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Sofia -

Discovering Bulgaria invariably begins by exploring Sofia, the capital city. A dazzling introduction is the neo-Byzantine Aleksander Nevski Cathedral. Dripping in marble and gold, the cathedral commemorates the 200,000 Russian soldiers who died for Bulgaria's independence during the Russo-Turkish War (1877–78). It's one of the world's biggest Orthodox churches and one of Sofia's famous symbols and primary tourist attractions.

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National Museum of History -

Delve more into the country's past by heading for Sofia's National Museum of History. You could easily spend half a day here admiring the Thracian gold jewelry and Roman statuary the museum is world-renowned for.

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Boyana Church -

The stunning medieval frescoes decorating the interior of Boyana Church rank among some of the finest found in Europe. Mostly dating back to 1259, a total of 89 scenes with 240 human images are depicted on the walls of the church, which is located on the outskirts of the capital. Their rare beauty is such that the building enjoys UNESCO World Heritage status.

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Archaeological Museum -

Sofia's engaging Archaeological Museum is housed in a former mosque dated back to 1496. Brimming with ancient Bulgarian treasures, the museum is noted for several standout pieces, including a magnificent bronze head, thought to represent a Thracian king, found near the village of Shipka and dated to the 3rd century BCE.

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Ancient Serdica Complex -

Sofia sits on a site once occupied by the Roman city of Serdica. The foundations have been partly excavated and are set in and around the city's Serdika metro station. Commuters and visitors alike can make out the remains of streets, an early Christian basilica, and baths and houses dating from the 4th to 6th centuries.

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Church of Saint George -

Built in the early 4th century as a Roman baths complex, this red brick rotunda later became the Church of Saint George. It is considered the oldest building in modern Sofia and famed for the frescoes inside the central dome.

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Vitosha -

Outdoor enthusiasts ensconced in Sofia are rewarded with the best of both worlds because on the outskirts of the city there's Vitosha to visit. A mountain massif and the closest site for hiking, mountaineering, and skiing, Vitosha is the oldest nature park in the Balkans.

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Zlatnite Mostove -

One of Vitosha's remarkable natural wonders is the stone river known as Zlatnite Mostove. A well-known rock landform resulting from erosion, Zlatnite Mostove is poetically called "Golden Bridges" after the golden color of the lichens growing on the surface of stone run boulders.

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Pirin National Park -

Pirin National Park is one of three national parks found in Bulgaria and is renowned for its 118 crystal blue glacial lakes. Blessed with a wide variety of flora and fauna and an exceptional landscape, the park is worthy of its UNESCO World Heritage Site credentials.

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Rila Monastery -

Bulgaria's largest and most celebrated monastery, Rila has been a spiritual center for over 1,000 years. Located in the southwestern Rila Mountains and surrounded by an expansive nature park, Rila Monastery is one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical, and architectural monuments.

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Rila Monastery -

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rila triumphs with its remarkably colorful architecture and religious art. The vivid frescoes are singular in their detail and complexity, especially so within the main church.

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Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo -

Staying with religious architecture, the rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo located near the village of Ivanovo, 20 km (12 mi) south of Rousse, are also known for their astonishing frescoes, though these are far older, with many created during the 14th century. The collection of churches, chapels, and monasteries are fashioned out of solid rock and similarly benefit from UNESCO World Heritage protection.

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Srebarna Nature Reserve -

Dalmatian pelicans rule the roost at the wonderful Srebarna Nature Reserve. Comprising Lake Srebarna and its surroundings, Srebarna is an important wetland and lies under a bird migration route between Europe and Africa. While providing a habitat for many endangered bird species, Srebarna is especially known for its pelican population. The entire reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Madara Rider -

Look closely at this image. Can you make out a horse and rider? It's an early medieval large rock relief carved on the Madara Plateau, east of Shumen in northeastern Bulgaria. The man and his steed are dated at the beginning of the 8th century, though the meaning and symbolism of the depiction is uncertain. Nevertheless, UNESCO was suitably impressed to inscribe the unusual rock art on its World Heritage list.

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Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak -

Thracians crop up regularly in Bulgaria. They were an Indo-European speaking people, who inhabited large parts of Eastern and Southeastern Europe in ancient history, but mainly resided in the Balkans. You can visit a full-size replica of the Tomb of Kazanlak, part of a large royal Thracian necropolis in the Valley of the Thracian Rulers near the town of Kazanlak. The interior is decorated with murals representing a Thracian couple at a ritual funeral feast. The real tomb, dated back to the 4th century BCE, is set nearby but is closed to the public to preserve the rare and fragile artwork. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Nesebar -

Not only is scenic Nesebar a favorite Black Sea resort, but it's also an ancient city that was variously settled by the Thracians, Greeks, and Romans before becoming one of the most important Byzantine towns on the west coast of the Black Sea. Today it's a hugely popular tourist destination, though its collection of centuries-old buildings are thankfully protected by UNESCO.

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Sinemorets -

The village of Sinemorets on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast is noted for a wonderful slither of golden sand that's bordered on one side by the sea and on the other by the mouth of the Veleka River. The region falls within the boundaries of Strandzha Nature Park.

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Primorsko -

Picturesque Primorsko is one of Bulgaria's top Black Sea resorts. The city has a humid subtropical climate that makes it a favorable place for tourism. While its beaches are the principal draw, Primorsko is also a handy base from which to explore the protected Ropotamo nature reserve.

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Raisko Praskalo -

A world away from the coast is Raisko Praskalo waterfall, at 24 m (78 ft) in height the highest waterfall in the country and, indeed, the Balkan Peninsula. It cascades down from under Botev Peak in the central section of the Balkan Mountains.

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Musala -

For those with stout legs, a high point of any Bulgaria vacation is summiting Musala, at 2,925 m (9,596 ft) the country's loftiest peak. Pictured is a view of the mountain's famous Icy Lake (Ledeno Ezero), which as its name implies is fed by glacier melt.

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Pobiti Kamani -

Pobiti Kamani roughly translates as "planted stones," and refers to one of Bulgaria's most intriguing natural wonders. Located in Varna Province, the desert-like environment is distinguished by a series of calcareous columns formed by erosion. The only similar formations known are in Shark Bay and Nambung National Park, Australia.

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Veliko Tarnovo -

Veliko Tarnovo, a town situated in north central Bulgaria, glows in an abundance of historic architecture. The landmark Patriarchal Cathedral perched on the top of Tsarevets Hill is the most obvious example, standing as it does as part of a fortified medieval stronghold that helps reinforce the town's moniker, "City of the Tsars."

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Varna -

The largest city and seaside resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, Varna is possessed of a lengthy urban beach, which makes it a popular local draw in summer. Varna, however, is also known as the location of the Varna Necropolis, where the oldest gold treasure in the world, dating from 4,600 BCE to 4,200 BCE, was discovered at the site.

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Varna Archaeological Museum -

The numerous gold artifacts unearthed at Varna—the oldest processed gold in the world—can be admired at the Varna Archaeological Museum and at the National Historical Museum in Sofia.

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Plovdiv -

Plovdiv, still gleaming in the afterglow of its reign as European Capital of Culture 2019, is the second-largest city in Bulgaria. Plovdiv is especially known for its ancient Roman theater, arguably the best-known monument from antiquity in Bulgaria. The historic venue still hosts concerts today.

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Iskar River -

Bulgaria's Iskar River is a tributary of the Danube and at 368 km (228 mi) is the longest river that runs entirely within the country. It's seen here looping past the village of Karlukovo.

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Kaleto Fotress and Belogradchick Rocks -

The sandstone pillars known as the Belogradchick Rocks protrude from the ground over Kaleto Fortress to provide the northwestern Bulgarian town of Belogradchik with a spectacular double whammy—an imposing natural wonder and a Roman and Byzantine-era stronghold, both worthy of lengthy inspection.

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Melnik -

The pretty village of Melnik in Blagoevgrad Province, southwestern Bulgaria, is certainly worth a look for its architectural clout—96 of its buildings are cultural landmarks! Melnik is also a fruitful location to imbibe wine.

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Bulgarian wines -

The Thracians knew a thing or two about wine. And, of course, the Romans were experts in cultivating and maintaining vineyards. Bulgaria is one of Europe's unsung wine-growing destinations. Fortunately, there are plenty of wineries offering tastings, including Starata Izba ("The Old Cellar") in the village of Parvenetz, in the south of the country.

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Rakia -

On your travels you may well be offered a shot of rakia. It's a fruit brandy popular throughout the Balkans and usually made of plum or grape, but can also be distilled using peach, apple, pear (pictured), cherry, fig, blackberry, and quince. 

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Local cuisine -

Start the day like a local by ordering coffee and a freshly baked banista. These tasty warm pastries are usually served with white cheese, but can also arrive laden with cinnamon-sprinkled apple or sweet ripe pumpkin. Yummy!

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National dish -

Bulgaria's most famous dish is also its national salad. Shopska salad is a crispy mouthwatering combination of tomatoes, cucumbers, onion/scallions, raw or roasted peppers, sirene (white brine cheese), and parsley, the collective colors of which resemble those of the Bulgarian national flag.

Sources: (UNESCO World Heritage List) (Smithsonian Magazine) (Wine-Searcher)

See also: Cool salad combos for the hot days ahead

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