An independent English guide to BulgariaSupport
Frequently asked questions
All the questions from across the site, grouped by topic, each linked to its source.
- questions answered
- 52
- topics
- 17
How to use this page
All 52 questions from across the site, grouped by topic. Each group links to the page it came from, where the answer sits in full context.
If your question is not here, send it through the contact page.
Home
Is Bulgaria in the Schengen area?
Yes, fully since 1 January 2025. Checks at internal air and sea borders ended on 31 March 2024, and land border checks with other Schengen countries ended on 1 January 2025.
What currency does Bulgaria use?
The euro, since 1 January 2026. The lev was converted at a fixed BGN 1.95583 to EUR 1 and could be used alongside the euro only during January 2026.
Can this site book a trip for me?
No. Tourism Bulgaria does not sell or arrange travel and does not recommend companies.
When was this guide last checked?
This edition was checked on 28 October 2026. Each section shows its own check date.
Read in full: Home.
Places
Which city should I fly into?
Sofia is the capital, and its airport is on the metro. In summer, Varna and Burgas are closer to the beaches. Check airline schedules for your dates.
Is Plovdiv worth a separate stay?
If you can, stay at least one night. The old town, the Roman theatre and the Kapana district are easier to enjoy in the evening than in a rushed return trip from Sofia.
Read in full: Places.
Mountains and skiing
Can I see the Seven Rila Lakes in May?
Usually not as lakes: they generally freeze in October and do not melt before June. July and August are the usual months.
Which ski resort is closest to Sofia?
Borovets, about 70 km from the capital.
Read in full: Mountains and skiing.
Practical
Do I need a visa for Bulgaria?
That depends on your nationality. Bulgaria applies Schengen rules. Visa-exempt visitors, such as British citizens, can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area.
Is ETIAS required for Bulgaria now?
Not as of 28 October 2026. ETIAS is not yet in operation, and the start date will be announced several months in advance.
Read in full: Practical.
Regions of Bulgaria
How many days do I need for Bulgaria?
A week covers Sofia and one other zone comfortably. Ten days to two weeks allows two zones, such as the mountains and the coast, or Plovdiv and the north.
Can I visit Rila Monastery from Plovdiv?
It is closer to Sofia: 117 km south of the capital. Most trips start from Sofia, or stay near the monastery.
Is the Black Sea coast worth it in October?
The old towns are calmer once the May-to-September season is over. Go for the towns, not the beach.
Read in full: Regions of Bulgaria.
Sofia and Plovdiv
How far is Plovdiv from Sofia?
144 km south-east. The two cities are linked by Bulgaria's first electrified railway line.
Can I visit Boyana Church without a tour?
Visits are in groups of up to eight for ten minutes, to protect the paintings, so you may have to wait.
How much is a metro ticket in Sofia?
EUR 0.80 for a single ride, according to the source we checked on 28 October 2026.
Read in full: Sofia and Plovdiv.
Black Sea coast
Is Nesebar a UNESCO site?
Yes. The ancient city of Nesebar was added to the World Heritage List in 1983.
When is the beach season?
Roughly May to September, with the peak in July and August. Sozopol, for example, is busiest from May to September.
Is the coast safe?
The UK Foreign Office reports thefts and pickpocketing in Sunny Beach and other large resorts, and on the Nessebar–Sunny Beach bus. Keep valuables off the beach and use the room safe.
Read in full: Black Sea coast.
Rila Monastery and Seven Lakes
How far is Rila Monastery from Sofia?
117 km south of the capital, in the Rilska valley at 1,147 m.
When are the Seven Rila Lakes not frozen?
They usually freeze in October and thaw in June; July and August are the usual months to visit.
Is the chairlift open every day?
A 2023 guide reported daily summer operation with a 12:00 start on Mondays, and stoppages in high wind. Check with the operator for current hours.
Read in full: Rila Monastery and Seven Lakes.
Pirin and Rhodopes
How high is Vihren?
2,914 m.
Can I reach Bansko by train?
Yes, on the narrow-gauge Septemvri–Dobrinishte line, changing at Septemvri. Bansko also has buses to Sofia and Plovdiv.
What is the highest point of the Rhodopes?
Golyam Perelik, at 2,191 m.
Read in full: Pirin and Rhodopes.
Ski resorts
When does the ski season start in Bulgaria?
The operators set the dates each year. Bansko's 2025/26 season officially opened on 13 December 2025.
Which resort is nearest to Sofia?
Borovets, about 70 km away.
How much is a day pass?
A 2026 travel article gives EUR 59 in Bansko, EUR 54 in Borovets and EUR 45 in Pamporovo for adults. Check the operators' price lists for the current season.
Read in full: Ski resorts.
Entry rules
Do days in Bulgaria count towards my Schengen 90 days?
Yes. Bulgaria is a full Schengen member, so days there count, together with days in all other Schengen countries in the previous 180 days.
Do I need ETIAS for Bulgaria?
Not yet. On 28 October 2026 ETIAS was not in operation. The start date will be announced months in advance.
Will my passport be stamped?
Stamping is being replaced by the Entry/Exit System, which records your entry and exit electronically with fingerprints and a photo.
Read in full: Entry rules.
Money and the euro
Can I still pay in leva?
No. The lev could be used alongside the euro only until 31 January 2026.
What is the exchange rate between the lev and the euro?
It was fixed at BGN 1.95583 to EUR 1.
Where can I exchange old lev notes?
In Bulgaria, under the Bulgarian National Bank's conditions. Free exchange at Bulgarian commercial banks ran until 30 June 2026.
Read in full: Money and the euro.
Trains and buses
Can I buy Bulgarian train tickets online?
Yes, through the BDZ online booking and ticketing system. Fares are dynamic and depend on the day and time.
Is there a train from Bulgaria to Greece?
Interrail reported on 28 October 2026 that connections to Greece and Serbia were suspended.
How do I get from Sofia airport to the centre?
The metro serves Vasil Levski Sofia Airport; a single ride costs EUR 0.80.
Read in full: Trains and buses.
Driving and vignettes
How much is a weekly vignette in Bulgaria?
EUR 10.00 for a car up to 3.5 tonnes since 1 August 2026, according to the government decision reported on 29 July 2026.
Is there a one-day vignette?
Yes, since 3 February 2026. It costs EUR 5.30 since 1 August 2026.
Do I need a green card to drive in Bulgaria?
Not for Bulgaria itself, the UK Foreign Office says, but you may need one in neighbouring countries.
What happens if I type my number plate wrongly?
The fee counts as unpaid. The driver or owner is responsible for the plate, category and dates, so check them before you confirm payment.
Read in full: Driving and vignettes.
When to go
What is the beach season in Bulgaria?
Roughly May to September, with the peak in July and August.
When is the ski season?
From December into March; the operators set the exact dates each year. Bansko opened its 2025/26 season on 13 December 2025.
When are the Seven Rila Lakes free of ice?
Usually from June to September; they generally freeze in October. July and August are the usual months.
When do the roses bloom?
The picking season is May to June. The bloom historically started in mid-June but came nearly a month early in 2024.
Read in full: When to go.
About
Is Tourism Bulgaria the official tourism site of Bulgaria?
No. It is an independent guide. The official tourism portal of Bulgaria is bulgariatravel.org.
Who writes the pages?
The Tourism Bulgaria editors, named as the author on every page.
Can a business pay to appear in an article?
No. Advertising, where it appears, is labelled and kept apart from the text.
Why are some figures shown twice?
Because two sources disagree and neither is clearly more authoritative. We show both and name each source.
Read in full: About.
Contact
Is there a phone number?
No. Please use the form or email info@tourismbulgaria.com.
Can you check whether my passport is valid for Bulgaria?
No. The entry page explains the general rules; your passport authority or the Bulgarian embassy can advise on your case.
Will my name appear on the site?
Only if you ask. By default a correction is credited to "a reader".
Read in full: Contact.
Start planning
Send a correction or a question
Tell us which page and which fact you are writing about, what you found instead, and where you found it. A link to an official notice helps us check it quickly.