Bulgaria.
Bookings / month
152
Avg rating
★ 4.4
Verified agents
11
Currency
лв BGN · 1=₪1.74
Time zone
+0 שעות מתל אביב (אותה אזור זמן)
Language
בולגרית
Plug
C / F · 230V
Visa
אין צורך בויזה לבעלי דרכון ישראלי — עד 90 יום
Safety
מדינה בטוחה באופן כללי, חברת האיחוד האירופי. זהירות רגילה כבכל עיר אירופאית.
Overview
🇧🇬Bulgaria
🇧🇬Bulgaria
Bulgaria is one of Europe's best-kept secrets — the Balkan mountains shelter ancient Orthodox monasteries, stone villages frozen in time, and valleys that bloom purple with lavender each summer. On the Black Sea coast you get golden beaches and nightlife that rivals Ibiza at a fraction of the price. From Sofia's buzzing café scene to the medieval fortress of Veliko Tarnovo, every corner of this country tells a story most travelers haven't heard yet.
Places
Islands & sub-destinations in Bulgaria
Vacation packages
Vacation packages to Bulgaria
Flight + hotel in one package
Grand Hotel Millennium Sofia
סופיה, רובע הבולבר הגדול, Bulgaria
06.07 – 09.07 · 7 nights
avg / person from
$935
total $1,870
Hotel Marinela Sofia
סופיה, שכונת לוזנץ, Bulgaria
06.07 – 09.07 · 7 nights
avg / person from
$845
total $1,690
Boutique Hotel Anel
סופיה, רובע בויאנה, Bulgaria
06.07 – 09.07 · 7 nights
avg / person from
$570
total $1,140
Sleep
Curated hotels in Bulgaria
Grand Hotel Millennium Sofia
from
$220
per night
סופיה, רובע הבולבר הגדול
Hotel Marinela Sofia
from
$180
per night
סופיה, שכונת לוזנץ
Boutique Hotel Anel
from
$120
per night
סופיה, רובע בויאנה
Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena Bansko
from
$260
per night
בנסקו, כפר הסקי
Flights from Tel Aviv
Flights from Tel Aviv in Bulgaria
21:55
Tel Aviv (TLV)
01:25
Bulgaria (BUL)
05:20
Bulgaria (BUL)
08:50
Tel Aviv (TLV)
Per person from
$165
Total $330
08:50
Tel Aviv (TLV)
12:32
Bulgaria (BUL)
17:00
Bulgaria (BUL)
20:42
Tel Aviv (TLV)
Per person from
$215
Total $430
06:15
Tel Aviv (TLV)
13:27
Bulgaria (BUL)
11:40
Bulgaria (BUL)
18:52
Tel Aviv (TLV)
Per person from
$150
Total $300
13:10
Tel Aviv (TLV)
16:46
Bulgaria (BUL)
19:30
Bulgaria (BUL)
23:06
Tel Aviv (TLV)
Per person from
$255
Total $510
Year-round weather
Year-round weather in Bulgaria
Temperature averages
Real climate dataינו
7°
-2°
Cool
פבר
9°
-2°
Cool
מרץ
14°
3°
Cool
אפר
17°
6°
Recommended
מאי
19°
9°
Recommended
יונ
27°
15°
Excellent
יול
31°
18°
Excellent
אוג
30°
17°
Excellent
ספט
25°
13°
Excellent
אוק
19°
8°
Recommended
נוב
12°
3°
Cool
דצמ
7°
0°
Cool
Best time to visit: יונ · יול · אוג · ספט
Based on a 3-year average · measured in Sofia · Open-Meteo
This week in Sofia
Measured in Sofia, Bulgaria
29°
Cloudy
Next 7 days
Tap a day for hourly detail
Source: Open-Meteo · updates hourly
What to do
What to do in Bulgaria
Activities loved by thousands before you
Rila Monastery
$50
Boho Walking Tour – Vitosha Blvd & Bohemian Quarter
$30
Bansko Ski Slopes Experience
$120
Valley of Roses & Rose Oil Distillery Tour
$60
Mount Vitosha Hiking & Panorama
$40
Mineral Thermal Baths – Bankya & Banya
$40
Where to eat
Where to eat in Bulgaria
Restaurants Maya loves
Made In Home
$$סופיה, רחוב האנגר 5
Sofia's beloved neighborhood gem serving authentic Bulgarian home cooking. The shopska salad and freshly grilled kyufte are must-orders in a warm, intimate setting.
Shtastlivetsa
$$$סופיה, רחוב William Gladstone
A century-old institution in the heart of Sofia. Rich Bulgarian classics – braised veal liver, hearty broths, and outstanding local wines make every meal an event.
Supa Star
$סופיה, רובע קפיטל פורט
A clever little spot specialising in Bulgarian soups with a modern twist. The lunchtime queue is proof of quality – perfect for a fast, flavourful midday meal.
Nightlife
Nightlife in Bulgaria
Best clubs, bars and events
Yalta Club
The Mixtape 5
Raketa Rakia Bar
One More Bar
Verified suppliers
Verified suppliers in Bulgaria
Experiences, insurance, eSIM, photography — every supplier verified by VAYULOR
Sofia Private Tours
Private guided tours across Sofia and surroundings with Hebrew-speaking guides
Balkan Car Rentals
Private car hire with driver for day trips to Bansko, Rila and beyond
Rose Valley Experiences
Tailor-made rose valley and spa experiences in the Kazanlak region
Bansko Ski & Board School
Ski and snowboard lessons for all levels with certified mountain instructors
Are you a supplier? Join us
Learn moreInsurance
Travel insurance for Bulgaria 🇧🇬
Full coverage with Hebrew support
Basic
$30
- Medical $250,000
- Cancellation $400
- Luggage $800
Extended
$50
- Medical $500,000
- Cancellation $1,200
- Luggage $1,800
- Light sports
Premium
$90
- Unlimited medical
- Cancellation $5,000
- Adventure sports
- 24/7 doctor
Currency & rates
Live rateCurrency & rates
Quick conversion at today's rate
Convert
You get
174.4
1 BGN
₪1.74
100 BGN
₪174.4
1,000 BGN
₪1,744
Source: exchangerate-api · updated Jun 10 · refreshes daily
Visa & documents
Visa & documents for Bulgaria 🇧🇬
What you need before you fly
- אין צורך בויזה לבעלי דרכון ישראלי — עד 90 יום
- Passport valid 6 months
- Travel insurance recommended
Local tips
Good to know about Bulgaria
- 🚂The overnight train from Sofia to Varna costs around ₪35 and drops you on the Black Sea coast at dawn. Book a couchette (kupe) directly on the BDZ official site — third-party agents charge triple for the same seat.
- 💳Bulgaria is still a cash-first country outside major cities. Villages, markets, and rural restaurants rarely accept cards. Withdraw the equivalent of ₪600-800 per week if you plan to go anywhere beyond Sofia.
- 🧃Tap water in Sofia, Plovdiv, and Bansko comes straight from mountain springs and is perfectly safe to drink. Skip the bottled water and drink like a local — you will not taste the difference.
- ⛪Entry to most Orthodox churches is free, but interior photography usually costs 2-5 leva (₪4-10). Bring small bills and cover shoulders and knees — guards at the door enforce this consistently.
מאיה רוזן
Senior agent · Greece for 12 years
"Bulgaria is the kind of place people discover and then keep quiet about so it stays that way. I have been working this destination for eight years and still find villages I have never visited. You do not 'do' Bulgaria — it gets into you slowly."
Loves
There is a tiny café in Plovdiv's Kapana district called Nylon. No big sign, six chairs, and the owner serves black Bulgarian coffee in a glass with a sugar cube and homemade rakia. He speaks no English and does not need to. It is the most genuine spot I know in the whole country.
Skip
The day-trip buses to Rila Monastery that leave Sofia in the morning and return by afternoon. You arrive alongside 400 other tourists, rush a selfie, and miss the hike to the Rila Lakes above the monastery. Rent a car for two days and sleep in Bansko — it is a completely different experience.
Boutique pick
I build an 8-day itinerary I call 'Three Bulgarias': one and a half days in Sofia with a socialist-architecture walking tour, three days in Plovdiv staying in a restored Ottoman house in the Old Town, a day in Karlovo for the Rose Festival (May-June) or a valley hike, and two final days in Varna — mornings on the beach, afternoons at the astonishing Neolithic necropolis in the city museum, evenings at a seafood table at Ribribón on the waterfront. Average cost for two including flights, accommodation, and food: ₪9,500-11,000.
Client stories
What returning travelers say about Bulgaria
"We flew to Plovdiv for four days with zero expectations and came back completely floored. The Old Town at night, the main street with the street musicians, dinner at Sushiya — kebapche and shopska salad for ₪35 for two people. We already booked a return flight for next September."
Noa Cohen, Tel Aviv
Plovdiv, 4 days, May
"We rented a car for eight days and drove Sofia-Rila-Bansko-Varna. The highlight: the two-hour hike from the monastery up to the Rila Lakes. We are not outdoor people and it was still among the most beautiful things we have ever seen. TsUM 42 in Sofia is worth a visit — a massive Soviet-era building turned into a brilliant arts market."
Ran and Efrat Levi, Ra'anana
Sofia, Rila, Bansko, Varna — 8 days, June
"Ski trip to Bansko in January with three friends. Great ski days, unbelievable prices — ₪290 per day including equipment and lift pass. We slept in a central apartment for ₪220 a night split four ways. One note: the Sofia-to-Bansko road in winter requires snow chains or a 4x4 — do not risk it without them."
Yonatan Barak, Haifa
Bansko, 5 days, January
FAQ
Common questions about Bulgaria
Do Israelis need a visa for Bulgaria?
No visa required. Bulgaria is an EU member and partial Schengen state — Israelis with a valid passport enter for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Important: Bulgaria is not yet fully Schengen, so crossing by car into Greece or Romania still involves a border check. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from entry.
When is the best time to visit Bulgaria?
May and June are ideal: the Rose Valley bloom near Karlovo, pleasant 18-24°C temperatures, and crowds have not yet arrived. July-August are hot and busy on the Black Sea coast but superb in the mountains (Bansko, Pirin). September is excellent for Plovdiv and Sofia — 25°C without the summer rush. Winter in Bansko is ski season: January through March, with lift-and-gear days running ₪280-350.
How many days does Bulgaria need and what is a realistic budget?
Six days is the minimum to see more than Sofia alone. Eight to ten days lets you comfortably combine Sofia, Plovdiv, Rila Monastery, and the Black Sea coast. Budget-wise: hostel or guesthouse rooms run ₪130-200 per night, boutique hotel ₪300-500. A full meal at a non-touristy local restaurant is ₪50-80 per person with a drink. Overall, a couple can travel 8 days including flights for around ₪9,000-12,000 depending on season.
Is Bulgaria safe for Israelis? Any antisemitism or security concerns?
Bulgaria is one of the safest countries in southeastern Europe for Israelis. Sofia's Jewish community is active, and the Grand Synagogue of Sofia — one of the most beautiful in Europe — is open to visitors. Petty crime is low: watch your wallet on bus 111 to the airport and at Sofia's flea market, where pickpockets operate. For official security guidance, always check gov.il before departure, but Bulgaria currently carries a low advisory rating.
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