The backpacker scene in Bulgaria is vibrant and growing. The country offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, making it an attractive destination for budget travelers. The capital city, Sofia, is a popular starting point for …
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Backpacking Bulgaria in 2025
A complete guide for backpacking in Bulgaria with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.
Visit Bulgaria
Discover Bulgaria, a hidden jewel in the heart of the Balkans, offering backpackers a blend of history, nature, and affordability. Pros? Explore ancient ruins, hike in the scenic Rila Mountains, and savor delicious, budget-friendly cuisine. Bulgaria provides a charming, off-the-beaten-path experience. However, some areas may have limited tourist infrastructure, and English may not be widely spoken. For the intrepid backpacker, Bulgaria promises a unique blend of cultural richness and outdoor adventures, where the warmth of locals and the authenticity of the experience set it apart in the diverse tapestry of European destinations.
Why to go?Why backpacking in Bulgaria
Backpackers
Cheap
The average cost for backpacking in Bulgaria is around $30-50 USD per day. This includes accommodation in hostels or budget guesthouses, meals at local restaurants or street food vendors, and local transportation. Entrance fees to tourist …
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Mountains
The Rila and Pirin Mountains in Bulgaria are great to explore.
The Rila Mountains are the highest in Bulgaria and offer stunning natural beauty. They are home to the famous Seven Rila Lakes, a group of glacial lakes that are a popular hiking …
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The Rila Mountains are the highest in Bulgaria and offer stunning natural beauty. They are home to the famous Seven Rila Lakes, a group of glacial lakes that are a popular hiking …
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Architecture
Bulgaria is home to a variety of ancient ruins and interesting architecture, including the impressive Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its well-preserved frescoes and unique architecture. The ancient city of Plovdiv …
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Uniqueness
Exploring Bulgaria offers a unique and off the beaten track experience due to its rich history, diverse landscapes, and authentic culture. From the ancient Thracian ruins to the charming old towns and monasteries, Bulgaria is a treasure trove of …
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💡 HighlightsTop-5 things to do in Bulgaria
- Visit Sofia: The capital city of Bulgaria offers a mix of fascinating history and vibrant modern culture. Explore the iconic Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, stroll through the charming streets of the city center, and visit the impressive National Museum of History.
- Discover Rila Monastery: Located in the scenic Rila Mountains, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a must-visit. Admire the stunning frescoes, explore the museum, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of one of Bulgaria’s most important cultural landmarks.
- Explore Plovdiv: Known as the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe, Plovdiv is a treasure trove of Roman ruins, medieval architecture, and colorful Bulgarian Revival houses. Don’t miss the Roman Amphitheatre and the charming Old Town.
- Hike in the Rhodope Mountains: Nature lovers will be enchanted by the breathtaking landscapes of the Rhodope Mountains. Explore the stunning rock formations of the Wonderful Bridges, visit the picturesque village of Shiroka Laka, and enjoy hiking trails with stunning views.
- Relax at the Black Sea Coast: Bulgaria’s coastline offers beautiful sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant seaside resorts. Soak up the sun, indulge in water sports, and explore charming coastal towns like Nessebar and Sozopol.
But Bulgaria offers more...
🌤️ When to go?Best time to go backpacking Bulgaria
The best time to visit Bulgaria for backpacking is during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) seasons. During these months, the weather is generally pleasant with mild temperatures, making it ideal for outdoor activities and exploring the country. Additionally, tourist crowds are smaller compared to the summer months, allowing for a more authentic and budget-friendly experience.
Risk level: low (0%)Safety advice for Bulgaria
- Bulgaria experiences extreme weather. Heatwaves and wildfires occur throughout summer, and heavy snowfall and storms can occur throughout winter. If you're in an area affected by extreme weather, monitor the media and follow the advice of local authorities.
- Beware of pickpocketing and bag snatching in crowded places and on public transport. Take care of your belongings.
- Protests occur regularly. They can disrupt public transport and turn violent without warning.
- Watch out for drink spiking. Don't leave your food or drinks unattended.
- Bombings, shootouts and gang wars can occur. Always be aware of your surroundings. Monitor the media for risks.
source: smartraveller.gov.au
BulgariaMy tips to get you on the way!Does Bulgaria sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.
Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Bulgaria. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Bulgaria may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Bulgaria. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Bulgaria may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Bulgaria, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Bulgaria, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
My personal packing list 🎒
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Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Moneybelt
[Amazon]
“Best way to carry your important documents”
Quick dry pant
[Amazon]
“Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling”
Light rain jacket
[Amazon]
“Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry”
Thermo underwear
[Amazon]
“Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets”
Quick dry towel
[Amazon]
“Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling”
Power bank
[Amazon]
“Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more”
Travel adapter
[Amazon]
“Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs”
Number lock
[Amazon]
“No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories”
Packing cubes
[Amazon]
“Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest”
Travel pillow
[Amazon]
“Light and great for flights and long bus journeys”
last page update: 29 September 2024