Veliko Tarnovo

One of (if not) the most beautiful cities in Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo – situated approximately midway between Sofia and Varna – forms a picturesque setting on the hilltops, within a bend of the Jantra River.

At one time the capital of the 2^nd Bulgarian Empire, Veliko Tarnovo can justifiably claim the title of being Bulgaria’s richest city in terms of historic monuments – based on the 12^th-14^th centuries churches, the typically Balkan style Continue Reading

Sofia

One of Europe’s oldest cities – founded some 7000 years ago – Sofia is located on the edge of the Sofia Basin, at the foot of the Vitosha Range.

Sofia acquired its name from the 6^th century Church of St. Sofia. Sofia’s main tourist attractions are generally concentrated in a narrow section of the inner city, which can be comfortably traversed on foot.

The city’s historic monuments faithfully reflect the mixture of Roman, Turkish, Byzantine and Bulgarian cultures to which it was exposed over the hundreds of years.   Continue Reading

Burgas

Burgas is considered to be the centre of the southern section of Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, and is its number one harbour. Burgas – the city is the fourth largest in Bulgaria, situated in the most western part of the Burgas Bay, spreading on a peninsula surrounded by the three famous lakes – Bourgasko, Atanasovsko and Mandrensko. The city of Burgas is turning to be the most vivid and busy centre in the South Black Sea coastline and has the biggest port area in Bulgaria with well-developed industry and flourishing trade relations.

Although its historic and cultural sights cannot compete with those of its rival, Varna, being less crowded in the summer months, with its cafés and restaurants it can offer a pleasant venue for switching-off. Burgas also serves as an ideal springing-off point for touring the southern coastal region. Continue Reading

Nessebar

Situated on a rocky peninsula on the Black Sea, 20 km north of Burgas, Nessebar town is one of the oldest towns in Europe, originally Thracian settlement (Messembria).

By its historic buildings, churches and ruins mostly from the Hellenistic period, surviving through the ages, Nessebar town is one of the major cultural heritage destinations along the Bulgarian Black Sea coastline.

According to the large number of churches, Nessebar is often said to be the town with the highest number of churches per capita in the world. The city’s ruins, which date mostly from the Hellenistic period, include the acropolis, a temple of Apollo, an agora and a wall from the Thracian fortifications, very ancient monuments and records, fortresses, churches and many other architectural places. Continue Reading

Varna

Stretching along the shores of the Black Sea, along a bay bearing the same name, Varna is Bulgaria’s third largest city. Also known as the “Maritime Capital”, Varna, with its beaches, sights and programmes, is one of the favourite holiday resorts on the Black Sea.

Varna, which the ancient Greeks called Odessos, is a city with an incredible historical heritage. The oldest processed gold in the history of the world is found in the Varna necropolis dating from the 5th century BC.

Its most outstanding monument, the former Roman Baths with its close to 400 metres long system of sewerage drains, has remained almost intact to this day. Continue Reading