Sofia (София)
- The capital and a major point of interest in Bulgaria. It features nice parks, a nice town center, many bars, pubs, and disco clubs, over 250 historic landmarks and architectural monuments, and a great deal of cultural places of interest.
Plovdiv (Пловдив)
- The nation’s second largest city. Boasts a lovely shopping promenade and many parks, an ancient city with a preserved amphitheater, and many “revival” style Bulgaria homes. Be sure also to take a side trip to Bachkovo Monastery which is about an hour away.
Varna (Варна)
- The nation’s third largest city is a primary beach resort. The night life in Varna is notorious, especially during the summer season.
Burgas (Бургас)
- Known for its commercial port (Port of Burgas) and oil refinery. Picturesque waterside and nearby downtown and shopping area makes this city popular with tourists.
Rousse (Русе)
- More famous as the “Small Vienna”, the city centre offers an unforgettable architectural ensemble that cannot be found any place else within Bulgaria. Present-day Rousse is the fifth largest Bulgarian city and is an important economic, financial and cultural hub. The city boasts various places of interest among which the Sexiginta Prista Roman Castle, The Theatre, The House of Caliopa, The Pantheon and so on.
Vratsa (Враца)
- one of the most picturesque cities in Bulgaria. The town is an important economic and administrative, tourist and cultural center. It is the biggest city in North-western Bulgaria.
Shumen (Шумен)
- consists mostly of new buildings, but there is a small area with nice older buildings. Half of the boulevard is pedestrian area with a lot of cafes and night life. In the surroundings: See the Madara Horseman carved into the cliff wall. It is one of Bulgaria’s UNESCO world heritage sites. There are Thracian tombs and the two of the ancient capitals of the Bulgarian Kingdoms - Pliska and Preslav. South West of Shumen close to Kotel, there is a nice village, Medven, with old wooden houses, a nice little waterfall, and a good restaurant and hotel (30 leva for a double room).
Veliko Turnovo (Велико Търново)
- a beautiful city along a winding river, the former capital of Bulgaria in the middle ages. The original city castle and walls are reconstructed. Be sure also to visit nearby Arbanassi.
Sliven (Сливен)
- Well known for its permanent winds and blue rocks which can be observed from the city. A good place for quality golf at a reasonable price.
Smolyan (Смолян)
- Preferred destination for holiday makers and nature lovers, this municipality town is famous for its planetarium center, drama theater, historical museum. Several kilometers away is the ski resort of Pamporovo.
Vidin (Видин)
- A lovely city on the bank of Danube river situated in extreme North-west Bulgaria. Vidin used to be an important Bulgarian city, a bishop seat and capital of a large province later it became the most important port and fortress on Danube river within the Ottoman empire. Vidin’s main landmark - The Baba Vida fortress, was built in the period from the 10th to the 14th century. Vidin boasts two well-preserved medieval fortresses, Baba Vida and Kaleto, as well as many old Orthodox churches such as St Pantaleimon, St Petka (both 17th century), and St Greatmartyr Demetrius (19th century), a Jewish synagogue (1894), a mosque and a library of Osman Pazvantoğlu (late 18th century), the cruciform barracks of 1798, and a number of old Renaissance buildings. A boat trip down the river or a walk along its banks is an unforgettable experience.
Belogradchik (Белоградчик)
- See the remnants of an old Roman outpost in the Bulgarian northwest. Interesting rock formations make it a popular destination for avid climbers, even if it is slightly off the beaten track.
Kurdzhali (Кърджали)
- The city is located below a huge dam, with many historical and ancient sites.
Velingrad (Велинград)
- The city is surrounded by the Rhodope Mountains. There are more than 70 mineral springs nearby, making it the city with the most mineral springs in a country rich with these vital waters.
Gabrovo (Габрово)
- A place to visit is the House of Humour and Satire. Be sure to visit also the museum in Etura - an open air museum that is actually an old-style Bulgarian village, displaying traditional crafts and food. The ethnographical village of Bozhenci is located near Gabrovo. There is a monument in honor of a battle for the liberation of Bulgaria visible from the city at Mount Shipka. Not far away is also Dryanovo Monastery, located in a beautiful canyon.
Kazanluk (Казанлък)
- see the famous Bulgarian rose oil being made - it is best to visit in May or June. There is Thracian tomb near Kazanlak which can be visited. In a village called Shipka near Kazanlak there is a very beautiful Russian church built in memory of the Russian soliders who fell in the battle of Shipka Pass.
Asenovgrad (Асеновград)
- a small city close to Plovdiv at one of the entrances of Rhodope Mountains, famous for its Pamid red wine. It is also the city with most churches per capita in the country. Be sure to visit the Castle of Asen and Bachkovo Monastery to the south of the city.
Melnik (Мелник)
- sample wonderful red wines from the region, see the sand pyramids, and take the long hike to Rozhen Monastery
Nesebar (Несебър)
- beautiful small town on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast a few hours south of Varna. Another one of Bulgaria’s many UNESCO world heritage sites.
Sozopol (Созопол)
- together with Nesebur these are two sea towns with traditional houses and ancient dig sites. In the beginning of September the city hosts the well-known Apollonia festival of arts.
Bansko (Банско)
- a beautiful old town in the Pirin mountains with refurbished homes, stone wall, and cobblestone streets, but increasingly being overtaken by resort hotels, as Bansko is a major ski destination in South-East Europe. The highest peak of Pirin Mountain (Vihren - 2916m) is at a day’s walk from the city. In the middle of August, the Bansko Jazz Festival is held here. Not far away from Bansko, there are hot-water mineral springs, located at the villages of Banya (Баня) and Ognianovo (Огняново).
Semkovo (Семково)
- a mountain resort 17 km to the north of the town of Belitsa. It’s situated south of the main ridges of the Rila Mountains, nestling in a wide field among pine forests.
Yambol
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