The Most Beautiful Train Journeys In Bulgaria

If traveling by train and enjoying the ever-changing scenery outside your window while chatting with your new friends in the compartment is the way you prefer to explore a new country, Bulgaria is perfect for you. You can reach many of the major tourist spots in the country by train, meeting locals and saving money at the same time, since this is the cheapest means of transportation in the Balkan country. Here is a list of some of the most scenic routes you can take.

The Iskar River Gorge

After the liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule in 1878, the entire nation started building the new country – from roads and cities to new railroads, which were considered a great innovation at the time. The construction of the railroad section cutting through the Iskar River Gorge (from Sofia to Svoge) was followed closely by everyone, and some of the most popular writers at the time dedicated short stories to it (Aleko Konstantinov, Ivan Vazov). The railroad itself twists and turns following the curves of the Iskar River through the gorge while moving from village to village. All of the settlements up until the town of Vratsa are scattered on steep hills on both sides of the tracks and are full of natural wonders worth visiting, such as waterfalls, caves and scenic eco-trails.

The Narrow-Gauge Train

The Rose Valley

Take the train from Sofia to Kazanlak for the chance to travel through part of the Rose Valley. The towns of Pavel Banya, Karlovo, and Kazanlak are where many rose and lavender fields can be spotted in June. Kazanlak itself is the capital of the Rose Valley with its month-long Rose Festival taking place every year. Join the rose parade, or spend the night in the town to get up before sunrise and join the traditional rose-picking organized every weekend during the festival.

The Sunny Beach Train

The Sunny Beach Train (Slanchev Bryag in Bulgarian) is a fast train that runs from Sofia to the seaside city of Burgas, traversing the entire country from west to east. The 250-mile-long (400 km) route takes six and a half hours (it is not really fast compared to other European high-speed trains), which means you can grab a coffee and a good book and get a chair by the window at the café-carriage. This train is packed with vacationers in the summer, but it can be a very relaxed experience off-season.

The Plovdiv – Karlovo train

Plovdiv and Karlovo are located in the Thracian valley, which might mean a bit of flat scenery out of the window, but it is in no way repetitive. Rapeseed, sunflowers, wheat – the colors and texture of the patches of land along the route are ever-changing. The train is used only by locals from the surrounding villages. You will see old ladies bringing bags of fresh produce from their gardens, discussing the latest gossip from the village. The final station is in the historical town of Karlovo, known for its beautiful old quarter with Revival houses, a waterfall, and a laid-back atmosphere at the foot of the Stara Planina mountain range.

Check the website of the Bulgarian State Railway Company for information about routes and ticket prices.

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