Sofia
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander Nevsky Cathedral | A cathedral with gold and green domes, one of the largest churches in the Balkans. | Central Sofia |
| Vitosha mountain | A mountain above the city with forests and trails, and skiing in winter. | South of Sofia |
| Boyana Church | A small church with 13th-century frescoes, on the World Heritage list. | Boyana district |
| Vitosha Boulevard | The main pedestrian street, with shops, cafés and a view of the mountain. | City centre |
The Rila and Pirin mountains
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Rila Monastery | Bulgaria's best-known monastery, with striped arcades and colourful frescoes among the mountains, on the World Heritage list. | About 2 hours from Sofia |
| The Seven Rila Lakes | Seven glacial lakes stepped between the peaks, reached by chairlift and then a trail. | Summer, roughly July to September |
| Bansko | A mountain town with a well-known ski resort and old stone houses. | Pirin Mountains, about 2 h 30 min from Sofia |
Historic towns and the Black Sea
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Plovdiv old town | One of Europe's oldest inhabited cities, with a Roman theatre and colourful houses on its hills. | About 2 hours from Sofia |
| Tsarevets Fortress | The fortress of Bulgaria's old capital on a hill wrapped by the river. | Veliko Tarnovo |
| Nessebar old town | A peninsula on the Black Sea with old stone churches, on the World Heritage list. | Near Burgas |
| Varna | A coastal city with a large sea garden, beaches and a big cathedral. | Northern coast |
Tips before you go
- You need a Schengen visa: Bulgaria has been a full member of the Schengen Area since January 2025.
- Go June to September for the mountains and lakes, and December to March for skiing in Bansko.
- Sofia, Rila Monastery and Plovdiv fit a 5-day trip; add the coast in summer.
Visa
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to do in Bulgaria?
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Vitosha in Sofia, Rila Monastery, the Seven Rila Lakes, Plovdiv old town, Tsarevets Fortress, Nessebar and Bansko.
Do Saudis need a visa for Bulgaria?
Yes, a Schengen visa: Bulgaria has been in the Schengen Area since January 2025. Fee: €90 for adults, €45 for children aged 6 to 12, and free for children under 6. Where to apply: The accredited visa centre in Riyadh, Jeddah or Al Khobar for the country where you'll stay longest. Processing time: Usually 15 days, longer in peak season. We prepare your file and follow it up until the visa is issued.
When should I visit the Seven Rila Lakes?
In summer, roughly July to September, when the chairlift runs and the snow has melted off the trail.
Last updated: October 2026. The information is for guidance only; ticket prices and opening hours are set by each attraction and may change, so check them on the official website before you go.