Bulgarian
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Tourist Information > Tourist
Attractions
As Bulgaria continues to attract more and more
visitors, the list of activities available continues
to grow. We have therefore listed some of the
more popular types of pursuits for visitors to
Bulgaria.
Mountain Sports
Bulgaria has no less than four different mountain
ranges, the Stara Planina, the Rhodope, the Rila
and the Pirin mountains. After receiving major
investment from the EU Bulgaria now boasts three
international quality ski resorts, Pamporovo,
Borovets and Bansko. These resorts offer piste
up to 2715m above ski level with ski runs totalling
up to 75km.
In summer the mountains continue to attract a
large number of visitors with some of the best
hiking in Europe available. Mountain bikers and
horse riders are also beginning to discover the
attractions of Bulgaria.
The area around Sopot in the Stara Planina also
boasts some of the best handgliding and paragliding
conditions in Europe.
Beach Resorts
With a coastline of 354km along the Black Sea,
Bulgaria attracts many hundreds of thousands of
holiday makers every summer. The commercial season
runs from May through to October every year with
most beach resorts remaining shut outside of this
main holiday period.
The coastline boasts a number of world class
beaches offering deep, fine golden sand. The area
of the Black Sea around Bulgaria also has sea
temperatures in the summer months that are actually
higher than the Mediterranean. With little or
no tide and very small waves, swimming in the
Black Sea is very safe for both young and old.
Heath Spas
In the coastal regions many areas offer special
mud treatments from the coastal lakes. These have
become famous for their healing and youth giving
qualities attracting many tourists all year around.
In the mountain regions, Bulgaria has literally
hundreds of natural mineral water springs. A great
many of these are thermal with temperatures up
to 60 degrees and with a wide variety of mineralisations.
Towns such as Bania (near Bansko) and Velingrad
offer traditional spas (some dating back to Roman
times) where bathing and other health treatments
are available. As with most activities in Bulgaria,
these health spas cost around 20-30% of the price
of similar locations in Western Europe.
Cultural Attractions
Bulgaria has a rich history. Many visitors find
time to journey to many of the cultural sites
dotted throughout Bulgaria. Some of the most important
archaeological sites in Europe are located within
Bulgaria’s borders with new discoveries
still being made. Combined with the rich religious
heritage of the region, there is no shortage of
sites to visit. In recognition of the importance
and unique nature of many of these locations,
some have now been given UNESCO World Heritage
status.
Unlike many other parts of the world, Bulgaria
has retained a great number of traditional folk
and religious celebrations. Almost every week
in Bulgaria there is a celebration taking place
in one of its many regions. From the orthodox
Easter to the Valley of the Roses celebrations,
visitors should find the time to explore at least
some of these events.
For a full guide to the locations and events
we recommend purchasing a detailed guidebook. |
