If you’ve never considered spending 1 week in Bulgaria before, now’s the time to do it. There’s a lot to discover in Bulgaria including beautiful traditional towns, seaside resorts, incredible historic ruins, and breathtaking mountains. And the country isn’t short of unique places to visit either. Having spent a week in central Bulgaria I was able to get off the beaten path and drive to some fascinating attractions that aren’t along the usual tourist route.
For first time visitors to Bulgaria I would highly recommend spending at least 2 days in Sofia and a day in Plovdiv because there’s a lot to see in each of these cities. The area in and around the Central Balkan National Park is incredible to drive through too. Whether you like hiking or want to visit some of Bulgaria’s most unique attractions you’ll have a lot of options in this area. Here’s my alternative guide to spending 1 week in Bulgaria.
Renting a car in Bulgaria
The first time I drove in Bulgaria was a little daunting but I was fully prepared for the crazy drivers the second time around. For this 1 week in Bulgaria road trip I rented a fully automatic Peugeot 208 from Top Rent A Car who are the top rated car rental company in Bulgaria. The pickup process from the airport is very straightforward and it’ll take no more than 15 minutes to be handed over the keys in the parking garage. Drop off is very quick as well and they’ll release the deposit on your card right away.
The Peugeot 208 is a beautiful car to drive. The car I received was brand new and in pristine condition inside too. There was plenty of room in the backseats as well as the trunk for all of my bags and CarPlay was available on the screen which was very useful. What I loved most about the car was the sleek modern design inside and the comfort of the driver’s seat. Even on badly paved roads the car was comfortable to drive.
I had car rental insurance included with my booking so there was nothing to worry about except where to drive during my 1 week in Bulgaria.
Unique places to visit in Central Bulgaria
The best time to visit Bulgaria depends on your weather preference. When we last visited Bulgaria in the autumn most of the days were rainy so we couldn’t appreciate the beauty of the rural parts of the country as much as we would have liked. This time I visited in June though and the weather was near perfect and not too hot. Here are some unique places to visit in Central Bulgaria to add to your 1 week in Bulgaria itinerary.
Bozhentsi
One of the most beautiful places to visit in Bulgaria where you can admire traditional architecture is Bozhentsi. This architectural reserve is surrounded by mountains. It’s rumoured to have been founded in 1393 by a noblewoman who the town is named after. However, evidence suggests it was actually founded in the 16th century by residents fleeing the Ottoman Turks who had taken control of Veliko Tarnovo, the country’s former capital.
There are a number of interesting buildings to look at here and parking is available outside of the town centre. It does say it’s paid parking but when I visited there was no one there and the ticket machine didn’t work. I would recommend spending an hour here before moving on to another nearby small town in Bulgaria.
Selishte
My accommodation during my 1 week in Bulgaria was at Karashka House which is located in the very small rural town of Selishte. The town itself consists of only 10 houses but it’s a very popular area with locals who enjoy hiking. There’s a beautiful trail leading from Karashka House where you’ll pass by a few traditional Bulgarian houses as well as the remains of other buildings. You’ll also get incredible mountain views and may see some wildlife along the way. If you intend on backpacking in Bulgaria this is a great area to visit.
Tryavna
Nestled right in the heart of central Bulgaria is the town of Tryavna. It’s a popular place to visit in Bulgaria among locals but not too many people outside of Bulgaria know about it, which is what makes it so unique. I didn’t spend a lot of time in Tryavna but I did walk through the main square of the old town and see some of the main attractions of Tryavna which include the clock tower, the old bridge, and the street of crafts. It’s a great place to stop during 1 week in Bulgaria.
Krushuna Falls
There are quite a few waterfalls in Bulgaria to visit. Many have parking lots nearby so there’s not a lot of walking involved. Krushuna Falls is located in a rural setting in central Bulgaria and is easily accessible by a walking trail that also leads to other parts of the forested area. There are several sections of the falls to look at with the highest being over 60 feet tall. This is a fairly off the beaten path place to visit in Bulgaria so it won’t be overrun with tourists, but it does get busier in the summer months and on weekends.
There’s a small entrance fee (cash only) but parking is free and you’ll be given a map of the park too. I walked along all of the trails here and some are more worth it than others. Unless you have a lot of time on your hands I wouldn’t recommend going further than Krushuna Falls since there isn’t much else to see.
Troyan Monastery
Troyan Monastery is one of the top places to visit in Bulgaria and it’s the third largest monastery in the country. It’s located outside of the town of Troyan, where you can purchase some beautiful handmade Troyan pottery, and it’s completely free to enter. The monastery itself is still active and was founded in the 16th century, although there are signs of religious life dating back to the 14th century.
There’s parking available on-site which you’re supposed to pay for but both of the times I’ve been no one has asked me to pay. This is one historic site you won’t want to miss during your 1 week in Bulgaria, but arrive as early as possible to avoid the crowds!
Shipka Monument
Bulgaria certainly isn’t short of impressive monuments and central Bulgaria is home to some of the biggest around. The Shipka Monument is a popular tourist attraction in Bulgaria that sits at the top of the Shipka Pass. It’s also referred to as the Monument of Freedom. It was built to commemorate the fallen Bulgarian and Russian soldiers who fought in the battles of 1877 against the Ottomans.
There’s a small entry fee of 3 BGN to enter the monument where you can find a small museum and climb up to the top of the tower for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Arrive as early as possible to the Shipka Monument to avoid the tour buses that stop here with large crowds of tourists.
Buzludzha Monument
One of the most unique places to visit in Bulgaria, and a personal favourite of mine, is the Buzludzha Monument. Once you’ve visited the Shipka Monument you can continue down one of the mountain roads until you reach a dead end at the summit – that’s where you’ll see this giant spaceship.
The Buzludzha Monument once served as the seat of the Bulgarian Socialist Party and was built on the site of a battle that took place in 1868 between Bulgarian revolutionaries and the Ottomans. The site is no longer in use, and going inside the monument is prohibited, but you can still walk around the outside and admire the views as well.
If you’re spending 1 week in Bulgaria this definitely needs to be on your list. The first time we drove here it was about to snow so when we made it to the top we could hardly see the outline of the building through the clouds. Make sure you visit the Buzludzha Monument when the weather is nice or you’ll be disappointed.
Arch of Freedom
Those of you visiting Bulgaria for the first time may want to consider driving along the Troyan Pass which cuts through the Central Balkan National Park. It’s a beautiful drive and there are some fantastic viewpoints along the way. Towards the top of the pass is the enormous Arch of Freedom which is dedicated to the Bulgarian and Russian soldiers who fought for the country’s freedom. There’s a narrow road leading up to the monument or you can park below the hill and walk up the trail.
Hotnitsa Waterfall
Hotnitsa Waterfall may not be the most beautiful waterfall in Bulgaria but it’s very easy to access and is actually one of the most photographed waterfalls in the country. It’s located only 20 km from Veliko Tarnovo and is the starting point for a unique eco-trail. The area around the waterfall is a bit more touristy than Krushuna Falls which is a shame. You can park less than 5 minutes from it too so if you’re in a rush you can easily add Hotnitsa Waterfall to your 1 week in Bulgaria itinerary.
Koprivshtitsa
One of the most beautiful places in Bulgaria is the town of Koprivshtitsa. It was founded around the 14th century but most of the buildings today date from the 19th and 20th century. They’re beautifully painted in various colours which is what attracts thousands of tourists to this town every year. There are a lot of important attractions to visit in Koprivshtitsa and it’s a popular option for a day trip from Sofia or Plovdiv.
Singing Rocks
Spending 1 week in Bulgaria in the summer is the perfect time to hit up the hiking trails. I did a few hikes during my trip to central Bulgaria but my favourite one by far was to the Singing Rocks. Luckily the owner of Karashka House was kind enough to drive me as far as possible up the mountain otherwise it would have been a full day hiking up and down the trail. The road isn’t accessible to everyone so most people will need to hike to the top. Where the road ends is where you’ll find a hut that offers hikers accommodation as well as breakfast for early risers.
From the hut the hike took us under 90 minutes and along the way we saw some mountain goats and a lot of deer in the distance. This was a sunrise hike which is the best time to see wildlife so stay alert! The view from the top of the Singing Rocks is spectacular and the trail isn’t too difficult to follow either. It’s one of the best hikes in Bulgaria and if you enjoy being surrounded by nature then you’ll love this route.
Where to stay during 1 week in Bulgaria
Karashka House
This was my second time visiting central Bulgaria and my second stay at Karashka House. This beautiful self-catering guesthouse is located in the rural town of Selishte, right in the heart of the mountains. The house itself was originally built in 1921 and it’s now been lovingly restored using traditional methods and natural materials. The stone roof is a highlight of the building which takes a painstaking amount of work to construct by hand and is reminiscent of other 19th century buildings in the area.
The main building can sleep up to 5 people upstairs, which is where you’ll find the shower and toilet. There are 3 separate bedrooms available and in the colder months each room has a dedicated plug-in heater to keep you warm. All of the rooms are beautifully decorated and match the rest of this traditional Bulgaria rural house.
On the ground floor is the kitchen, dining room, and living room as well as a fireplace. The house is fully equipped with enough wood and paper to keep the fire lit for the duration of your stay if you’re feeling cold. The style inside the house is very traditional and perfectly matches the outside. There’s even a fully stocked spice drawer as well as a hidden compartment where you can purchase locally made drinks and preserves.
The latest addition to Karashka House is the studio located under the shed. This can sleep 2 extra people if needed and features a lovely open plan living space with a surround sound speaker system. The shed is located right next to the main house and is easier to access for people who may have disabilities.
The house itself is stunning but you should also take some time to enjoy sitting outside if the weather is nice. From the entrance to the house you’ll have an incredible view of the mountains and you can join one of the nearby hiking trails behind the house as well if that interests you. There’s plenty of free parking spaces available too and the owner is just a text away if you need him. You won’t find a better rural retreat in Bulgaria with access to so many interesting places than Karashka House.
>> See what days are available at Karashka House <<
Planning a trip to Central Bulgaria
If you’re looking for an alternative way to spend 1 week in Bulgaria, here it is! There are a number of places to visit in Sofia, and cities such as Plovdiv are also worth visiting. But sometimes it’s nice to get away from tourist areas and explore off the beaten path locations too. Central Bulgaria has a lot to offer visitors, even if you don’t intend to go hiking. So, the next time you find yourself planning to spend 1 week in Bulgaria, I’d highly recommend coming to this lesser known region of the country.
If you have any questions about how to spend 1 week in Bulgaria, are wondering where to visit in Bulgaria, or want to know some must see places in Bulgaria please get in touch with me via email or on Instagram. I’ll do my best to help or point you in the right direction.
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