Bulgaria is the ultimate winter wonderland – and I have the photos to prove it! Here are my favourite pictures of Bulgaria in winter to inspire your visit, plus my winter travel tips.
Bulgaria was the very first stop on my overland trip across the Balkans. I spent just over four weeks in the country over December and January, including the holidays.
Looking for an easy Bulgaria itinerary? Here’s a winter-approved road trip route.
Exploring snow-dusted castles, getting rugged up for a night out in Sofia, sipping honey rakia at a cute bar in Plovdiv – these are my favourite memories of Bulgaria. This country has a particularly charm in the colder months, which is why I encourage you to explore Bulgaria in winter.
Here are 40 photos that prove Bulgaria is the perfect winter destination in Europe.
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Bulgaria essentials
Here are my favourite resources to help you organise your trip to Bulgaria.
FLIGHTS: Find affordable flights to Bulgaria on Skyscanner.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: Insure your trip with HeyMondo, my preferred provider for single-trip and annual travel insurance.
VISAS: Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa for Bulgaria and apply for an expedited visa online.
SIM CARD: Buy an eSIM and data package for Bulgaria online before you go. My top choice is the Eurolink eSIM from Airalo (10 GB for 30 days).
AIRPORT TRANSFER: Pre-book a private transfer to your hotel in Sofia (prices start from $25 per car).
ACCOMMODATION: Find the best hotel deals in Bulgaria on Booking.com.
CAR HIRE: Use Local Rent to hire a budget-friendly car from a local agent or Discover Cars to hire through an international rentals company.
DAY TRIPS & CITY TOURS: Find the best city tours and day excursions in Bulgaria using Get Your Guide or Viator.
My best photos of Bulgaria in winter
For convenience, I’ve organised my Bulgaria pictures by place.
I visited four destinations in Bulgaria – Sofia, Rila Monastery, Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo – all of which look and feel incredible in winter, and should definitely be on your Bulgaria travel wish list!
As well as photos, I’ve also included lots of practical tips and suggestions for your Bulgaria itinerary.
Sofia in winter
Small as she may be, Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital city, packs thousands of years of history into her winding streets and heritage architecture. No trip to Bulgaria would be complete without at least a few days in Sofia.
I spent a total of two weeks in the city. I would suggest two nights at a minimum to give you time to peel back the layers of history and culture.
If you’re looking for a cosy place to stay in Sofia, check out my list of the city’s best Airbnbs.
Sofia in winter is a particularly special experience. I arrived just after the last snow of the year had all but melted away, leaving a light dusting on the rooftops and the dome of Alexander Nevski Cathedral.
Make no mistake, Sofia in winter is cold. I struggled to be outside for more than a few hours before the biting chill got to me. Luckily there is no shortage of cafes, museums and galleries to dive into.
In Roman times, Sofia was known as Serdica. Such was the splendour of the city, Constantine the Great is famously quoted as saying “Serdica is my Rome.”
Ruins of churches, bathhouses and a fortress lie beneath Sofia’s streets. In some of the underground metro stations, you can see excavation beds where building foundations and archaeological finds have been uncovered.
If you happen to ride the metro while you’re in Sofia, you’ll be cruising on the very same route Romans used to take. The metro lines are cleverly built to mirror the ancient roads that ran through Sofia on their way from Belgrade to Istanbul.
Sofia’s most iconic building is the Neo-Byzantine Alexander Nevski Cathedral. In the belly of the Orthodox church – one of the 50 largest in the world – you’ll find the Alexander Nevsky Crypt Icon Museum.
No trip to Sofia would be complete without seeing the cathedral in the flesh. As you approach the building via a wide boulevard, its gold domes glimmer, offset by the beautiful green patina of the bronze roofs.
The best vantage point is from the eastern side, where you can see the full stack of green domes arranged in a vertical row.
From the most conspicuous church in Sofia to one that’s almost completely hidden. The Church of St. George was originally built as a Roman bath and later converted into a church.
Today, it’s completely hemmed in by hulking Communist-era buildings and can only be seen by ducking through a back gate. The design is very similar to the Rotunda in Thessaloniki.
A strong through Sofia’s so-called Square of Tolerance reveals more beautiful religious buildings, all set within walking distance of each other, hence the name.
Banya Bashi, the city’s only mosque, Sofia Synagogue, the third-largest synagogue in Europe, Russian Orthodox and Bulgarian Orthodox churches are all worth making a detour for.
Back in the day, Sofia’s Central Mineral Baths were a place for rest and respite a la Budapest’s thermal baths. The candy striped building was transformed into a history museum in the 1980s. In the last couple of years, locals have been petitioning to have it restored to its original function as a public bath.
No fewer than eight different mineral waters from more than 40 springs course under the streets of Sofia, each purportedly healing a different ailment. Adjacent to the former bathhouse you’ll find a set of fountains where locals flock to fill up 10 gallon bottles with the precious waters.
Sofia’s pretty turn-of-the-century architecture is thrown into relief by the Socialist style buildings that dominate downtown. Largo Square, the Communist Party Headquarters building, and the former GUM Department Store (the first and for a long time only building in Bulgaria with escalators) all cut a striking silhouette.
Wander down Boulevard Vitosha, Sofia’s main pedestrianised street, to visit the most imposing Communist-era building of all, the NDK (Palace of Culture).
The Saint Sofia monument above the Serdika metro station is positioned where a massive statue of Lenin once stood. You can see it – plus a range of other political busts and Communist Party propaganda – at the wonderful open-air Socialist Art Museum.
One of the best things about travelling in Bulgaria in winter is the food. Hearty Bulgarian cuisine is made for winter; no matter how cold it is outside, a big plate of grilled kebapche is guaranteed to warm you up.
My favourite restaurants in Sofia are 33 Gastronauts and Rainbow Factory. For something different, don’t miss Ashurbanipal, an intimate restaurant run by an Assyrian family. They opened up specially for us on Christmas day and served a meal I’ll never forget.
For a deeper Sofia experience, I highly recommend joining a walking tour. Each of these itineraries covers the city centre and will give you a good overview of Sofia, and indeed Bulgaria as a whole.
- Small group walking tour of Sofia
- Private walking tour of historic Sofia
- Communist history tour of Sofia
- Sofia street art tour
Visiting Rila Monastery in winter
Rila Monastery, Bulgaria’s largest Eastern Orthodox monastery, is a must-visit no matter the time of year. In winter, when the grounds are dusted with snow, it looks even more impressive.
The frescoes that decorate Rila’s chapels and cloisters are astounding. The colours look even brighter in winter, when the sun reflects off the snow in the yard.
I recommend joining a full day tour to Rila from Sofia to take the hassle out of organising transport. We did this tour and highly recommend it.
Vans departs daily from the car park behind Alexander Nevski. We had around two hours to explore the complex at our own pace, which was the perfect amount of time to see the highlights. Just don’t miss the donut shop at the back of the monastery – it’s a local favourite.
In the summer months, the tour combines a visit to Rila Lakes for a longer day trip from Sofia.
Plovdiv in winter
Plovdiv is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe and Bulgaria’s cultural capital. Located roughly two hours’ drive southeast from Sofia, it’s easy to reach by either bus or car.
In 2019, Plovdiv was jointly named European Capital of Culture for 2019, along with Matera. The small city’s main claim to fame is its preserved Roman ruins, which include a stadium, Hisar Kapia gate, and a second Eastern Gate.
The most iconic of all is the Plovdiv Theatre (the Ancient Theater of Philippopolis) – a massive forum sunk into the side of one of the city’s seven hills. It was erected in the 1st century AD and is still in incredibly good nick. Music and theatre performances are held here in summer.
Plovdiv’s Archaeological Museum features a beautifully curated display of artefacts and curios turned up during digs around the city. It’s just the thing on a cold winter afternoon in Plovdiv.
Plovdiv’s other claim to fame is its distinctive vernacular architecture. Known as National Revival, the style uses bright colours and bold shapes.
A number of the city’s most prominent private residences have been turned into house museums, giving visitors a chance to see the lavish interiors that match the grand facades.
The Ethnographic Museum (Kîyumdzioglu House), Balabanov’s House and Hindliyan House, the former home of a wealthy Armenian merchant, are my personal favourites.
Don’t leave Plovdiv without taking a stroll around the city’s most famous neighbourhood, Kapana. Formerly the location of choice among Plovdiv’s artisan class, Kapana is filled with tiny workshops and stores that have been transformed into cafes, craft beer bars and independent shops.
Street art decorates almost every corner, and in winter, vibrant festive displays of lights and decorations add another layer of interest to the cobbled streets.
Pavaj, Plovdiv’s best restaurant, is located in the heart of Kapana. Cosy up at an outdoor table under a thick blanket and sip on a glass of honey rakia – this is what Bulgarian winter dreams are made of!
While I definitely recommend spending at least one night in Plovdiv (we ended up staying for seven), it is possible to visit on a day tour from Sofia if you’re short on time. I recommend this itinerary.
If you’re visiting independently, I highly recommend the Free Plovdiv Tour for an comprehensive introduction to the city by foot.
Veliko Tarnovo in winter
Now for the real winter wonderland. Veliko Tarnovo in north-central Bulgaria is one of the most stunningly beautiful locations in the entire country – especially in winter.
VT is home to the medieval Tsarevets Fortress, and this is what draws most visitors here. The huge complex of walls, monastery ruins, towers and palaces – and there’s even an Execution Rock – transports you back to the time of the Bulgarian Empire.
I visited Tsarevets on a very cold winter’s day and had to wade through knee-high snow in parts to reach the different walls! It was great fun, and the views of the snow-covered city from the different towers can only be described as fairytale-like.
For a view back onto the castle, I highly recommend walking to the small town of Arbanasi. It takes a little over an hour to reach on foot, and you’re treated to beautiful vistas of Veliko Tarnovo the entire way up.
For more spectacular views of the city, head to one of the restaurants on Veliko Tarnovo’s main street. I recommend Shtastliveca, which serves good Bulgarian fare and features a balcony overlooking the city. The Yantra river cuts the snowy city into parts like an inky smudge on a piece of blotting paper.
The architecture in Veliko Tarnovo is very sweet – on my last day in the city, the sun came out and the snow pretty much melted away, revealing a gorgeous hillside of chocolate-box houses against a blindingly bright blue sky.
If you want to visit Veliko Tarnovo in a day from Sofia, this day tour includes both Tsarevets Fortress and Arbanasi. Otherwise, I recommend spending at least two nights to give yourself plenty of time to explore Tsarevets and walk to Arbanasi.
Tips for visiting Bulgaria in winter
- Rug up – Bulgaria in winter can be bitterly cold, especially in the mountains.
- Remember that during winter, the days are much shorter days – factor this in when you’re planning your Bulgaria itinerary.
- To make the most of your time, consider renting a car. I recommend using Discover Cars to find the best price. Just make sure your vehicle is properly equipped for winter conditions.
- If you’re travelling around Bulgaria by bus, bring a lightweight backpack to avoid paying the extra luggage charge.
- If you’re interested in learning more about Bulgarian culture, try to plan your visit to coincide with Surva, a huge folk festival that’s held every January.
- Note that even though Bulgaria is an Orthodox country, Christmas and New Year are celebrated on the same day as the Roman calendar (December 25 and January 1, respectively). Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo and Plovdiv all host Christmas Markets in the lead up to December 25.
- Bulgaria also has a great skiing and snowboarding scene – my friends at Sofia Adventures recommend Borovets, a resort that’s close to Sofia.
What to wear in Bulgaria in winter
As you can probably tell from my photos of Bulgaria, it’s pretty darn chilly in winter! Since so many of the best things to do in Bulgaria are outdoors, you definitely need to dress for the weather if you want to experience everything the country has to offer.
I highly recommend packing an insulated down jacket like this one. Thermal leggings and an undershirt like these are also required, along with thick socks, gloves, a hat and scarf.
Footwear is critical! I wore mesh sneakers in Bulgaria in winter, even in the snow, and constantly had cold and wet feet. Huge mistake! Boots like these with a good grip and fleece lining are ideal.
When you arrive in Bulgaria, buy a pair of terlitsi, traditional slippers, to wear around your accommodation. Then you’ll be ready to explore Bulgaria in winter!
Where we stayed in Bulgaria
Sofia: We stayed at a couple of different accommodations during our 2 weeks in Sofia. When we first arrived, we stayed at Generaator, a terrific small hotel located in the heart of the city, close to the metro. Toasty warm rooms and a lovely little outdoor courtyard make this one of my favourite hotels in Sofia. Check prices and availability here.
Plovdiv: In Plovdiv, we stayed at this spacious family home booked via Airbnb. Since we had a full week in Plovdiv, we wanted our own space with a proper kitchen, and this listing absolutely fit the bill. I highly recommend it. View the listing here.
Veliko Tarnovo: In Veliko Tarnovo, we stayed in a private double room with ensuite at Hostel Mostel. This place is really popular with backpackers and has a great vibe. The free breakfast is a great bonus, and staff are super helpful with organising transport and tours. Check prices and availability here.
More Balkans inspiration
- Visiting Bucharest, Romania in winter
- Bulgaria road trip itinerary
- Balkans road trip itineraries
- Balkans Travel Guide
