Vidin is a city in northwest Bulgaria, on the banks of the Danube River, which serves as the country’s border with Romania. The northwest is notable for being the country’s poorest area. Vidin is Bulgaria’s nineteenth largest town by population, but its population has declined significantly over the last two decades. Vidin is one of Bulgaria’s oldest cities, having a long and illustrious history. Its history began in the first century, when the Romans conquered it and renamed it Bononia. In 1396, the Ottomans defeated Bulgaria’s last stronghold, Vidin. They ruled until Vidin was liberated from the Turks in 1878. Vidin was flooded in 1942 as a result of the rising Danube. It was a terrible catastrophe, but Vidin overcame the water, sickness, and starvation. Vidin has been an important military economic and transportation hub for the next 200 years. Numerous landmarks bear witness to Vidin’s glorious past: Baba Vida castle, Vidin Synagogue (destroyed following Jewish emigration to Israel), St. Petka church, Osman Pazvantoglue mosque and library (built in the 18th century by the late Turkish ruler of northwestern Bulgaria), Krastata Kazarma, and St. Dimitar churches.
Vidin is the EU’s poorest city at the moment, yet it is a lovely town with several historic and cultural attractions. Except for groups traveling down the Danube on cruises, tourism has declined, yet a visit to Vidin is absolutely worthwhile. The locals are more welcoming than in major towns like as Sofia. Vidin has a foreign language school, and most young people can communicate well in English. Students at other schools also study English. There is a language academy for senior citizens that teaches English or German. There are several Vlachs (Bulgaro-Romanians), therefore being able to communicate in Romanian is always advantageous! Numerous locals work on farms in neighboring villages, raising domestic animals and sowing plants, and this area is well-known for its food production.
Vidin’s climate is humid subtropical with a temperate continental component. Inversions are quite prevalent during the winter months. The average yearly temperature is 12.2 degrees Celsius (54.0 degrees Fahrenheit).
How To Travel To Vidin
The railway station and bus terminal are situated in the town’s south end, near the Danube and city center. The ferry station is located near the town’s north end. At the moment, the only route into Vidin through organised travel is via neighboring Bulgarian cities or via Calafat.
Bus
The primary bus operators between Sofia and Vidin are Karat-S and Aleksiev. Daily bus services leave from Sofia Central Bus Station at 7:30, 9:30, 11:00, 11:45, 12:30, 14:30, 15:00, and 17:45 and typically travel via Vratsa and Montana. A round-trip bus ticket costs 19 lv and takes between 3.5 and 4 hours..
A bus connects Pleven and Vidin at 15:00. All additional locations in Bulgaria may be found on the website avtogari.info.
From Vidin to the adjacent villages and return, buses operate daily between 8:00 and 20:10. Tickets cost around 2 lv.
Train
Trains leave from Sofia at 7:35, 12:25, and 16:25 for Vidin. Train tickets are cheaper, at 13 lv, but the trip takes around 5 hours.
How To Travel Around Vidin
There are buses around town, although they might be tough to navigate unless you know Bulgarian. Tickets may be purchased on the bus.
The most typical locations to hail a cab are the railway station, the central business district, and Pazarska street (a few blocks north of the main square). Taxis should be zoned: 2.50 lv for a single ride inside town, and 4 lv to/from the ferry station.
Numerous numbers are available; try 094606060, 094666666, or 094600600. Tiko Cab, Euro Taxi, and OK Taxi are a few taxi businesses.
Biking around Vidin is typically safe, but keep an eye out for potholes. On the right side of the street, you should ride your bike.
Tourism in Vidin
Vidin is a port town in northwestern Bulgaria, located in the Vidin Lowland on the Danube’s southern bank. It is situated around 190 kilometers northwest of Sofia, close to the Serbian and Romanian borders. Vidin has a variety of hotels ranging in price and category, located in the city center or beside the Danube river. The Baba Vida stronghold is Vidin’s most prominent feature. The village of Belogradchik is close to Vidin and is famed for two natural phenomena: the Belogradchik Rocks and the historic Belogradchik castle. Another significant attraction in the area is the Magura cave, which is one of Bulgaria’s largest. The Rabisha Lake, located next to the Magura cave, is ideal for water sports and fishing.
Vidin has a variety of hotels ranging in price and category, located in the city center or beside the Danube river.Vidin is home to a variety of taverns, restaurants, fast-food outlets, grill bars, and toast bars. They provide a variety of Bulgarian and foreign dishes.
Location
Vidin is situated in the Vidin lowlands on the Danube’s southern bank in northern Bulgaria. It is a harbor town located around 52 kilometers north of Belogradchik and 190 kilometers northwest of Sofia. Vidin is located on the borders of Romania and Serbia. Vidin and the Romanian town of Kalafat are naturally separated by the Danube River. The Danube Bridge II and a ferry link the two cities.
Sights & Landmarks
A short distance from town is a large medium wave radio station (established in 1973), whose signals may be readily picked up across Europe. It operates at 576 kHz and 1224 kHz with a 500 kW output on each frequency. A 259-metre-tall (850-ft) guyed pole fitted with a cage antenna is utilized to transmit on 576 kHz. The transmission of 576 kHz Radio Hristo Botev has been suspended temporarily due to the global financial crisis, and it is uncertain when it will return. On 88.2 MHz, a strong FM transmitter offers enough coverage for Hristo Botev radio. At the moment, only 1224 kHz Radio Bulgaria remains operational. On 1224 kHz, four guyed masts are employed, each insulated from the ground and fitted with a cage antenna, allowing for a switchable directional pattern.
Entertainment
Vidin’s primary feature is the Baba Vida stronghold, which was constructed between the tenth and fourteenth centuries. It is Bulgaria’s sole totally surviving fortress. Its foundations were erected around the end of the tenth century atop one of the old town of Bononia’s towers. Its appearance was finished in the 14th century, when it served as the stronghold of one of Bulgaria’s final rulers before to the Ottoman conquest.
Additionally, Vidin has a number of fascinating attractions, including the Ethnographic Museum Krastata Kazarma, the Turkish konak (police station) that has been converted into an architectural museum, the Art gallery, Osman Pazvantoglu’s library, the Vidin Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Theater.
The town of Belogradchik is not to be missed (45 km from Vidin). Close to the town of Belogradchik are the Belogradchik Rocks (a remarkable natural phenomenon) and the historic Belogradchik castle.
Magura cave is another significant attraction in the area; it is one of the largest caverns in Bulgaria, measuring 3000 meters in length.
Rabisha Lake lies next to Magura Cave. It is Bulgaria’s largest inner lake. Picnics, fishing, and water sports are all permitted on the lake.
The Vidin area is dominated by the massifs of the western Balkan Mountain Range (Stara Planina), which are ideal for hiking expeditions.
Vidin offers cruises along the Danube, visits to the neighboring Romanian town of Calafat, as well as day excursions and shopping trips to the adjacent Serbian villages of Zajecar and Negotin.
Things To Do In Vidin
Stadium Georgi Benkovski: The stadium opened in 1961 and has a capacity of 15,000 spectators. It is located in the city’s west end and serves as the home of the football team Bdin Vidin. Almost every weekend, matches are held, and a large crowd attends.
Cinema “Nikra”: The cinema is located in the city’s central business district. Every Thursday, a film is shown. It has a capacity of around 400 persons. Due to the rarity of screenings, they tend to be the most popular and attract a large audience. Tickets are priced at 5 lv.
Danube River Park: Vidin is home to an excellent Danube Park, a popular hangout location for residents. On a hot summer day, take a stroll in the park, which is surrounded by big trees that give shade. There are several cafés serving beverages and fried food, numerous ice cream stalls selling an array of ice cream flavors, and playgrounds where children may swing or just run about.
Drama Theatre “Vladimir Trandafilov”: “Don Juan,” “Fideriko,” and others have been staged before. Vidin’s performers are very gifted and provide outstanding performances, which are often in Bulgarian.
Food & Restaurants In Vidin
Vidin is well-known for a variety of dishes. Visitors should surely purchase “Elbi (Eли)” brand yogurt, which is manufactured at a facility in the town’s south industrial complex and distributed across the country. This yogurt is available in Picadilly and most other supermarkets.
Fast Food
In Bulgaria, fast food is often purchased at a grill (“skara”) or pastry stand located around the city. Particularly popular are “banichka”, “kebapche”, and “kozunak”.
Serbian Grill (сръбска скара) 0:00-24:00: This booth, located just across from the railway station, serves real Serbian meat. According to US Ambassador James Warlick, this is the greatest kebapche in all of Bulgaria..
Montenegro: This store, located just across from Tsar Simeon Veliki school, produces fresh banitsa all day.
Restaurants
Classic, Tsar Alexander II 25, 8:00-22:00. 20 lv. This pizza is one of Vidin’s most popular establishments. There are two locations: one inside restaurant at the dock and another outdoor restaurant a bit farther upstream on the city wall (only in the summer). The pizzas are the finest in town, and there are several variations.
Bulgaria. 9:30-24:00 M-F. 15 lv. This restaurant, located in an alley opposite from St. Dimitar church, has a historically designed basement and a summer garden. Weekend nights often have a DJ or live music to complement the dancing floor.
Riviera, Baba Vida St. (north of Telegraph Gate). 8:30-23:00. 25 lv. Adjacent to the Danube, this lovely restaurant serves superb Bulgarian and Serbian cuisine at a premium price.
Mystique (мистика), zhk. Geo Milev. 8:00-22:00. 25 lv. A huge restaurant with an enclosed playground. Can be saved for special events such as birthdays and anniversaries.
Zodiac, Pazarska 2. 8:00-24:00 M-F, 9:00-22:00 Sat. 25 lv. A subterranean restaurant featuring a range of traditional Bulgarian and international cuisine. Usually seen on television as a contestant on “The Voice.”
Kan Yuen, Suedinenie bl. 12 (in the same square as Hotel Rovno). 11:00-23:00. 15 lv. The superior of Vidin’s two Chinese eateries. You will be served just one meal, and the costs are rather reasonable. A Chinese family owns and operates the eatery.
Bononia Restaurant, Bdin 2. 11:00-23:00. 30 lv. Located in the park beside the Danube, next to the Hotel Bononia. Generally reserved for major occasions such as weddings and graduations.
Shopping In Vidin
Mall Vidin (Tsar Simeon Veliki St. 21, 9:00-22:00, ) There are around 20 stores. Several of them are for clothing and footwear. Others are used to store cosmetics. Additionally, Mall Vidin sells electrical equipment, mobile phones, and books. Two bars, a restaurant, a bookshop, and a playground for children are located on the top level. The top story culminates in a magnificently designed dome, which is decorated for Christmas throughout the winter.
Central Market: The Central Market is a hub of activity where people congregate to sell and purchase a variety of items. In the middle, covered kiosks sell food (fresh from the gardens of local residents), honey, and spices. There are several businesses and booths around selling mechanical parts, clothing, and souvenirs. You cannot get a refund or a purchase back. The prices are fixed, and you should not negotiate, however the merchants charge varying rates for their items, so you may shop around to get the best deal.
Additionally, there are several stores around the city center where you may get alcohol, souvenirs, clothing, and other items.
Groceries
Lidl (Academic Stefan Mladenov, 8:00-21:00): German chain, the cheapest grocery.
Picadilly (In Mall Vidin, 9:00-22:00): More expensive, but higher quality products.
The Vidin Festival, which has been held annually since 2008, takes place in late August. It runs for nine days and features several performances by Bulgarian pop folk performers, including some from Vidin. There is beer and Serbian barbecue available. Numerous people visit to participate in amusement attractions (roller coasters, ferris wheel, etc.). Following the concerts, motor racing are held at an abandoned adjacent airfield.
Dimitrovden is celebrated on October 26th in honor of the town’s patron saint. There are several athletic and non-sporting events.
The Bridge Festival is a biennial worldwide festival of young arts. Over 200 skilled individuals engage in a variety of activities, including guitar playing, beatboxing, freerunning, and sketching.
During the spring and summer, the Fashion Fair focuses on clothing, shoes, hats, and handbags. It is held in front of the central town library and has vendors selling candy and jellies as well as clothing. Prices are often quite cheap.
• The Milka Festival typically takes place on a single day in April. There will be dancing, a “Open Your Hands for a Hug” activity, and, of course, lots of Milka chocolate and stuff to purchase.
Bulgarian Independence Day, September 22
Dance Along the Danube: This festival, which has been organized every two years since 1997, features folklore ensembles from Poland, Greece, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey.
Traditionally on the 6th of January, “Yordanov Den” is celebrated. A cross is thrown into the river by the Vidin Bishop, and a group of men swim to recover it. The guy who recovers it will enjoy a year of good health and strength.
Nightlife in Vidin
Cafes in Vidin
Sky Cafe (Bononia, 9:00-22:30, 1-3 lv): Vidin’s most popular café, located in the Danube park next to the Bononia hotel. Serves a variety of coffees, fruit beverages, sodas, pastries, and alcoholic beverages. The service is courteous, and the establishment has billiards tables and free WiFi.
Corner Club (Tsar Alexander II 21, 7:00-24:00 M-F, .80-5 lv): A trendy café that is popular among adolescents. Extremely dark, with contemporary lighting effects.
Vision Cafe (Tsar Alexander II 25, 9:30-24:00, .50-10 lv): The Classic pizzeria owns this bistro. It has two locations: one close to a pizza near the waterfront and another on the mall’s upper level. The mall site is particularly pleasant since it has a balcony overlooking the domes of St. Dimitar Church.
Forum (Shiroka 6, 8:00-22:00): .80-2 lv): This café offers free wireless Internet access. The coffee is excellent, but the service is lacking.
Hawaii (Gradinska 5, 7:00-24:00, .70-3 lv): Located just across from the theater theatre, this café serves a variety of beverages and snacks. Fridays include live music and dancing. There is complimentary wireless Internet access.
Deluxe (7:30-22:00, 1-8 lv): Vidin’s newest café. The staff is kind, and the coffee with cream is really tasty.
Clubs in Vidin
Master Club (opens 20:00 Th-Sat, 2 lv cover): Vidin’s major disco is situated in the town plaza. It is crowded with young Bulgarians and has a reputation for being smoky and rowdy. There are multiple pubs on the premises, and dancing continues until the early hours of the morning.
Traffic Club (Shiroka St at Hristo Botev, 7:00-22:00): Not very large. Play mostly R&B and house music. The majority of visitors are students.
Corner Club (Tsar Alexander II 21, 7:00-24:00 M-F, 7:00-5:00 Sat): This café, particularly on Saturday evenings, transforms into a club and stays open quite late. The contemporary lighting is a perfect complement to dancing to house and popular music.
Vidin
Vidin
Vidin is a city in northwest Bulgaria, on the banks of the Danube River, which serves as the country’s border with Romania. The northwest is notable for being the country’s poorest area. Vidin is Bulgaria’s nineteenth largest town by population, but its population has declined significantly over the last two decades. Vidin is one of Bulgaria’s oldest cities, having a long and illustrious history. Its history began in the first century, when the Romans conquered it and renamed it Bononia. In 1396, the Ottomans defeated Bulgaria’s last stronghold, Vidin. They ruled until Vidin was liberated from the Turks in 1878. Vidin was flooded in 1942 as a result of the rising Danube. It was a terrible catastrophe, but Vidin overcame the water, sickness, and starvation. Vidin has been an important military economic and transportation hub for the next 200 years. Numerous landmarks bear witness to Vidin’s glorious past: Baba Vida castle, Vidin Synagogue (destroyed following Jewish emigration to Israel), St. Petka church, Osman Pazvantoglue mosque and library (built in the 18th century by the late Turkish ruler of northwestern Bulgaria), Krastata Kazarma, and St. Dimitar churches.
Vidin is the EU’s poorest city at the moment, yet it is a lovely town with several historic and cultural attractions. Except for groups traveling down the Danube on cruises, tourism has declined, yet a visit to Vidin is absolutely worthwhile. The locals are more welcoming than in major towns like as Sofia. Vidin has a foreign language school, and most young people can communicate well in English. Students at other schools also study English. There is a language academy for senior citizens that teaches English or German. There are several Vlachs (Bulgaro-Romanians), therefore being able to communicate in Romanian is always advantageous! Numerous locals work on farms in neighboring villages, raising domestic animals and sowing plants, and this area is well-known for its food production.
Vidin’s climate is humid subtropical with a temperate continental component. Inversions are quite prevalent during the winter months. The average yearly temperature is 12.2 degrees Celsius (54.0 degrees Fahrenheit).
How To Travel To Vidin
The railway station and bus terminal are situated in the town’s south end, near the Danube and city center. The ferry station is located near the town’s north end. At the moment, the only route into Vidin through organised travel is via neighboring Bulgarian cities or via Calafat.
Bus
Train
Trains leave from Sofia at 7:35, 12:25, and 16:25 for Vidin. Train tickets are cheaper, at 13 lv, but the trip takes around 5 hours.
How To Travel Around Vidin
There are buses around town, although they might be tough to navigate unless you know Bulgarian. Tickets may be purchased on the bus.
The most typical locations to hail a cab are the railway station, the central business district, and Pazarska street (a few blocks north of the main square). Taxis should be zoned: 2.50 lv for a single ride inside town, and 4 lv to/from the ferry station.
Numerous numbers are available; try 094606060, 094666666, or 094600600. Tiko Cab, Euro Taxi, and OK Taxi are a few taxi businesses.
Biking around Vidin is typically safe, but keep an eye out for potholes. On the right side of the street, you should ride your bike.
Tourism in Vidin
Vidin is a port town in northwestern Bulgaria, located in the Vidin Lowland on the Danube’s southern bank. It is situated around 190 kilometers northwest of Sofia, close to the Serbian and Romanian borders. Vidin has a variety of hotels ranging in price and category, located in the city center or beside the Danube river. The Baba Vida stronghold is Vidin’s most prominent feature. The village of Belogradchik is close to Vidin and is famed for two natural phenomena: the Belogradchik Rocks and the historic Belogradchik castle. Another significant attraction in the area is the Magura cave, which is one of Bulgaria’s largest. The Rabisha Lake, located next to the Magura cave, is ideal for water sports and fishing.
Vidin has a variety of hotels ranging in price and category, located in the city center or beside the Danube river.Vidin is home to a variety of taverns, restaurants, fast-food outlets, grill bars, and toast bars. They provide a variety of Bulgarian and foreign dishes.
Location
Vidin is situated in the Vidin lowlands on the Danube’s southern bank in northern Bulgaria. It is a harbor town located around 52 kilometers north of Belogradchik and 190 kilometers northwest of Sofia. Vidin is located on the borders of Romania and Serbia. Vidin and the Romanian town of Kalafat are naturally separated by the Danube River. The Danube Bridge II and a ferry link the two cities.
Sights & Landmarks
A short distance from town is a large medium wave radio station (established in 1973), whose signals may be readily picked up across Europe. It operates at 576 kHz and 1224 kHz with a 500 kW output on each frequency. A 259-metre-tall (850-ft) guyed pole fitted with a cage antenna is utilized to transmit on 576 kHz. The transmission of 576 kHz Radio Hristo Botev has been suspended temporarily due to the global financial crisis, and it is uncertain when it will return. On 88.2 MHz, a strong FM transmitter offers enough coverage for Hristo Botev radio. At the moment, only 1224 kHz Radio Bulgaria remains operational. On 1224 kHz, four guyed masts are employed, each insulated from the ground and fitted with a cage antenna, allowing for a switchable directional pattern.
Entertainment
Vidin’s primary feature is the Baba Vida stronghold, which was constructed between the tenth and fourteenth centuries. It is Bulgaria’s sole totally surviving fortress. Its foundations were erected around the end of the tenth century atop one of the old town of Bononia’s towers. Its appearance was finished in the 14th century, when it served as the stronghold of one of Bulgaria’s final rulers before to the Ottoman conquest.
Additionally, Vidin has a number of fascinating attractions, including the Ethnographic Museum Krastata Kazarma, the Turkish konak (police station) that has been converted into an architectural museum, the Art gallery, Osman Pazvantoglu’s library, the Vidin Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Theater.
The town of Belogradchik is not to be missed (45 km from Vidin). Close to the town of Belogradchik are the Belogradchik Rocks (a remarkable natural phenomenon) and the historic Belogradchik castle.
Magura cave is another significant attraction in the area; it is one of the largest caverns in Bulgaria, measuring 3000 meters in length.
Rabisha Lake lies next to Magura Cave. It is Bulgaria’s largest inner lake. Picnics, fishing, and water sports are all permitted on the lake.
The Vidin area is dominated by the massifs of the western Balkan Mountain Range (Stara Planina), which are ideal for hiking expeditions.
Vidin offers cruises along the Danube, visits to the neighboring Romanian town of Calafat, as well as day excursions and shopping trips to the adjacent Serbian villages of Zajecar and Negotin.
Things To Do In Vidin
Food & Restaurants In Vidin
Vidin is well-known for a variety of dishes. Visitors should surely purchase “Elbi (Eли)” brand yogurt, which is manufactured at a facility in the town’s south industrial complex and distributed across the country. This yogurt is available in Picadilly and most other supermarkets.
Fast Food
In Bulgaria, fast food is often purchased at a grill (“skara”) or pastry stand located around the city. Particularly popular are “banichka”, “kebapche”, and “kozunak”.
Restaurants
Shopping In Vidin
Groceries
Festivals & Events In Vidin
Nightlife in Vidin
Cafes in Vidin
Clubs in Vidin
Go Next...
Nesebar (often spelled Nessebar and sometimes Nesebur) is a historic city and one of
Borovets ski resort is 12 kilometers from Samokov and 72 kilometers from Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital.
Bansko is Bulgaria’s flagship ski resort, with the biggest ski area, significant historical value,
Golden Sands (Bulgarian: Zlatni pyasatsi) is a significant coastal resort town on Bulgaria’s northern Black
Burgas, sometimes spelled Bourgas, is the second biggest city on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast
Plovdiv is Bulgaria’s second biggest city, with a population of 341,567 in 2015 and a
Sozopol is situated on a picturesque bay on the southern Bulgarian coast, about 35 kilometers
Varna is the largest city and beach resort on Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast, as well
Sunny Beach is Bulgaria’s biggest resort. It is located between the town of Nesebar and
Sofia is Bulgaria’s capital and biggest city. Sofia, with a population of over 1.2
More posts