1. Sofia:
Sofia:
Sofia is mostly renowned for the churches and monuments covering a history of around 2000 years. Located in the west of Bulgaria, Sofia is the capital for the country. The city is one of the most historic cities in the world and underwent different ruling periods including the Roman, Ottoman, Greek and Soviet rulings. The churches also look beautiful with the frescos of the 13th century. Majority of the city population live in the functional urban area. The geographical location has placed the city in the midway between the Adriatic Sea and the Black Sea. The history of settlement dates back to 7000 BCE. This is now the hub of every commercial and leisure activities in the country. A wide number of business companies and cultural institutions have been established here. The moderate climate of Sofia is another key reason to invite people in the country. The winters are cold while the summers are sunny and warm but heat waves and snowing – both are found in the country. The city is filled with extensive greeneries and many of the localities have been built with the connections of green spaces. The four parks in the city are enriched with different types of trees and plants.
Sofia is mostly renowned for the churches and monuments covering a history of around 2000 years. Located in the west of Bulgaria, Sofia is the capital for the country. The city is one of the most historic cities in the world and underwent different ruling periods including the Roman, Ottoman, Greek and Soviet rulings. The churches also look beautiful with the frescos of the 13th century. Majority of the city population live in the functional urban area. The geographical location has placed the city in the midway between the Adriatic Sea and the Black Sea. The history of settlement dates back to 7000 BCE. This is now the hub of every commercial and leisure activities in the country. A wide number of business companies and cultural institutions have been established here. The moderate climate of Sofia is another key reason to invite people in the country. The winters are cold while the summers are sunny and warm but heat waves and snowing – both are found in the country. The city is filled with extensive greeneries and many of the localities have been built with the connections of green spaces. The four parks in the city are enriched with different types of trees and plants.
2. Varna:
Varana:
Varan is famous for being the port city of Bulgaria. This is also a seaside resort and thus has turned into the attractive place for tourist of home and abroad. The city is linked with history of 6000 year old and some of the then relics are preserved in the local museum. The city has been dominated by different rulers of Ottoman, Roman and Greek periods. This is the second largest city of Bulgaria and most of its populations live in the functional urban area. The city is a tourist destination with many entertaining things to watch, do and enjoy. The city also played important roles for the present government and the headquarters of the Bulgarian Navy is located here. The oldest jewelry of the earth has been found here that dates back to the 4000 BC. The city contains lake, mountains and artificial waterways for transportation and has become a growing city of the country. The city is surrounded by forests, orchards, vineyards etc. and the natural blessings have increased its beauty. The sand beaches are the other attractions for the visitors and the climate is mild which is also influenced by Mediterranean Sea. The seasons are moderate and thus the temperatures are enjoyable indeed.
Varan is famous for being the port city of Bulgaria. This is also a seaside resort and thus has turned into the attractive place for tourist of home and abroad. The city is linked with history of 6000 year old and some of the then relics are preserved in the local museum. The city has been dominated by different rulers of Ottoman, Roman and Greek periods. This is the second largest city of Bulgaria and most of its populations live in the functional urban area. The city is a tourist destination with many entertaining things to watch, do and enjoy. The city also played important roles for the present government and the headquarters of the Bulgarian Navy is located here. The oldest jewelry of the earth has been found here that dates back to the 4000 BC. The city contains lake, mountains and artificial waterways for transportation and has become a growing city of the country. The city is surrounded by forests, orchards, vineyards etc. and the natural blessings have increased its beauty. The sand beaches are the other attractions for the visitors and the climate is mild which is also influenced by Mediterranean Sea. The seasons are moderate and thus the temperatures are enjoyable indeed.
3. Burgas:
The fourth largest city of Bulgaria, Burgas is located on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. This is also the city where majority of the population live in the urban areas and now this is one of the important province for culture, tourism, industry and transportation. The Black Sea and the Burgas Lakes surround the city while the Port of Burgaas is the biggest port of Bulgaria. The city is connected with Burgas Airport and the city is also famous for the fish processing. The largest fish processing industries are located in the city. The subtropical climate has made the stay enjoyable for the travelers in the city. Summer usually lasts for five months but the temperature level remains moderate. The infrequent snowfall has made it more enjoyable in winter and there are no troubles to move in places inside the city. The Lake Burgas is one of the important places for preserving biodiversity and accommodates over 200 species of birds and endangered animals. The city also has some protected areas for wildlife and animals. The sign of human settlement dates back to 3000 years ago and since then the city has experienced domination from mighty rulers. The city underwent the domination of Ottoman Empire, Byzantine period and communism. The economy of the city is based on industry and there are a good number of tourist sites are available here.
4. Madara Horseman:
Madara Horseman:
This is a piece of history and in fact an early medieval rock carving in Bulgaria. The carving is often referred to Madara Rider as well and is located near the village of Madara in northeastern part of Bulgaria. There is no date found against this monument but based on some archaeological evidences it is assumed that the carving was done in the last part of the 7 th or on the early part of the 8 th century. Now the location has become one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bulgaria. A special image is curved on the monument – a horseman is pointing a spear to a lion near the horse’s feet and a dog is running after the horseman. The name of the designer of this is monument is unknown but undoubtedly this is an adorable task. But due to bad weather and climatic complexities, some of the parts of the monuments have been decayed. The monument is located about 75 meters above of the ground level and the sizes of everything are natural. Perhaps the monument is the representation of the semi-nomadic warrior culture of the then period while some of the schools are on the view that this is a very usual scenario of the past days. Whatever the analysis about the horseman are, this is really a beautiful monument indeed for the visitors in Bulgaria.
This is a piece of history and in fact an early medieval rock carving in Bulgaria. The carving is often referred to Madara Rider as well and is located near the village of Madara in northeastern part of Bulgaria. There is no date found against this monument but based on some archaeological evidences it is assumed that the carving was done in the last part of the 7 th or on the early part of the 8 th century. Now the location has become one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bulgaria. A special image is curved on the monument – a horseman is pointing a spear to a lion near the horse’s feet and a dog is running after the horseman. The name of the designer of this is monument is unknown but undoubtedly this is an adorable task. But due to bad weather and climatic complexities, some of the parts of the monuments have been decayed. The monument is located about 75 meters above of the ground level and the sizes of everything are natural. Perhaps the monument is the representation of the semi-nomadic warrior culture of the then period while some of the schools are on the view that this is a very usual scenario of the past days. Whatever the analysis about the horseman are, this is really a beautiful monument indeed for the visitors in Bulgaria.
5. Rila Monastery:
Rila Monastery:
Located at the Rila Mountains, Rila Monastery is the largest monastery in Bulgaria. The Monastery is also famous as Eastern Orthodox monastery in the country and also known as the Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila. The monastery is 117 kilometers away from the capital. The monastery is inside the Rila Monastery Nature Park and has been named following the founder of the Monastery – Ivan of RIla. There are 60 monks living in the monastery now. History says that the monastery was founded in the 10 th century and now it has become a cultural icon for Bulgaria. This is also a place of great importance to the local and international tourists. Though Bulgaria was dominated by different rulers and empires, the monastery was never disrespected by the rulers and even it reached to its peak during the 12 th century after Bulgaria was conquered by the Ottomans. Some of the monastery buildings have undergone changes and reconstructions for turning old with the passage of time. When it was destroyed by fire in 1862, it was reconstructed again by some of the wealthy people of the country. Now the Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts a large number of tourists annually. The main church of the monastery was built in the middle part of the 19 th century with two side chapels and five domes and three altars. The library at the residential part houses some of the oldest manuscripts which are also key attractions to the visitors.
Located at the Rila Mountains, Rila Monastery is the largest monastery in Bulgaria. The Monastery is also famous as Eastern Orthodox monastery in the country and also known as the Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila. The monastery is 117 kilometers away from the capital. The monastery is inside the Rila Monastery Nature Park and has been named following the founder of the Monastery – Ivan of RIla. There are 60 monks living in the monastery now. History says that the monastery was founded in the 10 th century and now it has become a cultural icon for Bulgaria. This is also a place of great importance to the local and international tourists. Though Bulgaria was dominated by different rulers and empires, the monastery was never disrespected by the rulers and even it reached to its peak during the 12 th century after Bulgaria was conquered by the Ottomans. Some of the monastery buildings have undergone changes and reconstructions for turning old with the passage of time. When it was destroyed by fire in 1862, it was reconstructed again by some of the wealthy people of the country. Now the Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts a large number of tourists annually. The main church of the monastery was built in the middle part of the 19 th century with two side chapels and five domes and three altars. The library at the residential part houses some of the oldest manuscripts which are also key attractions to the visitors.
6. Perperikon:
Perperikon:
Perperikon is considered as a sacred place and is situated on a high rocky hill. This is an ancient city in Bulgaria. The entire locality is also known for the gold-bearing river named Perpershka. There is a village located on the foot of the hill. The city is located in the eastern part of Rhodopes and 15 kilometers away from Kardzhail town of Bulgaria. Locally, it is believed that the location had held the famous Temple of Dionysius. Thereby, the locality got fame and following the reputation of the locality a visitor center is under construction with the assistance of European Union. The estimated cost of the visiting center construction is worth 2.4 million. Excavation in Perperikon began in 2000 and an ancient architectural complex was discovered in the place. Following history, human settlement began in the locality to 5000 BC. The trace of human activity began here from the Bronze Age. Besides, some of the relics of Iron Age were also discovered. The giant multi-storied palace is another attractive discovery in this locality. The impressive and strong fortress around the hill is another wonder for the locality and dates back to Roman Empire. The fortress contained residential parts and a temple.
7. Bansko:
8. Veliko Tarnovo:
Veliko Tarnovo:
The city is mostly famous for its close connection with history of Bulgaria and once the city was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire. Located in the north central Bulgaria, the city is the center of administrative activities of Veliko Tarnovo Province. The city is often termed as the City of Tsars as well and attracts a huge number of tourists in the country. The city is enriched with architectural beauty and the old part of the city is adorable to the visitors and situated on the three hills naming Tsarevets, Trapezitsa, and Sveta Gora. Tsarevets also holds an imperial palace and there are some other edifices of past days have also been discovered like churches or residential areas etc. Veliko Tarnovo underwent different ruling periods like Ottoman rule, the ruling periods of Byzantine Empire, Medieval Bulgarian rule etc. The city also has played an important role, during the Middle Age, says historians, and was also the center of culture in the Europe. Similarly like the past days, the city is playing an important role in education, culture, economy and administration of North Bulgaria. The local climate is temperate and thus the summers are hot while the winters are cold. As a result, this has been a great destination for the travelers.
Perperikon is considered as a sacred place and is situated on a high rocky hill. This is an ancient city in Bulgaria. The entire locality is also known for the gold-bearing river named Perpershka. There is a village located on the foot of the hill. The city is located in the eastern part of Rhodopes and 15 kilometers away from Kardzhail town of Bulgaria. Locally, it is believed that the location had held the famous Temple of Dionysius. Thereby, the locality got fame and following the reputation of the locality a visitor center is under construction with the assistance of European Union. The estimated cost of the visiting center construction is worth 2.4 million. Excavation in Perperikon began in 2000 and an ancient architectural complex was discovered in the place. Following history, human settlement began in the locality to 5000 BC. The trace of human activity began here from the Bronze Age. Besides, some of the relics of Iron Age were also discovered. The giant multi-storied palace is another attractive discovery in this locality. The impressive and strong fortress around the hill is another wonder for the locality and dates back to Roman Empire. The fortress contained residential parts and a temple.
7. Bansko:
Bansko:
Passing leisure hours in Bulgaria is highly exciting for the natives and tourists as there are a good ways of activities to participate. Bansko is such a place where the people could take part in skiing. In fact, Bansko is the town that holds the best ski resort in Bulgaria and the ski run is the longest one in the country. The locality has also an enriched cultural feature. Located at the bottom of the Pirin Mountain, the Bansko town is on the south western part of Bulgaria. The resort offers great skiing facilities to the skiers and the snowboard conditions are excellent. Accommodation on in the city is affordable and the tourists from abroad. Besides, the modern bars and restaurants serve them with the best foods and drinks in some excellent environment. The exact information about the foundation of the city is not found but there are some legends still prevail about it. According to the legends, Bansko was founded by blinded army, or by an Italian painter or by some people who lived in Dobarsko. Some other sources are on the view that it was a village in the beginning and then converted into a town. The economy of the city is based on stockbreeding and now this is an international center for tourism during summer and winter seasons.
Passing leisure hours in Bulgaria is highly exciting for the natives and tourists as there are a good ways of activities to participate. Bansko is such a place where the people could take part in skiing. In fact, Bansko is the town that holds the best ski resort in Bulgaria and the ski run is the longest one in the country. The locality has also an enriched cultural feature. Located at the bottom of the Pirin Mountain, the Bansko town is on the south western part of Bulgaria. The resort offers great skiing facilities to the skiers and the snowboard conditions are excellent. Accommodation on in the city is affordable and the tourists from abroad. Besides, the modern bars and restaurants serve them with the best foods and drinks in some excellent environment. The exact information about the foundation of the city is not found but there are some legends still prevail about it. According to the legends, Bansko was founded by blinded army, or by an Italian painter or by some people who lived in Dobarsko. Some other sources are on the view that it was a village in the beginning and then converted into a town. The economy of the city is based on stockbreeding and now this is an international center for tourism during summer and winter seasons.
8. Veliko Tarnovo:
Veliko Tarnovo:
The city is mostly famous for its close connection with history of Bulgaria and once the city was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire. Located in the north central Bulgaria, the city is the center of administrative activities of Veliko Tarnovo Province. The city is often termed as the City of Tsars as well and attracts a huge number of tourists in the country. The city is enriched with architectural beauty and the old part of the city is adorable to the visitors and situated on the three hills naming Tsarevets, Trapezitsa, and Sveta Gora. Tsarevets also holds an imperial palace and there are some other edifices of past days have also been discovered like churches or residential areas etc. Veliko Tarnovo underwent different ruling periods like Ottoman rule, the ruling periods of Byzantine Empire, Medieval Bulgarian rule etc. The city also has played an important role, during the Middle Age, says historians, and was also the center of culture in the Europe. Similarly like the past days, the city is playing an important role in education, culture, economy and administration of North Bulgaria. The local climate is temperate and thus the summers are hot while the winters are cold. As a result, this has been a great destination for the travelers.
9. Vitosha:
Vitosha:
Vitosha is a great site in Bulgaria for hiking and is a mountain formation. The place is used for several purposes but people like to hike in the early morning or in the evening hours. This is also a symbol of Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria. Skiing is also a popular form of entertainment here. The Vitosha Nature Park is the other most visited place here and the oldest one in Balkans while the mineral springs are also a great source of enjoyment for the visitors. The mountain is easily accessible with rope ways and bus lines. The mountains are the result of volcanic activity but its length and width is amazing. The highest peak of the mountain is 2290 meters from the sea level. The longest cave of Bulgaria, Duhlata, over 18,000 meters, is located here. The locality has been populated from a long time ago and the economy is somewhat connected with the mountains. The meteorological station is still in operation which was established in 1935 and most of the times it is used as a resting place for the travelers and hikers on the mountain. The stone river, Golden Bridge is running down the mountain side and the evergreen forest has made the entire location as a scenic spot. The flora and fauna is diversified in the locality and it has happened only for the diversified climatic conditions. Now, a notable number of species are living here and has made the place naturally beautiful.
Vitosha is a great site in Bulgaria for hiking and is a mountain formation. The place is used for several purposes but people like to hike in the early morning or in the evening hours. This is also a symbol of Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria. Skiing is also a popular form of entertainment here. The Vitosha Nature Park is the other most visited place here and the oldest one in Balkans while the mineral springs are also a great source of enjoyment for the visitors. The mountain is easily accessible with rope ways and bus lines. The mountains are the result of volcanic activity but its length and width is amazing. The highest peak of the mountain is 2290 meters from the sea level. The longest cave of Bulgaria, Duhlata, over 18,000 meters, is located here. The locality has been populated from a long time ago and the economy is somewhat connected with the mountains. The meteorological station is still in operation which was established in 1935 and most of the times it is used as a resting place for the travelers and hikers on the mountain. The stone river, Golden Bridge is running down the mountain side and the evergreen forest has made the entire location as a scenic spot. The flora and fauna is diversified in the locality and it has happened only for the diversified climatic conditions. Now, a notable number of species are living here and has made the place naturally beautiful.
10. Belogradchik Fortress:
Belogradchik Fortress:
Covering an area of over 10,000 square meters, the Belogradchik Fortress is considered as the main tourist attraction in the Balkan Mountains. The fortress is located near Belogradchik in Bulgaria. Now this is the key cultural hub of the locality and visited by a large number of tourists. The monument has been preserved well and thus the establishments are still in their original state. The place also is important nationally as the fortress is considered as a national heritage for Bulgaria. The walls of the fortress are 12 meters in height while the wall thickness is about 6.6 feet. It is said that the fortress was built initially during the Roman Empire and later it was reconstructed to preserve the monument from being decayed. Now the fortress is managed by the authority of local historical museum. The Romans built the fortress in this location as they thought it to be naturally protected by the rock formations and used it as a surveillance zone. The Ottomans conquered the fortress in 1396 and later, it received an expansion during the 14 th century when some of its parts were made as part of the extension. But the massive changes took place in the 19 th century and some typical Ottoman and European styles were applied to increase the beauty of the fortress. The Balkan view from the highest point of the fortress is excellent.
Covering an area of over 10,000 square meters, the Belogradchik Fortress is considered as the main tourist attraction in the Balkan Mountains. The fortress is located near Belogradchik in Bulgaria. Now this is the key cultural hub of the locality and visited by a large number of tourists. The monument has been preserved well and thus the establishments are still in their original state. The place also is important nationally as the fortress is considered as a national heritage for Bulgaria. The walls of the fortress are 12 meters in height while the wall thickness is about 6.6 feet. It is said that the fortress was built initially during the Roman Empire and later it was reconstructed to preserve the monument from being decayed. Now the fortress is managed by the authority of local historical museum. The Romans built the fortress in this location as they thought it to be naturally protected by the rock formations and used it as a surveillance zone. The Ottomans conquered the fortress in 1396 and later, it received an expansion during the 14 th century when some of its parts were made as part of the extension. But the massive changes took place in the 19 th century and some typical Ottoman and European styles were applied to increase the beauty of the fortress. The Balkan view from the highest point of the fortress is excellent.
