Useful tips Bulgaria
You will find some useful tips Bulgaria for visiting Bulgaria below. First, let’s start with the outlined useful tips you need to know once you start planning a visit to Bulgaria.
Bulgarian Currency
On January 1, 2026, Bulgaria officially adopted the euro, becoming the 21st member of the euro zone.It is the final phase of completing a process of European integration that began with EU membership in 2007. With this step, the Bulgarian national currency, lev will exit circulation after nearly a century and a half, closing a chapter that began shortly after the country’s liberation and statehood.
The lev was formally introduced on June 4, 1880, when the National Assembly passed a law granting the Principality of Bulgaria the right to mint its own currency. On January 1, 2026, the lev concludes a long and eventful existence. From gold-backed stability and wartime collapse to hyperinflation and eventual monetary discipline, the national currency has mirrored the country’s political and economic history.
Useful Tips about Public Holidays
1 January – New Year’s Day
1 May – Labour Day – Solidarity Day
6 May – St. George’s Day – Day of Valour and of the Bulgarian Armed Forces
24 May – Day of the Saintly Brothers Cyril and Methodius, of the Bulgarian Alphabet, Education and Culture and of Slavic Literature
6 September – Bulgarian Unification Day
22 September – Bulgarian Independence Day
1 November – National Awakeners Day
24 December – Christmas Eve
25 and 26 December – Christmas
Body Language
Although it may seem strange, tradition here is different. We shake our heads side to side to mean “Yes.” We nod to mean “No.” This can cause confusion, especially at first. Keep this in mind during your first visit.
Safety
Bulgaria is generally considered a safe country. To many foreigners accustomed to European countries, Bulgaria appears secure. The most frequent crimes reported include pickpocketing, mugging, and car theft. It is advisable to carry all valuables close to your body or leave them in a hotel safe. If using public transportation, exercise extreme caution as pickpockets are particularly active there; they often congregate in areas popular with tourists. Be wary if a group of well-dressed women approaches you in the street; they are often Roma pickpockets.
Weather
Summer months are one of the best periods for touring Bulgaria, with average temperatures ranging from 18 to 25 °C. With the latest climate changes due to global warming, the weather often defies expectations; you may encounter summer temperatures in November or cold winds in May. Please note the altitudes! Mountains are everywhere, and it is always cooler up there.
What to Pack – Useful Tips
Comfortable shoes are a must. Dressing in layers helps cope with the temperature changes during the day. Additionally, pack a long-sleeved shirt, sweater, and a rain jacket, just in case.
Internet and Free Wi-Fi in Bulgaria
Bulgarian Internet speed ranks among the fastest globally. Many visitors are pleasantly surprised by the speed of local Internet access. Yes, Bulgaria offers excellent free Wi-Fi widely available throughout hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops with their own password-protected networks; simply ask for the password. Free Wi-Fi can also be found in some public spaces like Sofia Airport, Sofia Central Bus Station, shopping malls, most underground “Metro” stations, and even some central parks downtown Sofia—just bring your own device.
Tipping
Tipping in Bulgaria is expected for services at hotels, restaurants, taxis, and hairdressers, typically around 10-20%. Porters at 4/5-star hotels expect 1-2€ per bag; hotel housekeepers usually receive 1-1,5€ per day. To start with, a tip of 10-15% is common for taxi drivers but can be higher if they assist with bags or provide polite and informative service. For short rides, a tip of 2-3 € is considered normal. Tipping in restaurants is also customary; tips generally start at 10% of the bill but can exceed 20% depending on service quality. Recently, many nice small restaurants have emerged in Bulgaria offering exquisite food and friendly service that encourages higher tips. In summary, tips are welcome by those working in the travel industry as well. It is customary for drivers and tour guides to receive tips after trips, usually between 10%-20%. Avoid tipping coins as this is considered insulting.
Food and Drinks
Bulgarian cuisine will add color and flavor to your visit. While simple, it is also among the tastiest in Europe due to its use of flavorful local vegetables. Vegetarians will find a wide variety of non-meat dishes available. Bulgarian cuisine features many Oriental influences combined with peasant-style simplicity. A variety of herbs are used extensively; each herb complements different dishes uniquely. Various regions across Bulgaria offer local specialties worth discovering. Bulgaria is known as the birthplace of Lactobacillus Bulgaricus. This is the bacteria essential for yogurt production. And Lactobacillis Bulgarikus makes Bulgarian yogurt a staple ingredient in health diets due to its powerful antioxidant properties.
Popular Bulgarian appetizers include Slivova (plum brandy), Grozdova (grape brandy), and Mastika (anise). Actually, meals typically begin with a fresh green salad accompanied by a small (50 ml) Slivova; locals believe that oil and vinegar dressing helps absorb some of Rakia’s strength.
Wine–making has deep roots in Bulgarian culture dating back to prehistoric times. One interesting fact – ancient Thracians excelled as viticulturists and wine-makers—Homer even mentioned ships transporting wine from Thrace to Greece during the Trojan War!
