Location:
Bulgaria is situated in the South-Eastern Europe in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula. The country shares borders with Romania to the North, with Serbia and Macedonia to the West, with Greece and Turkey to the South. The Black Sea is its natural eastern border.
Area: 111 001.9 sq. km.
Population: 7.7 million
Capital: Sofia
Religion:
Eastern Orthodox Christians (85%), Muslims (13%), Catholics (1%)
Official language:
Alphabet:
Currency:
- The currency unit is the Bulgarian Lev (BGN). Pegged exchange rate: EUR 1 = BGN 1.95583
Time zone:
GMT+2.00 hours
Climate:
The climate in Northern Bulgaria is moderate continental, while the climate in Southern Bulgaria is intermediate continental tending to Mediterranean. The climate in the regions with an altitude of 1000-1200 m above sea level is mountainous and along the Black Sea coast it is maritime.
The average annual temperature is 10.5°C, in summer about 25°C and in winter about 0°C. The sea water temperatures in the tourist season May–October range around 23-28°C.
Nature, resorts and historical places:
Bulgaria is a unique country that combines rich folklore traditions and majestic nature. There are well-preserved historical monuments from ancient times as well as breath taking natural views. It impresses with the beauty of azure, warm sea and the magnificent mountains covered with snow.
The resort centres and holiday complexes Golden Sands, Sunny Beach, Rousalka, Dyuni, Albena, Riviera, Eleni and many others offer excellent accommodation for recreation and in terms of comfort rival world-famous seaside resorts.
Those who love snow-clad mountain tops, forests, untouched by civilization and green meadows, flecked with flowers, will come to like Bulgarian mountains. Among winter resorts the most popular are Borovets in Rila Mountain, Bansko in Pirin Mountain and Pamporovo in the Rhodopes Mountain.
Hot mineral water springs and healthy climate ever since ancient times have established Velingrad, Sandanski, Hisarya, Kostenets, Vurshets and other villages as balneological resorts.
Numerous are the natural sites to be visited - miraculous caves, fantastic rock-formations, rock-bridges, beautiful valleys and gorges, the unique Valley of Roses.
Medieval towns and fortresses have been preserved of ancient habitats (Cherven, Turnovo, Pliska, Preslav), National Revival architectural ensembles, picturesque monastery complexes with valuable frescoes and wood-carvings (Rila, Bachkovo, Rozhen, Preobrazhenie monasteries).
Zheravna, Nesebur, Bozhentsi, Arbanasi, Melnik, Koprivshtitsa, Kovachevitsa, Dolen, Shiroka Luka, Brushlyan and the Old Town of Plovdiv have been declared reserves.
Do not miss the chance to visit Bulgaria - one of the most fascinating countries in Europe.
Summer Resorts
The sunny summer, the warm sea water, the broad and cozy beaches, breezy parks, luxury hotels and good services attracts millions of tourists from all over the world every year to the Bulgarian Black sea resorts. The resort centers and holiday complexes Golden Sands, Albena, Sunny Beach, Duni, Eleni, Riviera and many others offer excellent accommodation for recreation and in terms of comfort rival world-famous seaside resorts.
Golden Sands
Golden Sands is one of the oldest and popular sea resorts on the Bulgarian coast. It is just 18 km. north of our sea capital Varna on a picturesque bay. The unique combination of the mild climate and sea water has influenced the flora and fauna in the complex. The climate is close to the Mediterranean resorts. The beach area is 3.8 km. long and 100 m wide at some points and is covered with fine golden sand. There are 2 mineral springs rising from the beach with temperature about 24°C and are suitable to cure asthma, arthritis, neurosis etc.
The resort offers great opportunities for tourists, looking for relax and enjoyment, combined with sport and entertainment facilities, like swimming pools with mineral water, tennis courts, spa and massage centers, mini gulf courses, basketball and volleyball facilities, water sports etc. Zlatni Piasaci has the “Blue Flag” award for clean and environment friendly resorts. The hotels are disposed between vast green areas and provide a large variety of services. Many of them have business and conference rooms and the complex is often a center of business meetings.
Albena
Albena is one the best resorts on the Black sea. It is situated 30 km north of Varna and 12 km south-west of Balchik. The resort has one of the best beaches in Europe and is around 5km long and 150m wide covered with golden fine sand. Albena possesses a modern and well developed infrastructure. There are so many activities that the tourists can do - around 8 football fields, 17 tennis courts, swimming pools, some of them with mineral water, beach volleyball grounds, a horse riding club. You can have a drink or enjoy a nice dinner in the classy restaurants and bars. Most of the hotels have a terraceline structure. The concept of this architecture is getting more sun in summer days. The hotels are from 4 stars to 1 star and offer different degree of comfort and luxury.
St. Constantin and Helena
A lovely resort, lost in greenery and coziness, very suitable for family recreation. The vacation complex is located just 8 km. north of Varna and it is the oldest Bulgarian Black Sea resort. Its construction started in 1908. Not very big and secluded it is offering great opportunities for relaxation around silence and calmness. The beach is around 5 km. long and is just great, covered with fine sand and cool clear water. The small bays are ideal for sunbathing, fishing and diving. The stylish hotels are providing fine services and they are all around a wood in which it is plenty of oak trees, elm-trees, pine, cedar and cypress. In the complex there are several mineral springs and their water is used in some outdoor pools and in some hotels providing spa services.
You can choose between a big number of sport activities like swimming, mini gulf, tennis, football, volleyball etc.
Sunny Beach
Sunny Beach is one of the biggest and most famous resorts across the Bulgarian sea cost.
It is situated about 35 km. north of Burgas and just 3km. To the south the complex is united with Nessebar. The building of the holyday resort starts in 1958. The choice of this area to be turned into a summer resort is influenced by its favorable geographical and climate conditions. The summer is warm but not very hot with nice breeze during the mornings and evenings. The beach strip is just lovely and it is around 7 km. long and 100 m. wide, covered with fine golden sand. The water is warm and clear. The shore is nice and smooth without sharp rocks, which makes it great for diving and swimming. The tourists can enjoy a great number of sport activities and entertainments. Tennis, mini gulf, bowling, volley ball, water skiing, fishing, football, surfing, yachting are just a small part of the enormous variety of featured services. There are all kinds of new hotels, built in different styles: Mediterranean, typical Bulgarian or Spanish style and all of them providing good service. A lot of restaurants, offering different type of cuisine and providing show programs and many bars and night clubs are available too. The resort is also famous with its intensive night life.
Nessebar
Nessebar is one of the oldest towns not just in Bulgaria but in Europe. It was known as Messemvria during the ancient ages. The town is situated 20 km. north of Burgas and just 2 km. from the famous resort Slanchev Briag (Sunny Beach). This is an unforgettable summer resort consisting of two parts – the new city part and the old town. The old part is on a peninsula and impresses with its beauty, romance and calmness of the antique houses and churches. At the very beginning of the old town there are remains of a fortress that add even more charm of the whole view. In the last 10 years Nessebar completely improved its aspect as a well developed resort, competitive with many traditional European holiday places. Within a very short time many attractive hotels appeared, offering fine services and a lot of them providing possibilities for business meetings and conferences. Nessebar also offers a big variety of restaurants, bars and discos of the fans of the night life.
The town is declared as an architectural and archeological reserve in 1956 and in 1983 its cultural monuments are added to the UNESCO list as a world cultural heritage.
Elenite
The vacation village Elenite is one of the most romantic resorts on the sea cost of Bulgaria where the Stara Planina Mountain joins the sea. It is situated east of Sunny Beach and about 50 km north of Burgas. This recreational village is known as one of the most attractive sea resorts in the country. The view of the green hills of Stara Planina that joins the blue sea water is just unbelievable. And all this combined with the fresh mountain air and the sea climate at the same time. The tourists will enjoy absolutely everything during their stay in Elenite. Refreshing walks in the green alleys, sunbathing at the beautiful beach and swimming and diving in the crystal water. The stay in this holiday village is a guarantee of an unforgettable and exciting vacation.
Duni holiday village
The Duni holiday village stays around 12 km. north of Primorsko and 6 km. south of Sozopol, situated on a cozy bay with crystal sea water. In the high season this prestigious resort is visited mostly by foreign tourists.
This attractive resort has a magnificent beach which is around 4 km. long and 90 m. wide, covered with hot, thick golden sand. The beach is "Blue Flag" winner thanks to its echo friendly conditions.
The bay is suitable for all kind of water sports like: wind surf, swimming, diving and more. In the resort there are around 7 tennis courts and several swimming pools. Duni is created in 1987 as a successful teamwork between Bulgarian and Austrian architects and it is completely renovated in 2000. Very close to the resort in south are Arkutino Natural Park and Alepu Marsh with Alepu firth – absolutely beautiful and virgin natural places that attract many tourists. Nearby is an island called St. Thomas or Snake Island, where there are all different types of Cactus. If you go south of the village and just 10 km. away is situated the national park "Ropotamo", with its water lilies.
Riviera
The vacation village Riviera is situated some 17 km. north of Varna, close to the resort Zlatni Piasaci “Golden Sands”. This is a lovely summer resort which name creates in the imagination the picture of romance, comfort, relax and coziness. The holiday village features a beautiful beach, covered with fine golden sand and crystal and warm sea water. There are possibilities for spa therapy. Apart for an unforgettable vacation and relax Riviera is a preferred resort for business meetings and conferences.
Winter Resorts
Bulgarian magnificent mountains are splendid for skiing, hiking and climbing. You will be attracted by natural phenomenon-rock formations, caves, gorges and waterfalls. Bulgarian ski resorts are famous in all Europe. Among winter resorts the most popular are Borovets in Rila Mountain, Bansko in Pirin Mountain and Pamporovo in the Rhodopes Mountain.
Pamporovo
is one of the biggest and best winter resorts in Bulgaria. It is situated about 250 km. south-east from the capital and 85 km. south of the second large city Plovdiv. The resort is in the heart of Rhodopa Mountain at the foot of one the highest and charming peaks in this mountain - Snejanka (1926 m.). The altitude of the resort is 1650 m. over the sea level.
Pamporovo is founded in 1933 and quickly becomes a favorite holiday place for many Bulgarian and foreign tourists. There are many tracks with different type and level of difficulty and it is convenient for professional and beginner skiers at the same time. The tracks have a common length more than 17 km. In the complex are available several lifts and tows with a capacity of more than 7000 people per hour. The lovely nature and the crystal air here make the resort a preferred place for vacation during the winter and the hot summer days.
Bansko
provides an interesting combination of the virgin nature of The Pirin Mountain and the atmosphere of the ancient Bulgarian small towns. The resort is situated in South-Western Bulgaria at the foot hills of one of the most beautiful Bulgarian mountains Pirin. The Pirin Mountain is a natural preserve included in the World Natural Heritage list. The distance between Sofia and Bansko is 160 km. The skiing conditions in Bansko are excellent. The Pirin Mountain has a predominantly Alpine character with 3 peaks towering above 2900 m. Bansko provide fascinating conditions for all kinds of winter sports such as alpine skiing, snowboarding and cross-country along with extreme sports such as high mountain climbing, ice climbing and hiking. The 13 runs with a total length of 65 km comply with the standards of FIS and are maintained in excellent conditions.
The town itself attracts visitors by its 120 cultural monuments, its museums and the permanent ethnographic exhibitions. A very interesting sight is The Holly Trinity church with its 30 m high bell tower and clock, splendid murals and woodcarvings.
Surrounded by The Pirin, The Rila and The Rhodopa mountains, Bansko is a nice mountain resort with short summer and long winter. The skiing season starts in the middle of December and ends in mid April.
Borovets
is the oldest and most popular mountain resort in Bulgaria. The resort is easily accessible, being at a stance of only 72 m from Sofia (the capital of Bulgaria) and 126 km from Plovdiv. The resort was created in the XIX century as a hunting base of Bulgarian kings. Borovets was developed into a modern ski resort of high class with luxury hotels, restaurants, discos, shops and a good choice of runs and lifts. The resort is providing excellent opportunities for the whole range of winter sports from the Alpine sports to cross-country skiing, ski-jumps and biathlon. The resort is a regular host of various winter sports competitions. It has twice hosted World Cup competitions in Alpine skiing. Its biathlon track is one of the best in Europe. There are18 ski runs with total length of 40 km.
Spa & Wellness
The natural thermal water springs in Bulgaria are some of the most sterling and unique resources of the country and welcome the prosperity of tourism. Over 800 hydro mineral springs clustered in over 240 water formations, rich in hot and cold mineral water with temperature varying in a wide range from 37° C up to 101° C, gush forth and spout out of the bowels of the Earth from a depth of over 2000 meters.
In the uniqueness, variety and abundance of hydrothermal, bioclimatic, mud treatment, sea cure, and other health resources, Bulgaria ranks among the first in Europe. Specialists are unanimous that all kinds of known mineral waters around the world find their counterpart in our country. Deposits of high quality peat and healing mud have been found at many places in the country.
The usage of the mineral waters varies from medical to recreational, from relaxing to strengthening the body. In line with the leading trends and tendencies, Bulgaria gets increasingly focused on the spa and wellness tourist services. A lot of tourist properties were established and continue to develop as well as hotels and recreational properties, where water treatment and procedures, recreating the internal harmony and physical strength of the body are applied and practiced. The experience gained in balneological procedures, as well as the well-educated and prepared medical personnel specializing in climatotherapy, physiotherapy, kinesitherapy and rehabilitation are not to be cast away.
Today enormous wealth of natural factors, combined with the country’s modern hotels and spa facilities, provide excellent possibilities for the year round effective treatment of the most widespread diseases of our times and truly make Bulgaria a country of health.
Bankya
The first (and still in operation) spa medical centre in Bulgaria was built in 1907-10 in the town of Bankya - one of the country’s best known and most frequented spa resorts. The climatic conditions are favourable for year-round spa treatment. The thermal spring of this town is slightly mineralized and is recommended for treating disturbances of the nervous system, cardiovascular system, as well as for preventing of diseases of the respiratory system, the locomotive, digestive and urinary systems.
Sapareva Banya
The hottest mineral water springs out with the power of a geyser in Sapareva Banya. The town is a mountain resort and one of the biggest balneology centers in Bulgaria. The thermal waters of Sapareva Bania are slightly mineralized and among the waters with the highest fluorine content. They are recommended for the locomotive and the nervous system, as well as for the treatment of gynecological malfunctions and skin diseases.
Sandanski
The town of Sandanski is famous not only as a balneology centre but also for its unique climate. Apart from its natural beauties and lush vegetation the resort also features a multitude of mineral springs. The Pirin Mountain protects the city from cold winds and the Struma river valley brings mild Mediterranean currents. The climate is warm, dry, almost fogless. Qualified experts have recognized Sandanski as the best place for the prophylaxis and treatment of rheumatism. Resort conditions are particularly conducive to the treatment of bronchial asthma. The waters are clear, colorless, and odorless, with a pleasant taste, slightly mineralized, hypothermal, slightly alkali. It is recommended for respiratory diseases as well as for the locomotive system, the peripheral nervous system, gynecological, skin, and urological, gastro enteric, endocrine and metabolic diseases. This remarkable combination of balmy, health giving weather and curative mineral water makes Sandanski the perfect place for modern climatic-therapy, spa treatment, rehabilitation, primary and secondary prophylaxis and recreation.
Hissar
The ancient Bulgarian town and world-famous spa resort of Hissar is situated in the centre of Bulgaria, at the foot of Sredna Gora Mountain, 40 km north of the city of Plovdiv and 160 km east of Sofia, close to the Valley of Roses. Hissar is a modern spa resort that offers all facilities needed for balneotherapy. There are 22 mineral springs in Hissar - 16 natural and 6 deeply drilled, with temperatures ranging from 37° C to 52° C. The mineral water is light, clear, colourless, and tasty. It is slightly mineralized, hypo- and hyper-thermal, with a predominance of hydro carbonic, sodium, sulphate and fluorine ions, as well as substantial amounts of radioactive gas. Hissar mineral water can be used both as drinking water and for the prevention and treatment of gastro-intestinal tract diseases, nephrolithiasis and nephrite-urological diseases, cholelithiasis, locomotive system diseases, gynecological diseases, kidney, liver and gall bladder diseases, endocrine-metabolically diseases, early atherosclerosis and processes of premature senility, dental diseases and prevention of dental caries, chronic heavy metal poisoning malfunctions with heavy metals and pharmaceutical substances.
Velingrad
The remarkable combination of balmy, weather and curative mineral spa waters makes the town of Velingrad one of the most attractive parts of the picturesque Rhodopes Mountains in Southern Bulgaria. Velingrad is a well-known spa and climatic resort in South Bulgaria. The resort’s mineral water well up from 70 springs with a total flow of over 10 000 l/sec. There are 70 sources of mineral water with curative and preventive properties. Mineral waters are hypothermal with temperatures ranging from 31° C to 71° C, slightly mineralized, fluorine, and sulphate-carbonate-sodium. Successfully treated here are almost all diseases and disorders off the human body systems. The treatment of non-specific diseases of the respiratory tract is particularly successful. Considerable experience has been accumulated in the efficient treatment of diseases of the locomotive system, nervous diseases and gynecological disorders. Together with the numerous mineral waters Velingrad takes pride in another natural phenomenon as well - the Kleptutsa spring. This is the biggest Karst spring in Bulgaria with a flow rate of 900 l/sec.
Narechen
The Narechen mineral bath is another famous balneology resort situated in the Rhodopes Mountain set amid magnificent pine forest 45 kilometers south-west of the city of Plovdiv. The Narechen baths consist of 14 spring mineral waters. The hypothermic waters contain radon, sulphates and hydro carbonates of sodium and calcium, silicon and small amounts of fluorine, and have a weak alkaline reaction. They are clear, colorless and palatable. The radon content ranges from moderate to high. It is suitable for the treatment of functional disturbances of the nervous system, cardio vascular diseases, and metabolic problems. Its positive influence on the gastroenterological system, gallous, respiration organs and kidneys is proven.
Devin
The town of Devin is a well-known balneology resort and is famous since ancient times with the healing qualities and the rich variety of mineral springs. They are combined with healthy mountain climate, pure forest air and modern hotel and wellness base which turn the town into an ideal place for balneology and spa tourism. The water is slightly mineralized with high alkalis. It is recommended for treatment and prophylaxis of degenerative joint diseases of the locomotive system, treatment of the nervous system functional diseases, disorders of cardiovascular and reproduction systems as well as for kidney and urological, lever, gallous and endocrine diseases.
Pavel Banya
Situated on the right bank of the Tundja river, Pavel Banya is an unquestionable leader in the top chart of the Bulgarian resorts. The mineral waters spring from seven natural and drilling sources with similar chemical composition. Most of the waters are fluoride, slightly miniralized. Pavel Banya is a leading centre of rehabilitation and healing of diseases of the locomotor and the nervous system. But the most effective results are achieved in the treatment of diseases of the locomotory system and traumatic conditions of the spinal cord. The air is extremely clean and rich in negative iron ions which have a beneficial effect on the mucous lining of the respiratory tract and on the nervous system.
Stara Zagora Mineral Baths
In the vicinity of the town of Stara Zagora are the Stara Zagora Mineral Baths - a spa resort famous for ages. They are widely visited because of their closeness to the town and the curative effect in the treatment of diseases of the digestive, urinary and endocrine systems, considerable experience in treatment of the locomotive system, nervous diseases and gynaecological disorders and other conditions for healing of heavy metals/ chronic lead based intoxications.
Varshets
Varshets is the most unique balneology center in the region of Western Balkan Mountain Range. One of the oldest and most popular resorts in Northern Bulgaria, it is famous for its curative mineral springs, mild mountain climate, beautiful scenery and a large well-kept park. It is an ancient Bulgarian village. The temperature of water from the “Hot spring“ is 36.4° C, the other cold mineral water spring has a temperature of 32,6° C. The mineral water of Varshets is suitable for external use, as well as for inhalations, irrigations and drinking. It is applied for treatment of functional diseases of the central nervous system, cardiovascular diseases; various diseases of the cardiac muscle and valves; chronic cardiac insufficiency; post-infraction conditions; endocrine and metabolic diseases. Good results have also been achieved in the treatment of some diseases of the peripheral nervous system, the locomotive system and some gastrointestinal diseases and retina disorders.
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