Vacation inBulgaria
- Sofia
- capital
- Bulgarian
- official language
Vacation in Bulgaria, special vacation offers from Join UP!
We offer wide range of tours to Bulgaria for the best prices from the tour operator Join UP!
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- •Bulgaria
Do Latvian tourists need a visa to enter Bulgaria and how long may they stay?
Bulgaria joined the Schengen air/sea area in March 2025. Latvian citizens travel visa-free with passport or ID and may stay, work or study indefinitely, just as in any other EU country.
Can you enter Bulgaria with an ID card only, or is a passport required?
A valid Latvian ID card is enough for flights from Riga. A passport is optional unless you plan overland side-trips into Türkiye or Serbia, where an ID card is not accepted.
When is the best time to visit Bulgarian Black Sea resorts for sun while avoiding the biggest crowds?
Mid-June and early September give 26–28 °C air, 24 °C sea and 20 % lower hotel rates than July–August. Beaches are spacious and nightlife still buzzing.
What are the weather conditions in Bulgarian mountain regions, especially in winter?
In Bansko/Borovets (1 800 m) daytime −2…+5 °C, nights −10 °C; snow pack December–March, lifts open mid-Dec to early Apr. Summit winds on Musala can drop chill to −20 °C—dress in layers.
What is the easiest way to travel from Riga to Bulgaria and is public transport convenient there?
Fastest route: Air Baltic Riga–Vienna + Austrian to Varna/Burgas (5 h). Summer charters via Vilnius also exist. Inside Bulgaria, hourly Union Ivkoni buses cover coast and mountains; Sofia–Varna €18, 6 h. Trains are half the price but slower.
What accommodation types are available in Bulgaria and how expensive are they?
Black Sea 3★ hotel double €55–70 peak; all-inclusive 4★ €90–120; family flats €45. Mountain guesthouses in the Rhodopes start €25 B&B. Luxury spa hotels in Velingrad cost €140 with pools and mineral baths.
Which Bulgarian cultural habits, such as head-nodding, differ from Latvian norms?
Vertical nod means “no,” sideways shake means “yes.” Say “da/ne” aloud to avoid mix-ups. Toast with “Nazdrave” and eye contact. Remove shoes if invited into a rural home.
Is Bulgaria considered safe and when should travellers be extra cautious?
Resorts are generally safe; pick-pockets work Sunny Beach crowds. Watch for unmetered taxis and bar “happy hour” scams. In mountains weather changes fast—register hikes and carry GPS. Emergency number 112.
Which places should you see in Bulgaria if you want more than beach relaxation?
Explore UNESCO Nessebar Old Town, Roman Plovdiv, Rila Monastery, and the Belogradchik Rocks. Wine lovers head to Melnik; spa fans to Hisarya’s Roman baths. All reachable via day-tours from the coast.
Does Bulgaria have good infrastructure for mountain hikes and can you enjoy SPA treatments there?
Yes: 400 km of marked trails in Rila and Pirin; mountain huts every 3–4 h. After trekking, enjoy mineral-water spas in Velingrad or Devin—day entry €12–15, massages extra.