Bulgaria
The Rila and Pirin mountains, monasteries and the Black Sea coast.
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.
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.
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)
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
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.
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 |
Buy vignettes only through the official channels: other sites often charge extra. A caravan or camper van may fall into a different class; check this with the source.
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.
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
Muzeiko
A science museum specially for children, with a climbing wall and lots of hands-on activities.
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.
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.
Balchik Palace and Botanical Garden
Queen Marie's summer palace with a large botanical garden by the sea.
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)
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?
E-vignette mandatory (week € 10.00). Prices, where to arrange it and the official source are in the 'Tolls and vignettes' block on this page. To tolls and vignettes
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.