Book Bus Tickets in Bulgaria
Bulgaria, officially known as the Republic of Bulgaria, is one of the oldest nations in Europe, on the coast of the Black Sea. It is a beautiful country with many attractions. You can easily travel in and around this place via bus in Bulgaria.
About Bulgaria
- Key Facts: Located in the Southern region of Europe and the east Balkan Peninsula
- Population: 7.5 million (2015)
- Languages: Bulgarian, written in Cyrillic
- Currency: Lev
- Geographical area: 110,879 km² with large mountains, green valleys, and coastline.
History and Culture of Bulgaria
Bulgaria was formed in the 7th century with a history of Greek, Roman, and Ottoman Empires ruling the country. It got independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1878 and later became a Republic in 1946. They joined the EU in 2017.
The Black Sea is a major attraction here. The capital Sofia is its largest city, situated at the heart of the Balkan region.
Influenced by the various empires that ruled them, Bulgaria has a mix of cultures from both West and East.
Weather and Geography
Though a smaller area, Bulgaria has a vivid topography with mountains, lowlands, rivers, and coastline. The country has three regions: North Bulgaria, South Bulgaria, and the third is the transition area between the other two. The east side is bordered by the Black Sea, making way for sandy beaches and resorts.
Bulgaria has a continental climate with an average temperature of 10 degrees. There may be extremes in various seasons. The country experiences snowfall in lowlands in winters and probable hail storms during the other months.
Popular Cities to Visit in Bulgaria
- Sofia
It is the largest and the capital city of the country. You will find various attractions here. From here, you can take a bus to different parts of Bulgaria.
- Plovdiv
The second most popular city in Bulgaria, Plovdiv, is an ancient city that conserves many of its ancient monuments and buildings. The wineries, Rhodope Mountain range, Balkan mountains, etc., are some of the famous attractions here.
- Varna
Varna will keep the tourists on their feet for a few days with its array of attractive places. The Archeological Museum stores the oldest gold, and the most famous attraction here is the Roman Bath. It has a lot to offer for adventure seekers and those looking for luxury tourism.
- Burgas
Located at the western tip along the Black Sea coast, it is one of the important cities to visit. The port of Burgas, the largest port in the country, is here.
- Sozopol
The historical city made by the Greeks, Sozopol, is a religious centre and a place for the arts. The beautiful fortresses border the Black Sea in this historic city with sandy beaches, cobbled paths, and vibrant nightlife.
- Bansko
Bansko is famous for its snow slopes as it is situated right under the foothills of the Pirin Mountains. The beauty of this place is often compared with that of Switzerland. Bansko Jazz festival is a famous event.
Transportation in Bulgaria
- Buses
Bulgaria bus is the most reliable transport system in the country. A bus in the country is available in all the major cities, connecting them to other parts and countries.
You can find a Sofia bus for a domestic trip from any bus station. The popular ones are the Sofia-Plovdiv bus, Sofia-Varna bus, and Plovdiv-Sofia bus. In addition, bus tickets are available online for all journeys, domestic and international.
This transport mode offers the utmost comfort for the passengers and is connected to the country's major airports.
- Trains
The Bulgarian railway system connects Sofia to other major cities like Plovdiv, Varna, and Burgas. International train routes are also available, mainly connecting to Sofia. The interrail Bulgaria pass allows you to travel within the country, but is more expensive than buses.
- Flights
Sofia, Varna, Plovdiv, and Burgas all have an airport, making it convenient for tourists to travel from one place to another. Bus services connect the airport to the nearest city.
Accommodation in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, even luxury hotels may be affordable for most tourists. Therefore, hotels ranging from luxurious to budget-friendly are the primary option for accommodation here.
Sofia has several hotels and affordable hostels, more suitable for solo travellers and couples.
The other options include a country living in the interiors. When in the coastal line, campsites, huts along the beaches, or skyscraper lodges are the popular options.
The inland mountain regions are preferred by hikers who wish to enjoy the scenic beauty and reach tier trails easily. Ski resorts and wooden cabins are the other options in the mountain ranges.
Food in Bulgaria
- Banitsa
Banitsa is a sweet breakfast pastry made of butter and cheese fillings. When it is filled with fruits, it becomes a famous Bulgarian dessert.
- Sujuk
Sujuk is a fermented Bulgarian sausage, famous in the Balkan diet. It tastes excellent, either fried or grilled, for breakfast or as a pizza topping. It pairs well with a glass of red wine.
- Bulgarian Moussaka
Moussaka is a Greek dish, but Bulgarians have developed their own version. They substituted the eggplant of the original recipe with potatoes, meat, and sometimes mushrooms. You can top it with some yoghurt for a tasty dish.
- Kiselo Mlyako
It is a special yoghurt made in Bulgaria with a unique Lactobacillus bulgaricus. The bacteria is healthy, and people often use this yoghurt as their regular toppings in other dishes or as a snack. Bulgarians eat more yoghurt than in any other country.
- Rakia
It is the national drink of Bulgaria with average alcohol content. However, the homemade varieties may be high in alcohol and are served on special occasions. It is made from grapes, apricot, plums, and peaches.
Shopping in Bulgaria
There is no shortage of malls in Bulgaria. The most important thing to buy is the Sofian garment called Litak. You will find fashionable shirts made using this garment in various designs. Dolls, a significant part of Bulgarian culture, are another option. The other souvenirs to look out for are ceramic plates, rose oil, rugs, belt buckles, traditional embroidery, Rakia, etc.
Bulgaria Visa and Passport Requirements
To enjoy all these wonderful places in Bulgaria, foreigners need a valid passport and a visa to enter the country. However, citizens of EU countries do not need a visa. Here is the list of the required documents -
- Filled and signed visa application form.
- A valid passport with a validity period of at least 6 months. The passport book should also have at least 3 blank pages.
- Copy of all the personal information pages and visas.
- Also, include copies of any other valid visas from other countries.
- A recent passport size photo of dimensions 35 x 45 mm.
- Complete travel itinerary.
- Proof of accommodation, having sufficient funds for the duration of stay, and travel insurance of at least EUR 3000.
The tourist visa is available as a Bulgarian short-term visa and a Schengen visa. The latter will be valid for entering Bulgaria if the country is a destination point in the travel itinerary.