Love sports and activity holidays? In Bulgaria, the great outdoors is really great!
Whether you are living in Bulgaria permanently or are just taking a well-earned break, the country´s great outdoors is always at your disposal. In winter, there is good-value skiing in Bulgaria´s mountains. For residents and trippers on holidays in Bulgaria´s coastal resorts, the summer brings a wide choice of watersports. And throughout the year there are many other activities available including (from 2007) golf in Bulgaria´s newly designed courses.
Snowboarding and skiing in Bulgaria´s mountains
Huge investment in infrastructure over the last few years has pushed snowboarding and skiing in Bulgaria to the top of the list of good-value destinations for beginner and intermediate level winter sports enthusiasts. The principal resorts used by foreigners on package holidays to Bulgaria´s mountains are Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo where many Brits have invested in property. Some of them are living in a Bulgarian apartment or chalet on a permanent basis. Others rent out their property mainly for winter holidays in Bulgaria.
Hiking and walking holidays in Bulgaria
Actually, you don´t need to be on your holidays in Bulgaria to enjoy a good walk in the country´s beautiful landscapes! As any foreigner living in Bulgaria soon discovers, this is fabulous walking country. Some 35,000km of waymarked paths take in wild mountain ranges, deep valleys, craggy gorges, pine forests, caves, highland meadows, picturesque villages and all kinds of unusual natural phenomena. These trails range from strenuous hikes for the serious walker taking a one or two week walking holiday in Bulgaria to easy strolls for those living in Bulgaria who just want an occasional day out in the fresh air. For further information, see our What to do in Bulgaria page.
Messing about on the river
Canoeing, kayaking and rafting are available at a number of locations after the snows have melted and the chance of skiing in Bulgaria is over for another season. Then the rivers Arda, Ossam, Stackevska, Struma and even the famous Danube become popular destinations for river sports. Canoeing and kayaking is also popular on the sparkling lakes of the Rhodopes mountains, and on the safe waters of the Black Sea coast.
Another river activity popular among people living in Bulgaria is fishing. The mountain streams offer excellent trout fishing, and there is also pike, carp and bream.
Mountain biking and cycling holidays in Bulgaria
One of the newest types of activity holidays in Bulgaria is mountain biking in the Rhodope Mountains where tours are now being offered with accommodation organised in advance. Similar arrangements are offered for cyclists on tours along the Black Sea coast.
Living on Bulgaria´s Black Sea coast means year-round watersports
With clean, safe and tideless waters, the Black Sea is a paradise for anyone keen on watersports. Quite apart from swimming, there is diving, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, parascending and sailing on offer. Specialist diving holidays in Bulgaria have recently become popular. This is mainly due to the number of shipwrecks in the Black Sea and also because the shallow water is perfect for beginners. One of the highlights is an ancient Roman port city submerged in just 12metres of water to the north of Varna.
Golf in Bulgaria - the time has come
Golf is a relatively new phenomenon in the Balkans and it is currently possible to play golf in Bulgaria on only three courses. However, five large golf complexes, each designed by famous golfers, are now in development and the greens should be ready in summer 2007.
Foreign interest in skiing in Bulgaria has grown over the last few years and led tourism chiefs to re-examine the potential of the country as a sports and outdoor pursuits destination. As a result, many specialist activity holidays in Bulgaria have been introduced. Golf in Bulgaria is expected to be a happy addition to the holiday scene soon. But enjoying the great outdoors does not have to be organised in advance or enjoyed in groups. As all Brits living in Bulgaria soon discover, the great outdoors has something to offer any one and everyone all year round.
