Bulgaria Road Trip

Are you up for a road trip to Bulgaria? The time is ripe. Those who shook their heads at my announcement to undertake a 5-day road trip through Bulgaria's Balkan Mountains either haven't engaged with the country or haven't heard about its beauty. Or perhaps they have been there themselves. Because shaking your head in Bulgaria means 'yes,' while nodding means 'no.'

On my 5-day road trip, I drove nearly 700 km from Sofia through the Balkan Mountains and back again. Of course, you don't have to visit every church and monastery (there's one at every corner). I certainly didn't do that.

Tourists are welcomed, and more and more attractions are being developed (even if many places only have signs in Cyrillic). Hotels and restaurants are available. The roads are well-maintained, which should leave nothing in the way of a road trip, right?

The charm of Bulgaria lies in the diversity and contrast between cities, villages, and nature. The often-dreary backdrop shines anew on closer inspection. The balancing act between the Eastern Bloc, Western Europe, and the Orient has ignited a certain fascination for this country within me.

An often-underestimated country in Europe captivated me right after arriving in Sofia. A relatively young member of the EU, located north of Greece and Turkey, Bulgaria is becoming an increasingly popular travel destination with favorable offers for us. Plus, it's not overrun by tourist crowds.

The country along the Black Sea coast is surprisingly diverse. Bulgaria has much more to offer than kilometers of fine dream beaches. Away from Sunny Beach, sea, and sun, you can experience the variety and, above all, a contrasting Bulgaria:

Contrasts between tradition and modernity in the cities and countryside. The traces of communism and the associated history of Bulgaria through sculptures, monuments, and sights. In contrast, modern buildings are sprouting up-still not in great numbers, but increasing rapidly and soaring higher.

Culture, good food, and architectural masterpieces are assured here. You won't get bored. Whether tracing the Thracians in Kazanlak, visiting the Valley of Roses, tasting Bulgarian wines, or enjoying Bulgarian specialties that make me fly home with extra weight (and I don't mean my luggage).

In the capital Sofia, you can spend the nights partying in nightclubs that are sometimes located in former bunkers.

If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, you will find the perfect contrast in the Balkan Mountains. Whether hiking, mountain biking, or climbing-there are numerous opportunities to be active or simply enjoy nature with its deep gorges.

In the Balkan Mountains, you'll find untouched mountain villages and a tranquility I often long for in Germany.

When comparing the capitals of Europe, Sofia is still a real insider tip for me.

The capital Sofia lies at the edge of the Vitosha Mountain, only about 2 hours by plane from Berlin. The city offers a colorful mix of modernity (especially with its street art) and dreary Eastern Bloc charm.

Sofia is an ideal starting point for a road trip: Numerous hotels and accommodations in the best locations via Airbnb, as well as trendy, cozy, and often hidden cafés, bars, and restaurants provide the perfect kickoff for your journey. Attractions and curiosities abound.

Read all about highlights, attractions, and tips for Sofia here

Bulgarian cuisine is heavily influenced by the Ottoman era. Therefore, typical Balkan dishes include yogurt, peppers, and meatballs. Many dishes are found to be quite similar in Greece, Turkey, and other neighboring countries.

Here, vegetables taste like they should: fresh and juicy. Especially tomatoes come in red, pink, and black varieties. You can only find this pink tomato in Bulgaria. The taste is unbeatable. You absolutely must try it!

Grilled, pickled, or stuffed peppers are just as much a staple as meat: grilled meatballs (kyufte) and kebapche are part of Balkan cuisine, and meat lovers will find plenty to enjoy in Bulgaria.

I particularly loved the famous shopska salad and the cold cucumber soup, tarator. Pair it with a glass of rakia (a traditional spirit) or Bulgarian wine, which is traditionally enjoyed with the salad-cheers-na zdrave!

Eating in Bulgaria is celebrated and often lasts for hours. I love this food culture, which can be a lengthy affair. I'm also glad that fast food never really caught on in Bulgaria.

By the way, breakfast is not considered very important, so don't be surprised if the breakfast offerings are rather sparse.

From food to wine. Bulgaria is one of the largest wine-producing countries. Did you know that? No? Neither did I. I live in Heilbronn, where a lot of good wine is also produced. But Bulgarian wines have convinced me completely. Bulgaria is such an underestimated wine country-totally unjustly.

So much so that I brought back the maximum allowed amount to Germany...

Try: Wine from the Haskovo region. Preferred: Mavrud. Also, Merlot from the Thracian Plain is worth a taste.

While Sofia is well on its way towards Western Europe, in the countryside, time often seems to have stood still. Both architecturally and in the minds of the people, communism has left its marks.

Horse-drawn carts navigating through traffic and women selling handcrafted goods by the roadside are not uncommon. The concrete apartment blocks and broken streets are something they would like to keep hidden from us, but that too is Bulgaria.

In Bulgaria, you really don't have to visit every museum and attraction. My visit to the open-air museum Etar in Gabrowo impressed me. Here, the original village of Gabrowo has been reconstructed, showcasing the architecture, way of life, and crafts from the second half of the 18th and 19th centuries.

You can observe the artisans in their workshops, using the tools and methods from those times. There are a blacksmith, a woodcarving shop, a pottery studio, an icon painting workshop, a knife shop, a weaving shop, and a furrier's workshop, among others.

Additionally, there are numerous water wheels and mills.

Almost everywhere you will find spectacular views of valleys and deep gorges, especially from the highest point on Mount Botev (2376 m). Picturesque little villages, where time seems to stand still, and friendly people inviting you to their table. And the nature.

The biodiversity in the Balkans is among the largest in Europe. Nature lovers will be in heaven here.

In the Central Balkan National Park, 20 species of plants grow that you will not find anywhere else in the world. For this reason, this park has been protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bulgaria is located in the southeastern part of Europe. The climate varies by region, being a mixture of Mediterranean and cool continental climate. Along the popular Black Sea coast, there are hot summer months and mild winters.

In the plains and along the coast, the summer months are warm and often quite hot. In the interior of the country, it can get hot and humid, while in winter it can be very cold. It rains little throughout the year.

The Black Sea coast is very popular, especially during the summer holidays in July and August when the days are warmest. Unfortunately, this is also when many tourists are at the coast. The months suitable for swimming are from May to October. The water in the Black Sea is comfortably warm then.

The best time to travel to Sofia can be read here.

So you won't forget anything, I've created a checklist for a road trip.

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