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Bulgaria – The Affordable European Destination by Joshua Fong | Jan 25 2020 EXPLORE Share
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Kvadrat 500, the largest building of the National Gallery for 1,700 artworks from the gallery’s rich fund of over 42,000 museum pieces by Bulgarian and foreign artists are exhibited on four levels. O
Freshly-baked banitsa – a traditional breakfast of buttery pastry made of special dough sheets with fillings like cheese, spinach and cheese, cinnamon-sprinkled apples and sugary pumpkin. O
Maison Sofia Hotel in Lozentz is a good location for shopping, food and culture. |
Think US$1 for a glass of wine, large portion meals for less than US$5, and hotel stays for half the cost or less compared to most European cities. Welcome to Bulgaria – a country that offers so much old world charm – and it's a cheaper visit thanks to its currency pegged to the Euro at 2 to 1. The capital city of Sofia may not rival Prague for architecture, but it’s no poor cousin. It's modern city of imposing castles, charming villages, historic city centers, and the beaches of the Black Sea coast. Here, nature is at its best, offering hiking trails in summer and skiing in winter, where an all-day lift ticket can be as little as US$20.
Visit one of the world’s biggest Orthodox churches and a major Bulgarian symbol – the stunning neo-Byzantine Aleksander Nevski Cathedral. Famous for its gold-laden domes, the church commemorates the 200,000 Russian soldiers who died for Bulgaria’s independence during the Russo-Turkish War (1877–78). 
Art & Historic Sights
Spend a day at the National Museum of History. Relax in its spacious gardens, while taking a photo with the Russian MiG fighters’ statues that are erected there. For an insight into Bulgaria’s decades behind the Iron Curtain, visit the Museum of Socialist Art to check out its quirky collection of statues, paintings and propaganda movies. 
Get to the heart of Bulgarian art at the National Gallery Quadrat 500. Admire the country’s largest collection of medieval paintings and contemporary art. Another art venue worth heading to is the Sofia City Art Gallery, which hosts rotating exhibitions of Bulgarian paintings and sculpture.
Opera and ballet fans won't be disappointed at the Sofia Opera and Ballet. Be moved by its world-class performances (ticket prices from 10 euros), while classical music fans can head out for a night at the majestic Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra. And if you're fan of plays, book your seats at the Ivan Vazov National Theatre for some Bulgarian drama. 
Fraction Of Everything
Bulgaria is country with charming small towns and villages. In different seasons, you'll enjoy what it has to offer, from nature, adventure, skiing, culture, and food – all at bargain prices. Skiing is a only fraction of the price of the pricey Alps, with US$12 to US$15 rentals, and US$20 to US$38 for walk-up all-day lift ticket. You won’t spend a lot of money on food, and if you’re a vegan, well, nearly everything is served with cheese or yogurt, and booze is cheaper than soda! 
Affordable 5-Star
Lodging is inexpensive. A three-night stay at the five-star Maison Sofia Hotel located at Sofia's Lozentz district costs about US$150. The old charm Maison Sofia features rooms with spacious balconies and free WiFi access. Paradise Center Mall is just about 1km away, and 10km from Sofia International Airport is 10 km away with the city centre 3.5 km away. 
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