Located at the foot of the Pirin Mountains in southwestern Bulgaria, Bansko is one of the country`s most popular ski resorts, and also one of the newest. The area was developed in the early 2000s as a winter vacation getaway featuring amenities that rival the chalets and hotels of the Swiss Alps. Bansko boasts nearly 50 miles of ski runs, and a chair lift takes vacationers from town up to the resort`s base at Banderishka Poliana. It is possible to ski for an entire mile from the summit of Mount Todorka (9,000 feet above sea level) to the town a mile below.


Recommended Stay: At least 3 nights
Must See`s:
Bansko Ski Resort, Mount Todorka, Pirin Mountains, Banderishka Poliana, Mount Vihrent, Mount Kutelo, Pirin Street, Velyanova House, Radonova House, and so much more!

The Bulgarian Black Sea coast (called Chernomorie in Bulgarian) is one of the trendiest resort destinations in southeastern Europe. From the `50s through the `80s, purpose-built resort towns such as Golden Sands and Sunny Beach were places where Communist Party loyalists and their families from across the Eastern Bloc spent their summer vacations. Today, there are nearly two dozen resort towns which dot the coast, offering accommodation options ranging from apartment-style villas to all-inclusive world-class resort hotel complexes. Many of these towns are historically signficant as well, as a great deal of them are considered Bulgaria`s `ancient cities`, some settled as far back as five millennia ago. If you`re looking for an off-the-beaten-path beach vacation that doesn`t skimp on quality, consider Bulgaria`s beautiful Black Sea coast. The northern resort towns are in close proximity to the country`s third-largest city, Varna, while the southern resort towns are closer to the fourth-largest city, Burgas.


Recommended Stay: At least 3 nights
Must See`s:
Saints Constantine and Helena, Golden Sands, Albena, Balchik, Byala, Obzor, Varna, Burgas, Pomorie, Aheloy, Ravda, Nessebar, Sunny Beach, Sveti Vlas, Elenite, Kraymorie, Chernomorets, Sozopol, Dyuni, Primorsko, Kiten, Lozenets, Tsarevo, and so much more!

Borovets, located in the Rila Mountains of western Bulgaria, is one of the largest winter resort towns in southeastern Europe. In 1896, it was selected by the Bulgarian royal family as the site of their hunting lodge. In the decades after, it was developed as a ski resort, which has hosted Alpine Skiing World Cup runs twice in the past. There are 31 miles of ski runs coming down Musala Ridge toward the hotel zone; the runs range in proficiency level from beginner to intermediate. The adjacent high-altitude Musala Lakes are popular tourist attractions as well, particularly in the summertime when many people hike along the nearby trails.


Recommended Stay: At least 3 nights
Must See`s:
Borovets Ski Resort, Sitnyakovo, Tsarska Bistritsa, Lake Deno, Mount Musala, Musala Lakes, Musala Ridge, and so much more!

Bulgaria is a great country to explore, and there are lots of cool towns and villages scattered throughout the nation`s many mountain ranges, such as the Balkan Mountains, the Vitosha Mountains, the Pirin Mountains, the Rila Mountains, the Strandzha Mountains, and the Rhodope Mountains. The tallest mountain in Bulgaria, Musala, features over 30 miles of ski runs leading down to the popular ski resort of Borovets. Bansko, another popular mountain town, is a ski mecca at the base of the Pirin Mountains. No matter which part of Bulgaria you visit, you will be sure to fall in love with a mountain town or two along the way.


Recommended Stay: At least 3 nights
Must See`s:
Bansko, Borovets, Bansko Ski Resort, Mount Todorka, Pirin Mountains, Banderishka Poliana, Mount Vihrent, Mount Kutelo, Pirin Street, Velyanova House, Radonova House, Borovets Ski Resort, Sitnyakovo, Tsarska Bistritsa, Lake Deno, Mount Musala, Musala Lakes, Musala Ridge, and so much more!

Burgas is Bulgaria`s fourth-largest city and the largest city on the southern end of the country`s Black Sea Coast. It holds the distinction of being the westernmost port on the Black Sea, as well as being Bulgaria`s largest commercial port. The city is situated just to the east of Lake Burgas, the country`s largest lake, and as a result much of the city`s economy has traditionally focused on fishing, although today it is a popular tourist and cultural destination. Be sure to visit the pier at the Central Beach, which is one of the longest in Bulgaria; as well as the Sea Garden, the largest park in the city, which buzzes with activity day and night.


Recommended Stay: At least 3 nights
Must See`s:
St. Anastasia Island, Sea Garden, Central Beach, Lake Burgas, Poda Nature Conservation Center, Lake Atanasovsko, Aquae Calidae, The Pier, St. Cyril and Methodius Cathedral, Markeli Fortress, and so much more!

Golden Sands is the largest purpose-built seaside resort on the Black Sea Coast of Bulgaria. It is located ten miles north of Varna and was developed in the 1950s by the Bulgarian government as the country`s showcase resort town. By the late 1970s, it was the jewel of the `Red Riviera`, a popular vacation destination for people from across the Eastern Bloc. Privatized since the 1990s, Golden Sands now welcomes a large number of tourists from North America, Western Europe, and the Middle East. An explosion of new resorts have joined the original Soviet-era resort complex (since updated with current amenities), all of which are centered around an area of coastline a mile long. Sights in the vicinity include the grotto of Aladzha Monastery, and the Golden Sands Nature Park, a 5-acre forest located just to the west of town.


Recommended Stay: At least 3 nights
Must See`s:
Aladzha Monastery, Golden Sands Nature Park, Aquapolis, Nirvana Beach, Hotel International Casino, and so much more!

Nessebar is perhaps the most picturesque of all of the `ancient cities` on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. Originally a Thracian settlement settled 3,000 years ago, the Ancient Greeks who lived here called the city Mesembria. The Ancient City, once covering the entire area of an island, is now connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus and a two-lane road. The entirety of the Ancient City, featuring buildings that date all the way back to the Ancient Greek era, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just to the north of town, you will find Sunny Beach, one of the largest seaside resorts in the country.


Recommended Stay: At least 3 nights
Must See`s:
Church of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel, The Old Windmill, Hagia Sophia Church, Ancient City of Nessebar, Church of Christ Pantocrator, Church of St. John Aliturgetos, Church of St. Stephen, Nessebar Archaeological Museum, Aqua Paradise Water Park, and so much more!

The northern Bulgarian Black Sea coast is more subdued than the resort towns to the south, but the modern-day seaside resorts on the Black Sea coast were definitely modeled after the very first resorts, which opened in the town of Saints Constantine and Helena in the early 20th century. Some of the resort towns along the coast are among the oldest towns in Bulgaria, having been founded over two millennia ago. The forefather of the modern-day seaside resort complex in Bulgaria was the purpose-built community of Golden Sands, which was opened to the public in the late 1950s. Four resort towns on the northern Black Sea coast are located north of the region`s largest city, Varna: Saints Constantine and Helena, Golden Sands, Albena, and Balchik. Two are located south of Varna: Byala and Obzor.


Recommended Stay: At least 3 nights
Must See`s:
Saints Constantine and Helena, Golden Sands, Albena, Balchik, Byala, Obzor, Varna, Varna Beach, Sofia University Botanical Gardens, Sahara Beach, Monastery of Saints Constantine and Helena, Aquahouse Thermal Spa and Beach, Euxinograd Palace, Aladzha Monastery, Golden Sands Nature Park, Aquapolis, Nirvana Beach, Hotel International Casino, and so much more!

Southwest of Sofia, Bulgaria`s capital, the Rila Mountains and the Pirin Mountains together comprise one of the country`s most popular tourism regions. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Rila Monastery is located in the mountain range of the same name, close to Borovets, the country`s oldest and most popular ski resort. Southwest of the Rila Mountains, you will find the Pirin Mountains, home to the ski resort town of Bansko, one of southeastern Europe`s newest winter vacation destinations.


Recommended Stay: At least 3 nights
Must See`s:
Pirin National Park, Mount Vihren, Mount Todorka, Rozhen Monastery, Rila Monastery, Kordopulov House, Mount Kulinoto, Bansko Ski Resort, Mount Todorka, Pirin Mountains, Banderishka Poliana, Mount Vihrent, Mount Kutelo, Pirin Street, Velyanova House, Radonova House, Borovets Ski Resort, Sitnyakovo, Tsarska Bistritsa, Lake Deno, Mount Musala, Musala Lakes, Musala Ridge, and so much more!

Plovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria and one of the oldest cities in the country. Founded on seven hills around 4000 BCE, Plovdiv was originally a Thracian settlement. No fewer than twelve different ethnic groups conquered Plovdiv over the centuries, and the various groups` influences can be seen in such areas as the Old Town, with its Bulgarian Renaissance architecture; and the Roman City, centered on the Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis, which is still in use today. The city`s beautiful history and culture are on display everywhere you turn, and once you`re there, you will see why the European Union named Plovdiv a European Capital of Culture for 2019.


Recommended Stay: At least 3 nights
Must See`s:
Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis, Plovdiv Roman Stadium, Plovdiv Old Town, Plovdiv Regional Ethnographic Museum, Nebet Tepe, Alyosha Monument, Dzhumaya Mosque, Singing Fountains, Balabanov`s House, Garden of Tsar Simeon, Hills of Plovdiv, and so much more!

Primorsko is a popular seaside resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast, and has been a popular summer vacation destination for over 60 years. The town is located on a spear-shaped headland jutting out into the sea. With temperatures rising above 90 degrees Fahrenheit each summer, Primorsko is one of the warmest and sunniest towns in Bulgaria. You`ll find most of the hotels and resorts along two separated strands of beach called North Beach and South Beach, respectively. Points of interest near town include the Ropotamo Protected Nature Reserve, as well as the ancient Thracian sanctuary and dolmen of Beglik Tash.


Recommended Stay: At least 3 nights
Must See`s:
Ropotamo Protected Nature Reserve, Beglik Tash, Perla Beach, Stomoplo, Primorsko North Beach, Primorsko Historical Museum, Akva Planet Primorsko, Primorsko South Beach, and so much more!

One of the oldest capital cities in Europe, Sofia dates back to the 8th century BCE. Its landmarks reflect more than 2,000 years of history, including Greek, Roman, Ottoman and Soviet occupations. Sofia houses numerous museums, notably the National Historical Museum which has a vast collection of more than 650,000 historical items. Sofia is one of the hippest cities in Bulgaria, boasting a lively nightlife scene with many different nightclubs, live venues, pubs, mehani (Bulgarian traditional taverns), and restaurants. The city also offers large green spaces and manicured gardens, and the ski slopes and hiking trails of mighty Mount Vitosha are just a short bus ride away.


Recommended Stay: At least 3 nights
Must See`s:
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Boyana Church, National Historical Museum, Banya Bashi Mosque, Church of St. George, Vitosha Boulevard, Mount Vitosha, National Palace of Culture, St. Sophia Church, St. Nedelya Church, National Art Gallery, Central Sofia Market Hall, Cherni Vrah, Sofia Synagogue, Church of St. Petka of the Saddlers, Museum of Socialist Art, and so much more!

The southern Bulgarian Black Sea coast was the envy of what was once the Eastern Bloc, with its grand hotel resort complexes in purpose-built seaside towns such as Sunny Beach. At that time, the region was called the Red Riviera. Since the fall of Communism and the privatization of the resorts, there has been a sharp increase of tourism and investment from the West. Towns up and down the coast, many of whom are `ancient cities` which have been settled for at least two millennia, have also become resort towns. The towns to the north of the largest city in the area, Burgas, are Pomorie, Aheloy, Ravda, Nessebar, Sunny Beach, Sveti Vlas, and Elenite. To the south of Burgas, there are resorts and villas in Kraymorie, Chernomorets, Sozopol, Dyuni, Primorsko, Kiten, Lozenets, and Tsarevo.


Recommended Stay: At least 3 nights
Must See`s:
Burgas, Pomorie, Aheloy, Ravda, Nessebar, Sunny Beach, Sveti Vlas, Elenite, Kraymorie, Chernomorets, Sozopol, Dyuni, Primorsko, Kiten, Lozenets, Tsarevo, and so much more!

Sozopol is a popular resort town on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast, and is considered one of the `ancient towns` of Bulgaria, having been settled in antiquity. The Old Town is considered an `architectural and archaeological reserve`, and has been painstakingly preserved and in some cases re-created to look as it did when it was a fishing town centuries ago. There are multiple archaeological finds which date back to the time of the Thracians and the Ancient Greeks, who knew this city as Apollonia. Today people come to Sozopol for its history, for its resorts and beaches, and for its cultural events such as the Apollonia Festival of Arts held at the end of each summer.


Recommended Stay: At least 3 nights
Must See`s:
St. Peter Island, St. Ivan Island, Sozopol Old Town, Archaeological Museum, Central Beach, St. Cyricus Island, St. Thomas Island, Apollonia, Kavatsite Beach, Ravadinovo Castle, and so much more!

Saints Constantine and Helena is the oldest of the resort towns along the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast, and is located five miles east-northeast of Varna. Decades before Golden Sands and Sunny Beach were developed, Saints Constantine and Helena was renowned throughout Europe for its high-quality medicinal hot springs. These springs still exist today, and are but one of the many highlights in this modern resort town. Be sure to stroll down the beautiful English lanes of the city park, and take a trip to the Sofia University Botanical Gardens, which date from the early 20th century, and see the vibrant local flora.


Recommended Stay: At least 3 nights
Must See`s:
Sofia University Botanical Gardens, Sahara Beach, Monastery of Saints Constantine and Helena, Aquahouse Thermal Spa and Beach, Euxinograd Palace, and so much more!

Sunny Beach is the second-largest purpose-built resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast, located approximately 22 miles north of Burgas, sandwiched between Nessebar and Sveti Vlas. The original cluster of hotels was built by the Bulgarian government in 1958, and even more resorts were built when the city was privatized in the 1990s. Many of these resorts and hotels are located just beyond the three-mile stretch of beach where there are also water sport opportunities, shopping centers, amusement parks, and casinos.


Recommended Stay: At least 3 nights
Must See`s:
Action Aquapark, Casino Kuban, Flower Street, Sunny Beach Amusement Park, Hrisantema Hotel and Casino, Sunny Beach, Pirates of the Caribbean Mini-Waterpark, Camel Park, Aqua Paradise Water Park, and so much more!

Sveti Vlas is the town that sits directly to the north of Sunny Beach, and it is considered a quieter alternative to the flash and dazzle of its southern neighbor`s stretch of coastline. With that said, Sveti Vlas does have sparkle, as it is home to quite a few well-heeled Bulgarian businessmen and celebrities. It is also home to the Dinevi Marina, the largest and most state-of-the-art yacht marina on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. Sveti Vlas is also unique in that it is the only town along the Black Sea Coast whose beach faces due south, meaning waters here are calmer than anywhere else.


Recommended Stay: At least 3 nights
Must See`s:
Sveti Vlas Central Beach, St. Blaise Orthodox Church, East Beach, North Beach, Venid Beach, Casino Palace, Black Sam Pirate Ship, and so much more!

Varna, the third-largest city in Bulgaria, is the largest of the Black Sea resort towns. Varna is well-known for its archaeological sites and finds, such as the 6,000-year-old Gold of Varna, the oldest gold treasure in the world, and the Roman Baths which is the largest of its kind in the Balkans. Many people use Varna as a jumping-off point to explore the rest of the Black Sea Coast, but it is a popular tourist destination in its own right. It is one of the cultural centers of Bulgaria, and it is also home to one of the most vibrant nightlife scenes in the country. Be sure to visit one of the hot thermal spring `sea baths` which dot the coast.


Recommended Stay: At least 3 nights
Must See`s:
Dolphinarium Varna, Sea Garden, Varna Archaeological Museum, Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral, Roman Thermae of Odessos, Retro Museum, Butterfly House, National Maritime Museum, History of Varna Museum, Varna Eye, Monument of Tsar Kaloyan, and so much more!

Veliko Tarnovo is a cozy town that is integral to Bulgarian history. The tsars of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, who ruled from the late 12th century to the turn of the 15th century, made Veliko Tarnovo their capital and lived inside the mammoth fortress named for the hill on which it was built, Tsarevets. The rest of the town is built on surrounding hills, and in the Old Town you will find many churches as well as examples of religious and everyday architecture built in the distinct Tarnovo Artistic School style. Twelve miles outside of town, you will find the ruins of the Roman and Byzantine city Nicopolis ad Istrum.


Recommended Stay: At least 3 nights
Must See`s:
Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of God, Monument of Mother Bulgaria, ruins of Nicopolis ad Istrum, Tsarevets, Trapezitsa, Holy Forty Martyrs Church, Samovodska Charshiya Ethnographic Complex, Baldwin`s Tower, and so much more!