Places to visit in Bulgaria
Good morning/evening
I previously wrote a post about the cost of living and how prices were going up but here in Bulgaria it is still inexpensive to visit places and eat out even with prices going up, especially if you avoid the main seaside resorts.
The last week or so in crypto has been a bit challenging to say the least, first with the meme debacle and then Bybit and I am sure that is enough to make anyone want to take a break and recharge, I sure feel like that but I have a trip already booked for March, even if it is not the place for me, I am hoping we can find time and space to relax, have some great traditional spanish food and a glass of wine or 2!
If my trip was not as a birthday surprise for my mother I would probably go to one of these great places and enjoy some of the traditional Bulgarian food instead.
SHIPKA
If you like nature there is plenty to see here. There is a scenic pass between the mountains which is a national park. There is a monument of freedom that was erected in 1934 to commemorate the people that died in the liberation of Bulgaria in 1877. There is also a museum of Bulgarian life, a preserved traditional house and some great nature walks and things to see.
PLOVDIV
This is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and has a preserved Roman amphitheater and old town as well as the modern shopping area with malls and high street brand shops. I love Plovdiv and have been a couple of times and there are still a lot of places there I have not seen and you can stay in a mid range hotel with a small spa for $80 per night but there are many less expensive options or even high end hotels.
SOZOPOL
Although just 30 minutes away from the main tourist area 'Sunny Beach' Sozopol is a beautiful coastal town again with a combination of old and new. There are cobbled streets and traditional Bulgarian houses, ancient ruins and little gift shops leading to a stunning small harbour. Then you have 'New Sozopol' with the large hotels and shops. I personally like old town and you can stay in a great traditional small hotel for $50 per night. This is a great place to visit even out of high season and I have been many times.
Picture from https://www.booking.com/
RILA MONASTERY
Located in the Rila mountains, the Rila monastery is a famous cultural and historic UNESCO site, this 10th century monastery has stunning frescoes and intricate miniature wood carvings on a cross by Father Rafail that is one of the most valuable exhibits there. There is a main museum, the icon gallery and the cave of St. Ivan of Rila as well as stunning views and trails to walk and the 7 Rila lakes.
Imagepixabay.com/users/chrisart16
SKI RESORTS
Bansko and Borovets are 2 of the most popular ski resorts in Bulgaria although they are open in the summer season too. Bansko has the longest ski runs and the town is at the bottom of the Pirin mountains. Borovets is in the Rila mountains and is modern with luxury hotels and many bars and shops as well as slopes for all levels of skiers.
So you have a diverse range of places in Bulgaria, cities, seaside and mountains, so what are some of the traditional Bulgarian foods you can experience here?
SHOPSKA SALAD
A national dish since the 70s, Shopska salad is basically cucumbers, tomatoes, roasted pepper and onion with some sirene (white cheese) grated on top. It sounds so simple but is fab in the hot summer.
BANITSA
Layers of filo pastry filled with sirene but can also have sweet pumpkin, meat or spinach inside.
KAVARMA
Every region has its own version of this but it is basically meat (usually pork or chicken) and vegetables cooked in an earthenware pot with an amazing sauce and it is a fantastic winter food.
BOP (BEAN SOUP)
Another great classic and you will often get this soup with either a kufti (like a meatball) or some cured sausage in it, a simple but great dish. Some other soups are Topcheta (meatball and noodle) and a cold soup made with cucumber and yoghurt (Tarator) which is also great in summer.
MACARONI CHEESE
I have to put this as not only did my son love this when he was in kindergarten, I have been offered this as breakfast in some hotels here but before I had tried this my son said he would like me to make this at home. I made what I would call American style macaroni cheese with a cheese sauce. No, he said 'it is not right' so confused I did the same but with white cheese, 'no still not right' so I went to see the kindergarten cook and asked her how she made it. So it is what I would call a sweet macaroni pudding with milk, not a thick sauce with the white cheese on top, once I did it that way my child was happy!
As for the food I could go on and on, pork with sauerkraut chicken and rice, biscuit cake to name a few but in general you can get some great food in Bulgaria although some people would call it a bit basic but also rather inexpensive.
So there you go, Bulgaria is a very diverse place to visit and can cater to most people's needs so if you have had enough and need a break, perhaps this is the European hidden gem for you, I know I love it as it was just going to be a holiday home for us and we have lived here for 16 years now.
As always, thank you for reading and please feel free to comment.
Lead Image by Виктор Сапожников from Pixabay
