Bulgaria

Destination: Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria 
Dates: December 2024
Nights: 4 nights
Accommodation: Boutique Apartments Blagoevgrad
Highlights: Weather, food and people
Low lights: Rubbish and graffiti. 
Currency: Bulgarian Lev (BGN)

We wrapped up 2024 by heading to Bulgaria for some winter fun! It turned out to be the perfect spot for snowy views, skiing, hot mineral springs, and even a bit of sunshine! We stayed in Blagoevgrad, a town in Southwestern Bulgaria, just an hour and a half from Sofia, the capital. We hired a 9-seater Ford Custom Transit from Top Car for 300 euros for five days. The van was super comfy and had tons of space for all our stuff. The only little hiccup was parking in the cities, since a lot of spots in the underground garages are tight. If you’re thinking about getting a bigger ride, definitely plan ahead for where to park!

Our first impressions outside the airport weren’t great. It was shocking to see so much rubbish dumped on the side of the motorway. It did improve the further you got out of the city, and the drive up to the Rila Mountains was beautiful, with snow-covered trees lining the road. Road conditions were good and easy to drive on.

Here are our 5 top things we loved about Bulgaria

1. The Beauty of the Bulgarian Mountains

The Rila Mountains are home to the stunning Rila Monastery, which we visited on our way to Blagoevgrad, the town where we stayed for the entire trip. The journey from Sofia Airport took about two hours, but it was only 40 minutes away from Blagoevgrad. Entry to the Rila Monastery complex and church is free, while parking outside the monastery costs 3 euros. We were hoping to grab a bite to eat up here as the views were amazing, but unfortunately, nothing was open.

If you are a nature lover, you will be captivated by Bulgaria’s mountain ranges. The Pirin Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offer challenging treks and incredible views, while the Rhodope Mountains are steeped in folklore and tradition, featuring picturesque villages like Shiroka Laka.

2.The highlights of Sofia and Plovdiv

First, we visited Plovdiv, which is Europe’s oldest city. Its Old Town is a charming maze of cobblestone streets, colourful 19th-century houses, and Roman ruins, including a well-preserved amphitheatre still used for performances today. We parked in the Ramada car park, which was central and convenient. The city’s vibrant Kapana district is a hub for artists, trendy cafes, and boutique shops. Definitely a great spot to grab something to eat or drink after a morning of exploring.

Exploring Sofia: A Capital of Contrasts

Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, is the largest city in Bulgaria and rich in history. The city’s landmarks reflect more than 2,000 years of history, including Greek, Roman, Ottoman and Soviet occupation. If you have time, take advantage of the Free English Walking Tour, which covers Sofia’s most famous landmarks and best attractions. Wander through the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, a stunning example of Orthodox architecture, or explore the ancient ruins of Serdica, a Roman settlement embedded within the city’s heart. For a taste of local life, visit the lively Vitosha Boulevard, lined with cafes, shops, and restaurants offering traditional Bulgarian cuisine. We dined at Hadjidraganov’s Cellars, a traditional restaurant with authentic, affordable and generous portions of food. We highly recommend it.

3. A Taste of Bulgarian Cuisine

Bulgarian food is a delicious blend of Balkan, Mediterranean, and Turkish influences. Try banitsa, a flaky pastry filled with cheese, or a Bulgarian salad, a refreshing mix of tomatoes, cucumbers, and white cheese (similar to feta but milder and better). Meat lovers will enjoy kebapche, a grilled minced meat delicacy, while those with a sweet tooth must try baklava or the traditional yoghurt-based dessert, kiselo mlyako. Bulgarian wine was a wonderful surprise. Bulgaria produces high-quality wines at remarkably affordable prices, making it a must-try for any wine lover visiting the region. Paired with the local cuisine, the food and wine easily became the highlight of our trip.

Places to eat:

Sofia
Blagoevgrad
Bansko
Plovdiv

4. Winter Sports

Winter in Bulgaria is a magical experience with snowy landscapes and great winter sports. Ski resorts like Bansko, Borovets, and Pamporovo offer excellent skiing and snowboarding at lower costs than other European destinations. Bansko is just an hour from Blagoevgrad and turned out to be a great ski resort for beginners. We pre-booked a group lesson with Ski Mania, which was conveniently located near the gondola and main car park. Prices for a 2-hour lesson started from £46 per person, but this didn’t include the ski pass, which cost £46.75 and is required to access the slopes and meet your instructor.

One thing to be aware of is the queues during busy periods; there can be long waits both for ski passes and the gondola. We actually missed our 11am lesson because of this, but thankfully, Ski Mania let us move to a 1pm slot.

If you’re skiing for the first time, a bit of planning goes a long way. Pre-book your lessons and equipment hire in advance, and check parking options ahead of time. If possible, collect your equipment the day before, so on the day you only need to buy your pass and head straight to the gondola. With a group of eight, including children, we found it quite stressful, so give yourself plenty of extra time to avoid the rush.

Once we reached the top, it was nothing but blue skies and snow. Perfect conditions for our lesson.

5. Bulgarian Hot Springs

Bulgaria is a hidden gem when it comes to hot springs, with over 700 mineral springs scattered across its mountains. After a day on the slopes, it felt almost essential to soak our tired muscles.

There are plenty of options to choose from, but we went for convenience and headed to Banya, just a 10-minute drive from Bansko. We visited Regnum Banya Thermal Hotel, where a full-day pass costs around £20. With warm outdoor pools, plus food and a bar on site, it was the perfect way to relax and recharge.

Check out some of the hot spring pools in Bulgaria

Goodbye Bulgaria

All in all, our winter break in Bulgaria was the perfect mix of great food, new experiences, and unforgettable moments. From discovering a love for traditional restaurants, Bulgarian white cheese, and morning Aryan (which definitely made up for the not-so-great coffee), to skiing in Bansko, an amazing experience, especially for first-timers. It’s a trip we’ll always remember. Bulgaria turned out to be a fantastic winter destination, and we’d love to come back in the summer to experience a whole new side of its beauty or just go back for the food!

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