Bulgaria is a state in Southeastern Europe, in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. Common borders in the south – with Greece and Turkey, in the west – with Serbia and Macedonia, in the north – with Romania.
According to smb, the capital is Sofia. The official language is Bulgarian. Religion – Orthodoxy. Currency – Lev.
The climate is continental, Mediterranean. In the summer months, the air temperature ranges from +23 to +27*C, and water – from +17 to +25*C. In winter, snow in Bulgaria falls in mid-December and lasts until mid-April. The average air temperature during this period ranges from -5 to +5*C, and the thickness of the snow cover is from 0.5 to 2.5 m.
Developed tourism business. The state language is Bulgarian, related to Russian, which allows tourists from the CIS to feel comfortable in resorts without language problems. In addition, mainly in resorts, it is possible to communicate in German and English.
To visit Bulgaria, citizens of Russia from 01.10.2001 need a visa, for which you need: 1 color photo 3X4 for each tourist, including children entered in the passport, a passport valid for at least 3 months after the end of the trip, personal data (details – in the VISA section). Visa for children up to 15 years old (inclusive) is free. The deadline for issuing a visa is 5 days before the start of the trip.
The time difference from Moscow is 1 hour ago.
Bulgaria today is a rapidly modernizing country with a rich modern tourist infrastructure, where nothing reminds of the socialist past.
All Black Sea resort complexes in Bulgaria have melodic beautiful names:
Mermaid, Albena, Golden Sands, Seagull, Riviera, Sunny Day, St. Constantine and Elena, Sunny Beach, Dunes, Elenite, fully comply with all the requirements of modern international tourism and are awarded for the cleanliness of the sea and organization of recreation, and the lovely seaside towns of Balchik, Kranevo, Obzor, St. Vlas, Ravda, Sozopol, Kiten, Nessebar, Pomorie, Primorsko, Lozenets will allow tourists to plunge into the atmosphere of Bulgarian family hospitality.
In the mountain ranges of Bulgaria – the Rila Mountains, the Rhodopes and the Pirin Mountains, there are the main ski resorts – Borovets, Pamporovo and Bansko. They are distinguished by a high level of service, well-groomed slopes with trails of varying difficulty and an extensive network of lifts.
Useful phone numbers
Embassy of Russia in Sofia: +359-2-963-0914,
Consulate of Russia in Varna: +359-52-602-724.
Country code +359
Fire department: 1-60
Police: 1-66
Telephone connection with Moscow: 007-495 -number
With other Russian cities: 007-city code -number
When importing into Bulgaria more than the equivalent of 5,000 US dollars, you must fill out a declaration and go through the red channel.
Resorts and attractions in Bulgaria
It is recommended not to wear expensive jewelry, not to accept invitations from unfamiliar people and not to leave money, photo and video equipment in the hotel room. Leaving for the beach, leave valuables (watches, money, jewelry and documents) in the hotel safe. If you wish, you can take a camera or video camera to the beach, but with full confidence that they will be supervised during your swim. During a beach holiday, it is advisable to leave your passport in the hotel safe. A passport is also needed when flying on board national or international aircraft. Do not lose your arrival card, which is issued at customs upon arrival, as it must be presented upon departure from the country.
For stays in resorts, light cotton clothing is most acceptable. Beach outfits are quite democratic. Evening dresses are quite simple, democratic.
Winter holidays in Bulgaria provide a lot of amazing entertainment. This is skiing and snowboarding and the beauty of the Bulgarian mountains. Bulgaria has modern hotels, new ski lifts and all this at affordable prices. The level of winter recreation has increased significantly in recent years. For beginner skiers, Pamporovo is recommended, where safe slopes predominate, and there is also the most famous snowboard school in the world.
Ski resort Pamporovo is located 250 km from Sofia at an altitude of 1620 m. It is a center for skiing for all categories of athletes. The resort boasts excellent slopes (including slalom tracks) and a first-class lift system. Pamporovo is perfect for beginners, besides, there is an international-class skiing school (more than 100 instructors of the highest category). All graduates of the school are awarded ski-certificates.
Golden Sands. The resort is conveniently located near Vienna in the Golden Sands National Park. The state protects ecologically clean places and rare species of birds and animals here. The resort owes its name to the most delicate light golden sand, which spreads along the sea coast like a pearl scattering. The comfortable climate, the freshness of the sea breeze and the hot springs have transformed the Golden Sands resort into a real fairy tale for a family vacation.
Interesting facts
The most popular sport in Bulgaria is football.
The Black Sea coast of Bulgaria is a popular beach tourism destination.
The grinder began to be called “Bulgarian” (at the place of its production). Sweet pepper began to be called “Bulgarian” (after the name of the country).
The most ancient inhabitants of the territory of Bulgaria were the Thracians, who lived here from 1000 BC. BC e. On the territory of the country there are lowlands, plains, hills, low and high mountains, valleys and gorges.
The tap water is drinkable, but bottled natural mineral water is inexpensive and available at any resort. It is recommended to take with you the medicines and medications you need, activated charcoal and/or Imodium-type preparations, as the stomach can be upset from climate change and unusual food. We recommend taking sun umbrellas on the beach, offered for an additional fee, and be sure to use sunscreen with protection factors of 15-30. Most large hotels have doctors, medical insurance is required to receive services.
The population is 9 million people. The vast majority of the population – Bulgarians – 97%, the rest – Turks, Gypsies, Romanians, Serbs, Russians. Around 2 million Bulgarians are scattered around the world outside the country.
The national currency is the Bulgarian lev – BGN. All payments in Bulgaria – only in local currency. Approximate exchange rate: 1.5BGN=1USD; 1,9BGN=1EURO. It is recommended to exchange currency ONLY in exchange offices located in banks or hotels. In circulation are banknotes of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 lev, coins of 1 lev, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 stotinki.
International credit cards are not accepted for payment in hotels, restaurants and shopping centers – they can only be cashed out, but the rate is usually somewhat less favorable than when exchanging cash. Restaurants do not usually accept foreign currency and traveler’s checks. ATMs accept mainly VISA and MasterCard cards.
The bus service between the cities is very well developed – the bus fleet is modern and comfortable. In big cities in buses, trolleybuses and trams, tickets are purchased from the conductor. The preferred form of transport in the city is a taxi. The fare depends on the type of taxi, brand of car, time of day, service areas, etc. To rent a car, you must have an international driving license, a credit card or sufficient cash. The largest car rental companies (Hertz, Evis, National) have offices in airports and major cities. The cost of car rental – from 40 dollars per day. The organization of the traffic police is very similar to the Russian traffic police.
Most of the restaurants offer a wide choice of dishes, both international and national Bulgarian cuisine. Restaurants with local cuisine and wines, decorated in the Balkan style are called MEKHANA. The most famous dishes are Shopska salad (cucumbers, tomatoes, baked sweet peppers and cheese), chushki burek (baked sweet peppers stuffed with cheese, egg and herbs, fried in batter), shkembe chorba – original tripe soup, tarator – cold soup on based on yogurt, and, of course, – baked agnieszko – baked lamb. The cost of lunch in such a restaurant with wine or beer is about $15-20. You will also find a large number of fast food eateries at low prices. Lunch with beer costs about $8-10. The most famous Bulgarian wines are dry reds: Melnik, Mavrud, Gamza, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, red semi-sweet – Kadarka, white dry – Chardonnay, Traminer. Bulgarian beer of the most popular brands Zagorka, Astika, Kamenitsa, M & M. The prices for Bulgarian wines are very low (on average, 3-5 US dollars per bottle of good wine), and therefore wine is the most common souvenir.
As a rule, in restaurants and bars, the tip amount is 10% of the bill (if it does not include service charges), in cheap eateries – 1-2 leva, for a porter at a hotel or airport – 1-2 leva, for a taxi driver – the bill is rounded off at big side.
Bulgaria has a well-developed textile industry and many European fashion brands have brought their production to this country (Hugo Boss, Adidas, etc.). In large cities, you can do a decent shopping. Of the souvenirs, wine, wood crafts, and antiques from the Second World War are especially popular.
Current frequency 50/60 Hz. Mains voltage – 220 V. Sockets – European.
Holidays and days off – January 1, March 1, March 3, Easter, May 6, December 25.
Government agencies are open from 9:00 to 18:00 from Monday to Friday,
Shops – from 9:00 to 18:30 (large – until 22:00 on weekdays) and from 9:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays,
Banks are open from 10:00 to 16:00 on weekdays.
