Discover the best hidden gems from Bulgaria: From Veliko Tarnovo and its fortress via Etar and its ethnographic village, Basarbovo and its cave monastery, Belogradchik and its rock formations, Shipka and its golden-domed Orthodox church, Zimelen and the petrified bride and Saint Anastasia Island.

Hidden treasures and secret destinations, off the beaten track, await you in Bulgaria.

Book your flights, your accommodation in Bulgaria as well as your tours and activities in Bulgaria and visit the best hidden gems of Bulgaria

1. House of the Bulgarian Communist Party

Buzludzha

Also called "Buzludzha Monument" (because it is located on the hill of Buzludzha, in the centre of Bulgaria), this extraordinary monument, built in 1974 and finished in 1981, commemorated the events of 1891. At that time, a group of young socialists, led by Dimitar Blagoev had gathered at this exact location to form what was to become the Bulgarian Social Democratic Party and later the Bulgarian Communist Party.

The top of the hill was dynamited to install this gigantic monument which cost nearly 35 million euros. When Communism fell in 1989, the maintenance of this gigantic building, located in the middle of nature, was stopped and the building was closed to the public. Many projects are under consideration to bring this historic site back to life.

During your stay in the region, be sure to visit Etar village, an ethnographic village ranked among your best places to visit in

 Bulgaria located near Buzludzha Monument, near the town of Gabrovo. Buzludzha monument is a famous place for lovers of uberx, tourism of abandoned places.

 How to get there: Book your flights to Plovdiv (2h by car).

 Where to stay: "Plovdiv City Center Hotel". Featuring a bar, terraced and views of city.

2. Covered Bridge 

Lovech

Lovech Covered Bridge is a covered bridge located in the town of Lovech, 2 hours by car from Plovdiv, 3 hours from Sofia. It looks a bit like the inhabited bridge in Florence, ranked among the most beautiful bridges in Europe. This covered bridge is one of the symbols of the town of Lovech.

The Lovech Covered Bridge connects the Old and New Town of Lovech. Inside the bridge you will find souvenir shops but also shops of craftsmen who work with leather, wood, ceramics. If you are lucky enough to stay in Lovech you will see that the bridge is beautifully lit at night

Book your flights to Plovdiv or Sofia, your accommodation in Plovdiv, Sofia or Lovech as well as your tours and activities in Bulgaria.

 How to get there: Book your flights to Plovdiv (2h) or Sofia (3H by car).

 Where to stay: "Hotel Jägerhof" features a restaurant, a fitness center and a bar.

3. Basarbovo Monastery

Ruse

More than 300 cells carved into the rock housed the monks of the rock monastery Saint Dimitryi Basarbovski in Basarbovo in the North-West of Bulgaria.

It is on the border between Romania and Bulgaria, separated by the Danube, that this atypical religious construction is located. This monastery bears the name of one of its illustrious monks, St Dimitar Basarbovski. A century after his death his body was moved from the village of Basarbovo to Russia via Romania.

Legend has it that at the time Romania was experiencing a major plague epidemic but when the relics of St. Dimitar Basarbovski had passed through Bucharest the plague epidemic had  stopped instantly. The inhabitants of Bucharest wanted the body of the holy man to remain in Bucharest. Even today his relics are in Bucharest in the St Constantine and Elena Church.

Visit Basarbovo on 26th October, it is a feast day for the Monastery which celebrates its patron on the St. Dimitar's Day. Treat yourself to a moment of serenity by visiting one of Bulgaria's best hidden gems.

Book your flights to Varna, your accommodation in Bulgaria as well as your tours and activities in Bulgaria such as a "Basarbovo & Veliko Tarnovo Day Tour".

 How to get there: Book your flights to Varna (2h by car) or Bucharest-Romania (1h30 by car).

 Where to stay: "City House Hotel & Restaurant" featuring a restaurant, a bar and a garden.

4. Devetashka Cave

Devetaki

During your stay in Sofia, Capital of Bulgaria, do not miss to visit the best hidden gems of Bulgaria such as "Devetashka Cave". This is a place to put at the top of your travel wishlist in Bulgaria if you are on a roadtrip in Bulgaria.

Devetashaka cave was inhabited by Paleolithic people for tens of thousands of years. Nowadays it is mainly inhabited by more than 30,000 bats.

Be sure to visit the nearby Krushunskiye waterfalls to discover Bulgaria's most beautiful nature wonders and hidden gems.

Book your flights to Sofia, your accommodation in Sofia as well as your activities and tours in Bulgaria such as a "Sofia: Devetashka and Prohodna Cave Day Tour".

 How to get there: Book your flights to Sofia (2h by car).

 Where to stay: “Sofia Place Hotel". Situated in the real heart of Sofia.

5. Veliko Tarnovo

With its fortress ranked among the most beautiful castles in Bulgaria, its houses clinging to the side of the cliff that remind us of Porto in Portugal, Veliko Tarnovo is one of the hidden gems of Bulgaria.

Located in the center-north of Bulgaria, 2h30 from Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo is a high place of Bulgarian culture and history. It was the historic capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire and its reputedly impregnable fortress was the subject of numerous clashes during the Russo-Turkish wars.

Discover the medieval capital of Bulgaria and book your flights to Sofia (2h30 by car), your accommodation in Sofia or Veliko Tarnovo as well as your tours and activities in Bulgaria as a "Private Veliko Tarnovo Day Tour".

 How to get there: Book your flights to Sofia (2h30 by car) or Varna.

 Where to stay: "Sense Hotel Sofia". Stay in the heart of Sofia.

6. Belogradchik

Belogradchik is one of the best hidden gems in Bulgaria but also one of the best castles in Bulgaria. A fortress perched on top of a hill, surrounded by majestic rocks and incredible ramparts awaits you in Belogradchik, a town located in the North-West of Bulgaria, 2h30 by road from Sofia.

The fortress of Belogradchik bears the name of this city rewarded by the European Commission for its commitment to sustainable tourism. During your stay in the region do not miss to visit "Venetsa Cave" and "Lepenitsa Cave".

Book your flights to Sofia, your accommodation in Sofia as well as your tours and activities in Bulgaria such as a "Sofia: Lovech, Devetaki Cave and Krushuna Waterfalls Tour".

 How to get there: Book your flights to Sofia (2h30 by car).

 Where to stay:  "InterContinental Sofia" offers two restaurants and a 24/7 fitness centre.

7. Etar Etnographical Village

Etar

Immerse yourself in the incredible history of Bulgaria, its customs, its traditions, its crafts, its culinary specialties by visiting the ethnographic village of Etar. This open-air museum, also considered one of the best destinations to visit in Bulgaria, is located in northern Bulgaria, 2 hours drive from Sofia or Plovdiv.

Etar is part of the Bulgarian National Park and give visitorsthe opportunity to discover around 20 regional crafts such as pottery, crafts, cutlery making, wood-carving,...There are many restaurants on site: you will enjoy tasting Bulgarian culinary specialties.

Book your flights to Plovdiv or Sofia (2h by car), book your accommodation in Bulgaria as well as your tours and activities in Bulgaria such as a "Bansko: Thermal Pool Escape".

 How to get there: Book your flights to Plovdiv or Sofia (2h by car).

 Where to stay: “Grand Hotel Plovdiv". Situated at the heart of Plovdiv.

8. St. Anastasia Island

Black Sea

Saint Anastasia Island is an island located near Burgas and "Tchermomorets" in the North East of Bulgaria, in a region renowned for its seaside resorts. Boats connect the port of Burgas to this pretty little island three times a day. On site you will find a museum, a church and a restaurant offering seafood. In summer, have an iced tea on a terrace and enjoy a moment of pure tranquility on this hidden Bulgarian gem.

Book your flights to Burgas (20 min by boat), your accommodation in Burgas as well as your tours and activities in Burgas such as a "Burgas: Boat Trip to St. Anastasia Island".

 How to get there: Book your flights to Burgas.

 Where to stay: “St Anastasia Hotel". This property is 1 minute walk from the beach.

9. Melnik

Discover Melnik, the smallest town in Bulgaria with only 385 inhabitants. Although small, Melnik is also one of the Bulgarian destinations with the highest concentration of buildings classified as historical monuments.

Imagine that nearly 100 buildings in this small town are classified as historical monuments. Not far from the charming town centre you will discover the "Pyramids of Melnik", a natural site of rocky and sandy formations. This spectacular site, of rare beauty, is the result of erosion. As you will have noticed, these pyramids look a bit like the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia in Turkey.

 As Melnik is located on the border with Greece, in good weather you can even see Mount Olympus!

Book your flights to Sofia (2h by car) your accommodation in Melnik or Sofia as well as your activities and tours such as a "From Sofia: Private Day Trip to Melnik".

 How to get there: Book your flights to Sofia (2h by car).

 Where to stay: "Sofia Palace Hotel by HMG" is a 5-minute walk from St Sofia Cathedral.

10. Rila Monastery

Rila National Park

Rila Monastery is considered a must-see on a trip to Bulgaria. Located in the Rila Mountains, this monastery does not owe its name to its location but to its founder.  Saint John of Rila, a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church, founded this monastery in the 10th century. It is an exceptional place considered one of the jewels of European religious heritage.

This building and its numerous paintings is one of the symbols of the Bulgarian Renaissance (18th century) a key moment marked by the awareness of the Bulgarians of their unique cultural identity after centuries of Ottoman occupation.

UNESCO World Heritage, Rila Monastery is at the top of your to do list during your stay in Bulgaria.

Book your flights to Sofia (2h by car), your accommodation in Sofia as well as your tours and activities in Bulgaria such as a "Rila Monastery Day Trip from Sofia".

 How to get there: Book your flights to Sofia (2h by car).

 Where to stay: "InterContinental Sofia". Situated in the real heart of Sofia.

11. The Devil's Bridge

Ardino

The Dyavolski Most is an arch bridge that crosses the Arda River in southern Bulgaria, 2h by car from Plovdiv.

Like all arched bridges, its reflection in the water makes a perfect circle appear, seen by some as a doorway to Hell. The bridge of Hell is actually located in a welcoming natural site. You have the possibility of parking nearby (200 m from the bridge).

Built in the 16th century, this bridge is one of Bulgaria's best hidden gems for its beauty and the legends surrounding it.

Book your flights to Plovdiv, your accommodation in Plovdiv as well as your tours and activities in Bulgaria.

 How to get there: Book your flights to Plovdiv (2h30 by car).

 Where to stay: "Plovdiv City Center Hotel" located 200 m from Roman Theater Plovdiv.

12. Monument to Freedom

Shipka

Like “Shipka Church” Shipka Monument to Freedom is located in Shipka, in the Rose Valley of Kazanlak. It is a monument dedicated to the Russian, Ukrainian and Bulgarian soldiers who died for the liberation of Bulgaria in the Russo-Turkish war (1877-1878).

This Monument was built thanks to donations from the Bulgarian population as a gratitude to the heroes who fought for the freedom of Bulgaria.

Book your flights to Plovdiv (1h30), your accommodation in Plovdiv as well as your tours and activities in Bulgaria such as a "Rose Valley Tour & UNESCO Site Kazanlak".

 How to get there: Book your flights to Plovdiv (2h) or Sofia (3h by car).

 Where to stay: "Best Western Premier Plovdiv Hills" provides a  restaurant, free private parking and a fitness centre.

13. The Stone Wedding

Zimzelen

1h30 by car from Plovdiv, discover a natural phenomenon of rare beauty: “Zimzelen Stone Wedding”. This rock formation is located south of the village of Zimzelen and bears its name because of its resemblance to a couple ready to engage.

Other nearby rock formations look like people, birds, animals, objects. A legend says that a young Bulgarian man had fallen in love with a young girl in a veil from the village. Seeing this, the father of that young man had  met the parents of the young girl, and proposed, according to custom, to pay for her dowry. On the way to the wedding, the groom, the bride and the parents were surprised by a violent wind which lifted the scarf of the young girl and revealed a sublime face. Everyone was petrified by so much beauty and turned to stone except the young man who was looking away. He prayed to be turned to stone too, which happened. Even today, a puddle representing the tears of the young groom is visible in front of his statue.

Book your flights to Plovdiv, your accommodation in Plovdiv as well as your tours and activities in Bulgaria and discover the best hidden gems of Bulgaria.

 How to get there: Book your flights to Plovdiv (1h30 by car).

 Where to stay: "Plovdiv City Center Hotel" featuring a bar, terrace and views of city.

14. Monument to Bulgarian Soviet Friendship

Varna

Varna is reputed to be one of the best seaside resorts in Bulgaria with its many fine sandy beaches and all-inclusive resorts.

Varna is also known worldwide for the "Monument of the Bulgarian-Soviet Friendship" a monument of pure communist style also called "Bombastic Style" or "Monumentalism". From the top of the monument you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Varna and the sea.

Even if the monument seems close to the city centre we advise you to take a bus or a taxi to get there because once there you will have to climb many steps to reach the top of the monument.

Book your flights to Varna, your accommodation in Varna as well as your tours and activities in Varna such as a "Varna: Black Sea Cruise With Lunch and Drinks".

 How to get there: Book your flights to Varna.

 Where to stay: "The Palace Hotel, Sunny Day". Set on the beachfront.

15. Nessebar

Nessebar was a village of sailors, inhabited by Greeks until 1923. It was the Treaty of Lausanne, between Bulgaria and Greece, which brought Nessebar back under the colours of the Bulgarian flag. It is a beautiful fishing village, marked by intertwined cultures, renowned for its seafood restaurants and its monuments and historical sites.

The peninsula of Nessebar is home to the old city centre with its cobbled streets, souvenir shops, crafts, restaurants. Peaceful because it is pedestrianized, it is located near "Sunny Beach", long golden sandy beaches which in summer welcome holidaymakers seduced by the charm of this authentic destination as well as by all-inclusive resorts at affordable prices.

Book your flights to Burgas (20 min by car) or Varna (1h30), your accommodation in Nessebar as well as your tours and activities in Nessebar as a "Sunny Beach: Half-Day Black Sea Catamaran Cruise".

 How to get there: Book your flights to Burgas (20 min by car) or Varna Airport (1h30).

 Where to stay: "Premier Fort Beach Resort" offering an outdoor pool, an a la carte restaurant and a spa.

16. Shipka Memorial Church

Shipka - Kazanlak

Kazanlak Church is located in the Kazanlak region, where you can also visit one of Bulgaria's best hidden gems, the Buzludzah Monument.

Kazanlak is also nicknamed the Valley of Roses for the cultivation of thousands of roses and the rose festival which is held there every year on the first weekend of June.

Shipka Memorial Church also called "The Memorial Temple of the Birth of Christ" is a Bulgarian Orthodox church dedicated to the Russian, Ukrainian and Bulgarian soldiers who died for the liberation of Bulgaria in the Russo-Turkish war (1878).

Book your flights to Plovdiv (1h30), your accommodation in Plovdiv as well as your tours and activities in Bulgaria such as a "Rose Valley Tour & UNESCO Site Kazanlak".

 How to get there: Book your flights to Plovdiv (2h) or Sofia (3h by car).

 Where to stay: "Landmark Creek Hotel & Wellness" features a free outdoor pool, as well as a spa and wellness centre