Bulgaria: Essential Information for a Unique and Successful Trip
Informations pratiques pour organiser son voyage en Bulgarie
What language is spoken in Bulgaria ?? Is it safe to travel in Bulgaria ? Can you pay in euros? What budget should you plan for a trip to Bulgaria? These are just some of the questions I get asked when talking about travelling to Bulgaria. In this article, I’ll provide you with all the practical information you need to travel peacefully to this beautiful Balkan country.
Table of Contents
Informations pratiques voyage Bulgarie
Informations pratiques voyage Bulgarie
What are the legal requirements for traveling to Bulgaria?
Bulgaria has been a member of the European Union since January 1, 2007, and a member of the Schengen Area since March 31, 2024. If you're travelling for tourism and are a citizen of an EU member state, an ID card is enough to travelling light. No visa is required. For travel conditions from other countries, feel free to consult the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs..
For details on travelling within the country and how to get to Bulgaria, check out my article dedicated to transport..
Informations pratiques voyage Bulgarie
Is it safe to travel to Bulgaria?
Informations pratiques voyage Bulgarie
Bulgaria can generally be considered relatively safe for tourists. However, it’s important to stay vigilant to avoid tourist traps and thefts, especially in tourist areas, airports, and train stations. I will provide more details on this later in the article.
In general, keep an eye on your belongings and stay alert in crowded areas.
What kind of tourism is there in Bulgaria?
Tourism in Bulgaria offers a wide range of possibilities to suit all tastes. The seaside resorts alongthe Black Sea (Sozopol, Nessebar, Burgas…) attract beach and sun lovers, offering relaxing holidays in a Mediterranean climate. In winter, ski resorts like Borovets and Bansko are popular destinations for winter sports, offering internationally renowned ski slopes. In the summer, nature lovers can enjoy Bulgaria’s beautiful landscapes through hiking and trekking in the lush mountains. In spring, travellers can discover local traditions during the famous Rose Festival,a colourful celebration of Bulgarian culture and its floral heritage.
Informations pratiques voyage Bulgarie
How to get to Bulgaria?
The 4 international airports are located in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and BurgasFrom France, you can take flights with several airlines to Sofia. From Sofia, you can visit the rest of the country by car, bus, or train. You can also land in Bucharest, Romania , and cross the border at Ruse.
Several bus companies also offer trips to Bulgaria, though I must warn you that the journey can be quite long.
For more information, I invite you to check out my article dedicated to transport in Bulgaria.
Informations pratiques voyage Bulgarie
What is the local currency in Bulgaria?
The local currency in Bulgaria is the Bulgarian Lev (BGN). The exchange rate fluctuates but generally stays around 1.95 BGN for 1 euro. This is convenient for Europeans, as you can consider 2 BGN to be roughly equal to 1 euro. But be careful, this can lead to overspending.
Bulgaria is expected to join the eurozone in the coming years, if the necessary conditions are met. Some Bulgarians may be sad to see their local currency disappear, especially due to its name. The word "lev" originates from the Bulgarian word for lion, a symbol of Bulgarian pride. In fact, if you ask Bulgarians what the shape of the country is, two out of three will tell you it's a lion. Take a good look at the map: do you see the head in the north by the Black Sea and the tail to the west near the Danube, on the border with Romania and Serbia?
Informations pratiques voyage Bulgarie
Can you pay by credit card in Bulgaria?
Informations pratiques voyage Bulgarie
Credit cards are accepted in most shops and restaurants in Bulgaria. However, I recommend having some local currency on hand for small shops, markets, or tips. Also, if your bank charges fees for foreign transactions, you might want to pay in cash.
What is the time difference with Bulgaria?
Informations pratiques voyage Bulgarie
Bulgaria is one hour ahead of France (+1h). The country observes Daylight Saving Time (UTC+3 in summer and UTC+2 in winter).
Do French phones work in Bulgaria?
Under European Union regulations, the 30 countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) are subject to roaming laws. As of June 2017, roaming charges have been abolished for all EEA countries, including Bulgaria. This means that you won’t pay extra to use your phone in Bulgaria, as it will automatically connect to the local network (Yettel, Vivacom, A1…).
Informations pratiques voyage Bulgarie
Informations pratiques voyage Bulgarie
Can you be scammed in Bulgaria?
Among the most common scams are taxi scams and exchange office scams. When taking a taxi, I advise you to check the rate, which should be displayed on the car, and compare rates, especially if it’s your first taxi ride in Bulgaria. The most common taxi scam relies on the client’s lack of attention. For example, if the usual fare is 1.25 BGN per kilometre, the taxi may display 12.5 BGN per kilometre. Someone in a hurry might not notice the misplaced decimal point and end up paying much more than expected.
The second common scam involves currency exchange, using a similar trick. Currently, the exchange rate is around 1.95 BGN per euro. This can vary slightly between banks, but not by much. However, if you decide to exchange your money at an exchange office rather than a bank, you might find an exchange rate of 1.195 BGN per euro.
In general, I recommend exchanging your money at a bank, even though it may be less convenient. Banks have shorter opening hours, but they are more trustworthy. Plus, they’ll require official identification to complete the exchange. But let’s be honest—it's a small price to pay to avoid losing money.
Informations pratiques voyage Bulgarie
What language is spoken in Bulgaria?
The official language of Bulgaria is Bulgarian.Since Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007, Bulgarian has also become an official EU language.
Informations pratiques voyage Bulgarie
The Bulgarian language belongs to the Slavic language family. The languages closest to it, phonetically and grammatically, are Serbo-Croatian, Slovenian, and Macedonian. According to the latest statistics, there are about 8 million Bulgarian speakers. The language is primarily spoken in Bulgaria but also by ethnic minorities in neighbouring countries such as Romania, Moldova, Turkey,, North Macedonia, and Greece.
What is the emergency number in Bulgaria?
As an EU member state, Bulgaria also uses 112 as the universal emergency number. To reach specific services, you can dial:
- Emergency/ambulance – 150
- Police – 160
- Roadside assistance – 146
What is the health situation in Bulgaria?
The health situation in Bulgaria doesn’t present any particular risks. However, as with any trip, it’s necessary to keep your vaccines up to date and not forget your specific medications.
Informations pratiques pour organiser son voyage en Bulgarie
Informations pratiques voyage Bulgarie
What alphabet is used in Bulgaria?
The official alphabet in Bulgaria is Cyrillic.Since Bulgaria joined the EU on January 1st 2007, Cyrillic has become the third official alphabet in the EU (after Latin and Greek).
Cyrillic is primarily used in Slavic countries, particularly those in the former USSR and the Balkans (Bulgaria, Serbia, North Macedonia). It is believed that the alphabet was created by the brothers Cyril and Methodius in the ancient Bulgarian Empire in the 9th century. Today, this territory belongs to North MacedoniaThe alphabet varies slightly from one country to another, but most of the letters are the same. The Bulgarian alphabet consists of 30 letters.
Travellers discovering Cyrillic for the first time often say it’s impossible to understand, but in reality, it’s not that difficult. The alphabet is based on Greek and Latin, so you’ll find many familiar letters. But you’ll also encounter false friends, like the letter "P," which is pronounced as "R" in Cyrillic. Despite some challenges, I highly recommend trying to learn the alphabet. It will make your stay in Bulgaria easier and can also be a source of fun.
Informations pratiques pour organiser son voyage en Bulgarie
Is tap water drinkable in Bulgaria?
You can drink tap water in Bulgaria without any problems. In some regions, the water even comes from mineral springs. In big cities, especially in summer, you’ll find several drinking fountains where you can fill up your water bottles.
Where to eat in Bulgaria? Now we come to my favorite part—the food. I’ve dedicated an entire article to Bulgarian cuisine, and I highly recommend reading it to understand the richness of Bulgarian food.
We are now at my favourite part - the food! I've dedicatedan entire article to the Bulgarian food. I can only recommend you reed it in order to understand the richness of the Bulgarian food.
Typical Bulgarian restaurants, called Mekhana (Механа), offer an authentic dining experience with decor inspired by Bulgarian folklore. Some mekhanas even have entertainment programs with traditional music and dances to entertain diners. Along the coast, many restaurants offer fresh seafood and fish, making it a feast for lovers of marine products. For those in a hurry, street food is also very popular. You can grab a slice of pizza or a banitsa at one of the many food stands, allowing you to quickly enjoy some local specialties.
Should you tip in Bulgaria?
If you want to be appreciated by the locals, I highly encourageyou to leave a tip at restaurants and in taxis. Bulgarians often don’t have very high incomes, so the service profession relies heavily on tips to boost wages. In general, a 10% tip is considered generous. However, if you find yourself short on cash, don’t worry—no one will look down on you for not leaving a tip.
Informations pratiques voyage Bulgarie
Informations pratiques voyage Bulgarie
Where to stay in Bulgaria?
The most popular destinations in Bulgaria offer a large choice of places to stay in. You can choose between luxury hotels or charming B&Bs. You can also go camping (especially at the sea or in the mountains,). However, I would suggest that you skip the houses that are way too cheap, because sometimes you can have an unpleasant surprise. During the high tourist season (summer and winter), don't forget to book in advance, especially at the Black sea during summer.
Informations pratiques voyage Bulgarie
Informations pratiques voyage Bulgarie
What is the climate like in Bulgaria?
Bulgaria enjoys a temperate continental climate, characterized by hot summers and cold winters. Along the Black Sea coast, the climate is more Mediterranean. The best time to visit Bulgaria depends on what kind of vacation you’re looking for. For a beach holiday, summer is ideal, especially in July and August when temperatures rise significantly. If you’re more into skiing, winter is the best season, with snowfall guaranteed in most ski resorts.
Informations pratiques voyage Bulgarie
Informations pratiques voyage Bulgarie
What budget should you plan for a trip to Bulgaria?
Bulgaria is one of the cheapest countries in Europe, but prices can vary depending on the region. In tourist areas, especially on the coast, prices can be higher. However, in more remote areas, you’ll find that Bulgaria remains very affordable. For a budget trip, plan for around 30-50 euros per day. This will cover accommodation, meals, and some activities. For a more comfortable trip, around 70-100 euros per day should suffice. Keep in mind that these are just estimates, and actual costs may vary depending on your travel style.
Also, make sure to plan a budget for souvenirs, as I'm sure you'll want to immerse yourself in the local culture and bring back some keepsakes. Bulgarian folklore and traditions are incredibly rich, and you'll find souvenirs for every taste. Feel free to check out my article dedicated to Bulgarian culture.
Informations pratiques voyage Bulgarie
Informations pratiques voyage Bulgarie
Is it worth visiting Bulgaria?
Yes, Bulgaria is absolutely worth visiting. Even if I am not objective.With its rich history, diverse landscapes, and friendly people, it offers a unique travel experience. Whether you're interested in exploring ancient ruins, relaxing on the beach, or hiking in the mountains, Bulgaria has something for everyone. And don't forget the food! If you're planning your next trip, don't hesitate to add Bulgaria to your list. You'll be pleasantly surprised by everything this country has to offer. And of course, if you need help organizing your trip, don't hesitate to use in my services oftravel planning!.
Informations pratiques voyage Bulgarie
For more useful information
To find your plane ticket :
I can recommend you use ExpediaI trust them with my own travels and when I am working with clients
For your hotel reservation
I invite you to look into Hotels.fr they have a large choice of bookings and your client services are always available
Pour trouver des activités sur place :
I use either viator or GetYourGuideThe two plateforms offer a large choice of activities at reasonable prices
To rent a car
I recommend discovercarsTheir prices are competitive and they have a great customer service
Need more inspiration?
Get a look at my other blog articles to discover the Balkans and the rest of the world
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