GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT BULGARIA
* Bulgaria is located in South Central Europe. It occupies the central part of Balkan peninsula on both sides of the Balkan Range (the Balkans), from which the peninsula has taken its name. The terrain is varied, containing large mountainous areas with perfect ski conditions, fertile valleys, plains and a beautiful sandy coastline along the Black Sea. Bulgaria shares a border with Turkey and Greece to the south, Macedonia and Serbia to the west, Romania to the north and the Black Sea to the east. The capital, Sofia, lies in the western region of the country. The territory of Bulgaria is 110,994 sq. km. Major cities are the capital Sofia (1.7 million), Varna (400,000), Plovdiv (450,000), Bourgas (250,000). The total of the population nears 8 mln people. Bulgaria is often referred to as the land of roses. For centuries Bulgarians have planted roses, picked their flowers and extracted their heavenly essence – attar of roses. The rose, this marvellous gift of the land, is admired and used in perfumery, pharmacy and food industry. Bulgaria is a beautiful mountainous country, with tourism opportunities being one of its biggest assets. Bulgaria possesses beautiful landscapes and beaches, and is becoming a real resort paradise. The Black Sea Coast on its East border is famous for its fine sanded beaches, and perfect temperatures of water and air. The larger seaside resorts draw huge crowds of tourists from Western Europe, who come attracted by the low prices. Further, Bulgaria has around 600 natural mineral springs, with water temperatures ranging from 20 to 60 degrees Celsius, whose baths and health spas are famous tourist attractions.
* Time Difference
GMT + 2 hours i.e. time in Bulgaria is two hours ahead of British time.
Don’t forget to adjust your watch upon arrival in Bulgaria.
* Voltage
220 V only. If arriving from UK don’t forget to bring a European style plug adaptor as sockets in Bulgaria use only plugs with two pins.
* Monetary Units
Bulgarian currency is Lev (BGN). Banknote denominations include 1,00, 2,00, 5,00, 10,00, 20,00, 50,00 and 100,00 leva, as well as coins of 1,00 and smaller denominations. 1 British Pound roughly equals 2.5 BGN, 1 Euro roughly equals 2 BGN.
For more comprehensive exchange range check our currency calculator.
* Important Telephone Numbers
Police - 166
Ambulance - 150
Road assistance - 146
Free from any public, landline or mobile.
* Passports and Visas
No entry visas are required for citizens of the EU (incl. UK) and EFTA member states.
No visas are required for CIS citizens for a stay of one month, provided they are in the possession of a valid passport, a voucher for pre-paid tourist services or if they pay the sum of 40 USD for each day of their stay in the country.
No entry visas are required for citizens of the countries with which Bulgaria has a visa-free regime, or of organized tourists who have bought a package tour.
If you are a national of any other country you will need a valid passport with an entry or transit visa which is issued by the embassies and consulates of the Republic of Bulgaria abroad.
* IMPORTANT for British nationals – clients with „British Subject" passports should contact the embassy of their destination country for further information. Children up to 16 years of age, including babies, need to hold a full British passport with a minimum of 6 months validity from the date of your return to country of origin.
* All foreign visitors should bear in mind that under Bulgarian Law they are required to contact their local police station within 48 hours of arrival in Bulgaria and present in writing the address at which they will be staying. If they are staying in a hotel or private lodgings, the hotel management/host bear the obligation to register them at the local police station.
Regular flights to Bourgas for winter 2008-2009
We can now offer seats on the new out-of-season connection between London Luton and the Black Sea city of Bourgas. The service will be operated by the low-cost carrier WizzAir with weekly flight on Sundays. The service will commence on 26th October 2008 straight after the end of the summer flying...
Older news