Planning a trip to Bulgaria and wondering where to stay? Check out this list of the very best places to stay in Bulgaria.
Located on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe, Bulgaria is surrounded by large mountain ranges and long stretches of coastline on the Black Sea. It is an extremely popular travel destination in Europe with cheap prices, long sandy beaches, historical sights, beautiful scenery, and exquisite dining.
When traveling to Bulgaria, you can either choose to stay in vibrant big cities, colorful seaside resorts, lively party towns, or small laid-back villages. Bulgaria is the perfect travel destination in Europe, whether you’re traveling with family, friends, or your loved one.
If you’re planning a trip to Bulgaria, you need to check out this list of the best places to stay in Bulgaria.
Table of Contents
Best places to stay in Bulgaria:
1. Sunny Beach
Sunny Beach is one of the most popular seaside resorts in Bulgaria. Every year, the city is visited by thousands of sun-hungry European tourists. The long sandy beach of Sunny Beach stretches for several kilometers. As a result of the cleanliness of the beach, it has received the EU’s blue flag.
Most people probably only associate Sunny Beach with wild nightclubs and drunk people partying all night long. Indeed, Sunny Beach is an extremely popular party town for young people in Europe. But it’s also an incredibly child-friendly place to stay in Bulgaria.
In addition to wild nightclubs and the kid-friendly beach, Sunny Beach also offers great shopping, fun activities for the whole family, and hundreds of great hotels and restaurants. A short drive from Sunny Beach you’ll find Nessebar, a historic old town inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Related post: 10 Very Best Things to Do in Sunny Beach
2. Nessebar
Nessebar is located just a few kilometers from Sunny Beach and is an incredibly beautiful city on the Black Sea. The old town of Nessebar is located on an idyllic peninsula, connected only to the mainland by a narrow dam.
On the peninsula, you’ll be greeted by a romantic atmosphere with cobbled streets, charming wooden houses, well-preserved churches, ancient ruins, and stunning beaches. The many historical and cultural attractions have given Nessebar a well-deserved place on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Nessebar may feel very touristy during the day, but in the evening, there’s a much calmer atmosphere. In the evening, don’t forget to visit one of the nice restaurants with an amazing view of the sea. If you just don’t want to stay in a hotel in Nessebar during your trip to Bulgaria, you can also just go on a day trip.
3. Varna
Varna is the third-largest city in Bulgaria and is beautifully situated along the Black Sea coast. It is one of the largest port cities in Bulgaria and one of the most popular places to stay in Bulgaria as well. Here you’ll find a bit of everything, whether you’re interested in beach life, city life or nightlife.
This diverse city has a long and exciting history, especially expressed by the Romanesque baths, ancient cathedrals, museums, and beautiful architecture. Explore the many attractions of Varna, relax on the beach, or take part in one of the many festivals of summer. You can also party all night long in the nightlife or go shopping in the pedestrian zone with a myriad of shops and eateries.
4. Golden Sands
Another popular place to stay in Bulgaria is Golden Sands. This beautiful city is especially known for its long golden sandy beach. Along the seafront, you’ll find a large selection of restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, and fun activities.
Most tourists spend their days in Golden Sands on the beach sunbathing and trying water sports activities. There are also plenty of opportunities to visit a water park, sail with a pirate ship or go on day trips in the surrounding scenic area. You can also visit Varna, the third-largest city in Bulgaria, located only about 17 kilometers from Golden Sands.
In the evening, Golden Sands is transformed into a lively party town in Bulgaria. The party scene is extremely popular with young people from most of Europe. The seafront and bar street is packed with bars, nightclubs, and discos, so this is where you should go partying. If you’re traveling with children, you can easily avoid the noise by staying a little away from there.
5. Sofia
Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria. And of course, it’s also one of the best places to stay in Bulgaria. It is one of the oldest cities in Europe with a history that can be dated back to more than 2.5 thousand years ago.
When visiting Sofia, you’ll be greeted by a spellbinding and perfect fusion between old and new. The old town is filled with ancient churches, cathedrals, ruins, and historic buildings. The new district, on the other hand, is filled with modern art galleries, museums, and beautiful parks. Sofia is without a doubt a city in Bulgaria full of contrasts!
The Bulgarian capital is located at the foot of Vitosha Mountain, a massive mountain with a height of 2,292 meters. Upon the mountain, there’s ample opportunity to enjoy nature with lovely hiking trails, beautiful lakes, and great vantage points. In fact, it’s also possible to go skiing on the snow-capped mountain top.
6. Burgas
Burgas is the fourth largest city in Bulgaria. It’s an industrial town as well as a seaside resort surrounded by the sea and several lakes. Burgas is definitely a popular city in Bulgaria. Still, it’s probably best suited as a place to visit in Bulgaria on a day trip or a short vacation.
In Burgas, you’ll find an exciting history, cultural sights, beautiful beaches, and great shopping opportunities. There’s also a large selection of restaurants, cafes, museums, galleries, and theaters in the city. Don’t forget to visit the Sea Garden, a beautiful public park with unique sea views.
7. Sozopol
Sozopol is located on a peninsula in the Black Sea and is one of the most charming cities in Bulgaria. It’s also one of the oldest towns along the Bulgarian coast with a history dating back to the Bronze Age.
The main attraction in Sozopol is the charming old town of the city. Here you’ll find a myriad of beautiful old houses, cobbled streets, cozy marketplaces, and an ancient fortress. You can also find several beautiful beaches in Sozopol, where you can relax or try several water sports activities.
There’s also a newer district in Sozopol, called Harmanite, located on the mainland. Harmanite is a popular holiday area in Bulgaria with lots of nice hotels.
That’s all on this list of the very best places to stay in Bulgaria. What is your favorite destination in Bulgaria? What places in Bulgaria do you dream of visiting? Feel free to leave a comment.
Crappy Sunny Beach and Golden Sands but no Plovdiv?!