Fans of Soviet-era design, rejoice. While Shumen's numerous concrete blocks don't inspire, an extraordinary brutalist monument peers down over the city. Sprinkling variety among this Soviet severity are Shumen's National Revival–era mansions, parks interlaced with walking trails, and a 3000-year-old fortress.

The Rila Mountains, 70km south of Sofia, inspire awe for their spiritual history and stark beauty. The ancient Thracians called them ‘mountains of water’: around 200 glacial lakes gleam between these peaks, and ice-cold alpine streams thrash down from their heights.

Blagoevgrad, 100km south of Sofia, graces few travel wishlists. But its leaf-lined squares, parks and dinky historic quarter are a nice surprise for travellers passing through. It also makes a convenient base to visit Rila Monastery, or a waystation en route to Melnik. While many large Bulgarian towns have a harried vibe, Blagoevgrad locals are warm and approachable.

Famous for its dexterous woodcarvers, whose work has graced churches and mansions across Bulgaria, Tryavna is a relaxing day trip from Veliko Târnovo or Kazanlâk (respectively, a 60- and 90-minute drive). Bulgaria’s 19th-century glory days come alive along Tryavna’s romantic bridges and cobbled streets, lined with National Revival–period homes.

Though overshadowed by the more glamorous Bansko ski resort in the Pirin Mountains, Borovets claims 58km of pistes and a thumping après-ski culture that draws local and foreign visitors in droves between mid-December and early April. Just 72km southwest of Sofia, crouching beneath Mt Musala (2925m), this purpose-built ski resort is the oldest in Bulgaria.