What activities to do in Bulgaria? How to have fun on holiday? Read in this chapter.
Beaches and swimming
Beaches are among the most visited places in Bulgaria. Millions of tourists from all over Europe head to the Black Sea coast every year, and with good reason.
Bulgaria offers the best prices compared to other seaside destinations, with the quality of accommodation and beaches improving year on year.
Everyone will find something to like in Bulgaria, especially those who love the fine sand and the gradual entry into the sea.
If you prefer the nightlife of the beach bars, Sunny Beach will not disappoint.
Families with children should head to the northern part of the Sunny Beach, which is quiet and has a very gradual entrance to the sea, or to the resorts of Obzor, Albena and Balčik, where you will find the cleanest beaches. And romantics who prefer less frequented beaches will also find their own. They will head to the southern part of the coast (Primorsko and beyond) or to Irakli beach.
Prices of sunbeds with umbrella in Bulgaria
I'm sure you often wonder how much it costs to rent a sunbed and parasol on the beach. Prices in Bulgaria vary quite significantly from resort to resort. While on Sunny Beach or Golden Sands you will pay around 30 bgn per day for one set (two sunbeds and a parasol), prices in smaller resorts like Albena, Pomorie, Primorsko or Balchik are around 25 bgn per day.
Water attractions at sea
Every major beach has a variety of water attractions and activities. You can rent a pedal boat, go on a jet ski, on a praglide or on a classic "banana" pulled by a boat, or even rent water skis. Examples of prices:
- Parasailing, jet skis: approx. 120 bgn,
- Pedal boat: 30 bgn for 30 minutes,
- Water banana: 30 bgn per person.
Trekking and mountain hiking
Bulgaria is not only a paradise for beach hiking, but also for trekking in the mountains. With its four main mountain ranges that stretch practically across the entire country and almost 40,000 km of marked trails, it definitely has something to offer.
The most beautiful treks can be found in the highest mountains, the Rila and Pirin, which are located south of the capital Sofia. But the longest central mountain range, Stara Planina, also offers a wealth of possibilities.
Especially in the Rila mountains, but also in the outskirts of Pirin, you will find sufficient tourist facilities in the villages and towns in the form of many guest houses, guest houses and restaurants. High up in the mountains you will occasionally come across an emergency hostel or mountain hut.
More deserted are the Stara Planina mountains (Central Balkan NP) or the Rhodope Mountains on the border with Greece, but even there, hikers who prefer marked trails will find plenty of them.
Classic online trekking maps of Bulgaria are difficult to find, but the website mapy. cz, for example, shows marked hiking trails very well.
Check out the list of hotels and guesthouses in each area:
- Search for accommodation in the Rila Mountains
- Search for accommodation in the Pirin Mountains
- Search for accommodation in Stara Planina
- Search for accommodation in the Rodopy Mountains
Nightlife
Bulgaria's resorts and towns are ideal for lively night parties and quieter drinking in bars late into the night. Prices are generally more affordable than in the Czech Republic, so there's nothing to stop you from spending the night having fun.
Varna and the southern part of the Sunny Beach offer the greatest concentration of clubs and discos, but you'll also find your own in the capital, Sofia, where prices still fall well below the coastal average.
Waterparks
Swap a day at the seaside for a fun day at a waterpark, where the kids especially will have a blast. The various rides, slides and water slides will keep you entertained for the whole day. Prices range from 30 to 50 bgn per day for adults and 15 to 20 bgn for children. Check out the 7 best water parks in Bulgaria:
- Aquamania in Albena
- Action Waterpark in Sunny Beach
- Aqua Paradise Nessebar
- Aquapolis Golden Sands
- Sunset Aquapark Pomorie
- Aquapark Neptun.
Skiing
Winter sports enthusiasts will know the Alpine ski resorts in detail, but why not try more exotic destinations too. Try skiing in Bulgaria! The local ski resorts can stand comparison with the smaller Alpine resorts, especially in terms of facilities (lifts) and the overall length of the slopes.
Skiing in Bulgaria is mainly in the Pirin, Rila and Rhodope mountains, with many resorts reaching altitudes of around 2,000 metres.
Despite the high altitude, the downside is the risk of a lack of snow. The season usually starts in late December or early January and ends no later than mid-April.
All resorts have ski equipment hire shops, and it is usually not necessary to book in advance. Please note that prices are often quoted in euros. For example, a two-day rental of complete equipment in the largest resort Bansko costs about 28 eur, and a week at 75 eur.
Ski resorts in Bulgaria
Check out the list of the biggest ski resorts in Bulgaria.
Vitosha
The most affordable ski resort can be found practically right in Sofia. Over 2,000 metres high, the mountain offers about 18 km of slopes and daily skiing for about 50 bgn.
- Transportation.
- Book a hotel in Sofia
- Official website (current ski pass prices, opening times, etc.)
Bansko
It is the most unknown and modern resort in Bulgaria. You can enjoy 50 km of slopes here and a ski pass in Bansko costs about 70 bgn per day. Skiing in Bansko is possible up to 2 560 m above sea level.
- Transport. Tickets cost around 11 bgn.
- Book your accommodation in Bansko in advance
- Official website (current ski pass prices, opening times, etc.)
Borovets
The largest ski resort in Bulgaria is Borovets (also spelled Borovets), which lies below Bulgaria's highest mountain, Musala. 60 bgn It offers almost 60 km of slopes of various difficulties and skiing up to 2,500 m above sea level.
- Transport. Both routes run approximately once every half an hour and the total journey takes just over 2 hours.
- Find a hotel near the slopes in Borovets
- Official website (current ski pass prices, opening times, etc.)
Pamporovo
This very remote resort in the beautiful landscape of the Rhodope Mountains offers about 30 km of slopes and is ideal for a rather more leisurely skiing in an exotic destination. A ski pass per day will cost around 55 bgn and you can ski up to 1,900m above sea level.
- 22 bgnTransport.
- Accommodation in Pamporovo
- Official website (current ski pass prices, opening times, etc.)
Historical towns
History lovers will also find something to do in Bulgaria. The country is dotted with Thracian and ancient monuments, often dating back to BC. Take a trip from the sea to the ancient towns of Nesebar or Sozopol, or venture further inland and discover the historic centre of Bulgaria's Second Empire , Veliko Tarnovo, or the monument-laden Plovdiv, which is packed with relics from all periods of history.
Bulgaria has always been on a major route from the Middle and Far East to Europe, so you'll find a historical flavour in the centre of every major town.
