Bulgaria

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Venture out on a unique rail adventure, as you glide through the impressive landscapes of Bulgaria. Explore the capital city of Sofia, the Roman ruins in Plovdiv and the coastal city of Varna – with your Interrail Pass. When you travel by train in Bulgaria, don't be surprised if you find more than you imagined.

Bulgaria quick facts

  • Population: 7.3 million

  • Language: Bulgarian

  • Currency: Lev (BGN)

  • Dialing code: +359

Trains in Bulgaria

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Find out about Bulgaria’s rail network, different train types and reservation requirements.
More about trains in Bulgaria

Interrail passes for Bulgaria

Interrail Bulgaria Pass

With the Interrail Bulgaria Pass you can discover Bulgaria's highlights, like Sofia, Burgas and Plovdiv.

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Interrail Global Pass from € 208

The Interrail Global Pass is the flexible and budget-friendly way to get around up to 30 countries in Europe. Travel by train from one cool destination to the next. One day you're on a pub crawl through Amsterdam and the next you're white-water rafting in Interlaken, Switzerland.

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Belogradchik fortress

Belogradchik fortress
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St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia

St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia
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Rila Monastery

Rila Monastery
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Panoramic view on Varna beach

Panoramic view on Varna beach
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Glacial lake in Pirin National Park

Glacial lake in Pirin National Park

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Places to visit

nesebar, Bulgaria
nesebar, Bulgaria

Beautiful Bulgarian nature

Bulgaria's very own natural pride and joy is the Pirin National Park in the southwest of the country. Sparkling glacial lakes, tumultuous waterfalls and expanses of alpine woodland make this a real treat for hikers, bikers and climbers alike. Another way to get deep inside of Pirin is via one of its cave networks. Sun-worshippers will love the Bulgarian Black Sea coast – the country's main pulling power. Nesebâr is a favourite – a tiny island connected to the mainland by a manmade isthmus.

Nesebâr is a short bus ride from the city of Burgas.

Rila mountains, Bulgaria
Rila mountains, Bulgaria

Bulgaria's great outdoors

As soon as the Bulgarian snow hits Bansko, located at the foot of the Pirin mountain range, it comes alive with insatiable skiers and snowboarders. The resort has around 75 kilometres of decent runs for all levels of experience. The nightlife is also well-renowned. For mountain bike enthusiasts, the Rila Mountains have trails winding through Bulgaria's untouched countryside. Get off the beaten track and experience the heart of Bulgaria with adrenaline rushing through your veins.

The train brings you into the centre of the town of Bankso.

Beach Bar Bulgaria
Beach Bar Bulgaria

Buzzing beach bars

For nightlife, Bulgaria's capital is unlikely to disappoint. During summer months, the Black Sea coast awakens with buzzing bars and clubs opening up their doors to locals and tourists from afar. Varna is a popular destination from which to embrace the Bulgarian beaches by day and dazzling bars and clubs by night. Hit the resort of Albena for unparalleled beaches and an energetic buzz, as the bars and clubs rock on until the early hours.

Varna can be reached by train. To get to Albena it is necessary to connect to a bus in Varna.

Rila Monastery interior
Rila Monastery interior

Journey through Bulgaria’s long history

Plovdiv is Bulgaria's second biggest city and in many ways more inviting than its big brother. The old quarter is a visual feast of Thracian fortifications jumbled around Byzantine ruins and a superb 2nd century A.D. Roman amphi theatre. Not to forget architecture dating from the Renaissance period and mosques from the Ottoman rule. Built in the 10th century the Rila Monastery – south of the capital in the Rila Mountains – is one of the country's proudest architectural treasures. The interiors are laden with intricate and colourful frescoes.

From Tsentralna station in Plovdiv it's a 10-minute walk to the old quarter.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia

Sofia: Get around on foot

Bulgaria’s capital city Sofia, is often overlooked in favour of the country’s enigmatic coastline, but be sure to spend a couple of days exploring what’s on offer. The city is compact and easily explored on foot. Include a visit to the fascinating Archaeological Museum housed within a 15th century mosque. Exhibits date back to the Thracian tribe that founded Bulgaria some 3,000 years ago. Alexandar Nevski cathedral is the city´s visual gem, especially twinkling under the night sky.

The Archaeological Museum is a 20-minute walk from the main train station and Alexandar Nevski cathedral is another 10 minutes from there.

Events

Events in Bulgaria | March Music Days International Festival

March Music Days International Festival

March 16 - April 1, 2018

Every year the city of Ruse on the Danube becomes the capital of music in Bulgaria, a place for encounters with top-class classical musicians from Europe and beyond. Founded in 1961, March Music Days International Festival is one of Bulgaria’s oldest festivals and maintains its high artistic standards. The festival develops a wide platform that fosters young talented musicians from around the world, engaging artists from varied artistic and cultural backgrounds in a lively and exciting dialogue.

 

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Events in Bulgaria | Official poster of European Music Festival

European Music Festival

March 30 - June 5, 2018

The European Music Festival was founded in Sofia, 2001. Its goal is to present prominent Bulgarian and international classical music stars. Over the years, festival participants have included world-renowned artists and ensembles, such as Joshua Bell, Mischa Maisky, Gidon Kremer, Pinchas Zukerman, The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, and the Moscow City Symphony, among many others. The festival’s roster has also included some of Bulgaria’s most talented musicians.
 

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