Bulgaria
Last checked:
- Capital
- Sofia
- Currency
- EUR · Euro
- Languages
- Bulgarian
- Plugs
- Type C, F · 230 V
Emergency numbers
Top 5 places
- Rila Monastery · Rila Mountains
UNESCO-listed monastery with painted arcades, a day trip from Sofia.
- Alexander Nevsky Cathedral · Sofia
Gold-domed landmark and one of the largest Orthodox churches in the Balkans.
- Plovdiv Old Town · Plovdiv
Roman theatre and stadium plus colourful 19th century revival houses.
- Veliko Tarnovo · Veliko Tarnovo
Medieval capital with the Tsarevets fortress above a river gorge.
- Nessebar · Nessebar
UNESCO-listed old town on a Black Sea peninsula with Byzantine churches.
Getting around
Public transport
Sofia public transport
Metro, trams, trolleybuses and buses; tap a contactless card or phone, or buy paper tickets at kiosks. Inspectors check in groups and fine on the spot. Metro line 4 and bus 84 serve the airport.
Taxi
Licensed taxis (OK Supertrans, Yellow Taxi)
Sofia taxis are yellow and cheap when metered. Check the rate sticker before getting in: fake look-alike taxis use very high rates. At the airport use the official taxi desk.
Ride-hailing app
TaxiMe / Bolt
TaxiMe is a local app for licensed taxis with card payment. Bolt operates in Sofia using licensed taxis (varies by city). Uber does not operate in Bulgaria.
Buses
Intercity buses
Usually the fastest way between cities (Sofia, Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo, Varna, Burgas). Drivers may speak only Bulgarian or Russian.
Trains
BDZ trains
State railway; cheap but slow and sometimes delayed. Scenic on some mountain routes.
Car rental
Car rental
Useful for monasteries and mountains. An e-vignette is needed for national roads; keep valuables out of sight because of distraction thefts.
Money and cash
Currency: EUR · Euro
Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, replacing the lev; some prices and older signs may still show leva. Cards and contactless work in Sofia (including the metro and buses), resorts and most hotels. Carry cash for villages, markets, small taxis and tips. Exchange offices with misleading rate boards are common in resorts; use bank ATMs instead and always pay in EUR.
Tipping
Tipping is customary in Bulgaria. About 10% at restaurants is normal for good service, and rounding up taxi fares is common.
| Restaurants | About 10% for good service, in cash if possible. |
|---|---|
| Cafés and bars | Round up or leave small change. |
| Taxis and ride apps | Round up the fare. |
| Hotels | A small tip for porters and housekeeping is appreciated. |
| Tours and guides | About 10% or a set amount for guides and drivers. |
| Food delivery | Round up or a small tip. |
Service charge: what’s true
A service charge is not usually added to restaurant bills (varies). Some resort venues include one; check the menu and bill.
Pressure tactics to watch for
No widely reported tipping pressure tactics. The bigger problem is nightclub overcharging in Sofia, Bansko, Borovets and Sunny Beach; check prices first.
Useful phrases
- Сметката, моля. (Smetkata, molya.) The bill, please.
- Мога ли да платя с карта? (Moga li da platya s karta?) Can I pay by card?
- Задръжте рестото. (Zadrazhte restoto.) Keep the change.
Etiquette
- Bulgarians traditionally shake the head for 'yes' and nod for 'no'. Confirm with words (da = yes, ne = no).
- Dress modestly in churches and monasteries; shoulders and knees covered.
- Shake hands when meeting; address older people formally.
- Bring flowers in odd numbers (even numbers are for funerals) when invited to a home.
- Toast with 'Nazdrave' and look people in the eye.
- Bargaining is acceptable at markets but not in shops.
Scams and how to handle them
Nightclub overcharging
Where: Sofia, Bansko, Borovets, Sunny Beach
How it works: Clubs charge hundreds of pounds for drinks and may threaten customers who refuse to pay.
How to avoid it: Check prices before ordering and avoid places recommended by touts.
Fake or unlicensed taxis
Where: Sofia airport, Sofia central station, Sunny Beach
How it works: Look-alike taxis use very high rates on small print stickers; in Sunny Beach there are reports of robberies and threats by drivers.
How to avoid it: Use the official airport taxi desk, call a known company or ask your hotel to book.
Misleading exchange office rates
Where: Resorts and tourist streets
How it works: Boards show attractive rates that apply only to huge amounts or to selling, so you get much less.
How to avoid it: Use bank ATMs, ask for the exact amount you will receive before handing over cash, and count it.
Card fraud and PIN re-entry
Where: Bars, clubs, restaurants
How it works: Staff take cards out of sight or ask you to re-enter your PIN to make extra charges.
How to avoid it: Pay in your presence and be wary of repeated PIN requests.
Distraction theft from cars
Where: Roads, petrol stations, parking areas
How it works: Thieves puncture tyres or flag you down, then steal bags while you are distracted.
How to avoid it: Lock doors and the boot and keep valuables out of sight.
Pickpocketing and beach theft
Where: Tourist areas, buses and trains, beaches, Sunny Beach to Nessebar buses
How it works: Thieves target bags and phones in crowds and on beaches.
How to avoid it: Keep valuables on you and do not leave bags unattended on the beach.
Safety
- Street crime is more common in larger cities and late at night; watch for pickpockets on buses, trains and in tourist areas.
- Sunny Beach has frequent problems: hotel room burglaries, pickpocketing, club overcharging and taxi robberies.
- Avoid poorly lit roads at night in resorts.
- Keep car boots locked and do not leave luggage visible.
- Stray dogs may be seen in some areas; keep your distance.
How widely English is spoken
Good among younger people and in resorts and Sofia; older people more often speak Russian. Signs use Cyrillic, with Latin transliteration in many tourist spots.
Sources
We check these guides against official and well-known sources, but rules and prices change. Spot something out of date? Email support@tourits.app.