9 Reasons Why Your Next Trip Should be Backpacking in Bulgaria

If there’s a surefire sign a backpacker will like a country, it is how cheap it is. You can travel in Bulgaria for two weeks at a fraction of the price you would pay for a week-long trip in Western Europe.

Traveling can become more and more predictable and kind of bland because you have seen every sight on the internet before really visiting it. In Bulgaria, however, you still have the chance to experience a culture shock, especially if you diverge from the main routes and head to the villages.

Choose the Rhodopes if you like curvier, softer mountains with more forests, and Rila or Pirin if you enjoy rocky, rugged mountainous landscapes. A night at a mountain hut normally costs between four and 10 euros. While the conditions are basic and the rooms usually host from four to 15 guests, this is not something that will scare a seasoned backpacker. Take a map and a compass, or hire a guide if you are not confident about your orientating skills.

Has the idea of walking barefoot on living embers ever crossed your mind? In Bulgaria, this is a tradition observed every year on June 3. June is the month of the Rose Festival, while January to March is the period of the monster festivals called Kukeri. Whenever you come to Bulgaria, you have something exciting to add to your calendar.

Ryanair and Wizzair both fly to Bulgaria with planes landing in Sofia (the biggest number of destinations available), Plovdiv, Burgas, and Varna. Public transportation will then quickly and easily take you to numerous other destinations around the country.

Most parts of the country are easily accessible by public transportation and you won’t have to break the bank. Trains are the cheapest, buses are quite affordable too, and even taxis cost less than 0.50 euro per km.

Sofia, Burgas, Plovdiv, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Ruse… the biggest cities of Bulgaria have cultural spaces, themed bars, and a creative crowd that shapes their modern appearance. If you ask around, you will also find sub-cultures, underground music venues, and local hobby groups.

From wineries to clay houses and art-designed city apartments, Bulgaria is full of creative people who have built truly unique places to stay. This can turn every trip into a special experience.

You can’t get bored with too much sun and too many beaches as the nearest mountain is usually less than 60 miles away. Wineries offer guided tours and wine tastings all over the country with a special note to the local grape varieties. As a whole, Bulgaria is such a versatile country, that you can have a completely different day every day.