From sunny Black Sea beaches to snowy ski resorts, Bulgaria holidays are brilliant all year round. Always pretty, they’re easy on the purse, too.
Forget your usual go-to spot for a classic summer getaway because Bulgaria’s beautiful Black Sea beaches are in a league of their own. With around 250 miles of coastline here, it’s easy to find your dream beach, from Sozopol to Burgas.
And it doesn’t have to be all R&R either, as you can throw in a bit of culture, too. For instance, mix up sun-worshipping with the more traditional kind at Nesebar’s Byzantine churches or Varna’s cathedral with its gold dome hats.
Chilled and charming, Sofia is a super cool capital. With Roman roots and a recent Soviet past, she’s also a city with a fascinating story or two.
Step into the Red Flat for a glimpse of everyday life in 1980s Bulgaria, or for an immersive taste of Soviet-era Sofia, try a glass of rakiya (a pretty punchy plum or grape brandy) at Raketa Rakia Bar, which is stuffed with Communist memorabilia.
Bulgaria is a proper year-round destination, meaning when beach weather fades, it’s time to hit the slopes! Skiing and snowboarding are the order of the day at resorts like Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo (plus après-ski rakiya, obvs).
Borovets is Bulgaria’s biggest ski resort, with a party scene to match, while in Dobrinishte you’ve not only got gorgeous mountains to play in, but natural hot springs for glorious recovery soaks.
This Balkan beauty is still one of the best-value holiday destinations in Europe, making cheap Bulgaria holidays extremely popular among travellers seeking sunshine and ski slopes.
Not only do its beach resorts offer bags of value compared to other, traditionally more popular destinations in Europe, but it’s also one of the cheapest places to go skiing.
Best for... Year-round, bargain holidays from beaches to skiing 🏖️ ⛷️
Go... In summer if you’re looking for a beach break, or spring or autumn for a bit of everything 😎
You have to... Find out just how punchy the local rakiya is (clue: very) 🥴
Prices from
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£249 ppHelena Sands
4.7
Excellent
Prices from
Best Western PLUS Premium Inn & Casino
4.5
Excellent
Prices from
Hotel Ivana Palace
4.3
Very Good
Prices from
Currency
Bulgarian Lev
Language
Bulgarian
Time difference
GMT +2
Cost of a beer
3.00 лв
3-course meal
Up to 40.00 лв
Flight time
3.5-4 hrs
Big and buzzing, Sunny Beach is as fun and sunny as it sounds! Spend the day flat out under a parasol (with five miles of lovely sand, you’ll easily find a spot) before diving headfirst into the wild nightlife.
Golden Sands (Bulgarians really have a knack for naming stuff) is another major resort, with a toasty beach and a ‘Party Street’. Wonder what happens there! Elsewhere, families can base themselves at Albena, with its waterpark, sandy beach and calm water, while couples can get tans without the lines at Irakli Beach. Yep, it’s birthday suit-friendly!
A top place to start a cultural escapade through Bulgaria is Varna’s Archaeological Museum, where you can check out gold jewellery from thousands of years ago. This ain’t your average Claire’s Accessories, that’s for sure.
Don’t miss Sofia’s iconic Alexander Nevsky Cathedral with its gold domes and lavish interiors. Once those mosaics have you all tiled out (pause for a laugh), switch to a fresher vibe with a graffiti tour through the capital.
The capital, Sofia, is the place to dig into traditional grub like gyuvech - a clay pot veg stew that sometimes comes with beef or pork. And you have to try Bulgaria’s national dish, the Shopska salad. It typically comes with roasted red peppers, tomatoes, feta-like cheese and cucumbers.
Although it’s not known for being an outright wine destination, there’s enough here to get a sommelier excited. Quaff some of Bulgaria’s tasty vintages at Villa Vinifera winery in the mountains outside Plovdiv.
For hot beach days and seaside partying, you’ll want to visit Bulgaria in the summer. July and August are peak season when the mercury can rise to up to 40C! Call it fly and flop weather because sightseeing days will be a stretch in those temps.
For a bit of out and about action, travel in the shoulder seasons (spring or autumn) when it’s a bit cooler. You may even find better hotel deals around the coast at this time of year. And on that note, if it’s budget you’re after, book cheap Bulgaria holidays between February and May.
Autumn is an excellent time for hiking in the mountains, while winter is made for skiing!