Europe
Below is a summary of how I entered, whether through a visa or another permitted route.
Travel note: I had a Finland residence permit and used it as my entry permit for this trip.
Last updated 1 month ago
Rates used to convert to NPR for this trip.
| Currency | 1 unit → NPR | Date |
|---|---|---|
| BGN | 72.61 | 2022-05-01 |
| EUR | 141.00 | 2022-05-01 |
| S.No | Date | Details (Notes) | Category | Unit | Cost / Unit | Amount | Currency | Amount (NPR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 01, 2022 | Train from Istanbul to Sofia | Transport | 1.00 | 31.00 | 31.00 | EUR | 4,371.00 |
| 2 | May 01, 2022 | Sofia dorm room (2 nights) | Accommodation | 2.00 | 15.00 | 30.00 | BGN | 2,178.30 |
| 3 | May 01, 2022 | SIM card | SIM Card | 1.00 | 20.00 | 20.00 | BGN | 1,452.20 |
| 4 | May 02, 2022 | Bus ticket | Transport | 1.00 | 1.60 | 1.60 | BGN | 116.18 |
| 5 | May 02, 2022 | Water 1.5L | Food | 1.00 | 1.60 | 1.60 | BGN | 116.18 |
| 6 | May 02, 2022 | Beer | Food | 1.00 | 2.00 | 2.00 | BGN | 145.22 |
| 7 | May 02, 2022 | KFC | Food | 1.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | BGN | 726.10 |
| 8 | May 02, 2022 | Water 0.5L | Food | 1.00 | 0.49 | 0.49 | BGN | 35.58 |
| 9 | May 03, 2022 | Room | Accommodation | 1.00 | 45.00 | 45.00 | BGN | 3,267.45 |
| 10 | May 03, 2022 | Asian food | Food | 1.00 | 7.00 | 7.00 | BGN | 508.27 |
| 11 | May 03, 2022 | Domino's Pizza | Food | 1.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | BGN | 726.10 |
| 12 | May 03, 2022 | Croissant | Food | 1.00 | 54.00 | 54.00 | BGN | 3,920.94 |
| 13 | May 04, 2022 | Sofia free walking tour tip | Tips | 1.00 | 5.00 | 5.00 | BGN | 363.05 |
| Total | 17,926.57 |
Last updated 4 days ago
Bulgaria adopted the Euro (EUR) on January 1, 2026, replacing the Bulgarian Lev (BGN). Cards are accepted in Sofia and larger cities, but carry cash for smaller towns, bakeries, and rural guesthouses where card payments may not be available.
Sofia has a good metro, bus, and tram network. Only authorized Yellow taxis operate from Sofia airport. Always check that taxis have meters with rates displayed on the windshield sticker. Between cities, buses are more frequent and reliable than trains. The Sofia to Plovdiv bus takes about 2 hours.
Leave 10-15% for good service in restaurants and bars. Tipping tour guides and drivers 8-10% is customary. Always tip in local currency to avoid exchange fee losses for service staff.
In Bulgaria, shaking your head side to side means 'yes' and nodding up and down means 'no' - the opposite of most countries. This can cause confusion. When in doubt, use words. Younger Bulgarians in tourist areas may use the Western convention.
Bulgaria uses Type C and F plugs with 230V/50Hz, the same as most of continental Europe. Travelers from the US, UK, or Asia will need a plug adapter.
May to September is best for sightseeing with warm weather. The Rose Valley Festival in Kazanlak takes place in early June. Plovdiv and Sofia are pleasant from April to October. December to March is ski season in Bansko and Borovets.
If you plan to visit mountain areas like Rila or Pirin, carry layers and a light rain shell even in summer. Weather can shift quickly from sunny to windy or wet, especially in the afternoon.
Last updated 4 days ago
đź“Ť Sofia
Start at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, with its gold-domed roof and stunning interior mosaics. Walk through the Serdica archaeological complex beneath the city streets to see Roman ruins, then visit the Rotunda of St. George, Sofia's oldest building dating to the 4th century. Try shopska salad and kebapche at a traditional mehana (tavern) in the Vitosha Boulevard area.
đź“Ť Rila Monastery
Take a day trip to Rila Monastery, Bulgaria's most important cultural and spiritual monument, nestled at 1,147 meters in the Rila Mountains. Marvel at the vibrant frescoes covering every wall of the main church, depicting biblical scenes in over 1,200 individual paintings. Hike the short trail to the hermit cave of Saint Ivan of Rila, the monastery's 10th-century founder, and enjoy lunch at a nearby mountain restaurant serving kavarma (clay pot stew).
đź“Ť Plovdiv
Travel to Plovdiv, one of Europe's oldest continuously inhabited cities, and explore the charming Old Town with its colorful Revival-era houses perched on cobblestone hills. Visit the remarkably preserved 2nd-century Roman Amphitheatre, still used for live performances, which overlooks the modern city below. Walk along Kapana, the creative arts district filled with galleries and street art, and sample tarator (cold yogurt soup) and banitsa (cheese pastry) at a local bakery.
đź“Ť Veliko Tarnovo
Travel to Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria's medieval capital, and walk through Tsarevets Fortress for panoramic views. Continue to Arbanasi village to see preserved revival-era houses and churches. End the day with local wine and traditional tavern dining.
đź“Ť Varna and Nessebar
Spend the day along Bulgaria's Black Sea coast. Visit Varna's Sea Garden, then continue to Nessebar Old Town with cobbled lanes and Byzantine-era churches on a small peninsula. Stay for sunset over the harbor.
đź“Ť Rila/Pirin Region
Choose an active final day: alpine trails around Bansko or a guided trek toward the Seven Rila Lakes in season. This day adds a nature-focused contrast to city and heritage stops earlier in the itinerary.
Last updated 1 month ago
Fresh salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and onions topped with grated white sirene cheese.
Flaky filo pastry pie filled with eggs and white cheese, a traditional Bulgarian breakfast.
Grilled minced meat sausages seasoned with cumin and savory, served with shopska salad.
Cold cucumber and yogurt soup with garlic, dill, and walnuts, refreshing in summer heat.
Slow-cooked meat and vegetable stew with wine and herbs, served bubbling in a clay pot.
Fried dough breakfast pastry often served with powdered sugar, jam, or white cheese.
Last updated 5 days ago
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A UNESCO-listed seaside old town packed with medieval churches, stone houses, and narrow streets on a rocky peninsula. It is one of Bulgaria's most atmospheric Black Sea destinations for history and sunset walks.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Last updated 5 days ago
A glimpse into our favourite moments from Bulgaria.
Prakash stepping onto the overnight train from Istanbul to Sofia at Halkalı station — the red-and-white sleeper car that crosses the border into Bulgaria overnight.
