Buying Bulgarian property or taking holidays in Bulgaria - Where to go
Whether you are planning to live in your Bulgarian property permanently or just taking your annual holidays in Bulgaria, you will soon discover that this small Balkans country is something very special. From the mystical snowy mountains to lively warm Sunny Beach, Bulgaria is a country of extraordinary contrast crammed with fascinating historical, cultural and natural wonders.
From fishing villages to modern Sunny Beach, Bulgaria´s coast glistens
Bulgaria´s Black Sea coast stretches for 380km (236 miles) and features a string of resorts catering to local and foreign tourists. Golden Sands and Sunny Beach, Bulgaria´s two largest resorts, are particularly popular with investors in Bulgarian property and tourists on package holidays. In Bulgarian resorts, entertainment and sports activities are heavily focussed on families.
A sunny climate, safe swimming and wide sandy beaches characterise the northern Black Sea coast with the lively town of Varna a good base from which to explore the Zlatni Plassaci National Park. To the south are picturesque bays and unusual rock formations, plus the port of Bourgas which is flanked by the one-time Greek fishing villages of Sozopol and Nessebur.
Rila and Bachkovo monasteries - two architectural gems
Bulgaria has eight impressive monasteries dating from the Byzantine period but the biggest and most famous is Rila which was founded in the 10th century. With its exquisite architecture, rich murals and icons and valuable museum collection of treasures, it is considered one of the most significant monuments on the Balkan peninsula. On a slightly smaller scale, Bachkovo monastery near Plovdiv is also of architectural, artistic and literary significance and has beautiful murals dating from the 11th and 14th centuries.
For natural beauty, the mountains cannot be beaten
The natural beauty of this small country is especially striking to those taking holidays in Bulgaria for the first time, but it is the dominance of its magnificent mountains with their snow covered peaks, ice blue lakes and cool pine forests, that impress travellers most.
Among the peaks are a sprinkling of ski resorts where many Brits have bought Bulgarian property. These include Borovets in the Rila Mountains, Bansko in the Pirin Mountains and Pamporovo in the Rhodope mountain range. All are popular destinations for ski holidays. Bulgaria´s mountains are also home to mineral spas, quaint traditional villages, a sprinkling of monastries and many opportunities for hiking, caving, eco-tourism and winter sports.
Sofia - a charming mix of old and new
Most people planning to buy Bulgarian property arrive in the capital, Sofia. So do a majority of tourists taking holidays in Bulgaria. But only a small proportion take the time to discover its wealth of museums, galleries and modern cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Among its principal sights are St Sofia, the capital´s oldest Eastern Orthodox church, which dates from the 4th century and was once turned into a mosque; St George´s Rotunda, the oldest building in Sofia, which is situated amid the remains of a Roman settlement and has layers of medieval frescoes; and the modern Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, one of the symbols of the city, built above the fascinating Icon Museum.
Bulgaria´s cities tell tales of Thrace and Rome
Plovdiv, Bulgaria´s second city, is older than most European towns including Rome, Athens and Constantinople and has had many different names bestowed upon it by its many conquering rulers. Its carefully preserved old town contains beautiful examples of traditional Bulgarian property, a couple of Roman amphitheatres and the ruins of Eumolpias, a 2nd millennium BC Thracian settlement. Veliko Tarnovo, the country´s original capital, also has relics from Roman and Thracian days, plus many medieval monuments. It has a significant artistic community and, although long popular with Bulgarians as a tourist destination, is a new discovery to most foreign visitors enjoying their holidays in Bulgaria.Only by travelling around the country can visitors really appreciate what Bulgaria offers. It is a wonderful country, small in size but rich in ancient culture, scenic splendour, friendly people and old-fashioned warmth and hospitality. So if you´ve bought Bulgarian property, are thinking about doing so, or are simply enjoying some well earned holidays in Bulgaria, it is worth exploring that little bit further afield.
