Bulgaria
The Rila and Pirin mountains, monasteries and the Black Sea coast.
Where do you go when you want to head off with the kids, the car and the tent? On this page we've gathered everything about Bulgaria for you: what there is to see, where to camp and what you need to know on the way.
Compiled and checked by Arjan (Zuidlaren) · sources are given with the text · updated 20 October 2026 · About this site
Introduction
To Bulgaria with the family
Bulgaria combines mountains and sea. In the southwest lie the Rila and Pirin mountains with lakes and monasteries, in the east the Black Sea coast with long beaches. By car it is far, but you can combine it well with a tour of the Balkans.
Overview
In brief
- Travel time
- 10–14 days (our estimate)
- Best time to travel
- jun–sep (our estimate · Full table)
- Distance from London
- ± 2,400 km to Sofia (approx., via route planner · plus the Channel crossing by Eurotunnel or ferry)
- Driving days
- 4 driving days (our estimate)
- Tolls and vignettes
- E-vignette mandatory (week € 10.00) (Details and source)
- Paying
- euro
- EU member
- yes
Distances were calculated once with OpenStreetMap (OSRM) from London to the capital; your actual route may be longer or shorter. For London, the Channel crossing (Eurotunnel or ferry) is not included. Driving days assume at most about 750 km per day with children (our estimate).
Practical
Good to know
Money and payments
Since 2026 Bulgaria pays with the euro. Paying by card works in cities and on the coast; in the countryside cash is handy (our experience). Note: signs and menus are often in Cyrillic.
More about costs and saving money
Photo: Avij · Public domain · all photo credits
Language and handy words
A few words work wonders, even with the campsite neighbour's kids:
- Zdravejte: hello
- Blagodarja: thank you
- Molja: please
- Dovizhdane: goodbye
Documents and border
This is an EU country: you travel with a valid passport or ID card, and children also need their own valid travel document. Check the travel advice just before you leave.
Source: nederlandwereldwijd.nl (travel advice)
More about what is compulsory in the car
Photo: Horizon206 · CC0 · all photo credits
Health and safety
Take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC, on the back of your health insurance card or available from your health insurer): it gives you necessary care in public healthcare under local conditions. Travel insurance is still wise, for example for repatriation. The European emergency number is 112.
Source: europa.eu (EHIC)
Photo: Friedrich Haag · CC BY-SA 4.0 · all photo credits
Traffic rules that matter
The alcohol limit is 0.5 per mille, as in the Netherlands. You also drive with dipped headlights or daytime running lights during the day. From 15 November to 1 March winter tyres or tyres with at least 4 mm tread are mandatory. Must be carried: warning triangle, safety vest, first-aid kit and fire extinguisher. Children under 12 and shorter than 150 cm go in a suitable child seat.
Source: ANWB
More about tolls and vignettes
Photo: Igor123121 · CC BY 4.0 · all photo credits
Best time to travel
July and August for the coast, June and September for the mountains (our estimate).
Always check the current rules (tolls, vignette, entry requirements) just before you leave.
🚗 Getting there & distance from Utrecht (NL)
- Destination
- Sofia
- Distance
- ± 2,085 km (one way)
- Driving time
- ± 21.4 h (one way)
- Route via
- NL → DE → AT → SI → HR → RS → BG
- Fuel (estimate)
- ± € 356 (return)
Estimate for the return trip: 6.5 l/100 km Euro 95 at each country's average price (EU Weekly Oil Bulletin, price date 19-10-2026). Fuel for Serbia not included (not in the EU bulletin). - Vignettes
- Austria: 10-day vignette: € 12.80
- Slovenia: 7-day e-vinjeta: € 16.00 (2 x)
- Bulgaria: weekly vignette: € 10.00 (2 x)
- Tolls
- Distance-based tolls in Croatia Serbia: not calculated, see the official toll operator.
Route: OSRM/OpenStreetMap, calculated 21-10-2026, without breaks or traffic. 2026 vignette prices from the official sellers, checked 21-10-2026. For an 8-day trip, 7-day vignettes count twice.
On the road by car
Tolls and vignettes
| What | Price passenger car | Where to arrange it | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-vignette, car up to 3.5 t and camper vans (M1) | weekend € 6.60 · week € 10.00 · month € 19.90 (from 1 August 2026) | bgtoll.bg, BGTOLL app, terminals and ticket offices at border crossings | BG TOLL price checked Oct 2026 |
Destinations
Most beautiful places in Bulgaria
Seven Rila Lakes
A series of glacial lakes above one another; a chairlift takes you a good way up.
Where are you going?
Regions explained
Rila Mountains
The highest mountain range in the Balkans, with the Seven Rila Lakes and the Rila Monastery (World Heritage). A chairlift takes you close to the lakes.
Source: UNESCO: Rila Monastery
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
Plovdiv and the interior
Plovdiv has an old town on hills and a Roman theatre. Around it lie villages and the Rhodope Mountains.
Source: bulgariatravel.org
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
Black Sea coast
Long sandy beaches with shallow water, great for children. The north around Varna and the south around Sozopol are quieter than the big seaside resorts (our estimate).
Source: bulgariatravel.org
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
On the road
Suggested route by car
A 10 to 14-day route from the mountains to the sea (our estimate). Check the driving times in your route planner.
- Days 1-3: Rila: the small monastery and the Seven Rila Lakes.
- Days 4-5: Plovdiv.
- Days 6-7: across the country to the coast.
- Days 8-14: Black Sea, for example around Sozopol.
Where to stay
Camping
Where do you camp?
Campsites on the coast
On the south coast, around Sozopol, there are campsites close to the beach (our experience).
Source: bulgariatravel.org
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping gear
Camping in Rila National Park
In the park you may only camp at designated places.
Source: rilanationalpark.bg
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping gear
Gear for this region → (tent, gas, mosquitoes, sleeping bag)
Outings
With kids
Seven Rila Lakes
Go up by chairlift and then walk along lakes that lie above each other in steps. Bring warm clothes, it is chilly there.
Source: bulgariatravel.org
Rila Monastery
A colourful monastery in the mountains, with painted walls full of stories.
Source: UNESCO: Rila Monastery
Roman theatre in Plovdiv
A well-preserved theatre in the middle of the town, where performances are still held in summer.
Source: bulgariatravel.org
Outings
Fun activities with kids
Water parks, karting, trampolines, bowling, zoos and outings for a rainy day: concrete addresses, chosen with children of about 7 and 9 in mind. We only mention places with their own website, which we checked on 14 October 2026. Opening times and prices change: always check the website.
Our favourites
Action Aquapark
A large water park on the Black Sea coast with many slides.
🎟️ Book tickets → official website
Photo: Wizzard · Public domain · all photo credits
Dolfinarium Varna
Dolphin shows in the large sea park of Varna.
🎟️ Book tickets → official website
Photo: Rumen & Oly · CC BY-SA 3.0 · all photo credits
Muzeiko
A science museum specially for children, with a climbing wall and lots of hands-on activities.
🎟️ Book tickets → official website
Illustrative photo · Photo: Photojunkie · Public domain · all photo credits
Area 52 Sofia
A trampoline park with Olympic trampolines, a large air cushion to jump into, an interactive light wall, "battle beams" and a basketball dunk zone. Ideal for burning off energy after a long day in the car; on the ring road.
Website: bulgaria.area52parks.com
🎟️ Tickets & info → official website
Illustrative photo · Photo: E8943721c · CC BY-SA 4.0 · all photo credits
MEGA Xtreme Bowling
A bowling chain with three halls in Sofia, since 2003. Many Bulgarian families hold children's parties there; a good rainy-day outing.
🎟️ Tickets & info → official website
Illustrative photo · Photo: FrogsLegs71 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · all photo credits
Balchik Palace and Botanical Garden
Queen Marie's summer palace with a large botanical garden by the sea.
🎟️ Tickets & info → official website
Photo: Izvora · Public domain · all photo credits
Tours and tickets in Bulgaria
Bookable tours and entrance tickets in this country. Prices and availability are set by the provider; check the conditions before you book. (Ad · affiliate link)
- Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Day Trip
🎟️ Viator → 🎟️ Also on GetYourGuide →
Winter
Winter sports in Bulgaria
Bulgaria has three large ski areas: Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo.
Ski areas (checked on the official websites, October 2026)
- Bansko: In the Pirin mountains; a gondola takes you from the town up to the slopes. Website: banskoski.com
Ski pass: Day pass adult €59, child (7–11) €30, from 27 Dec 2025 to 31 Mar 2026; mountain insurance is included in the price. Source: Banskoski: prices
Snow reliability: top 2600 m; snowmaking on about 90% of the pistes; season usually Dec to Apr. Source (2026): gemeente Bansko, banskoski.com - Borovets: Bulgaria's oldest winter resort, in the Rila mountains. Website: borovets-bg.com
- Pamporovo: In the Rhodope mountains, with many wide slopes. Website: pamporovo.me
When we checked on 20 October 2026, most 2026/27 prices had not yet been published; see the ski area's website for current rates. We only quote amounts that appear in an official price list.
Renting skis: at home or on the spot?
At the ski areas above you can rent skis, snowboards and boots from rental shops by the lifts or in the village; you can often book online in advance. We do not quote rental prices, because we found no official price lists for them.
Renting on the spot saves carrying and car space, and you can swap boots that pinch. Renting at home or bringing your own gear makes sense if you combine several ski areas, already know which boots fit, or the area is small with little choice.
Winter packing list
Pack layers (thermal underwear, fleece, waterproof jacket and trousers), ski socks, gloves, a hat, goggles and sunscreen. A helmet is strongly recommended for children.
Insurance
Check whether your travel insurance covers winter sports; it is often a separate add-on. Also check mountain rescue and transport after an accident (for example by helicopter). Some ski passes include mountain insurance, as in Bansko.
Winter tyres and snow chains
- Winter tyres are mandatory from 15 November to 1 March. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Bulgaria
- Minimum tread depth: 4 mm. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Bulgaria
More rules per country: winter tyres and mountain passes.
🏨 Stay in Bansko on Booking.com*🎟️ Winter tours nearby on GetYourGuide*🚗 Rental car (ask for winter tyres) via DiscoverCars*
* Affiliate link: if you book through one, we may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
Rules
Rules, fines and quiet places
Wild camping, fines, camper stops, quiet places, smoking, alcohol and nature rules in this country, only with a verifiable source.
Show all rules (18)
Wild camping and fines
- In Rila, Pirin and Central Balkan national parks camping is only permitted at specially marked places near mountain huts. Driving and parking outside designated roads is prohibited without permission from the park directorate. Source: moew.government.bg
Nature rules: drones, fishing, picking and dogs
- Central Balkan National Park: fishing is completely prohibited. Source: moew.government.bg
Alcohol
- Drivers: 0.5 per mille, as in the Netherlands. Source: anwb.nl
Emergency numbers and breakdown
- Emergency number: 112. Source: ANWB: travel preparation, Bulgaria
- Green card: recognised, but not mandatory. Source: ANWB: travel preparation, Bulgaria
Health, drinking water and ticks
- The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is valid here for medically necessary, state-provided care. It is not travel insurance. Source: European Commission: European Health Insurance Card
- Tap water is not always safe to drink; boil it first or use bottled water. Source: ANWB: travel preparation, Bulgaria
- Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE): ECDC reported no cases in 2022. Still protect yourself against tick bites. Source: ECDC: annual epidemiological report on tick-borne encephalitis 2022
Money and mobile
- Currency: euro (since 1 January 2026; the Bulgarian lev has been replaced). Source: ANWB: travel preparation, Bulgaria
- Debit and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere; there are enough cash machines. Source: ANWB: travel preparation, Bulgaria
- Withdrawing cash with a debit card is not always free in the eurozone; ask your bank which cash machines are free. Source: ANWB: travel preparation, Bulgaria
- You can pay contactless with a watch or phone. Source: ANWB: travel preparation, Bulgaria
- Within the EU you pay no extra roaming charges thanks to 'Roam like at home'. Source: Council of the EU: 'Roam like at home' and the Western Balkans
Fuel and LPG
- For LPG you need the dish (schotel) adapter, a filling nipple for your tank inlet. Source: Prins Autogassystemen: refuelling LPG
Winter tyres and mountain passes
- Winter tyres are mandatory from 15 November to 1 March. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Bulgaria
- Minimum tread depth: 4 mm. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Bulgaria
Children in the car
- Children under 12 who are under 150 cm must be in an approved child car seat. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Bulgaria
- If a child sits rear-facing in the front, the airbag must be switched off. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Bulgaria
Rules and fines may change and confuse by municipality. Each line contains the source; see if you're in park management before you go. This isn't legal confuse.
All countries compared: rules, fines and quiet places → · Smoking and alcohol by country → · Practically by country →
Local cuisine
Food to taste
A few dishes you can try with the whole family:
Show all dishes (4)
Banitsa
Filo pastry with white cheese and egg, the standard breakfast.
Šopska salata
Tomato, cucumber, pepper and onion with lots of grated white cheese (sirene).
Tarator
A cold soup of yoghurt, cucumber and dill: refreshing on hot days.
Kebapche
Grilled minced-meat sausages, popular with children.
Look further
Discover more
Campsites by name, day trips, events and things you had better avoid, each with a source.
Show all tips (3)
Rila Monastery
The largest monastery in Bulgaria lies in the Rila Mountains and is on the World Heritage list. Combine it with a walk in the mountains; cover shoulders and knees in the church (our tip).
Source: UNESCO: Rila Monastery
Rose Festival in Kazanlak
In early June, Kazanlak in the Rose Valley celebrates the rose festival every year, with concerts, a parade and rose picking in the villages around the town. In 2026 it ran from 5 to 7 June; the programme is on the Kazanlak municipality website.
Source: kazanlak.bg (2026 programme)
Photo: Avishai Teicher · Public domain · all photo credits
Old town of Nessebar
A small peninsula on the Black Sea with old churches and wooden houses, on the World Heritage list. Go in the morning or evening: in the middle of the day it is very busy in summer (our experience).
Source: UNESCO: Nessebar
Camping & on the road
Rules worth knowing
Camping in Rila National Park
In the park, camping and making fires are only allowed at specially marked places. You must also stay on the marked routes. Source: rilanationalpark.bg (Rila park management)
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping for beginners
Sources
Where does this information come from?
- rilanationalpark.bg (Rila park management)
- UNESCO: Rila Monastery
- bulgariatravel.org
- ANWB (traffic rules)
- kazanlak.bg (2026 programme)
- UNESCO: Nessebar
Checked on 14 October 2026. "Our estimate" is personal advice, not official information.
Affiliate disclaimer: Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you book or buy through one, we may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Our experiences and tips remain independent.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a vignette in Bulgaria?
Yes: an e-vignette is required (week € 10.00). Prices, where to buy it and the official source are in the ‘Tolls and vignettes’ block on this page. To tolls and vignettes
Can you wild camp in Bulgaria?
In the Rila, Pirin and Central Balkan national parks, camping is only allowed at specially marked spots near mountain huts. Driving and parking off the designated roads is prohibited without permission from the park authority. (source: moew.government.bg) To all rules
What is the best time to travel to Bulgaria?
July and August for the coast, June and September for the mountains (our estimate).
How far is Bulgaria from London?
From London to Sofia it is about 2,400 km (calculated with OpenStreetMap; check your route planner). The Channel crossing is not included: with the Eurotunnel (LeShuttle) it takes 35 minutes according to the operator; a Dover–Calais ferry is the alternative. With children, expect about 4 driving days (our estimate).
What must you carry in the car in Bulgaria?
Must be carried: warning triangle, safety vest, first-aid kit and fire extinguisher. Source: ANWB. All traffic rules are on our Traffic rules & equipment page. To traffic rules · ANWB
Which travel documents do I need for Bulgaria?
This is an EU country: you travel with a valid passport or ID card, and children also need their own valid travel document. Check the travel advice just before you leave.