Pick up your car at the airport (following the instructions you'll receive before your flight) and hit the road. 

Bulgaria officially adopted the euro on January 1, 2026.

A tip regarding head gestures:

In Bulgaria, nodding your head up and down means "NO" and shaking your head from side to side means "YES". In tourist spots, they're starting to adapt to European customs, but older people still stick to the traditional way.

Time to rest after the trip. If you have some time and energy to spare, take a walk through the city and check out the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. It's open daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM and admission is completely free for all visitors. 

The cathedral is a symbol of Sofia and one of the largest Orthodox buildings in the world. It is located on the square of the same name right in the heart of the city and can hold up to 5,000 worshippers.

Your journey begins in a deep forest valley, where an architectural jewel inscribed on the UNESCO list is hidden among steep cliffs. As soon as you walk through the massive entrance gate, you will find yourself in a world of fantastic black-and-white arcades, wooden galleries, and monumental frescoes that play with all colors. Take a walk across the stone courtyard, light a candle in the main temple, and listen to the silence, broken here only by the murmuring of a nearby mountain river.

• There is a paid parking lot right in front of the monastery gates.
• While the grounds are free, you need to buy tickets for the interior exhibits (they only accept cash).
• The monastery strictly requires respect for religious rules; there is a guard at the entrance.
• Both men and women must have their shoulders and knees covered. Tank tops, shorts, miniskirts, or low-cut tops are prohibited.

On the way from the monastery, I highly recommend this authentic and tasty Bulgarian restaurant in a beautiful setting.

The Seven Rila Lakes are a true jewel of Bulgarian nature and one of the most magical places in all of Europe. This mountain amphitheater, stretching at an altitude of over 2,100 meters, will immediately pull you away from the reality of everyday life. It's a scenery that will take your breath away, fill you with absolute freedom, and force you to quietly marvel at the power of nature.

• Most tourists start their trip at the "Pionerska" lower cable car station. The ride up takes about 20–25 minutes.
• Payment terminals up in the mountains often don't work due to a weak signal. Make sure to have enough cash with you.
• The hiking trail starts at the Rila Lakes Hut at the upper cable car station.
• The basic loop (to 5 lakes) takes about 2 to 3 hours; it is relatively easy and manageable even for casual hikers.
• The full loop (all 7 lakes up to the viewpoint) takes 4 to 6 hours (about 8–10 km with an elevation gain of approx. 400–500 meters). The final section to the highest lake, "The Tear" (Salzata), is very steep and rocky.
• Forget about sandals. Sturdy hiking boots or high-quality sports sneakers with non-slip soles are a must.
• Pack a large bottle of water and a snack. The only places to buy food are the huts at the start of the route; there are no stalls on the ridges.

What makes Belogradchik a unique global treasure is the way the fortress was constructed. When the Romans established the first fortifications here between the 1st and 3rd centuries, they didn't have to build kilometers of high walls. Nature did it for them. Gigantic rock towers, reaching up to two hundred meters, shoot wildly toward the sky in warm shades of red, orange, and ocher. The rocks themselves form impregnable walls tens of meters high, which for centuries repelled attacks by conquerors—from Romans and Byzantines to the Ottoman Empire.

• The fortress is open daily.
• There is a paid parking lot right in front of the fortress entrance gate.

Prohodna Cave is a monumental, 262-meter-long rock bridge that is unique worldwide. As soon as you step into its giant vault, your eyes are immediately drawn to the ceiling in the middle of the cave. Natural erosion has carved two massive, perfectly symmetrical openings into the rock, which people fittingly named the "Eyes of God".  

When sunlight shines through them into the darkness of the cave, the atmosphere becomes truly mystical. If you are lucky enough to be there during rainy weather, the dripping water creates the illusion that the giant face in the ceiling is crying. A walk under this heavenly gaze is a deep and unforgettable experience that will give you goosebumps.

• Admission to the cave is completely free for all visitors.
• There is a free, unguarded meadow parking lot right by the small entrance to the cave. It's just a 5-minute walk down a gentle slope from the car to the cave entrance itself.
• There are no toilets, shops, or snack stands at the cave or the parking lot.

The Ancient Roman Theatre in Plovdiv is one of the best-preserved ancient theatres in the world and the absolute crown jewel of the entire city. It is located in the saddle between two hills of the Old Town and remains the beating heart of Plovdiv's culture to this day.

The theatre was built at the end of the 1st century AD during the reign of Emperor Trajan and, in its heyday, could accommodate up to 7,000 spectators. What will immediately amaze you upon arriving is its monumental two-story stage. It is decorated with beautiful marble columns, porticos, and statues of gods that rise proudly against the sky.

The theatre is still fully functional today. During warm summer evenings, it hosts opera festivals, rock concerts, and theatrical performances under the starry sky.

• You can buy tickets directly on-site
• The entrance ticket office accepts both cash and credit cards

Every year, the festival takes on a new, mysterious theme – from Hollywood blockbuster heroes and beloved Disney fairy tales to prehistoric dinosaurs, famous historical figures, and wonders of the world. Sculptors from all over the world use over 5,600 tons of special, weather-resistant sand to create this temporary city.

All the sculptures are modeled with such precision that you will barely find a single grain of sand out of place.

• The festival runs throughout the summer, usually from July 1st to the end of September
• Open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• Arrive either in the morning when it's less crowded or after sunset. In the evening, all the sculptures are artistically lit with colored spotlights, giving them a magical atmosphere
• The tour of the entire area will take you about 45 to 60 minutes
• You can park around Ezero Park in designated parking areas.

The ancient city of Nesebar is a gem of the entire Bulgarian coast and a living museum inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. It is a place where the salty sea breeze blows through thousand-year-old Roman walls and romantic alleys invite you to wander through time.

Once you cross the massive ancient walls, you will find yourself in a labyrinth of cobblestone streets lined with houses typical of the Bulgarian National Revival period. Their stone ground floors once served as cool storage for fishermen and winemakers, while the wooden upper floors lean into the alleys so closely that neighbors can almost shake hands from their windows.

The city has an unmistakable Mediterranean atmosphere. Dozens of family restaurants and cafes are scattered on the steep rocky cliffs above the sea.

An evening visit to this stone peninsula is the absolute highlight of any Bulgarian holiday. At that moment, the historical city transforms into a romantic theatrical stage full of lights, shadows, and captivating scents.

Forget about classic zoos where you only watch animals from a distance behind thick glass. At Camel Park, you are in direct contact with these majestic creatures. You can buy a bucket full of their favorite treats (like carrots or apples) and feed them right from your hand. The camels are used to people; they are incredibly gentle, curious, and their funny expressions while chewing treats are guaranteed to put a smile on every visitor's face.

For the biggest adventurers, the park offers an unforgettable experience—a camel ride. Under the supervision of experienced handlers, you can hop into the saddle between the camel's humps and enjoy an unconventional walk around the grounds.

However, Camel Park isn't just about camels. You will also meet other cute inhabitants here, such as friendly llamas, ponies, donkeys, goats, or rabbits that children can pet.

• Open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Tickets can be purchased directly at the box office, which accepts both cash and credit cards
• A cup of sliced carrots for feeding the animals is included in the price of every ticket.
• The park is located right off the main road between Nesebar and Burgas. Spacious parking is available completely free of charge directly in front of the entrance.
• On-site, you'll find a nice playground, a restaurant/snack bar with a view of the Sunny Beach bay, clean toilets, and a souvenir shop 

Your journey begins in the cool silence of Golden Sands Nature Park, where a monumental limestone cliff, nearly 40 meters high, towers toward the sky. It was here that hermit monks carved the fascinating Aladzha Monastery complex in the 12th century.

The name "Aladzha" means colorful in Turkish and refers to the beautiful medieval frescoes that once adorned the entire rock faces. Although time has erased most of them, the genius loci of this spiritual place, surrounded by lush greenery, is absolutely palpable and magical.

• Tickets can be purchased at the museum building at the entrance.
• The ticket price includes access to both floors of the cave monastery and entry to the modern, air-conditioned museum, where you can view miniature models of the monastery and archaeological finds.
• The various monastery rooms (cells, kitchen, crypt) are carved on two levels. To see them, you have to climb steep, narrow metal stairs and walkways attached directly to the rock face.
• There is a parking lot located before the entrance to the site. 

The main stars are the incredibly intelligent and playful dolphins, who, along with their trainers, will put on a breathtaking show for you. You'll watch in awe as they perform incredible acrobatics, synchronized jumps high above the water, somersaults, ball balancing, and even show off their sense of humor while interacting with the audience. The music-accompanied show lasts approximately 40 minutes and is packed with positive energy from the first second to the last.

• The Dolphinarium has a set schedule and is completely closed every Monday throughout the year.
• Tickets can be purchased by cash or card directly at the box office, but online booking is highly recommended.
• When driving through Varna, follow the blue information signs labeled "DOLPHINARIUM" placed around the city. There is a paid parking lot located right by the park.

The Mr. Baba restaurant in the city of Varna is one of the most famous and original gastronomic attractions on the Bulgarian coast. It is a luxury restaurant built inside a real, faithful replica of a 15th-century wooden galleon (ship), which is permanently moored right on the beach by the breakwater. As soon as you cross the wooden gangplank onto the deck, you'll instantly forget the hustle and bustle of the modern city. You'll be surrounded by the scent of wood, solid ropes, brass details, and the mysterious atmosphere of pirate stories and captain's voyages.

Don't forget to be at the airport at least 2-3 hours before your flight. Return the (refueled) car and head to your gate.

Have a safe trip.