Bulgaria Route: Stone Forest to Sunny Beach, 13 Places
Explore Bulgaria's most remarkable natural and cultural landmarks across 1,219.5 km. This route showcases the country's diverse attractions, from UNESCO-recognized Stone Forest and the dramatic Belogradchik Rocks to the Black Sea coastal cities of Varna and Sunny Beach, plus the historically significant town of Koprivshtitsa in the Sredna Gora mountains.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Welcome to Bulgaria
- End
- Arda River
- Stops
- 13
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Welcome to Bulgaria — Southeastern European nation bridging Eastern and Western cultures, offering diverse landscapes from Black Sea beaches to mountain ranges.
- Stone Forest Pobiti Kamani — Natural geological wonder featuring thousands of towering limestone columns rising mysteriously from the earth in the Dobrudzha plateau.
- Sunny Beach,Bulgaria — Black Sea's largest beach resort, stretching over 8 kilometers with golden sands and bustling summer attractions.
- Veliko Tarnovo — Former medieval capital in Northern Bulgaria perched on hills above Yantra River, home to Tsarevets Fortress and historic old town architecture.
- Troyan Monastery — Active Eastern Orthodox monastery founded in the 17th century, renowned for intricate frescoes and ceramic iconostasis.
- Shipka Memorial, Bulgaria — Monumental golden-domed basilica commemorating soldiers from the 1877-1878 Russo-Turkish War atop Shipka Pass.
- St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral — Magnificent neo-Byzantine cathedral with gleaming golden dome, among Europe's largest Orthodox churches by area.
- Vitosha Mountain — Popular hiking destination near the capital featuring alpine peaks, meadows, and panoramic views over Sofia.
- Seven Rila Lakes — Alpine glacial lakes arranged like stairs in the Rila Mountains, each at different elevations with stunning mountain scenery.
- Pirin Moutains
- Maritsa River, Bulgaria — Major Balkan river forming natural borders and supporting agricultural regions across southern Bulgaria and the Balkans.
- Buzludzha monument — Brutalist monument crowning a mountain peak, designed to commemorate the first socialist uprising in Bulgaria.
- Arda River — Scenic river in southeastern Bulgaria known for dramatic gorges and lush surrounding landscapes near the Greek border.
Useful for your trip
- Tip
- Bulgaria is known as the land of roses and holds the title of largest producer of rose oil globally, accounting for 70-85% of world's rose oil production.
- Timing
- Rose petals in Bulgarian rose farms bloom for only a few weeks per year and must be distilled within an hour after harvest to preserve fragrance.
- Tip
- Stone Forest (Pobiti Kamani) covers about 70 hectares with stone columns reaching heights of 5 to 7 meters, recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site.
- Where to stay
- Sunny Beach offers luxurious hotels, diverse restaurants, and lively bars catering to entertainment needs of travelers.
- Timing
- Sunny Beach has a mild climate and abundant sunshine year round, making it ideal for outdoor activities like sunbathing, swimming, and water sports.
- Tip
- Nessebar is about 30 km from Burgas and has been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site due to its ancient architecture and natural landscapes.
- Where to stay
- Pomorie is located 20 km north of Burgas and is notable for its natural saltwater springs used for therapeutic treatments and spa services.
- Transport
- Burgas serves as the country's largest port and acts as a gateway to other renowned tourist spots such as Nessebar and Sozopol.
- Tip
- Sozopol's old town was declared a museum reserve in 1974 and includes over 180 mansions built between mid-18th and early-19th centuries in Black Sea architectural style.
- Tip
- Troyan Monastery, one of Bulgaria's largest, was founded in the 16th century and features Bulgarian Renaissance architecture with vivid frescos.
- Tip
- Shipka Memorial allows visitors to climb to the top of the tower for breathtaking panoramic views of the Balkan Mountains and surrounding valley.
- Tip
- Plovdiv was awarded the title of European Capital of Culture in 2019 and features a charming old town with cobblestone streets and Renaissance-style houses.
Video on this route
Wonders of Bulgaria | The Most Amazing Places in Bulgaria | Travel Video 4K