Sofia is underrated. The city has Roman ruins (Serdica), Ottoman mosques, Orthodox churches, and Soviet-era buildings all within a few blocks. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is massive and stunning with gold domes. Vitosha Boulevard is the main pedestrian street with shops and cafés. Mount Vitosha is just outside the city and great for hiking in summer and skiing in winter.

Sofia is cheap. Hostels run $8-15/night. A meal at a restaurant is $5-8. A beer is $1-2.
Plovdiv is Bulgaria's second-largest city and one of the oldest cities in Europe. The old town has colorful 19th-century houses and a Roman amphitheater that's still used for concerts. Plovdiv is more charming and relaxed than Sofia.

Rila Monastery in the Rila Mountains is Bulgaria's most famous sight. It's a 10th-century Orthodox monastery with stunning frescoes and mountain views. It's about 2 hours from Sofia and worth a day trip.

The Black Sea coast has beaches and resorts. Sunny Beach is the party resort (cheap, loud, and full of tourists). Sozopol and Nessebar are smaller, more charming towns with old towns and beaches. The coast is crowded in summer but quieter and cheaper in shoulder season.

Veliko Tarnovo in central Bulgaria was the medieval capital. It has a fortress on a hill, old churches, and a more authentic feel than Sofia or Plovdiv.
Bulgarian food is fresh, hearty, and affordable. Shopska salad (tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and white cheese). Banitsa (cheese-filled pastry). Kebapche (grilled meat). Tarator (cold cucumber and yogurt soup). Bulgarian yogurt is famous (they claim they invented it).

Bulgarian people are reserved and can seem cold at first, but they're friendly once you engage. English is hit or miss (better with younger people). Bulgarian uses the Cyrillic alphabet, so signs can be hard to read.

Getting around is straightforward. Buses connect cities. Trains are slower and less reliable. If you want to explore the countryside or Rila Monastery, rent a car.
Bulgaria is one of the cheapest countries in Europe. Hostels run $8-15/night. A meal at a restaurant is $5-8. A beer is $1-2.

When to go: Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) are mild and less crowded. Summer (June-August) is warm and popular for the Black Sea coast. Winter (December-March) is cold, and skiing is possible in the mountains.

Bulgaria is cheap, underrated, and full of history. If you want value, go here.