Country book · Europe

Bulgaria

Rose fields, yogurt, and ancient Thracian gold

Bulgaria is one of Europe's oldest countries by continuous name, home to Thracian tombs full of gold, rose valleys that supply much of the world's rose oil, and monasteries tucked into mountain folds. It nods yes by shaking its head — one of many delightful quirks.

Myths

What's true, what isn't

Actually true

Bulgarians shake their heads for yes
A nod up-and-down can mean no, and side-to-side can mean yes — a genuine source of confusion for visitors.
Bulgaria produces most of the world's rose oil
The Rose Valley near Kazanlak supplies attar of roses for a large share of the global perfume industry.
Yogurt culture originated here
Bulgarian yogurt uses a specific bacterium, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, discovered by a Bulgarian scientist in 1905.
Thracian gold treasures are real and stunning
Tombs like the Kazanlak and Panagyurishte finds reveal one of ancient Europe's richest civilizations.

Commonly believed, wrong

"Bulgaria is basically Russia"
Despite Slavic language ties and Orthodox faith, Bulgaria has its own distinct Thracian-influenced history and identity.
"It has no coastline worth visiting"
The Black Sea coast has resort towns, UNESCO-listed Nessebar, and long sandy beaches near Varna.
"It's flat and unremarkable"
The Rila and Pirin mountains hold glacial lakes and peaks over 2,900 meters.
"Cyrillic script originated in Russia"
The Cyrillic alphabet was developed in the First Bulgarian Empire in the 9th century, a major national point of pride.

Highlights

The best of Bulgaria

Rila Monastery

A striped, frescoed monastery hidden in pine-covered mountains, Bulgaria's spiritual heart.

The Rose Valley

Endless fields of Damask roses harvested at dawn each June near Kazanlak.

Nessebar's old town

A UNESCO peninsula of ancient churches and wooden houses on the Black Sea.

The Seven Rila Lakes

Glacial lakes stacked at different altitudes, reachable by cable car and hiking trail.

Culture

Cultural riches

Thracian heritage

Gold treasures and beehive tombs reveal one of ancient Europe's wealthiest civilizations.

Nestinarstvo fire dancing

A ritual barefoot dance over hot embers, preserved in Strandzha villages.

Choral folk singing

Bulgarian women's choirs produce a distinctive dissonant harmony recognized by UNESCO.

Cyrillic alphabet heritage

Created by disciples of Saints Cyril and Methodius, celebrated each May 24th nationwide.

Food

What to eat

Banitsa

Flaky pastry layered with eggs and sirene cheese, eaten for breakfast nationwide.

Shopska salad

Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and grated sirene cheese, a Bulgarian summer staple.

Kavarma

A slow-cooked clay-pot stew of meat and vegetables, often served bubbling at the table.

Bulgarian yogurt

Thick, tangy kiselo mlyako made with a native bacterial culture, eaten daily.

Rakia

A fruit brandy, usually plum or grape, distilled at home and served before meals.

History

Important people in history

Khan Asparuh

c. 640 — 700/1

Founded the First Bulgarian Empire in 681, one of Europe's oldest continuously named states.

Tsar Simeon I the Great

864 — 927

Presided over Bulgaria's medieval golden age of literature and territorial expansion.

Vasil Levski

1837 — 1873

Revolutionary hero and national symbol of the fight for independence from Ottoman rule.

Cities