Camping in Bulgaria can be a very exciting way to discover the country but, depending on your previous experience with camping in foreign countries, you may need to know a few important things about camping and campsites in Bulgaria. Here’s our guide to the best places to go.
You will find the most popular campsites in Bulgaria at the seaside and at the banks of big reservoirs. Wild camping is also widely practised, both at the seaside and in the mountains. Most Bulgarian campsites have two major drawbacks – most of them are managed by a new team every summer and you can never be sure that you will have the same conditions and prices, and usually they offer nothing more than the very basic conditions and hygiene. Many don’t have websites either, with new Facebook pages popping up every summer, so finding a contact may be a little bit of a hassle. The glamping concept is still new to Bulgaria, although the first attempts for luxury camping accommodation are already in place.
Krapets is a small village, just a few miles from the Romanian border, that has been known for its wild beach camping zone. A long stretch of coast comes along with a shady forest where you can pitch your tent for free, less than a minute’s walk from the sea. There is also a private campsite where you will find basic accommodation options (a few bungalows and toilets) if you prefer to have running water and electricity.
Krapets Campsite, Bulgaria, +359 88 646 4664
Cosmos Campsite is located in the north part of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, near the village of Durankulak and the Durankulak Lake famous for the ancient archaeological findings discovered on an island in it. The campsite has basic bungalows in a shady forest, each with three beds, or you can visit it by sleeping in your camper van or a tent. There’s a beach restaurant and a beach bar but as a whole, the place has a remote and tranquil atmosphere.
Cosmos Campsite, Durankulak, Bulgaria, +359 88 723 5332
Smokinya is one of the locals’ favorite beach campsites located a few miles away from the seaside resort of Sozopol. There are heaps of beach bars and places to eat around, as well as a few other campsites.
Smokinya Campsite, Sozopol, Bulgaria, +359 88 872 9865
Gradina is one of the legendary campsites on the south coast, not far from Smokinya and Sozopol. It is one of the busiest spots in summer, with live concerts at the beach bars and an overall party vibe. Camper vans, bungalows, and tents are available to rent, but you can also rent a space to settle your own camp.
Gradina Campsite, Sozopol, Bulgaria, +359 55 022 524
The first Bulgarian glamping site will offer you a comfy bed with clean sheets under the stars and a pine canopy. It is tucked away in the pine woods at Gradina Beach and has 10 tents with double beds, or two single beds to choose from.
Glamping Gora, Sozopol, Bulgaria
This is a campsite located between two villages in the hilly area close to the historical city of Veliko Tarnovo in Bulgaria. There are rental accommodations (including bungalows, vans, and a pool villa) as well as camping spots for camper vans or tents. You can upgrade your camping stay with a swimming pool with a beautiful natural vista here, and this is enough of a reason to head to north Bulgaria.
Camping Veliko Tarnovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, +359 88 687 7244
Wild camping is legal in Bulgaria and you are not required to pay for it. You are not allowed to camp in private property, in national and natural parks, and in nature reserves. More often than not, you will be chased away or asked to pay by the owners if you camp in front of a mountain hut, so you’d better ask before you pitch your tent.