Things to do in Bulgaria

The small town of Bansko, in southwest Bulgaria, is one of the best places in Bulgaria for ski holidays. At the foothills of the Pirin mountains is a thriving ski resort, which has all the accommodation, ski-equipment rental stores and après ski bars you could hope for. After a day hitting the slopes, you might want to wind down in the old town, where there’s a slower pace of life but takes you to the heart of the local community. Either way, Bansko is an inexpensive place to ski with a range of slopes better suited for beginners and intermediate levels.

If you’re wondering what to do in Bulgaria that mixes Balkan culture with appealing architecture and a laidback pace, head to Plovdiv. Situated in southeastern Bulgaria, the city has a fascinating history and was the 2020 European Capital of Culture. The pleasant old quarter is lined with blackened Byzantine-era fortress walls, and filled with timber-framed National Revival houses and alafrange-painted false columns. Amongst the sights to see here are the City Gallery of Fine Arts, the Icons Gallery and the truly unmissable Roman amphitheatre. Plovdiv is also the home of aylyak, an untranslatable English word that means adopting a relaxed approach to life – join in with the locals who stroll up and down the main shopping street in the city centre.

If you’d rather make the most of sun and sand than explore the inland cities, head to the main coastal city of Varna. While it’s usually packed with tourists, it's a decent base to get to other, quieter spots, like Kamen Bryag or Sinemorets. That said, Varna is popular for good reason. Its main beach is dominated by open-air bars and clubs, while slightly further north, the beaches at the busy resorts of Golden Sands and Albena are much wider. Nessebar is another popular option, with a handful of small beaches and a shuttle bus running to the infamous party town of Sunny Beach. It also has a number of well-preserved Byzantine churches, if you fancy adding a slice of sightseeing to your day.

The main difference between a restorant (restaurant) and a mehana (tavern) is that a mehana is more likely to have folksy decor and a larger focus on Bulgarian dishes. Trying traditional dishes is one of the tastiest things to do in Bulgaria: one of the most popular is gyuvech, a rich stew with peppers, aubergines, and beans and meat, while Kavama is a spicy meat stew cooked in a similar way. Vegetarians can opt for kashkaval pane (cheese fried in breadcrumbs), chushki burek (baked peppers stuffed with egg and rice) and there’s always loads of colourful salads. It’s not all about the food, though.

The quality of Bulgarian wines is constantly on the up: opt for a heavy red Melnik or a decent dry white like a Dimyat. Bulgarian beer is good enough but nothing outstanding, while you won’t forget their native spirits in a rush – their potent mastika is diluted with water.

Make sure you complete your Bulgarian experience by dining well!