The places, most named first
From the 8 guides that rank for "best places to visit in bulgaria"
Named by 5 of 81. SofiaSofia is the capital and largest city,.One guide suggests one or two days for the main sights.
Named by 4 of 82. PlovdivPlovdiv is claimed to be one of the oldest cities in the world.It sits among seven hills and has Roman remains including a stadium, forum and amphitheatre.Named by 4 of 83. VarnaVarna is the third largest city and the biggest seaside resort.It combines beaches with Roman Baths, museums and a coastal promenade.
Named by 4 of 84. VitoshaVitosha is a ski resort mountain next to Sofia.It is the only mountain you can easily reach on foot from Sofia, but it is busy in every season.
Named by 3 of 85. Veliko TarnovoIt was the centre of the Second Bulgarian Empire from around the 12th century.The Tsarevets hill has the remains of a medieval fortress with views over the city.
Named by 3 of 86. Black Sea coastThe Bulgarian Riviera draws by far the most foreign visitors, with fine white sand and clean sea.The coastline is sandy and suits water sports and swimming.
Named by 3 of 87. NessebarNessebar has beaches and a UNESCO-listed historic centre.A guide pairs its beaches with its historic Old Town.Named by 3 of 88. BurgasBurgas offers sandy bays and the Sea Garden.It is a seaside gateway airport, along with Varna.
Named by 3 of 89. Belogradchik RocksThe rock formations stretch for several kilometres along the foothills of the Stara Planina Mountains.One long-term resident calls the Marvelous Bridges the most impressive rock formations after Belogradchik.
Named by 2 of 810. Rila MonasteryIt is Bulgaria's most famous Orthodox monastery, about 120 km south of Sofia in a valley in the Rila Mountains.It works as a day trip from Sofia.
Named by 2 of 811. Trigrad Gorge and Devil's Throat CaveTrigrad Canyon is over half a kilometre long and 350 metres high, in the Rhodope Mountains near the Greek border.A hiking trail leads along the river at the bottom to the Devil's Throat cave complex.
Named by 2 of 812. Golden SandsGolden Sands is one of the northern coast resorts near Varna.A budget list names Golden Sands and Sunny Beach as the beach stops.
Named by 2 of 813. BalchikBalchik is a northern Black Sea coast resort.It has a former summer residence of Queen Marie of Romania.
14. Seven Rila LakesSeven glacier lakes sit high in the mountains, between 2,100 and 2,500 meters above sea level.You can see them even if you are not much of a hiker.
15. BanskoBansko has the longest ski runs in the country.Off the slopes there is an Old Town, a spa and traditional restaurants.
16. Buzludzha MonumentA flying-saucer-shaped concrete monument on a mountain peak in the Balkan Mountains.It was finished in 1981 as a Communist Party memorial and event venue, and was abandoned after 1989.
17. SozopolSozopol's history goes back around 2,500 years.The Old Town has narrow streets, churches and historic houses.
18. MelnikMelnik is listed among the less prominent towns, known for wine and heritage.
19. VelingradVelingrad is the wellness stop, set in the mountains and known for mineral springs.
Fares from your city
Pick a place for live fares. Watch them and we alert you when they drop.
Finding fares from your airport…
When to go
Travel guides most often name May to June and September as the best time to visit Bulgaria.
Questions people ask
- What are the best cities to visit in Bulgaria?
- One guide names Sofia, Varna, Plovdiv, Burgas and Veliko Tarnovo as the most prominent destinations.
- What are the 10 biggest cities in Bulgaria?
- One guide lists Sofia as the capital, with Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas and Rousse as other major cities.
