Bulgaria

Travel tips for Bulgaria: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.

Cash and cards

Cards widely accepted. While cards are widely accepted in cities and restaurants, 2026 traveler reports advise carrying cash for rural areas, small vendors, or shops with minimums, and recommend withdrawing from official bank ATMs to avoid exorbitant Euronet fees.

Try the food

  • Banitsa (Баница): A savory, flaky pastry made of layered phyllo dough baked with a mixture of whisked eggs and crumbled white sirene cheese.
  • Shopska Salata (Шопска салата): A refreshing salad of diced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and roasted peppers, buried under a thick mound of grated white cheese.
  • Kavarma (Каварма): A rich, slow-cooked pork or chicken stew with onions, peppers, and savory spices, traditionally baked and served in a traditional clay pot.

Say it in Bulgarian

  • Hello: Здравейте (Zdraveyte)
  • Thank you: Благодаря (Blagodarya)
  • Please: Моля (Molya)
  • Excuse me: Извинете (Izvinete)
  • How much is this?: Колко струва това? (Kolko struva tova?)
  • The bill, please: Сметката, моля (Smetkata, molya)
  • Yes / No: Да / Не (Da / Ne)
  • Goodbye: Довиждане (Dovizhdane)

Essentials

Voltage
230V, 50Hz
Driving
Right side
SIM tip
Purchase a prepaid tourist SIM card from A1, Yettel, or Vivacom at the airport or city center, or install an eSIM prior to arrival for immediate connectivity.

Etiquette

Be aware that Bulgarians traditionally shake their heads side to side to mean 'yes' and nod up and down to mean 'no', though this is slowly changing in tourist areas.

Airports in Bulgaria