Exciting adventures, breathtaking views and unforgettable moments – these are just some of the things that we, the Bulgarian travel bloggers, will share with you for the 8th year in a row. With this new list, we will once again take you on a journey through the most beautiful corners of Bulgaria, revealing hidden treasures and popular destinations that deserve the attention of every travel enthusiast. From majestic mountains to picturesque seashores, from historic cities to cozy villages – in this article we will present you with the favorite places of Bulgarian travel bloggers in 2024. Join us and discover your new favorite destinations!
Table of Contents
Dario from Exploring beyond Sofia: Museum of Ceramics
Nestled in the heart of the picturesque village of Busintsi (Pernik region), the Museum of Ceramics tells a fascinating story of ancient craftsmanship, creativity and tradition. Here, in a region with a thousand-year-old ceramic tradition, you can experience the unique Busintsi vessels – known for their fine ornaments and exquisite balance between aesthetics and functionality. A walk through the museum is a true journey back in time – from the clay coming to life in the hands of the masters, to the innovations that bring this tradition to the present day. Immerse yourself in the magic of Busintsi ceramics and discover how a craft technique has become a symbol of Bulgaria’s cultural heritage, and all this for the modest sum of 2 leva.
Rositsa from Trips with Rosie: The “Stone Forest”
The “Stone Forest” near Varna are a unique natural phenomenon and the only desert area in Bulgaria, although geologists do not officially define them as a desert. They are also known as the “Stone Forest” and “Dikliktash”. Few people know that these stone formations occur in as many as 14 different locations. The largest groups are the Dikliktash, the “Beloslav Rocks”, and the “Slanchevo-South Stones”. In 2024, I was also able to capture the Northern Lights at this exact location, as seen in the photo.
The origin of the “Stone Forest” remains a mystery, with scientists offering multiple theories as to their formation. Nature has been creating these majestic stone monoliths for thousands of years. The most popular and likely theory is that millions of years ago there was a sea at this location. According to some scientists, the stones are remnants of coral reefs, biogenic algal formations, or fossilized gas vents, supporting the hypothesis of organic origin. Others, however, believe that their formation is the result of mechanical processes such as erosion, weathering and groundwater action.
Stefan from Photo moments: Medieval fortress “Podvis” (Povisd) in the area of Gradishte near the village of Gradat
My dear friends, I suggest that we embark together on another fascinating adventure that will take us to the midst of the wonderfully beautiful Rhodopes, bewitching every stranger with their immeasurable charm. I will show you around the medieval fortress “Podvis” in the area of Gradishte, located on a hill between the Smolyan villages Gradat (to the north) and Podvis (to the south), better known today as the Momchilova fortress. And while we enjoy the epic and stunning 360-degree panoramas revealed from this old Bulgarian stronghold, I will tell you about the Rhodopes ruler Momchil – the last ruler of the fortress.
Elеna from Drumi v Dumi: Zlatograd and around
Zlatograd is a beautiful and very lively Rhodope town, close to the border between Bulgaria and Greece. In recent years, it has become popular for its authentic white revival houses and the open-air Ethnographic Complex. A lesser-known fact about Zlatograd is that it is the birthplace of the Bulgarian hero Delyu Haydutin. I have been to Zlatograd several times and I always enjoyed being there. The town has its own look and cozy vibe. This year we spent a long weekend there and enriched our impressions.
In Zlatograd and around, you can visit quite many interesting sights – Renaissance houses, churches, rock phenomena, waterfalls, fortresses.
Mariana from Nomads time: Heraclea Sintica
Once upon a time, there was a magnificent ancient metropolis called Heraclea Sintica. Its population numbered over 40,000 people, and its forum and commercial street were always filled with lively chatter. The city was so significant that the Macedonian king Philip II chose it as his summer hunting residence. The city’s prosperity lasted from the 5th century BCE to the 6th century CE. Unfortunately, after several natural disasters, the glory of Heraclea Sintica faded away. For over 100 years, archaeologists have been searching for the lost city until a fortuitous discovery proved that it was located just 2 kilometers from the present-day village of Rupite near the town of Petrich.
Yavor from Just walked: Maiden cliffs
Looking for an exciting walk near Sofia? Be sure to try the ecotrail “View of nine mountains”. It starts from the village of Sirishtnik (near Pernik), and ends at the Sirishtnishka rudina peak (1172 m). The panoramic view from the top is incredible – on a clear day, you can see nine mountains – Cherna Gora, Vitosha, Verila, Golo Bardo, Rila, Pirin, Konyavska, Zemenska, and Penkyovska. The round trip takes about 3 hours.
Along the way to the peak, you’ll see a small chapel and a stone mosaic called “The Eye”. Here, you can place a stone in the designated area and breathe new life into the stone quarry.
Nadezhda from Traveler diary: Staro Zhelezare
Staro Zhelezare is a truly inspiring village – an open-air art gallery, where every house and every wall tells a story. The initiative is the work of artist Ventsislav Piryankov and his wife Katarzyna, who, together with their students, return here every summer to create art and turn the village into one of the largest and most permanent open-air art galleries.
Fairy-tale characters, world-famous stars, political figures, poets, revolutionaries, famous works, current world issues, and many more, come to life on the walls. They all give the village its unique appearance. A walk through Staro Zhelezare is like a journey through an endless gallery – each alley reveals a new artistic experience that encourages you to discover more and more.
Victoria from MyTrips2Remember: The “Three Smolyan Lakes” eco-trail
The “Three Smolyan Lakes” eco-trail is located about 10 km from Smolyan and it is a magical and easily accessible place to escape into the wild nature of the Rhodope Mountains.
The region has a unique natural feature – negative ionization of the air, which has an extremely beneficial effect on human health. Dense coniferous forests produce phytoncides, which make the air especially healthy for people suffering from allergies and chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
The eco-trail goes around the lakes: Trevisto, Bistro and Matno.
The route is circular and starts from the Trevisto Lake. It is the largest of the three, and the most picturesque in my opinion.
The trail continues to the Bistro Lake, but unfortunately it was almost dry, except for a very small marshy part of it. Locals say that when the snow melts in the spring, it fills up again and its waters reveal the centuries-old spruces that surround it.
After the Bistro Lake, a slightly steeper forest section begins, which leads to the third lake – Matno Lake. Its waters are indeed quite murky, in places even dark brown to black. It is the deepest – 4.5m and the highest – at 1500m above sea level.
It is worth walking along every centimeter of this magical place!
Nadezhda from Family Travel Spirit: Belogradchik Rocks
You’ve probably heard about the unique natural phenomenon in Western Bulgaria – the Belogradchik Rocks. These incredible rock formations have bizarre shapes resembling people, animals, and mythical creatures. A sight we simply had to see!
Despite all the traveling we’ve done across Bulgaria, we had never been there. So, we planned a visit to this special place in spring – and it was the perfect decision. Everything was lush and green, there weren’t too many visitors, and the reddish- brown rocks stood out even more against the vibrant landscape. The Belogradchik Rocks impressed us not only with their appearance but also with the opportunities for walks and breathtaking views.
The best way to explore them is from the “Kaleto” Fortress, located in the heart of the rocks. From there, you can feel the connection between history and nature while
enjoying panoramic views of the surroundings. We dedicated about a day and a half to exploring the rocks, but that’s because we have two small children and wanted to fully enjoy every corner. The walks in the area are peaceful, and the views are stunning, especially when the sunlight hits the rocks, highlighting their unique shapes.
Don’t forget to add them to your list of must-visit places!
Stanislava from Sun and Sunny: Village of Mandritsa
Did you know that there is an Albanian village in Bulgaria? Nestled in the Eastern Rhodopes, the village is located just 2 km from the Greek border. Its history dates back to 1636 when the village was founded by two Albanian brothers. Later, Albanians and Thracians started to mix, where the common religion contributed to it as well. The three main livelihoods in Mandritsa were silk farming, production of sesame and tobacco. The architecture of the three floor houses was in accordance with the production of silk. There are two churches in the village and a separate bell tower, which can still be seen today next to the church of St. Dimitar.
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