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Things To Do in Bulgaria

Things To Do in Bulgaria

Things To Do in Bulgaria

Bulgaria has an idyllic climate. The country, which is situated on the Black Sea coast, is a popular destination for beach vacations. However, beaches are not the only source of amusement in the nation; active tourist alternatives abound. Rafting and kayaking are available on various rivers, and windsurfing conditions are ideal on the beach. Bulgarian ski resorts are increasing prominence, infrastructure is being developed, and new hotels and ski lifts are being built. You may embark on a trekking tour across the country’s reserves or climb the Balkan Mountains. For individuals looking to enhance their health while on vacation, Bulgaria has various balneological resorts.

Local tour firms in Bulgaria offer a pretty broad selection of hiking trips. Numerous pathways allow travelers to go alone, allowing them to contemplate the distinctive Balkan environment and take in breathtaking vistas without interruption. The Rhodope Mountains are a particularly popular trekking location. Along the way, guests will view Bulgaria’s longest cave, one of Europe’s tallest waterfalls, lakes, and alpine meadows. Another famous route runs across the Rila mountains in the Balkan region of the nation. The nearby mountains reach a height of around 3000 meters. One of the country’s biggest medieval monasteries is on its way.

Horseback riding trips are another popular and sought kind of active tourism in Bulgaria. This tour will be less strenuous, and interaction with these creatures will provide unique memories. Tourists will be able to ride horses at the foot of the Balkan Mountains, see beech woods, and visit a 13th-century monastery built on a cliff. Another horse path travels across the Northern Old Plain, which is densely forested and rich in historical monuments. Tourists will see various cathedrals, towers, fortifications, and historic homes as they travel along this path. Ancient dwellings have been maintained throughout the communities, providing insight into the Bulgarian way of life.

Biking is also quite popular. The moderate temperature and beautiful scenery make this a really thrilling way to go across the nation. You can cycle in the Balkan Mountains. The path runs through the Balkan Central National Park, allowing you to virtually step back in time – along the journey, you’ll visit old towns and villages that appear just as they did 200 years ago. You may visit monasteries in the country’s central Balkan area. The path passes through more than ten major historical monuments, including Veliko Tarnovo, which served as the capital of the old Bulgarian state for many centuries.

Bulgarians also enjoy active leisure like scuba diving. Nessebar’s main diving facility is located near the old pier. While diving off the Black Sea’s coasts is not as gorgeous as diving in the Red or Tropical seas, on the seabed of Bulgaria you may discover a diverse underwater environment and meet its creatures. Another renowned diving location is 40 kilometers from Varna – the submerged Roman port, which is situated at a depth of 12 meters. Numerous ships sank off the coast of Bulgaria during the world wars. Today, the majority of them have been converted into dive sites.

Borovets, near Sofia, is one of the top ski resorts in Bulgaria. This location has been the palace of Bulgarian rulers since ancient times. The ski complex has the longest and most diversified route network in the region. Bansko, another famous destination, is located on the Pirin Mountain, which has a relief like the Alps. Pirin Nature Reserve is situated next to the resort, where guests may wander and unwind after their descents. Pamporovo in the Rhodope Mountains is one of the most contemporary resorts. The resort is well-known for its established infrastructure, with paths totaling more than 20 kilometers in length. Along with skis, the facility has developed facilities for cross-country skiing and biathlon.

Bulgaria has a wide variety of entertainment to offer for all generations and that can satisfy all tastes. However, one of the best known things about the country is its nightlife. A mixture of oriental passion, European vision and unique Bulgarian flavour that can be found in all the summer resorts on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, in the mountain resorts and in almost all the cities and university towns, including Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, Haskovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Blagoevgrad and many others.

Nature and national parks in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is well-known for its natural landscapes and national parks. You may discover a nice resting spot at any time of year. Situated in the heart of Europe, the nation has developed into a natural sanctuary, complete with forest reserves and Black Sea beaches. Bulgaria has 11 national parks, all of which are protected by the state. The Rila National Park, notable for the Rila Monastery and the Seven Lakes, is particularly popular with tourists. A zone dedicated to intense tourism has been designated for tourists. It has bicycle, horseback, and ski routes, as well as a variety of leisure facilities. Each path is well designated for travelers’ convenience and safety. There are designated areas for campfires and camping. For those who wish to go into the woods, the botanical path is recommended.

The most odd location in Bulgaria was the Belogradchik Rocks Park, which is situated in the most northwestern portion of the nation near the crossroads of Serbia and Romania. Along with the magically beautiful rocks, the land is home to Bulgaria’s biggest fortress, which lies next to the little hamlet of Belogradchik. It is structured around family hotels and vibrant, low-cost cafés. The location is fairly far from the major tourist routes, and access requires familiarity with the terrain. Due to the absence of such a nature in southern Europe, Belogradchik rocks are often likened to the Greek Meteor.

The Pirin Park, or Vihren as it is often known, was founded in 1952 and is situated in the south-west of Bulgaria. On its expansive 26 thousand-hectare area, is an extremely important natural complex formed by the Pirin mountain range’s lakes and karst environment. Three kilometers of mountains provide a breathtaking view. They are strewn with caverns, funnels, and openings. The foothills of the Alps are densely forested with fir and beech woods, which serve as a repository for the country’s forest resources. Among the trees, you may discover around 500-year-old replicas. Over a hundred lakes dot the park’s several kilometers, but the glacier lakes at the park’s highest point stand out for their beauty. According to UNESCO, the park is a World Heritage site.

In comparison to the vast Pirin Park, formed the same year, Srebarna Reserve is not as large, yet it deserves to be named one of the most beautiful sites in Bulgaria. Silver Lake is its crown jewel. It was developed on the Danube’s floodplain and is home to over 180 bird species. Numerous birds nest in the reed beds that cover practically the whole lake. Around a hundred species construct nests, while the remainder rest during flight. Not far from the reserve is a museum devoted to the animals and birds that call Srebarna home. Additionally, it serves as a base for researching the lake’s vegetation and animals.

Vitosha National Park is Bulgaria’s oldest natural park, located on the mountain Vitosha. It was designated a reserve in 1934 to protect an amazing pine forest; some of the trees are already over a hundred years old. It is a true natural wonder. The park’s flora includes about 2,500 species. Vitosha is referred to as Sophia’s lungs due to the abundance of trees and meadow vegetation. There are tourist and sports bases as well as pleasure homes on the area, all of which are sheltered in a nice setting. To ascend the mountain, visitors may take use of cable-chairlifts, one of which can transport visitors nearly all the way to Cherni Vrah, Vitosha’s summit.

Bulgarka natural park is located near the Central Balkans’ steep hills. Its site is renowned for its varied reliefs and suitable temperature, which contribute to the area’s unique flora and wildlife. Numerous archaeological and historical finds on the park’s grounds have been discovered in connection with the park’s geographical position. The park’s heart is situated near the Etyra architectural and cultural complex, and the districts of Todorka and Uzana are ideal for horseback riding. Ecotourism is extensively established in this region, and all of the circumstances necessary for a vacation away from civilisation are produced.

Hiking In Bulgaria

This is a popular activity in Bulgaria, where a wide choice of areas for day or multi-day hikes is available. The best time to hike in the higher parts of the mountains is in summer, between the end of June and September, as the snow has already melted and the weather is generally dry. In winter, snowshoeing and ski touring are possible between December and March, depending on the weather and snow conditions at the time:

  • in the Balkans – this mountain range gives the name of the Balkan peninsula. It stretches along the whole length of the country and is very popular with lovers of long hikes. One of the famous European long-distance routes (E3) follows its main southern ridge to the sea from the western border of the country. One of Bulgaria’s three national parks – the Central Balkan National Park – is located here. In addition, on the northern slope of the mountain there is the Nature Park Bulgarka. Both parks are protected areas as they are home to rare and endangered species and communities of wild animals, self-regulating ecosystems of biological diversity, as well as historical sites of global cultural and scientific importance.
  • in Bulgarian Shopluk – The highest point of the Balkans (Mount Musala – 2925m) is located in Rila. Next to it, the north-western parts of the mountain are a popular hiking destination, rich in nature and cultural sites such as the Circus of the Seven LakesSkakavitsa Waterfall (the highest in Rila), Rila Monastery and the Malyovitsa region. The Rila National Park, which is the largest in Bulgaria, is located here.
  • in Pirin – Situated south of Rila and close to Greece and the Mediterranean Sea, these mountains are famous for the highest number of sunny days per year among Bulgaria’s mountain ranges. The most popular hiking area is the northern part of Pirin. Its highest peak (Mount Vihren – 2914 m) is the third highest in the Balkans, after Mount Musala in Rila and Mount Mitikas in Olympus, Greece. Another popular route follows the main ridge of the mountains, crossing a landmark called „The Foal“ – a very small part of the ridge, which is safe and accessible to hikers. The Pirin National Park was created to protect nature in these mountains. Pirin is also famous for its many high mountain blue glacial lakes.
  • in the Rhodopes – Located in the south of Bulgaria, the Rhodopes occupy almost an eighth part of the country’s territory. The landscape here is very different from that of Rila and Pirin – there are no such jagged peaks, but an endless „sea“ of green hills and a number of small villages in between. The Rhodope Mountains offer many opportunities for easy walks, while at the same time allowing you to discover the local culture and traditions. The region has been inhabited for a long time and nowadays Christians and Muslims live here and contribute to the unique local culture. The Rhodopes are known to be the home of Orpheus, the mythical Greek musician and poet who entered the underworld to revive his beloved wife Eurydice.

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