Current Local Time
Bulgarian Parliament Time
12:00:00
Time Zone
Eastern European Time (EET)
UTC/GMT +2 hours
Current Weather in Sofia
22°C
Partly Cloudy
Feels like: 20°C
Wind: 8 km/h NE
Humidity: 55%
Mon
24°C
Tue
21°C
Wed
18°C
Thu
16°C
Country Information
Official Name
Republic of Bulgaria (Република България)
Capital
Sofia
Government
Unitary parliamentary republic
Population
6.8 million (2023)
Area
110,994 km²
President
Rumen Radev
Prime Minister
Nikolay Denkov
Currency
Lev (лв) (BGN)
GDP per capita
$33,582 (2023, PPP)
Language
Bulgarian
Travel Information
Best Time to Visit
May-Sep (Warm weather)
Visa Requirements
Schengen visa not required for EU citizens
Electricity
230V/50Hz (Type F plugs)
Driving Side
Right
Emergency Number
112
Time Zone
EET (UTC+2), EEST (UTC+3 in summer)
Internet TLD
.bg
Calling Code
+359
Rose Valley & Monasteries
Bulgaria is famous for its Rose Valley producing 85% of the world's rose oil, and its stunning medieval monasteries with unique frescoes.
Rose Oil
85% of world
Rila Monastery
UNESCO Site
Thracian Tombs
Ancient Wonders
UNESCO Sites
10
Bulgaria's Regions
Bulgaria is divided into several distinct regions, each with unique landscapes and cultural heritage.
Sofia Region
Capital city with rich history and vibrant culture.
Western Bulgaria
Black Sea Coast
Beautiful beaches and historic coastal towns.
Eastern Bulgaria
Rhodope Mountains
Mystical mountains with rich folklore.
Southern Bulgaria
Rose Valley
World's largest rose oil production region.
Central Bulgaria
Must-Visit Places
From ancient ruins to mountain resorts, Bulgaria offers diverse attractions.
Rila Monastery
UNESCOBulgaria's most famous monastery with stunning frescoes.
Rila Mountains
Plovdiv
European Capital of CultureEurope's oldest continuously inhabited city.
Central Bulgaria
Sunny Beach
ResortBulgaria's most popular Black Sea resort.
Black Sea Coast
Belogradchik Rocks
Stunning sandstone rock formations.
Northwestern Bulgaria
Veliko Tarnovo
Medieval capital with Tsarevets Fortress.
Central Bulgaria
Pirin National Park
UNESCO-listed mountain wilderness.
Southwestern Bulgaria
Historical Timeline
5000 BC
Neolithic settlements in Bulgaria
4th century BC
Thracian civilization flourishes
46 AD
Roman conquest of Thrace
681
First Bulgarian Empire founded
864
Christianization of Bulgaria
1018
Byzantine conquest
1185
Second Bulgarian Empire
1396
Ottoman conquest
1878
Liberation from Ottoman rule
1908
Declaration of independence
1946
Communist regime established
1989
Fall of communism
2004
Joins NATO
2007
Joins European Union
Cultural Highlights
Famous Bulgarians
Hristo Stoichkov
Football legend
Elias Canetti
Nobel Prize in Literature
John Atanasoff
Inventor of computer
Vesselina Kasarova
Opera singer
Grigor Dimitrov
Tennis player
Julia Kristeva
Philosopher
Traditional Cuisine
Banitsa
Shopska Salad
Kebapche
Sirene Cheese
Rakia
Boza
Major Festivals
Rose Festival
May-Jun - Kazanlak
Surva Festival
Jan - Pernik
Plovdiv Jazz Fest
Oct - Plovdiv
Bulgaria on the Map
Coordinates
43°N 25°E
Bordering Countries
Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Greece, Turkey
Highest Point
Musala (2,925 m)
Travel Tips & Advice
When to Visit
- May-Jun: Rose harvesting season
- Jul-Aug: Beach season, warm weather
- Sep-Oct: Mild weather, wine harvest
- Dec-Feb: Ski season in mountains
Getting Around
- Public Transport: Good in cities, affordable
- Train: Extensive network between cities
- Car: Well-maintained roads, highways require vignette
- Bus: Comfortable intercity buses
Safety Tips
- Generally very safe country
- Standard precautions in tourist areas
- Emergency number: 112 (European standard)
- Tap water is safe to drink in cities
Money Matters
- Official currency is Lev (BGN)
- 1 EUR ≈ 1.96 BGN (fixed rate)
- Credit cards widely accepted
- ATMs widely available
- Prices lower than Western Europe
Fun Facts About Bulgaria
Rose Oil
Produces 85% of world's rose oil
Computer
Invented by Bulgarian-American
Yogurt
Bulgarian yogurt bacteria unique
Mountains
Over 30% of territory
Churches
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Language
Oldest Slavic written language
Gold
Oldest gold treasure found
Sports
Strong in weightlifting, wrestling