Pirin Mountains
This 15th-century church, situated just below Kordopulov House, has retained its walls and floor. It's little more than an enigmatic ruin these days, but…
Must-see attractions in Bulgaria
Sv Cyril & Methodius Cathedral
Burgas
Completed in 1907, the city’s main church boasts an especially fine, intricately carved iconostasis and colourful murals. It was closed in 2016 to undergo…
Pirin Mountains
Located near the Varosha old quarter, this regional museum exhibits roughly 160,000 religious relics, archaeological artefacts and traditional costumes,…
Museum of African and Asian Art
Bulgaria
Take a break from 19th-century Bulgarian splendour at this museum-gallery displaying more than 200 artworks from China, India and several African…
Plovdiv & Southern Mountains
This little museum exhibits Rodopi folk arts and crafts, ancient and medieval coins, and a fairly interesting display of traditional farming tools and…
Pirin Mountains
Up a steep cobbled lane, en route to Kordopulov House, the tiny two-room Historical Museum features traditional costumes, ancient ceramics and jewellery,…
Pirin Mountains
The 10th-century Bolyaskata Kâshta, one of Bulgaria’s oldest homes, is ruined except for some partially standing walls. You can peer in and enjoy great…
Ruse
Ruse's city hall is a hulking brutalist building from the mid-1980s and typical of communist-era public architecture. Local residents sometimes refer to…
Bulgaria
At the northern end of ul Angel Kânchev, off the roundabout, stands Sveti Georgi Church (completed in 1852). A pale yellow bell tower tops its stone frame…
Bulgaria
Built on the grid of an ancient Roman city, Stara Zagora has yielded some amazing discoveries. One of the most impressive is a 4th- to 5th-century…
Sozopol
This small working church in the shady gardens opposite the bus station was built in 1837, on the foundations of a much older structure. Dedicated to the…
Burgas
Standing sentinel over pl Troikata is this towering Red Army memorial. Comprising a column surmounted by a saluting Russian soldier and figurative panels,…
Sofia
This imposing neoclassical palace houses the Bulgarian parliament and dates from the 1880s. It's normally closed to the public. Its likeness is traced on…
Sofia
Bulgarians queue here throughout the day to fill plastic bottles from the taps of around a dozen fountains, situated in the open air just next to the…
Burgas
This church dates from 1853 and was built by the city's then-Armenian residents. There's a monument to the slaughter of Armenians in the years following…
Sofia
This late 19th-century landmark bridge, flanked by four large lions, crosses the Vladaya River and connects the northern edge of the city centre with the…
Church of Sveti Tsar Boris-Mikhail
Black Sea Coast
The Church of Sveti Tsar Boris-Mikhail is dedicated to the former king. The church is on ul Hristo Botev, one block north of the centre near the…
Black Sea Coast
Overlooking the harbour to the south, this earthquake-battered building is set on a cliff and provides a picturesque setting for summertime concerts.
Bulgaria
With its weeping willows, sculptures and pond, this small park just north of the train station is a pleasant place to linger while awaiting a train.
Bulgaria
Kazanlâk’s pazar (open market) is a dusty, all-purpose place selling food, electronics and clothing on most weekdays. Watch your wallet.
Veliko Târnovo
Up in Varosha, the Church of Sveti Nikolai was built in 1879, and time hasn't been kind to the weather-beaten church. Opening times are irregular.
Sofia
A sombre monument, in the middle of a busy road, dates from 1895 and marks the spot where Bulgarian national hero Vasil Levski was hanged in 1873.
Bulgaria
At the northern end of ul Vasil Levski, a small park contains the disused and closed Kursum Mosque, built in 1485 during the Ottoman occupation.
Plovdiv
Just down the steps at the overpass near pl Tsentralen, ruins of the Roman Forum are still being excavated; peer over the fence along the road.
Archangels Michael & Gabriel Church
Black Sea Coast
This 13th-century ruin shows off some beautiful exterior decoration. The arches of the church are underscored by striking green-glazed plates.
Veliko Târnovo
Across from Forty Martyrs Church is the tiny Church of the Assumption, built in 1923 over a ruined 14th-century church. It's usually closed.
Bulgaria
Passing the square beyond the bridge brings you to the small art gallery, with rotating exhibitions of local and other Bulgarian artists.
Pirin Mountains
Survey the ruined walls of this 13th-century fortress, reachable via a short, steep climb from the eastern end of Melnik's main road.
Plovdiv
This small private gallery, attached to Philippopolis restaurant, features exhibitions of 19th- and 20th-century Bulgarian art.
Plovdiv & Southern Mountains
Farming implements and traditional Bulgarian costumes are exhibited in this small stone-walled museum by the Samokov gate.
Pirin Mountains
There are admirable views of the town from lofty Park Loven Dom, which spreads south from Blagoevgrad's Varosha quarter.
Bulgaria
Facing the History Museum, the pale-pink bell tower of Sveti Nikola Church (1847) is a landmark for Karlovo's old town.
Pirin Mountains
Admire the exterior of a Turkish bathhouse, built in the 19th century, before the Mehana Mencheva Kâshta tavern.
Bulgaria
The church at this silver-domed working monastery in Arbanasi houses a purportedly miracle-working icon of Mary.
Monument to Tsar Alexander II Osvoboditel
Sofia
This statue of Russian tsar Alexander II and his horse was a 'thank you' for freeing Bulgaria from Ottoman rule.
Black Sea Coast
The town gate leads to the old town. The well-preserved fortification walls here date from the 5th century AD.
Encho Pironkov City Gallery of Fine Arts
Plovdiv
This gallery along a small laneway downhill from ul Sâborna displays 45 pieces of modern Bulgarian art.
Bulgaria
Around 200m northeast of Shumen's mosque sulk the remains of a late-16th-century Turkish covered market.
Veliko Târnovo
The elegant bell tower of this 1860 church peers out over the Varosha district. Opening hours can vary.
Bulgaria
Built in 1830, Kalinchev House features a courtyard cafe and exhibits works by 80 Bulgarian artists.
