Top 12 Bulgaria Attractions Including Map

Today we would like to present our top 12 attractions in Bulgaria. From the capital Sofia to the vast nature of the Rila Mountains with a truly breathtaking church, and the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Bulgaria - this Balkan country offers you an incredible variety. Come along and be amazed!

Bulgaria enchants with the vibrant capital Sofia, dreamy mountain villages in untouched mountains, splendid churches, and beautiful sandy beaches. Most tourists are only familiar with the coastal region along the Black Sea. However, those who only explore the famous tourist cities may miss the top attractions in Bulgaria. We'll reveal which Bulgarian sights you must not miss in our top 12.

Bulgaria's history has been heavily influenced by neighboring countries and various cultures. Greeks, Romans, and the Ottoman Empire long claimed and shaped Bulgaria, which can still be seen in many cultural remnants today.

For example, Bulgaria is home to many ancient tombs and uncovered old cities that have been lost over time but were luckily rediscovered and now count among the most impressive attractions in Bulgaria. Aside from cultural sights, Bulgaria also offers incredible nature that is largely untouched and wild. Sounds exciting, doesn't it? You can see the attractions on the map below.

Kicking off our top 12 attractions in Bulgaria is Sofia, the city with the melodic name. Stroll along Vitosha Boulevard and check out the many little alleys in the old town. Just follow your nose. No matter where you end up, it will be worth it! Sofia's streets are full of charm, and you'll always discover something new - perhaps your new favorite cafe is waiting just around the corner?

During your walk through Sofia, make sure to visit the most famous churches in Sofia. The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is the largest church in Bulgaria and truly deserves a place among the impressive sights of Bulgaria. Completed in 1912, the church is dedicated to the fallen soldiers who fought against Ottoman oppression. The Church of St. Sophia is the namesake of the city and the second oldest church in Sofia. This historic place already existed when Sofia was under Roman rule and was known as Serdica. Less known but equally worth seeing is the Church of Boyana in Sofia, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979 due to its unique frescoes.

Thracian... Doesn't ring a bell? No problem, we'll explain: The Thracians were a very large ethnic group that lived during the time of the ancient Greeks and settled throughout the Balkans. Even the ancient Greeks considered the Thracians an old people who had existed long before them. That makes the nearly 40 tombs, discovered by archaeologists in northeast Bulgaria in 1982, all the more valuable, forming the archaeological reserve of Sboryanovo together with about 100 uncovered sunken settlements and sanctuaries. In the tombs, which are up to 5 meters high, a gold treasure was found - hard to believe that this all remained undiscovered for so long! The Tomb of Sveshtari is one of the most significant, as it is the remarkably well-preserved and incredibly impressive tomb of a Thracian king and has rightly been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is only fitting that the Thracian tombs belong to the top attractions in Bulgaria, don't you think? In the tombs, there are also the king's wife and numerous offerings, including some horses. You can visit this mystical place from Wednesday to Sunday.

When sightseeing in Bulgaria, there's one thing you won't miss: monasteries. These wonderful buildings are scattered throughout the country, but the probably most beautiful monastery can be found in a valley on the western side of the Rila Mountains. In the Middle Ages, the Rila Monastery was a center for intellectuals, artists, and writers. From the outside, it looks like a fortress. This impression is not misleading, as during the oppression of the Ottoman Empire, the Rila Monastery served as a safe retreat.

In the mid-15th century, the holy site was looted and burned. But since the monastery was rebuilt, it shines even more brightly than before. Particularly the monastery church in the courtyard is a sight to behold for tourists: inside and out, you'll find numerous elaborate frescoes not seen in any other monastery. It's no wonder that the Rila Monastery was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and is included in every sightseeing program during your holiday in Bulgaria.

If you're already at the Rila Monastery, then you've definitely noticed the stunning nature surrounding it, which can rightly be counted among Bulgaria's highlights. The Rila Mountains, with the highest peak of the Balkan Peninsula, Musala (2,925 meters), offer incredibly beautiful hiking trails and pristine nature.

Travel guru tip: a hike to the Seven Rila Lakes. On your way there, you'll pass small sleepy villages where people still milk their cows by hand and no one minds if the neighbor's chickens stroll through your garden. Time seems to stand still in these picturesque towns. You can also find accommodation in the village of Borovets, the oldest holiday resort in Bulgaria's mountains.

Another mountain that hosts a national park will surely amaze you: the Pirin Mountains, located in Pirin National Park. While you can let your soul dangle during spring and summer with walks or horseback rides, the town of Bansko transforms into a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts during the colder months. From mid-December to mid-April, you can conquer the slopes or build your snowman. Did you know that?

The Rhodopes, a mountain range located east of the Rila Mountains, also offer stunning natural spectacles: high mountain lakes, caves, and waterfalls create an idyllic picture, and with their eleven peaks over two thousand meters, the Rhodopes are a Bulgarian attraction that is powerful and beautiful beyond measure. One thing is for sure: three more of the most beautiful Bulgarian attractions are also located in the Rhodopes, but more on that later.

When it comes to Bulgarian cities, everyone has heard of Sofia and Nessebar. But do you know Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria? This charming city, located in the center of the country, was named one of the European Capitals of Culture in 2019 and offers countless highlights that must be included in the list of Bulgarian attractions. In addition to many sights like the theater and the Roman stadium built in antiquity, the historical old town of Plovdiv, with its narrow streets and typical houses with richly decorated facades, is especially inviting. Other highlights include numerous religious structures, including Orthodox churches, a synagogue, and Byzantine mosques with their minarets towering over the city. Yes, Plovdiv is truly an attraction in Bulgaria that you shouldn't miss!

Asen's Fortress, located just about 20 kilometers from Plovdiv, is perfect for an excursion. Nestled in the previously mentioned Rhodopes, the medieval fortress awaits you after a short hike. If you're planning a hike in the mountains, you should definitely pay a visit to this medieval structure.

South of the city of Ruse, near the border with Romania, lies the small village of Ivanovo, which has more than earned its place on the list of the coolest sights in Bulgaria. Millions of years ago, the River Lom carved caves into the soft limestone bed, and the inhabitants used the natural caves as dwellings. Before long, the caves were also used as churches and monasteries. The elaborate cave paintings were rightly declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here you can see the rock-hewn church of the Virgin Mary, one of the churches housing some of the most beautiful frescoes. An excursion that is definitely worth it!

Close to the Sunny Beach you will find the small town of Nessebar. The historic old town enchants every visitor with its narrow cobbled streets and the old picturesque houses with bay windows. Like many Bulgarian sights, Nessebar has also been designated a UNESCO site. Especially the centuries-old Church of Christ Pantocrator in the main square of the old town rightly draws all eyes after its elaborate restoration.

In Nessebar you will find not only some ruins and houses in the typical Bulgarian architectural style but many old churches that invite you to indulge in the past and bring you closer to the fascinating history of Bulgaria. After a city excursion, you can relax in one of the numerous seaside restaurants and enjoy delicious Bulgarian cuisine. But don't be surprised if you're offered a rakija (fruit brandy) right at the start of the meal. In Bulgaria, brandy is drunk during the meal, not, as is common in Germany, after the dishes. A specialty of the country is also yogurt (after all, there is a bacterial culture called lactobacillus bulgaricus), which is eaten with many dishes.

Travel guru tip: If you go to a traditional Bulgarian restaurant, you should definitely try the cold yogurt soup Tarator!

The Devil's Throat Cave is a legendary 175,000-year-old cave near Bulgaria's border with Greece in the Rhodopes, and the visit begins on an adventurous note, as you first have to descend steep stairs through a narrow 150-meter-long tunnel into the mystical depths of the devil's abyss. Once you arrive, you can already hear the roar of the 42-meter-high underground waterfall echoing throughout the huge cave.

Thracian legends say that the cave is a direct access to hell, as Orpheus is said to have passed through the devil's throat into the underworld to rescue his beloved Eurydice. This is accentuated by the stone-carved image of the devil at the cave's entrance, and the atmosphere in the cave does little to refute that. The echo of the river in the giant cave sounds just like boiling water from hell.

Approximately 90 km from the Devil's Throat Cave and about 80 kilometers from Plovdiv, there is another breathtaking sight in Bulgaria: The Rock Bridges. The up to 100-meter-long, naturally formed bridges are an incredible natural spectacle that could very well have sprung from a magical world. You can even climb the wonder bridges of Bulgaria or simply walk through the formations and enjoy the surrounding nature.

The city of Varna, located by the Black Sea, is a perfect destination if you want to complement your sightseeing in Bulgaria with a beach holiday. Varna is located about 20 kilometers from the Golden Sands and around 95 kilometers from the famous Sunny Beach, with other great beaches and popular vacation spots close to the city. But the city itself also offers plenty: the most important sight in Varna is the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, which, with its golden domes, represents the magnificent center of the port city. The Roman or Byzantine baths, built here from the 2nd century onward, are also worth a visit. As you can see, Bulgaria's attractions are full of history. By the way, Varna has its own airport, so you can easily travel there.

The final attraction in Bulgaria that we highly recommend is the Rose Valley in central Bulgaria, which is an important cultivation area for the Damask rose. The rose oil produced from this special rose in Bulgaria is, by the way, the most valuable in the world and is used in the world-famous perfume Chanel No. 5. In summer, the vast valley also shines in white, pink, and red, making it not only extremely valuable but also a visual treat for every visitor. What's particularly interesting to see here is the rose harvest, which is celebrated in a big way by the locals with music, singing, dancing, and traditional costumes.

Did our top 12 attractions in Bulgaria convince you? What do you think of the country off the tourist hotspots of Golden Sands and Sunny Beach? We must admit that we are quite impressed by the history, culture, and attractions of the country. As is often the case, it shows that one should dare to stray from the popular vacation spots - you never know which wonderful attractions are still undiscovered. As you can see, Bulgaria has a lot to offer beyond its famous beaches! In our detailed Bulgaria travel guide, you can learn even more about the land and its people.