Amazing Castles In Bulgaria You Can Actually Stay In

Bulgaria, an Eastern European treasure, is famed for its rugged strongholds and rich royal history, so turrets and tradition practically come as standard here. Whether you’re in the capital of Sofia or the country’s underrated ski resorts like Bansko or Borovets, a hotel with a sense of history will make your holiday an unforgettable one. Here are some of the country’s most characterful castles for an overnight stay.

1. Royal Valentina Castle

Independent Hotel

A view of the grounds of Royal Valentina Castle, with covered terraces with seating, loungers and umbrellas, with the countryside all around

This spa hotel’s fairytale factor comes from its battlements and turrets. The castle can be found amid a magical rolling green forest close to Bulgaria’s Pirin National Park. Inside, the fantasy continues with four-poster beds, heavy tapestry rugs and exposed brick walls in rooms with glorious mountain views. Retreat to the outdoor pool, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi for an afternoon of pampering.

2. Magic Castle Hotel

Independent Hotel

The red and grey exterior of Magic Castle Hotel, with two cone-shaped towers, in winter

Less of a castle and more of a pretty mansion filled with bright, comfy rooms, the Magic Castle Hotel is within walking distance of Sofia’s centre. Arched windows and bedrooms in turret towers add character, while memory-foam mattresses, books to borrow and a home-cooked breakfast go above and beyond the offerings at most budget hotels.

3. Hotel Horlog Castle

Independent Hotel

The exterior of Hotel Horlog Castle, with some exposed stone, a turret and a tower with forest all around

Horse riding, hog roasts and hearty log fires are just some of the draws to this fairytale location. Hotel Horlog Castle sits in the town of Trigrad, deep in the Rhodope Mountains in southern Bulgaria, which accounts for its rustic, historical look. It features hefty wooden beams and stone fireplaces (in certain rooms), along with an outdoor terrace for enjoying the craggy, pine-fringed scenery. Hike to atmospheric caves with giant stalactites or ride the resident steeds through unspoilt valleys.

5. Hotel Royal Castle Design and Spa

Independent Hotel

Palm trees and sunbeds at the outdoor pool of Hotel Royal Castle Design and Spa in Bulgaria

Set on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast, this sprawling pleasure resort has an outdoor pool and a water park steps away from the beach, as well as a sizeable spa. The decor here is ebullient in a very Eastern European way, with black-and-silver headboards, velvet-upholstered Chesterfields and circular beds. Head to the cocktail bar for lashings of gold, marble and cowhide.

6. Complex the Castle

Independent Hotel

People skiing with children out front of Complex the Castle, with a red roof and two towers next to snow-covered pine trees

Only metres from Pamporovo’s finest ski slopes, Complex the Castle has simple, cream-and-pine rooms and lovely, rustic, stone-clad communal areas. With ski-in, ski-out access and a ski school, it’s a quaint, red-turreted base for Bulgaria’s hyper-affordable slopeside scene. A traditional tavern and many roaring fireplaces complete the old-world picture.

7. Festa Winter Palace

Chain Hotel, Spa Hotel

A fountain lit up at night out front of the Festa Winter Palace in Bulgaria

At the foot of Rila Mountain, this palatial ski hotel has the grand balconies and swirling dome that live up to its name. A comfy, homely base for the pristine Borovets ski resort, it has a limb-thawing spa and an indoor pool, as well as a glam terrace with cosy igloos to enjoy some après-ski drinks. Marble floors, chandeliers and wood panelling give a lick of glamour, while rooms look out to snow-dusted pines.

To see more, discover our guide to the most beautiful Medieval castles around the world.

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