Thracian tombs in Sveshtari or Kazanlak, Roman baths in Varna and do not forget about the museum city of Nessebar and the place of military glory - Shipka Pass.
Monuments of nature
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 are waiting for eco-routes along reserved places, mineral and thermal springs, clean air, quality ski slopes. In the Burgas Bay there is one of the few islands of the Black Sea - the island of St. Anastasia Ethnographic Museum Holidays and events
Before embarking on a journey through sunny beaches Bulgaria, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the unusual traditions, prohibitions that exist in this resort country. You need to be very careful in studying the laws, traditions, mentality of the inhabitants of the country you want to go to, otherwise there is a possibility of numerous misunderstandings, fines or funny situations that can ruin your vacation. For foreigners, this all looks ridiculous, but for residents of Bulgaria - the usual rules. 
1. Bulgarians are a very tolerant and very reserved people. They are very friendly towards foreigners. But a tourist should know that Bulgarians really don't like criticism, they can't even stand it. To avoid any misunderstandings, it is better to praise them both in the case and just like that, otherwise you can easily become a participant in the conflict. 
2. Bulgarians will never correct you when you say something in Bulgarian, such a well-educated people. But, if you say a few phrases correctly, this event is very surprising for them, because foreigners who have been living in Bulgaria for more than 10 years have not learned how to speak Bulgarian correctly.
3. In the bazaars, a tourist will not find food stalls anywhere. own production(smoked, milk, cheese or meat). This is prohibited by law. You can only trade vegetables and fruits. In rare cases, Bulgarians do this, but somewhere in the province. So you should forget about homemade food for a holiday in Bulgaria.
4. A categorical refusal among the inhabitants of Bulgaria is not very welcome, so it is better not to ask the Bulgarian how to get somewhere, even if he does not know the route, he will have to lie to you. So, you are not very surprised at the deceit, because it is indecent to refuse here.
5. Do not trust similar words from our dictionary, always clarify what is being said, for example, using English. After all, the word “shirt” among the Bulgarians means “mother”, and, for example, “straight” means that you need to turn “left”, but the word “bun” means “bride”. These are the incidents that can appear against the background of the same-sounding words that have different meanings.
6. Gestures in Bulgaria - this is the most incredible difference between them and foreigners. Be careful with a simple nod of the head, because in Bulgaria it means that you strongly disagree with something. And the movement of the head to the right or left means that you agree with everything. Such a confusion of gestures has long been rooted in the mentality and history of the Bulgarians and has provoked hundreds of misunderstandings. Remember this too. It is not enough to know about it, you still need to get used to it.
7. It is forbidden in Bulgaria to smoke in public places, so those who like to smoke a cigarette will have to look for specially designated places for this action. The fine for violation is from 150-300 euros. 
8. Surprisingly, in Bulgaria there is a break in restaurants from 1500 to 1800 due to the heat. You will not be able to dine in the restaurant at this time, they are closed during this period. I'll have to eat at the diner. 
9. In Bulgaria it is forbidden to shoot and photograph churches, mosques, military facilities, and border areas, airports.
10. The import or export of the national currency is also prohibited. Be prepared to exchange currency at a special government office (the commission for this service is set at about 10% of the amount).
11. Cars should also be said. If you decide to travel by your own car, remember that tinted glass on front doors and windshields is prohibited in Bulgaria. In Bulgaria, you can rent a car, however, if you have reached the age of 21, if you have an International driving license and only if your driving experience exceeds 2 years of driving. Also, you can not drive on the roads of Bulgaria on cars with studded tires.
12. In Bulgaria, incredibly hospitable people who welcome guests generously set the table for their arrival. But it is important to know that in this country it is not customary to visit without gifts. Gathered to visit - be sure to take a gift, it is considered good form. The main thing is not the price value of the gift. It may be inexpensive, but bought from the heart. 
13. Punctuality is not for residents of Bulgaria. Rest assured, if you make an appointment with someone local to meet in 10 minutes, this means that you will meet much later - in 2 or 3 hours. Here, no one adheres to temporary "accuracies", so you will not be scolded for being late.
These are the features in beautiful country Bulgaria. With this knowledge, you can safely go on a journey, now no curiosities threaten you!
