Things To Do in Bulgaria

Obzor’s main square is a sociable spot to have dinner. The restaurants here have al fresco terraces where you can sip a cooling drink with views of the fountain and palm trees. Food-wise, tuck into the sizzling pork kebabs or try one of the Eastern European stews. And do give the Dimyat white wine a go – it’s produced in neighbouring Byala and has many fans.

Sunny Beach takes a pin-in-the-map approach to cuisine. Bulgarian specialities share the menu with dishes from Hawaii and Bombay, all along the busy waterfront. Round here you always find a local drusan kebab, or borek – sesame-topped pastry filled with cheese. Walk uphill to the locals’ haunts, though, to find the really genuine article – spicy kavarma stew and lamb that’s been roasted for days.

Most of Pomorie’s nightlife is centred away from the beach, on the east coast, in what’s known as the old town. Here, there are drinking holes to fit most moods, from low-key lounges, to a nightclub and an Irish pub.

Of St Vlas’ 3 main beaches, it’s the middle stretch that pulls in the biggest crowds. It’s a kilometre long – so plenty of space to spread out – and the sands are perfect sandcastle-building territory. The East Beach is a smaller, quieter spot, while New Beach – right by the marina – packs in sand-side restaurants and cocktail bars.

Burgas, Bulgaria’s largest port, is home to a handful of jewellery stores specialising in silver and gold. Take the 20-minute road trip down the coast to pick up a glittering souvenir.

You can up the ante fairytale-wise, with a trip to the Castle of Ravadinovo. It’s a 10-minute drive out of the city, set in rambling gardens decorated with exotic flowers and grand stone archways – you’ll even find a rustic bar or two hidden among the greenery, as well. The castle itself is only around two decades old, but its mix of turrets, towers and arched windows effortlessly turn back the years.

Shopping isn’t really St Vlas’ forte – instead, head for Nessebar’s old town. Craft stalls line up along the cobbled streets here, piled high with everything from traditional lace tablecloths to handcrafted wooden toys.

This place does what it says on the tin, really – it’s a restaurant shaped like a Spanish galleon. On the menu, you’ve got a good trawl of fish, with plenty of steaks and salads, too. And they happily serve up smaller portions for children. You’ll find the place next to the Mirimar Hotel – not that you’re likely to miss it.

The long sweep here may look like a crowd magnet, but it stays peaceful even in the summer peak. The gentle breeze is great for sailing and windsurfing, and it won’t trouble you if you prefer to pedalo either. Back on dry land, you’ve got 6 volleyball nets and a kid-friendly bungee trampoline to play with.

Sunny Beach sure knows how to keep the party pumping. The big clubs in town lay on top-name DJs til 6am. These places don’t cut corners, either – one even comes with 12 bars, a pool and a waterslide. And if smaller venues are your thing, you’ll find cocktail bars and cosy pubs dishing up live music and karaoke.

A night out in Sofia is best spent around Ulitsa Rakovski. This trendy neighbourhood is jam-packed with bars and pubs, from street-corner spots where you can watch the world go by with a glass of wine in hand to dimly lit places that switch on the DJ deck and disco lights later in the evening.

This swanky beach bar dishes up king-size beds and white parasols arranged around a pool. It attracts well-heeled locals who drink cocktails and frappuccinos, which all arrive with a bowl of fruit. When the sun sets, the place becomes a club, attracting top-name DJs like Paul van Dyk, who play house and dance hits to an appreciative crowd.

As soon as you touch down in Sofia, you’ll realise how close it is to the Vitosha Mountain. It’s just over an hour’s drive away from the city. If you’re visiting in winter, you could try the slopes – there’s a ski resort at the top that’s open from December to April, and it offers hire equipment. If not, you could try one of the hiking trails that take you to Vitosha’s picturesque peaks.

With the blue-and-purple chequered tablecloths, hanging flags and plastic fish, owner Tony takes a slightly off-the-wall approach to décor. The food, though, is right on the money. Prawns, halibut and sole straight from the Black Sea are chargrilled and dished up with herby new potatoes. It all goes down well with a glass of Pirinsko – a beer named after the nearby Pirin Mountains.

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After dark, the prom switches its focus from eating out to full-on partying. Come early evening, you’ll sometimes see a fire dancing show on the sand – a traditional ditty performed on hot coals. Irish pubs sort out the live music and Guinness, while stylish beach bars mix cocktails to match the sunset. And if you have the energy, huge multi-level clubs keep the party going ’til sunrise.

The beach at Tsarevo is big, clean and mostly quiet – making it a great spot to unplug. For a little more action, drive north 30 minutes to Harmanite Beach in Sozopol. The kilometre-long stretch is lined with beachside cafés and bars, and visitors can take a paddle-boat out onto the water.

There’s usually a queue at this popular haunt, which is apparently the best restaurant in the resort. The menu serves up plenty to please everyone, with everything from spaghetti Bolognese to Caprese salad making an appearance. The charcoal-grilled meat is a particular hit with customers. And for those used to UK prices, the bill will come as a pleasant surprise.

In Nessebar’s old town, restaurants serve up mouth-watering menus with ringside views of the sea. You’ll find some of the best places on the northern side of the peninsula, surrounded by fig trees and grape vines. Tuck into the grilled seabass or try the seafood platter – it comes dished up with dips and a squeeze of lemon.

Nightlife in St Vlas tends to focus on the marina, where you’ll find a cluster of cocktail bars and an amphitheatre hosting cultural shows. If you fancy upping the tempo, taxi a few minutes down the road to Sunny Beach – the clubs here keep the party going until 6am.

Sozopol’s old town stretches out across a peninsula, so you’ll be treated to panoramic sea views along with a history lesson. Keep an eye out for the triple-decker wooden houses as you stroll through the streets – they sprang up during Bulgaria’s revival period in the 18th century. There are around 200 in total, and some are classed as national monuments. Make tracks to the shoreline, and you’ll come across the remains of the East Gate of Apollonia – the last intact section of the ancient city.

The Black Sea borders Turkey as well as Bulgaria, and the neighbouring country has had an influence on the resort’s cuisine. One thing the little beach cafés do particularly well here is a doner kebab. Their version comes stuffed with chips and parsley slaw.

Bulgaria’s biggest waterpark serves up the whole package. Here you’ve got the complete line-up of pools, tunnels, rides and slides, including a lazy river and the 22-metre high Kamikaze ride. There’s even a life-sized castle with slides jutting from it. Free shuttle buses are on offer from lots of hotels.

The Roman emperors may have gone, but they’ve left a bit of history – if you wander over to the park you’ll see the remains of the Temple of Jupiter. While you’re here, pop into the museum next door where you’ll find over 1,000 exhibits that give you the full story on Obzor’s past. You’ve got some model dinosaurs around the grounds, too – good for a Jurassic Park-style photo op.