How many towns to visit: Four to six towns is the number I advise for a trip of one to two weeks, because that leaves roughly two nights each and a day to spare. Each extra stop costs half a day in bus stations and checkout hours, and the towns here are small enough that a second night shows you more than a second town does. Trying for eight or ten means you mostly meet the inside of minibuses.
Which kind suits which traveler: Hill and Revival-era towns give a backpacker the most for the money. Lodging is cheap, walks start from the door, and evenings are quiet and cost little. Southern towns with Roman and Ottoman layers reward culture-minded travelers and keep prices low even in busy months. Coastal towns suit those wanting a beach, but they are the priciest and most seasonal, so go in …
read more 👉 How many towns to visit: Four to six towns is the number I advise for a trip of one to two weeks, because that leaves roughly two nights each and a day to spare. Each extra stop costs half a day in bus stations and checkout hours, and the towns here are small enough that a second night shows you more than a second town does. Trying for eight or ten means you mostly meet the inside of minibuses.
Which kind suits which traveler: Hill and Revival-era towns give a backpacker the most for the money. Lodging is cheap, walks start from the door, and evenings are quiet and cost little. Southern towns with Roman and Ottoman layers reward culture-minded travelers and keep prices low even in busy months. Coastal towns suit those wanting a beach, but they are the priciest and most seasonal, so go in June or September if you choose them. Mountain resort towns are best for hikers and skiers, though costs rise sharply in winter peak weeks.
What it costs: Expect about US$30 to 50 a day (roughly 55 to 90 lev) for a budget traveler: a hostel bed or simple guesthouse room at US$12 to 25, meals at US$8 to 15, and local transport at US$3 to 8. Mid-range comfort runs US$60 to 90. Museum and fortress entry is usually 5 to 15 lev (US$3 to 8). Guided walks, where offered, cost about US$10 to 25, and a private guide for a day is US$60 to 120. Intercity buses typically cost 10 to 30 lev (US$6 to 17) a leg. Cash is still handy in small places, and ATMs are common in every town of any size.
Safety and cultural considerations: Towns here are generally safe, with petty theft in busy stations and on the coast being the usual issue. Keep bags close on crowded buses, and use metered, marked taxis because unmarked ones sometimes overcharge, especially near stations. Stray dogs are common but mostly indifferent. Mountain weather turns quickly, so tell your lodging where you are hiking.
One head gesture is worth learning: a nod usually means no and a side-to-side shake means yes. It turns a simple order into a small comedy, so confirm with words. Greet shopkeepers on entering, dress modestly in churches and monasteries, and ask before photographing inside. Tipping around 10 percent is appreciated in restaurants, and rounding up is fine in cafés. Expect smoking indoors in some older bars, and bring a reusable bottle, since tap water is drinkable in most towns.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.