Best Places to Visit in Bulgaria on a Road Trip
Bulgaria is truly beautiful in every way, with its towering mountains, gushing waterfalls, incredible countryside, vibrant city life, and sandy coastlines. It’s one of the most fascinating summer destinations — and there are not too many tourists, either. This one-of-a-kind country flaunts stunning natural scenery, as well as some truly special urban vibes.
So whether you choose to go with your local travel agency for Bulgaria, or decide to go on a road trip to this beautiful country, you won’t be disappointed. Just make sure you do your homework and learn as much as possible about the country’s specificities prior to planning your trip. In this post, you’ll learn more about the best places to see in Bulgaria on a road trip.
Discover Bulgaria’s Picturesque Places to Visit
Despite its overwhelming beauty, Bulgaria is not perfect (but what is?). Anyone who has done any driving on the country’s roads knows about their pitfalls (pun intended). Low-quality (or occasionally nonexistent) asphalt, misleading road signs, crazy drivers, traffic cops who are often even crazier…
Yet anyone who is even vaguely interested in seeing the world from a car window knows for sure that driving through Bulgaria is the best way to embrace all its beauties and unique charm. Plan your route in advance so that you can enjoy the Black Sea coast, including the well-known Golden Sands area, as well as travel inside the country.
Here are the places we recommend that you visit while taking a trip to Bulgaria.
1. Nesebar: The Pearl of the Black Sea
This incredibly beautiful ancient Bulgarian town represents one of the premier beach getaways on the Black Sea. Alternatively spelled Nessebar, the town is surrounded by a variety of beaches that attract many tourists. Take a stroll down its narrow cobbled lanes, and you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time. A truly magnificent place!
Nesebar’s history dates back to the 6th century BC, so the fact that it’s recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site is pretty natural. What you’ll love about visiting Nesebar is that while spending your time there, you’ll enjoy both enlightening sightseeing and soaking up the sun on the Black Sea.
2. Sozopol: Another Must-Visit Bulgarian City
Along with Nesebar, Sozopol is one of the ancient Bulgarian cities. Being a beach getaway site, it boasts some fantastic nature sites, unique restaurants, dynamic nightlife, and incredible historical sites. Sozopol is composed of two parts: the old town and the advanced town. The romantic vibes of the city’s gorgeous old part attract people from all over the world.
3. Sofia: The Charming Capital
At its core, Sofia is a fantastic place to roam around. Whether you’re weaving in and out of its charming restaurants or resting blissfully in its wonderful parks, the most popular tourist spots in Sofia may not be super prominent, but they’re beautiful and exciting to visit.
They include St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral with its majestic sun-reflecting domes, Vitosha Boulevard, around which the city’s heart beats, Boyana church with its breathtaking exterior and an almost thousand-year-long history… Sofia is sure to take your heart away with its multicultural, fast-growing modern vibes and amazing sights.
4. Varna: Another Great Place for Your Balkan Adventure
Varna is the third-largest Bulgarian city that boasts beautiful nature and incredible sights. It’s the perfect place if you want to be in the center of the action but far from the crazy tourist crowds. You’ll enjoy its parks, beaches, museums, and beautiful nightlife. Whether you choose to visit its historical places or just hang out at the beach, Varna is everything but boring. So, make sure you include it on your must-see checklist.
So, Is Bulgaria Worth Visiting?
Definitely yes. Whether you’ll opt for taking a road trip to Bulgaria or prefer a more traditional go-by-plane approach, you won’t be disappointed. Sofia, Varna, Nesebar, Sozopol are just a few unforgettable places out of many that will take your breath away once you decide to go and see Bulgaria.