Sofia

The capital city of Bulgaria is scattered with really well-preserved Roman structures. The oldest monument in the city is St. George Church Rotunda, which dates back to the beginning of the 4th century A.D. There is also St Sofia Church, dating back to the 6th century A.D. You will find there an almost intact Roman necropolis and the remains of over 50 tombs and artefacts, built on different underground levels. This is a history lover’s paradise, as the byzantine and roman structures are in really great condition and you can visit most of them.

Varna

Although mostly overlooked by tourists, Varna is a wonderful destination not just for its golden beach, but also for the Sea Garden. The public park will amaze with the diversity of flowers, street art, sculptures and beautiful landscape. Once you’re done walking around, every restaurant is ready to serve you with fresh seafood at really affordable prices. Another fun thing to do in Varna while you’re on your Eurail or Interrail Bulgaria journey is to go dolphin spotting while sailing in a regatta. Nature lovers can also go and check out the Stone Forest, where you will find 13 square kilometres of stone columns carved by tiny organisms. It sure is a memorable sight.

Balchik

This is not your usual lively city. But it sure is a haven and a breath of fresh air. Located by the Black Sea, Balchik’s main attraction is the palace, close to the seafront promenade. The palace was built by and for King Ferdinand’s wife, Queen Mary between 1925 and 1929. The place is also known as ‘The Queen’s Nest’ and it is easy to see why. While the palace itself is quite small, the gardens surrounding it and the small houses for the guests and the workers will make you feel like you are walking in a small medieval village, where you know everyone. The famous garden was tended by the Queen herself and it still wears the perfume of those quiet times.

Plovdiv

Plovidiv has been designated as the European Capital of Culture for 2019 so it sure should be in your itinerary. The mixture of cultures that have lived in the area have left their mark so you will see Thracian, Roman and Ottoman structures still in great condition. As it has always been known as the rich people’s city, there is plenty of classic architecture and well known restaurants and bars all around. There are plenty of artistic cafés as well. You can very well say it feels like a western city, but with a more laidback attitude.

Nessebar

Yet another Black Sea coast city, Nessebar brings the ancient Roman fragrance closer with standing fortress walls and towers. Walk along the cobbled streets and admire the old houses which lead you to the UNESCO protected Old Town. The beaches are all you have been waiting for from your trip to Bulgaria. The Black Sea is a great environment to test your swimming skills, as its salt will help you stay afloat. There are many water activities as well, such as kitesurfing, scuba diving or surfing. If you just cannot get enough of water, then you can hit the adventurous slides of Aquapark Nessebar.

Interrail and Eurail Bulgaria Map and Planner

Planning a trip is never easy, unless you like to hop from one city to another and just improvise along the way. Even so, it’s always a good idea to have a map at hand. Sure, you will receive one along with your pack, but you can have a look at the map below before it gets in your mail.

In case just looking at a map does not necessarily satisfy your planning needs, there is another tool you can use: InterrailPlanner.com. This is a very easy to use online tool which generates itineraries based on your preferences and destination.

Interrail Romania – Bulgaria

Should you be a European citizen or resident, purchasing an Interrail Global Pass allows you to travel well beyond Bulgaria’s borders. For example, you can see for yourself how the Black Sea looks and feels like from the Romanian coastline. All you need to do is get on a train from Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria and get off in Bucharest, Romania’s capital city. There is a direct train connecting the two capitals. From there, you can go straight to the seaside in Constanta or to the mountainside, there is a lot you can choose from.

Eurail Greece to Bulgaria
Non-European citizen and residents are eligible for the Eurail Global Pass. This means that you can visit as much as you can of the 30 participating countries. The Eurail Global Pass allows you to give your journey a boost by getting from the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea in Greece. Thessaloniki is just a train ride away. You can travel from Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria directly to the Greek city of Thessaloniki. The Eurail Greece to Bulgaria trip takes about 7 hours by train so set yourself in the mood for a spectacular view, for that’s what you are in for!

Interrail Bulgaria – best places to stay

You’ll need to have somewhere to stay when you’re on your Interrail or Eurail Bulgaria trip. Here’s some places where you can do just that, brought to you by our readers, as well as our partners at Booking.com.

Reader Recommendations

We want to hear about the best places you stayed while you were on your Interrail Bulgaria trip – bonus points if they’re a little off the beaten track! Share the love and give us a recommendation – get in touch or add yours in the comments section (coming soon)!

[your recommendations here!]

Recommended Interrail Bulgaria Route

We know it might seem hard to choose an itinerary, so we cooked one for you. Feel free to follow it as it is or spice it up as you wish.

Route: Sofia > Plovdiv > Burgas > Varna

• Sofia: Visit the capital city and taste the local Rakia drink. Beware, it is pretty strong! Book your hotel or hostel.
• Plovdiv: See for yourself why Plovdiv has been voted as a European Capital of Culture. Book your hotel or hostel.
• Burgas: Enjoy the sun while resting on the beach or take a day trip to the nearby lakes, which are famous for the huge diversity of birds. Book your hotel or hostel.
• Varna: Visit one of the largest landscaped parks in the Balkans and taste the delicious local food. Book your hotel or hostel.

Keep in mind that the Interrail passes are only for European residents and citizens.

• Recommended: Interrail Bulgaria Pass
• Travel days needed: 3 days within 1 month
• Prices: from €51.

Which Eurail Bulgaria Pass Will I Need?

The Eurail Passes are only available to you if you were born and living outside Europe.

• Recommended: Eurail Bulgaria Pass
• Travel days needed: 3 days within 1 month
• Prices: from €53.

Interrail Bulgaria, Eurail Bulgaria Photo Gallery

Here are some of the best photographs people have been kind enough to share from their previous Interrail Bulgaria trips.

If you have photos to share, we’re open to considering them for display on this page – just email us to start a conversation!

Conversely, if you see your photo here and want it taken down, just let us know.

Interrail Bulgaria FAQ

Whichever Interrail or Eurail Bulgaria guide you read, there will always be unanswered questions. If you feel that there is anything missing from this guide or the FAQ below, let us know in the comments or send an email!

Interrail and Eurail Bulgaria – get your Pass today!

Starting your Interrail Bulgaria journey means getting ready for some beautifully depicted history lessons and tasting heavenly seafood.

Your Eurail journey will take you to some of Europe’s greatest landscape gardens. Don’t forget to taste the local drink – Rakia.

Nazdrave!