Bulgaria is a country that is slowly becoming known among travelers, particularly those looking for an inexpensive destination. From inland cities to mountain monasteries to the Black Sea coast, Bulgaria is rich in history and culture that will be apparent to any visitor. Whether you are considering making Bulgaria part of your travel plans in the near future or have already booked your tickets for this country in Southeastern Europe, learning more about Bulgaria, including the basic facts, will enrich your experience.
Basic data of Bulgaria
Population: 7,576,751
Location: Bulgaria borders five countries and the Black Sea to the east. The Danube River creates the longest border between Bulgaria and Romania. The other neighbors are Turkey, Greece, Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia.
Capital: Sofia (София) – Population = 1,263,884
Currency: Lev (BGN) Time Zone: Eastern European Time (EET) and Eastern European Summer Time (EEST) in summer.
Calling code: 359
Internet TLD: .bg
Language and alphabet: Bulgarian is a Slavic language, but it has some peculiarities, such as indefinite suffix articles and the absence of infinitive verbs. A hot topic with Bulgarians is the view that Macedonian is not a separate language, but a dialect of Bulgarian. Thus, Bulgarian and Macedonian are mutually intelligible. The Cyrillic alphabet, which developed in Bulgaria during the 10th century, became the third official alphabet of the European Union after the accession of Bulgaria. Travelers who know Russian or another Slavic language (particularly one that uses Cyrillic) will have an easier time in Bulgaria due to the shared language traits and root words.
Religion: Religion typically follows ethnicity in Bulgaria. Almost ninety-four percent of Bulgarians are ethnic Slavs, and 82.6 of them belong to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the traditional religion of the country. The largest minority religion is Islam, of which the majority are ethnic Turks.
Bulgaria travel facts
Visa Information: Citizens of the US, Canada, UK, and most European countries do not require a visa for visits of less than 90 days.
Airport: Sofia Airport (SOF) is where most travelers will arrive. It is located 5 km east of the center of Sofia with the shuttle bus No. 30 connecting to the city center and buses No. 84 and No. 384 connecting to the Mladost 1 metro station.
Trains: Night trains with sleeping cars connect Sofia’s central train station (Централна железопътна гара София) with many other cities. Although old, the trains are safe and travelers should expect a pleasant and restful break, although passengers traveling between Turkey and Sofia will have to wake up to clear customs at the border.
More basic information about traveling to Bulgaria
Culture and history data
History: Bulgaria has existed since the 7th century and as an empire for seven centuries, until it was under Ottoman rule for 500 years. It regained its independence and embraced communism after World War II. Today it is a parliamentary democracy and a part of the European Union.
Culture: The cultural identity of Bulgaria has a wide scope. Typical Bulgarian costumes can be seen during Bulgarian holidays and festivals. In March, check out the Martenitsa tradition for Baba Marta, who welcomes spring with colorful yarn charms. Traditional Bulgarian foods showcase influences from neighboring regions and the 500-year Ottoman reign in the region – enjoy them all year round and on special occasions, such as Christmas in Bulgaria. Finally, Bulgarian souvenirs such as ceramics, wood carving, and natural beauty products are often specific to particular regions of this country.
