Bulgaria Travel Tips, Holiday Information and Tourist Information.

If your planning a Holiday in Bulgaria then spare a couple of minutes to read the following travel information on Bulgaria as it may help you find a few helpful tips to make your holiday more enjoyable. If you are looking for holiday accommodation in Bulgaria then search Apartment and Villa Rentals for apartments and villas to rent in Bulgaria, plus many more holiday rentals in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria is one of the oldest countries in Europe founded in 681. It is located in South-East Europe on the Balkan peninsula. It borders the black sea coast to the East, Serbia and the republic of Macedonia to the West, Greece and Turkey to the South and Romania to the North. It is positioned between historical routes from the northern and eastern parts of Europe to the Mediteranenan and from Central to and western Europe to the Middle East.

Bulgaria is a country of spectacular scenery awash with culture, history and breath-taking views. Bulgaria attracts tourists of all natures with it’s rugged mountainous resorts to the lively and modern resorts on the black sea coast.

The south west region of Bulgaria has 2 Alpine ranges - Rila and Pirin (which includes the highest peak of the Balkan Peninsula: peak Musala at 2925 meters) and to the east are the Rhodope Mountains. The Balkan mountains run east to west through the middle of the country, north of the famous Rose Valley.

Places to Visit

Bulgaria has so much to offer steeped with history and adventure into the mountainous resorts to the chilled out modern resorts on the sunny coasts.

If  you are looking for history and culture then you may want to visit the (Veliko Tarnovo and Pliska) The historical capitals of Bulgaria, (Koprivshtitza, Trjavna, Gabrovo, Plovdiv) The cities of  rennaissance and architecture and the famous monasteries of  Rila and Bachkovo.

The capital of Bulgaria is Sofia a vibrant city full of character, museums, shops and tourist attractions.

The more popular holiday resorts for ski destinations are Borovetz, Pamporovo and Bansko and down on the Black Sea Coast for the beach holiday – Varna, Burgas, Sozopol, Sunny Beach, Nessebar or Golden Sands.

Best Time to Travel

Bulgaria is a destination to offer any visitor a season to suit them. With hot summers and snowy winters makes Bulgaria an all round country to visit.

Beach Climate Parameters

Mountain Climate Parameters

Time

GMT +2 (GMT +3 from the end of March to the end of September)

Electricity

Power supply- 220 V, 50 Hz

Money

Currency used in Bulgaria is the Bulgarian Lev (pl. leva). Coins with smaller denomination are called "stotinki" (100 stotinki = 1 Lev).
There are banknotes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 leva and coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 stotinki.

Duty Free

Foreign citizens are allowed to import 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, 1 litre of spirits or 2 litres of wine, gifts up to a reasonable amount, and unlimited foreign currency if declared.

Banks

Working hours of the banks: 9 am – 4pm Monday to Friday. Currency exchange offices are open to 6 pm, some working 24 hours a day. Currency exchange at the airport on arrival or departure and in the big hotels is also possible.

Language

The official language is Bulgarian and uses only the Cirillic alphabet. To help tourists, road and direction signs in populated areas, resorts, railway stations, airports and along the main motorways are also spelled in Roman letters. English, German, French, Russian and other languages are spoken in the country.

Important Contact Numbers

0123 - operator for international calls (if no direct phone call is possible).

1286 983 308 - Road Assistance.

75 361 - Institute for Treatment of Foreign Citizens.

798 035 - Sofia Airport - International Flights.

722 414 - Sofia Airport - Domestic Flights.

121 - operator for long-distance calls within the country.

140 - sending of telegrams.

144 - telephone information service for office phone numbers.

145 - telephone information service for home numbers.

146 - Emergency Road Service.

150 - Emergency Medical Aid

166 - Police/Road patrols

Visa

Britons, Americans, as well as nationals from another eleven nations holding valid passports are able to enter Bulgaria without visas. According to the adopted amendments foreigners are allowed to stay in Bulgaria for 90 days within a period of six months, reckoned from the date of the first entry. If you wish to work and stay longer then you would need to apply for a visa before entry. You can apply for a visa online at Foreigners Can Apply for Visa Online – check out terms and conditions relating to your place of residence before travelling.

Public holidays

January 1 - New Year

March 3 - National day of the Liberation from Ottoman Domination

Easter - Two days (Sunday and Monday) according to the Orthodox calendar

May 6 - St. George's Day

May 24 - the Day of Bulgarian Enlightenment and Culture and Slav Script

September 6 - National Day of Bulgaria's Reunion in the year of 1885

September 22 - Independence Day

November 1 - Day of the Bulgarian Revival Leaders

December 24-26 - Christmas Eve and Christmas

December 31 - New Year's Eve

This Bulgaria travel information was believed to be accurate at the time of print, always check with appropriate sources prior to travelling to Bulgaria.

Apartment and Villa Rentals also have holiday accommodation in Bulgaria.