Ever considered a beautiful beach holiday in Bulgaria? We're about to tell you why you should. Barrhead Travel and Balkan Holidays give you the best value on beautiful Bulgarian holidays, so you should pack now.
Located right in the heart of the Balkan Region with access to the glorious Black Sea, Bulgaria is increasingly popular with tourists - and it's easy to see why. Offering high-quality beach resorts and glorious weather for all types of activities, Bulgaria has some Balkan magic to share with every visitor.
Are you dreaming of a romantic retreat or an action-packed family getaway? This beautiful region has something for everyone. With the low cost of living, this country provides all travellers a vibrant mix of music, dance, and crafts of excellent value. You'll discover that meals, drinks and other holiday essentials are far cheaper in Bulgaria than other European holiday destinations. So you can relax and take it easy? You're on holiday, after all.
With flights from the UK's largest airports, Bulgaria is a fantastic destination for any holiday. With excellent beach resorts to enjoy and stunning greenery to experience, you'll uncover one of the travel industry's best-kept secrets.
No matter your ideal holiday, our travel experts can create a bespoke trip to create memories you'll treasure forever. Why not get in touch today?
Half covered in mountains, and home to a sandy, sunny coast, Bulgaria is a small, beautiful destination on the Balkan Penisula that is rich in ancient culture, scenic splendour, friendly people and old-fashioned warmth and hospitality. Hikers will find some of the finest trails in Europe, while sun chasers can delight in something a little more low-key than Greece or Turkey, as the country doesn't draw as many tourists.
Though better known for its reasonably priced Black Sea resorts, the essential character of Bulgaria lies in its spectacular mountainous regions. The seven very different mountain ranges in the country vary from high, snow-covered peaks to gentle green slopes and forests. Some harbour thermal springs and mineral spas and, in others, the valley air bears the fragrance of flowers and herbs. The Valley of Roses is in the heart of the country and is one of the largest producers of rose oil in the world, giving credence to Bulgaria's soubriquet, 'Land of Roses'.
At the foot of the Vitosha Mountains lies the laid back capital city, Sofia, which is home to a great number of architectural monuments and museums. On the other hand, the rugged heights of the Rila and Pirin mountains form a spectacular setting for ski resorts, as well as the famous Rila Monastery and the majestic landscape of the Pirin National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Crossing the entire country is the Balkan Range, a 329-mile (530km) chain that offers some of the best hiking on the continent.
The people who dwell in the different mountain ranges vary just as much, with their distinctive regional customs, crafts, festivals, and folklore adding colour to the Bulgarian landscape. Small, picturesque villages welcome guests with typical, warm-hearted Bulgarian hospitality, sharing traditional cooking and a delight in their pastoral environment.
Bulgaria's history is displayed across the country in its old towns, ancient Thracian relics, decorated churches and monasteries, and in the rustic settlements that have preserved the traditional beliefs of its people. One of the country's biggest assets for visitors is its variety, though whatever aspect visitors choose to explore, there is always the assurance of a warm welcome.
Bulgaria is a country rich in both natural and cultural attractions that, from a sightseeing perspective, caters to all tastes. Popular things to see and do in Bulgaria include myriad outdoor activities and opportunities for ecotourism, and the country's mountain scenery is unsurpassed. In addition to this natural splendour, Bulgaria has a rich history and folklore, and visitors can enjoy a wealth of archaeological sites, religious institutions, museums and ethnographic attractions.
The capital city, Sofia, boasts a number of the most popular sightseeing attractions in Bulgaria, including the Boyana Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, St George Rotunda, the SS Cyril and Methodius National Library, and the St Sophia Church. Looming over the city is another great Bulgarian tourist attraction, the Vitosha Mountain, which provides a natural playground for visitors and locals alike in all seasons.
Bulgaria is half covered in mountains and it is the craggy beauty of its many ranges that most characterises the country in the global imagination. The more delicate, flowery mountains in the Rhodope range, which is scattered with picturesque villages, is complemented by the rugged splendour of the Pirin and Rila mountain ranges. Some of the most popular attractions in the mountainous regions are the 10th-century Rila Monastery, the Pirin National Park, the folk centre of Momchilovtsi village, and a number of ancient Thracian sites. This is, of course, in addition to the natural wonders of caves, hot springs, alpine lakes and dense forests.
Bulgaria's tourism tends to be dominated by its many beach and ski resorts but these holiday centres, enjoyable though they are, should only serve as a doorstep into the country, which has a lot to offer travellers, and is often overlooked as a great European destination.
Bulgaria has a temperate-continental climate, which is typical for Central Europe. There are four distinct seasons: summer is long, hot, and generally considered peak tourist season; autumn is also a pleasant time of year and is popular with tourists for its rich, autumn colours, and the fact that it is less crowded; winter is long and cold, but offers great skiing opportunities; while spring is warm and lovely for all of the blossoming flowers.
Bulgaria is generally a sunny country with between 2,200 and 2,500 hours of sunlight every year. It can rain throughout the year and thunderstorms are common in the summer months. Snow falls abundantly between December and March, especially in the mountainous areas. There is a marked difference in weather between the mountains and the milder, southern regions near the Mediterranean Sea. Summer temperatures, between June and August average around 75°F (24°C); whereas winter temperatures, between December and February, average around 32°F (0°C). Bulgaria is a year-round tourism destination because it attracts off-season visitors for skiing, but the most popular time to visit is summer.
