Bulgaria travel itinerary

Planning a trip to Bulgaria? Here you'll find our day-by-day itinerary (Sofia, Rila Monastery, Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo, Black Sea (Nessebar, Varna), Valley of the Roses), plus all the practical info to organise your journey: currency, visa, e-SIM, health, plugs and useful numbers.

When to go to Bulgaria

The climate is continental, similar to northern Italy: cold winters (below zero, with snow in the mountains) and hot summers (over 30 degrees). The shoulder seasons are long and rainy. The Black Sea coast is milder. The best times are spring (the Valley of the Roses blooms in late May) and early autumn; summer for the sea, winter for skiing in Bansko.

Practical info for travelling in Bulgaria

Updated: June 2026

Documents and visa

Bulgaria is in the European Union and, since 1 January 2025, a full member of the Schengen area: EU citizens only need a valid ID card or passport, no visa. NOTE: the Bulgarian authorities are strict on documents - damaged ID cards or those renewed with a stamp/certificate may not be accepted, and a driving licence is NOT valid as ID. Travel with an intact, legible document.

Currency and payments

NEW: since 1 January 2026 Bulgaria has adopted the euro (at the fixed rate of 1.9558 lev), so you now pay in euros - no more exchange for those from the Eurozone. Cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants and main shops, but it is handy to carry cash for small purchases and outside the cities. Bulgaria remains one of the cheapest countries in Europe.

Language and alphabet

The language is Bulgarian, written in the CYRILLIC alphabet (which was invented here): signs and shop names, off the main streets, are often only in Cyrillic, so a translation app with a camera helps a lot. English is common only in the cities and among young people; older people still speak Russian. Fun fact: in Bulgaria, traditionally, shaking your head means 'yes' and nodding means 'no' - watch out for misunderstandings!

Health and vaccines

No mandatory vaccines. Healthcare is overall satisfactory in the cities; EU citizens with the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are entitled to necessary care, but insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation is recommended. For prolonged treatment or in outlying areas, bring a supply of your medicines. Tap water is generally drinkable in the cities.

eSIM and connectivity

Mobile 4G/5G coverage (A1, Vivacom, Yettel) is good across most of the territory. As Bulgaria is in the EU, EU SIMs roam at no extra cost, just like at home. Travellers from outside the EU can buy a local SIM (an ID is needed for registration).

Electricity

Power is 230V/50Hz with type C and F sockets, the same as continental Europe: European two-round-pin plugs fit without an adapter.

Time zone

Bulgaria is at UTC+2 (Eastern European Time), one hour ahead of Central Europe all year.

Good to know

Driving — An EU driving licence is enough. For non-urban roads you need a motorway vignette, bought online (vinetki.bg) or at the borders. Dipped headlights must be on at all times, even by day; alcohol tolerance 0.05%; reflective vest, triangle, fire extinguisher and first-aid kit compulsory on board; snow tyres compulsory from 15 November to 1 March. Signage is in Cyrillic (in Latin only on main roads) and the accident rate is high: drive carefully, avoid long stretches at night.
Safety and precautions — Bulgaria is generally safe, but watch out for bag-snatching and pickpocketing in Sofia and on the crowded coasts in summer. Do not leave valuables in the car and park in guarded areas. If officers stop you, make sure they are in uniform or in clearly marked cars (there are fake police); if fined, get a receipt. Be wary of street money-changing offers and prefer to use cards in larger shops.
Drugs and laws — Bulgarian law does not distinguish between soft and hard drugs and trafficking is prosecuted very strictly: manufacture, possession and dealing carry prison sentences (2 to 8 years and more) and very heavy fines, with long pre-trial detention. No tolerance for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (the car is confiscated if drugs are found in it).
Eating and budget — Bulgaria is among the cheapest destinations in Europe: meals, accommodation and transport cost little. Try Balkan cuisine - banitsa (cheese pastry), shopska salad, kebapche, Bulgarian yoghurt, and the excellent local wines. In restaurants a 10% tip is welcome. In the cities taxis are cheap, but check the rate displayed on the window and the meter.

Useful numbers

112 — Single European emergency number (also in English)
166 — Police
150 — Emergency medical service / ambulance
160 — Fire brigade
+359 2 9217300 — Italian Embassy in Sofia (emergencies: +359 888 466577). For other nationalities, contact your own country's embassy

💡 Two things to know: since 2026 Bulgaria uses the euro (no more lev to change), and here shaking your head means 'yes' while nodding means 'no' - don't get confused. And make the most of it: it is one of the most beautiful and affordable countries in Europe, still little touched by mass tourism.

Bulgaria