Bulgaria holidays

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Explore Sofia's Byzantine churches and fashionable boutiques, and Plovdiv's picturesque old quarter. Then head to Bulgaria's hills for hidden away monasteries and heritage-filled villages. Experience Bulgaria's extremes, from Black Sea beaches in Varna and Bourgas to fast-developing ski resorts like Bansko and Pamporovo. Get to grips with Balkan history, or just kick back and immerse yourself in traditional Bulgarian music.

Holidays in Bulgaria

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Our recommended holidays in Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s capital Sofia bears the marks of its 3000-year history, from Roman remains and Byzantine churches to Stalinist monuments. The mountainous Balkan Range stretches from west to east, almost reaching the Black Sea coast. You'll find major port cities Varna and Bourgas and popular beach resorts nearby. Visit the Danubian Plain, which boasts the noble city of Ruse with its Central European elegance.

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Kempinski Grand Arena Bansko

Bansko

,

5StarHotel

flights classEconomy

staying1 night

Jun 2023

£163pp

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

1200 reviews
Lion Bansko

Bansko

,

4StarHotel

flights classEconomy

staying3 nights

Mar 2024

£202pp

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

521 reviews

Kempinski Grand Arena Bansko

Bansko

,

5StarHotel

flights classEconomy

staying1 night

Jun 2023

£163pp

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

1200 reviews

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Hotels in Sofia

The city’s most established luxury hotel is the five star Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan, a palatial landmark building on Sofia’s most central square. If you prefer somewhere more secluded, the luxury Kempinski Zografski Sofia is on a leafy hill within walking distance of the centre, and has striking views of nearby Mount Vitosha.

Sofia 2 night holidays

From£142 pp

from London, Nov 2023

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Ski holidays in Bansko

The gateway to the Pirin mountain region, Bansko is now considered to be the best ski resort in Eastern Europe. It has the best snow record and the longest ski season of all Balkan ski resorts. A superb, modern lift system gives access to a wonderful variety of terrain.

Hack the ski weekend

There’s something deeply satisfying about a weekend on the slopes – it’s short enough to ski and party hard, but long enough to blow the cobwebs away. As you stride into the office on Monday morning, you’ll not only be the envy of the meeting room, but you’ll also have your holiday allowance in tact, says ski expert and travel writer Gabriella Le Breton.

Flights to Sofia

From£84 return

from London, Mar 2024

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The best ski resorts

Ready to ski the best slopes in the world? Breeze through our top ski resorts around the globe and choose the destination for you. Whether you want to experience epic terrain in Whistler, Canada, head to the electric vibes of France’s après-ski or take a family ski holiday in Norway, find your ski break with us.

Amy Rosoman

for British Airways

Discover Bulgaria

City breaks in Bulgaria

Delve into centuries of history in Sofia's cobbled boulevards, but don't miss its swanky shopping centres, or enjoy the lively port city of Varna. In Veliko Turnovo you'll discover a living museum in its streets, churches and fortress. Scramble about the Roman Amphitheatre in Plovdiv's well-preserved old city. And in Ruse, admire the Neoclassical façades around Ploshtad Svoboda from an open-air cafe.

Things to do in Bulgaria

Near Sofia, join locals to ski on Mount Vitosha, or further afield in the Pirin Mountains at the quaint village of Bansko. Escape to hidden monasteries, like UNESCO-protected Rila with its extravagant frescoes and dramatic location in the Rila Mountains. Beach-hop along the Black Sea Coast stopping at pumping resorts, or take a more peaceful dip at hot mineral baths in Velingrad.

Skiing in Bulgaria

Bulgaria has some great value resorts, which are ideal for beginners and those who have skied a few times due to the attractive forested pistes.

You will also find modern lift systems, especially in Bansko which has had a multi-million Euro renovation in recent years, and also some brilliant après ski bars and restaurants.

Bansko

The ancient town of Bansko sits in the foothills of the majestic Pirin mountains. The town itself is large and picturesque, with modern and comfortable hotels which won’t break the bank. The slopes are great for beginners and intermediates, with learner pistes, long sweeping blue runs and more difficult reds and blacks for the more advanced skier. You can also find the FIS World Cup run Tomba – a difficult black for the experts. Bansko has two main ski centres, both of which have been recently renovated with fast new lifts and snow cannons for when the conditions are poor.

**Bansko ski facts**
Nearest airport	Sofia
Ski season	December to April
Piste area	65 km
Resort height	936 m
Lifts	16
Runs	Total 16
	Beginner 4
	Intermediate 11
	Advanced 1

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Borovets

The oldest and largest ski resort in Bulgaria, Borovets was founded in 1896 and has been serving skiers in the Balkans since then. Borovets is a very picturesque resort, surrounded by sprawling pine forest, in the beautiful Rila mountain range. The pistes are suited to competent beginners and those more versed on skis, but veteran skiers can find some great runs too. The Yastrebets ski centre caters for more advanced skiers, and snowboarders will find the Borosport Snow Park a thrill. The après ski on offer in the town is legendary, with lots of cheap bars and nightclubs open until late every night.

**Borovets ski facts**
Nearest airport	Sofia Thessaloniki
Ski season	Late December to April
Piste area	58 km
Resort height	1300 m
Lifts	14
Runs	Total 24
	Beginner 11
	Intermediate 9
	Advanced 4