Great value holidays in Bulgaria
Every year, over 11 million tourists come to visit this ancient country, which makes it a popular holiday destination. It’s renowned as being one of the most economical countries to visit in Europe, so you can pack a whole lot of holiday activities into a tight budget. Find cheap flights to Bulgaria to make the most of your visit.
Beaches and forests
One of Bulgaria’s biggest draws is its sandy beaches and temperate climate off the Black Sea coast. Beachside cities and resorts like Varna, Burgas and Primorsko offer sun-seekers attractive beaches, especially during the warmer seasons. Bulgaria’s dense forests and high mountains have plenty of exploration opportunities for the more daring visitors. With seven mountain ranges that sprawl across the country, there are some lovely settings for hiking, mountain biking, and when the temperatures drop, skiing. Stara Planina, one of the highest points, offers incredible views from the top.
Ancient sites
Boasting ten UNESCO World Heritage sites, Bulgaria’s ancient sites span many centuries from the prehistoric caves of Magura to the city of Nesebar with its abundant historical buildings. The cities of Varna and Plovdiv are sites of old Roman bathhouses and amphitheatres. Further north, the Tsarevets Fortress with its thick walls and mountain-peak location dates from the middle ages and served during Bulgaria’s second empire. Even the ancient Indo-European Thracian culture left behind painted murals, carved statues and significant treasures at the Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari.
Best time to go to Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s climate is a mainly continental with Mediterranean influences that vary by region. The warmest parts of the country are in the southern areas, closest to the Mediterranean. The north and eastern areas covered by the Balkan Mountains are cooler with temperatures that fall below zero in winter. On average, the north is one degree Celsius cooler than the south.
Summer is the hottest season with dry weather and temperatures between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius. Due to the warm weather and sunny days, summer is peak season and many tourists visit the beach resorts and beach cities to cool off. Prices rise on flight tickets, although booking early and finding last-minute deals is key for low prices. Winter is the coldest season and frequently has snowfall, especially in the mountain regions. Many coastal resorts close but ski resorts open during this time, making them popular destinations.
The best times to visit Bulgaria are during the shoulder seasons, either spring or autumn, when rates on hotels and airfare are low and the weather is warm. October has the best autumn weather, ideal for sightseeing and hiking, before November temperatures rapidly transition into winter. April and May are also the perfect months to see popular attractions before crowds flock to them in the summer.
Airports and airlines
Search for flights to Bulgaria on Netflights by typing in your departure city and Sofia Airport as your destination. Here you’ll find the lowest prices for any given day, and possibly even lower rates when choosing flexible dates. Filter your search by arrival times and flight duration, to airlines and the number of stops en route. Compare prices to find the best deals.
Most flights from the UK to Bulgaria require one connection during the journey. These stop in cities such as Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Vienna. Carriers Air France, Austrian Airlines, Bulgaria Air, KLM, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines all operate Bulgaria flights. But direct flights are also available from London with British Airways, Ryanair and Wizz Air.
Sofia Airport is located just 10 kilometres from the city of Sophia, one of Bulgaria’s top destinations. Other popular flight destinations include Burgas, Varna and the ancient city of Plovdiv.