We've compiled some essential and hopefully useful information about Bulgaria here, so everything goes smoothly once you're there. We'll cover practices, driving, temperament, specialties, and more.
Who knows, you might learn something new!
Some may not know or have ever wondered, but Bulgaria is indeed part of the European Union.
Since 2007, it's very easy for French citizens (or any other EU nationals) to visit this country, as you only need your ID card to enter. Yes, there's no need to fuss with a passport or visa.
Far from our Latin alphabet, Bulgaria uses the Cyrillic alphabet, like most Eastern European Slavic countries.
The Cyrillic alphabet was actually created in the Bulgarian Empire (which includes present-day Bulgaria and North Macedonia) and has its origins in the Greek alphabet.
Interestingly, it is the third official alphabet in Europe, after the Latin and Greek alphabets.
Still, it's an unreadable alphabet for anyone who hasn't studied it, which can quickly complicate reading and understanding signs, notices, and so on in the country. The Google Translate app is very handy in this case, as you can take photos, and it translates directly over them.
Yes, it can be surprising. When we arrived in the country, we thought we would struggle to communicate and understand anything, but that wasn't the case at all! We were pleasantly surprised.
And that's a good thing because it was in Bulgaria that we had to visit a mechanic to check our van, which was making an unusual noise during our European tour.
We went to Renault dealerships rather than small garages, and while not all the staff spoke English, we managed to get by.
We were also worried about encountering unfriendly or unhelpful people, but once again, we were pleasantly surprised. Bulgarians are quite warm (though, like everywhere, you'll find all types of personalities).
Bulgaria has many contrasts: between East and West, tradition and modernity, luxury and poverty. It's a fact. This is one of the reasons why many Western expatriates choose to settle in the country.
This is clearly reflected in the value of the Bulgarian currency. It's called the lev (plural: "leva" or "levove") and is also written as BGN. Its exchange rate is approximately 1€ = 1.95 BGN (en 2024).
Bulgaria is a country where the cost of living is low, and with our purchasing power as French citizens, it's possible to do a lot when visiting (or living there, as some do).
It's also good to know that credit cards are generally accepted everywhere (stores, gas stations, hotels, etc.), except in remote areas and small street shops.
On that note, we recommend bringing a no-foreign-fee credit card to avoid any unwanted withdrawal or payment charges.
We have the Visa Ultim card from BoursoBank which we highly recommend. It's free and has no fees, regardless of the currency you're paying in. Plus, if you open an account using our referral code SILE2464 or the link below, you can receive a bonus ranging from €80 to €220 (depending on the current offer and the conditions met).
No, it's not a joke. There are indeed horse-drawn carriages in Bulgaria. When we say it's a country of contrasts, this is a perfect illustration!
Although cars are a common mode of transport, Bulgaria remains a relatively poor country, as we mentioned, and not everyone, especially in smaller towns, can afford a car.
Horse-drawn carriages and carts share the road with cars, sometimes ordinary ones, but also brand new pickups and luxury vehicles.
We quickly realized that outside the capital, buses are a widely used mode of transport, as is hitchhiking (many Bulgarians hitchhike along the roads) and horse-drawn carriages.
Seeing such a scene is quite surprising, and it really makes you realize the economic differences that exist between Bulgaria and France, or simply with the West.
You can still rent a car if needed. For that, we recommend using DiscoverCars. It compares hundreds of companies to offer you the best prices and rental conditions. With every rental, you'll get unlimited mileage, theft protection, and partial coverage included in the basic package. Pretty convenient!
Let's stick to the topic of roads and talk about the road tax. It's not a concept we're particularly familiar with. In France, we pay for highways if and when we use them, but the rest of the roads (national, departmental, communal, etc.) are free!
In Bulgaria, things work differently. Whether you're driving on a national road or a highway, it's the same: you'll need to pay a tax!
This tax comes in the form of an electronic vignette (e-vignette), which you can purchase:
The price of the vignette varies depending on the duration of your stay in the country.
You can purchase a valid e-vignette for:
Not paying the road tax and therefore not purchasing the e-vignette can result in a fine of 100 BGN (about €50).
And speaking of regulations, you should know that you must have your low beams on 24/7 while driving in Bulgaria, even during the day (yes, we didn't quite understand the necessity either, but there you go...).
This topic might seem strange, but separating candles for the living and the dead is something we had never seen before.
Sure, we're not particularly religious, and our knowledge is limited to the catechism classes we had in school (well, Simon did, as I didn’t have any…), but churches are essential stops for us during our travels. We love entering them because they reveal a lot about a country and its culture. Sometimes, we even light a candle, thinking of our loved ones who are no longer with us, whether in France or abroad. However, in Bulgaria, for the first time, we noticed that this ritual of prayers and candles was slightly different.
What you should know is that in Bulgaria, as in other Slavic countries, the predominant religion is Orthodoxy. Among these peoples, as far as I understand, the world of the living coexists with the world of the dead. The cult of the dead by the living helps maintain a balance between the two worlds, ensuring stability that ultimately guarantees order in the universe.
The rituals performed by the living regulate this relationship between the two worlds. Each act aims to fulfill the needs of the deceased and thus protect the living from threats from the beyond.
This beautiful relationship is illustrated in Orthodox churches by the separation of prayers and candles for the two worlds.
So, if you want to light a candle during your trip, be careful not to mix them up and pay attention to the inscriptions:
This practice reminds us of Hinduism. During our trip to Bali, we learned that they honor both gods and demons to maintain stability there as well. By doing so, Hindus ensure that the demons do not become jealous of the gods and retaliate by bringing misfortune. We find that a beautiful way of thinking.
Returning to Bulgaria, regarding deceased individuals, don't be surprised to see posters of death notices displayed in towns, often near the Town Hall or in the center of the village, on bus stops, etc., somewhat similar to missing persons notices at home... Yes, it's quite unexpected if you don't know!
Bulgaria is a country far from home, and we don't know much about it... To be honest, at the beginning of our trip, we had no idea what to expect when going there. But Bulgaria holds a great variety of landscapes and even many UNESCO World Heritage sites! We were not disappointed to discover forests, mountains, rock formations, as well as caves, monasteries, beaches, remnants of communism, and of course, cities. There’s definitely plenty to do and see here! It's a country rich in natural, cultural, and architectural heritage.
At the same time, Bulgaria is literally at the crossroads of Western Europe, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. While researching for this article, I read somewhere that "Bulgaria has the East for its origin and the West for its goal." I wanted to share this phrase because I really liked it and found it very true.
Perhaps like us, you might have overlooked this information, but Bulgaria is indeed the country of the rose. You quickly realize this once you're in the country, with numerous souvenir shops prominently featuring this flower!
Bulgarian roses are said to be "incomparable and famous worldwide." They are cultivated in the "Rose Valley", located between the Balkan mountain range (in the north) and the Srednogorie mountains (in the center of the country).
These roses are primarily used for producing rose oil, making Bulgaria the world's leading exporter of rose oil.
This rose oil is used by many luxury brands in various products, such as perfumes, soaps, creams, oils, and even rose water. It can also be used to flavor dishes and desserts.
Rose oil is known for its regenerative properties and its sweet, delicate scent. It makes for a perfect souvenir to bring back from your trip! You definitely shouldn't miss out on it.
One rather perplexing fact during a conversation with a Bulgarian is that they will shake their head "no" to say "yes", and nod "yes" to say "no." This is completely the opposite of what we're used to, making understanding sometimes tricky, and it’s not uncommon to ask them to repeat themselves to ensure we’ve got it right.
We also noticed this in Albania.
These countries can be quite peculiar, can't they? 😂
Well, we're not in a position to judge because France has its own quirks!
So, we’ve shared our 10 key pieces of information about Bulgaria. As you may have noticed, it’s a beautiful destination to discover a new culture and be amazed by the landscapes! We hope this top 10 will be useful during your stay and that you’ve learned something 😊. And if this article has inspired you to visit Bulgaria, you can book your tickets directly here:
Feel free to share your experiences and tips in the comments for other travelers!
There is a 1-hour time difference between France and Bulgaria. When it’s 12 PM in France, it’s 1 PM in Bulgaria, both in summer and winter (since Bulgaria also adjusts its clocks for the seasons). This slight difference is something to keep in mind, especially regarding your arrival time, planned activities, or calls to family.
In France, we are in UTC+1 during winter and UTC+2 in summer, while Bulgaria operates on UTC+2 in winter and UTC+3 in summer.
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