When to visit Bulgaria
Bulgaria has a temperate climate, with cold damp winters and hot dry summers. Spring (particularly April to mid-June) is an excellent time to visit. The days are getting longer, the weather is good, the theatres and other cultural venues are in full swing, off-season rates still generally apply, and locals are not yet jaded by waves of summertime visitors.
Summer (mid-June to early September)in Bulgaria is ideal for hiking and festivals, but is the peak season for travellers from elsewhere in Europe. Temperatures can be very high during this period, the Bulgarian beaches on the Black Sea coast can get insanely crowded, and accommodation and camping grounds in coastal resorts tend to fill up.
September is perhaps one of the best months to see Bulgaria. The autumn trees are glorious, fruit and vegetables are plentiful, shoulder-season tariffs are in effect, the tourist hordes have returned home, and you can still swim and sunbathe at the Black Sea. The Bulgarian ski season begins in mid-December and can last until April.
Where is Bulgaria
Bulgaria is located in the south-eastern Europe bordering the Black Sea. As a nation, it is considered one of the oldest European countries. It shares its land boundaries five other countries; Romania to the north, Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia to the west and Greece and Turkey to the south. To the east, it is bordered by the Black Sea. This country has mostly mountainous terrain. However, there are also a few Alpine snow-capped peaks and lowlands which gives it a picturesque landscape. Musala, with a height of 2,925 metres, is the highest point in the country.
Bulgarian History
The History of Bulgaria as a separate country began in the 7th century AD with the arrival of the Bulgars and the foundation of the First Bulgarian Empire together with the local seven Slavic tribes, a union recognized by Byzantium in 681. A country in the middle of the ethnically, culturally and linguistically diverse Balkan Peninsula, Bulgaria has seen many twists and turns in its long history and has been a prospering empire stretching to a coastline on the Black, Aegean and Adriatic Seas and a cultural centre of Slavic Europe, but also a land long dominated by a foreign state, once by the Byzantine Empire and once by the Ottoman Empire.
Bulgaria was under the Turkish Empire for almost five centuries. The Turkish army was defeated during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78. Bulgaria then saw the Balkan Wars in 1912–13 followed by the First World War (joined the Axis Powers). The Republic of Bulgaria was formed in the 1990. It became a member of NATO in the year 2004 and ascended to the EU in 2007.
Location and territory
Bulgaria is located in South-Eastern Europe and occupies the North-eastern part of Balkan Peninsula. To the North, the country border on Romania via the Danube River, to the East it touches the Black sea, its southern neighbours are Turkey and Greece, and the West it borders on the Former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia and Serbia.
Driving in Bulgaria
You must be at least 18 years old to drive in Bulgaria. You can use your national license, if it is issued by a country – signatory to the Convention on Road Traffic (Vienna 1968). To avoid unnecessary problems it is useful also to have an international license. Remember always carry your driver’s license with you when you drive. If a representative of the traffic police stops you, do not get out of the car and wait for the policeman to approach. You could be asked to present the vehicle’s documentation which consists in registration card, technical support card and third party liability policy.
Roads in Bulgaria
Roads in Bulgaria are bumpy and sometimes hard to drive, when we talk about the countryside. So – drive slowly and carefully. In and around the bigger towns and cities roads are better and faster. Be careful on the motorways too – some of them are currently partially in repairs.
Speed limits in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria the cities speed limit is 50km/h, outside city limits – 90km/h. On the high way 130km/h are allowed.
Fines in Bulgaria
For violating speed restrictions in Bulgaria you will be fined between 20 and 150 leva, which you could be asked to pay when leaving the country, at the customs. Remember – fasten your seat belts. Otherwise you could pay a fine of 40 leva.
Car Parks in Bulgaria
Be careful where you park your car in Bulgaria – in cities you could not only be fined but your car could be taken away, which will cost you stress and money! You can park for up to 2 hours in the city centre, in the designated blue zones. The fee for up to one hour parking is 1.00 leva. Some car parks are privately run and prices vary.
Petrol stations in Bulgaria
The biggest petrol station chains in Bulgaria are OMV, Shell, Petrol and LUK Oil In this petrol stations you pay cash or with a credit card.
Equipment in Bulgaria
You should always check the emergency equipment of your car because there are some things required by law in Bulgaria: emergency medical box, fire extinguisher, triangle, spare tyre with rim, jack screw and lug wrench.
Emergency numbers in Bulgaria
150 – First aid
160 – Fire Department
166 – Closest police department
165 – Traffic police
Bulgaria
Full Name: Republic of Bulgaria
Bulgarian Currency
Bulgarian Lev. Code BGN Symbol Lv. (Euros are also accepted in most major establishments but Leva are sometimes obligatory in small shops and restaurants throughout Bulgaria so it is advisable to carry Leva as well as Euros.
Bulgarian Population
Bulgarian Population approximately 7.5 Million.
Bulgarian Language
Official Bulgarian (Many Bulgarians speak Russian as a second language.)
Bulgarian Time Zone
GMT + 2 hours
Bulgarian Weights and Measures
Bulgaria uses the metric system for weights and measures.
Bulgarian Country Dialling Code
Bulgarian Dialling Code 00359
Bulgarian Electrical System
Electrical Plugs 230V 50Hz (mainly 2 pin plugs – a European style adaptor plug is OK)