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Europe

Bulgaria

4 guides across 1 destination — where to go, when, what it costs and what to eat.

Where to go

Destinations in Bulgaria

A walker on the open slopes of Vitosha above Sofia, the city spread out on the plain below
Sofia
Best may–june & september–october
Before you go

Practical essentials for Bulgaria

Money

Euro (EUR) — adopted on 1 January 2026, replacing the lev at 1.95583 BGN

Language

Bulgarian, written in Cyrillic; English is widely spoken in Sofia and the resorts, less so in small towns

Power

Type C/F, 230V 50Hz

Getting around

Sofia's metro, trams and buses take a tap of a contactless bank card or phone as well as a stored-value transport card.

Tipping

About 10% in restaurants for good service; taxi fares are simply rounded up.

Tap water

Tap water meets EU standards and is safe in Sofia and other cities, though taste varies by district.

Driving

Right-hand side; your national licence is what police ask for, and a digital vignette must be bought before using motorways and main roads.

Emergency

112 (general); 166 police, 150 ambulance, 160 fire

Country-level guidance, checked against official sources. Currency, fares and entry rules change — confirm anything time-critical before you travel.

Latest

Recent stories from Bulgaria

The gilded central dome and green copper roofs of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia against a blue sky
The List

Rome, Byzantium and the mountain: Sofia's essential bucket list, ranked

Bulgaria's capital stacks Roman streets, medieval frescoes and a two-thousand-metre mountain within sight of its golden domes. The must-dos, in order.

Sofia · 2 min
A corner greengrocer in Sofia beneath a striped orange awning, crates of fruit and vegetables stacked out on the pavement and a Bulgarian flag hanging from an upstairs window.
Hidden Gems

The backstreets and local markets of Sofia

Beyond the golden domes, Sofia lives in its market halls, book stalls, mineral fountains and leafy back lanes. A walker's guide to the everyday city.

Sofia · 2 min
The columned portico and bronze quadrigas of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre in Sofia's City Garden, its gilded pediment catching low evening sun between tall poplars.
Stays

Boutique or grand: choosing where to stay in Sofia

A five-star on a Roman square, rooftop views of golden domes or leafy boutique lanes — Sofia's stay decision, neighbourhood by neighbourhood.

Sofia · 2 min
The ochre and red-brick facade of Sofia's Central Mineral Baths rising behind its green-tiled fountain, jets of water arcing into the pool under a clear blue sky.
The List

Sofia, Ranked: 8 Experiences You Shouldn't Miss

A 2,000-year-old city with a mountain at the end of its main boulevard. These are the eight experiences that define Bulgaria's capital, ranked.

Sofia · 2 min