The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Turks. Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878 and all of Bulgaria became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1908. Having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. The country joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007.

Sofia (София) - The capital and a major point of interest in Bulgaria. It features nice parks, a nice town center, many bars, pubs, and disco clubs, over 250 historic landmarks and architectural monuments, and a great deal of cultural places of interest.

National Assembly of Bulgaria

2 Narodno Sabranie Sq.,

Sofia University

15 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd.,

Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

1 15 November Str.,

Ivan Vazov National Theatre

5 Dyakon Ignatii Str.,

SS. Cyril and Methodius National Library

88 Vasil Levski Str.,

National Palace of Culture

1 Bulgaria Sq., The biggest congress center in the Balkans (a massive monolithic communist-style building). If asking for directions, ask for NDK (en-de-ka), as most Bulgarians refer to it by this acronym.

Central Military Club.

It`s a multi-purpose monument of culture building in the city center.

National Museum of Military History

92 Cherkovna Str.,

Ethnographic Institute with Museum

6A Moskovska Str., Has a permanent collection of traditional Bulgarian costumes as well as a changing exhibition.

Earth and Man National Museum

4 Cherni Vruh Blvd.,

National Museum of History

16 Vitoshko lale str.

National Institute of Archaeology and Museum

2 Saborna Str.,

National Polytechnic Museum

66 Opalchenska Str.,

National Museum of Natural History

1, Tzar Osvoboditel Blvd., four floors of everything from rocks and minerals to insects and stuffed bison. It is a nice way to spend a rainy afternoon.

House-Museum of Ivan Vazov

Museum of Sport

1A Bulgaria Blvd. (National Stadium Vasil Levski),

Museum of Paleontology and historical geology

15 Tzar Osvoboditel Blvd.

National Literature Museum

138 G. S. Rakovski Str., floor 2,

National Agricultural Museum

30 Suhodolska Str.,

National Ecclesiastical History-Archeological Museum

19 Sveta Nedelya Sq.,

National Gallery for Foreign Art

1 St. Aleksander Nevsky Square,

National Art Gallery

1 Batenberg Sq

Sofia Art Gallery

1, Gen. Gurko Str.

Sofia City Art Gallery

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

One of the largest orthodox churches worldwide.

Boyana Church

1-3 Boyansko Ezero Str. This small 14th-century church and garden is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The church contains some very well preserved Christian murals. It is located at the foot of Vitosha mountain and is a good starting point for day trips in the mountain.

Church of St. George

 (It`s situated behind the Sheraton Hotel.)

Church of St. Petka of the Saddlers.

Church of St. Nedelya.

Hagia Sophia Church

2 Paris str.. It is located just across the square and to the right from the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. It was built in the 6th century over an even older church. It is a witness of the whole Bulgarian history and is a valued cultural monument. In the 14th century it gave its name to the city of Sofia. It was destroyed several times and during the Ottoman rule it was used as a mosque.

Russian Church

Sveti Sedmochislenitsi Church

Catholic cathedral St. Joseph

Banya Bashi Mosque

Sofia Synagogue

Amphitheatre of Serdica

 (Located in the geographical center of the city under the flags of the EU.).

Battenberg Mausoleum

The mausoleum and final resting place of Prince Alexander I of Bulgaria (1857–1893), the first Head of State of modern Bulgaria.

Monument to Vasil Levski

It commemorates the hanging of Bulgarian national hero and major revolutionary figure Vasil Levski in the city on 18 February 1873.

Monument to the Tsar Liberator

Representing the power of freedom and across from it are the National Assembly and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

Monument to the Unknown Soldier

Across from Alexander Nevsky cathedral; on the side of Hagia Sofia's Church.

Knyaz Battenberg's Palace

(Right in front of the city garden.).

Sofia Public Mineral Baths

It is an old building of interest, although it is in process of renovation at the moment.

Borisova gradina

It`s the "lungs" of the city, with the Ariana Lake

City Garden

It`s the oldest and most central public garden, in existence since 1872.

Largo

Orlov Most

It`s a bridge over the Perlovska River in the centre of Sofia.

Slaveykov Square

It`s an open-air book market.

Patriarch Evtimiy Square

Sofia Zoo

South Park

Plovdiv (Пловдив) - The nation's second largest city. Boasts a lovely shopping promenade and many parks, an ancient city with a preserved amphitheater, and many "revival" style Bulgaria homes. Be sure also to take a side trip to Bachkovo Monastery which is about an hour away.

The old center of Plovdiv is compact and walkable, with the main downtown road blocked to car traffic. There is a good collection of Bulgarian revival buildings in use as museums, hotels, and restaurants etc. and is worth a visit if you have chance. The nearby Roman Amphitheater, discovered in the 1970's during a construction project, is part of the pedestrian zone, and typically has merchants selling art and other items nearby. Wander the cobblestone streets near the downtown to find the centuries old St. Marina church with a unique wooden tower, a mosque from the Ottoman Empire, and on the nearby hill the old town center. The old town center was walled, and has a famous gateway entrance. Nearby Puldin Restaurant has subterranean rooms where the old wall and historic artifacts can be seen. Continuing up the hill several older houses are now museums and the Roman amphitheater with an overlook of the town below is partially restored and still used for concerts and other occasions.

To the south of the city there is the Bachkovo Monastery, still in use. Farther into the Rhodope mountains one can find ski resorts and other natural attractions, such as the impressively narrow gorge and caves leading to Trigrad, not far from the mountainous Greek border.

Varna (Варна) - The nation's third largest city is a primary beach resort. The night life in Varna is notorious, especially during the summer season.

City landmarks include the Varna Archaeological Museum, exhibiting the Gold of Varna, a cache of chalcolithic grave-goods, which constitute the oldest gold treasure in the world, the large and well preserved Roman Baths, Władysław Warneńczyk Park Museum, the Naval Museum, displaying the museum ship torpedo boat Drazki, the Museum of Ethnography.

The Sea Garden is the oldest and perhaps largest park containing the Varna Aquarium, the Varna Dolphinarium (opened 1984), the Nicolaus Copernicus Observatory and Planetarium], the Museum of Natural History, a terrarium, a zoo, and other attractions. The Garden is a national monument of landscape architecture.

The waterfront promenade underneath is lined by a string of beach clubs offering a vibrant (albeit noisy) scene of rock, hip-hop, American-style pop, house, and chalga (Bulgarian pop folk). The city beaches, also known as sea baths are dotted with hot sulphuric mineral springs and punctured by small sheltered marinas. Additionally, the 2.4 km long, 50 m high Asparuhov Most bridge is a popular spot for bungee jumping.

Notable old Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox churches include the metrpolitan Assumption of Mary Cathedral; the early 17th-century Theotokos Panagia; the St. Athanasius (former Greek etropolitan cathedral); the seamen's church of St. Nicholas the Miracle Worker; the Archangel Michael's chapel; and the Sts. Constantine and Helena church of the 16th century suburban monastery of the same name.

Varna's centre was rebuilt in late 19th and the earlier half of the 20th century by the nascent Bulgarian middle class in Western style, with local interpretations of Neo-Renaissance, Neo-Baroque, Neoclassicism, Art Nouveau and Art Deco.

Burgas (Бургас) - Known for its commercial port (Port of Burgas) and oil refinery. Picturesque waterside and nearby downtown and shopping area makes this city popular with tourists.

The city of Burgas developed after the beginning of the 20th century and most of the buildings in the city centre date from this time. The city Gallery of Fine Arts is hosted by a secession style synagogue.

The city has a huge park called Sea Garden (Morska gradina) with variety of green species and fantastic view to the Burgas Bay. The garden starts from the central bus and train station. There are small stairs to the sandy beach and in summer the coast id full of many coffees and nightclubs.

Mosta (the Bridge) is a t-shaped pier at the sea garden - one branch of the "t" has stairs up to a viewing platform, locals boys practise diving off the other branch. It's a nice place for a walk, or you can sit at the nearby cafe and watch the world go by.

Walking in the garden little by little it becomes wilder and you reach the salt-pans. The 'salt-factories' produce many tons of salt every year. A small train runs across the salt-pans, riding it you can see how salt is made and refined. The salt-pans are part of the Atanasovsko lake waters.

Due to the fact that the city is a trade center, it has always been open to new religions and foreigners. The St Kiril and Metodii church is located in the city center. Also visit the Armenian church located next to Bugaria Hotel.

Vaya (the Burgas) lake

The largest natural lake in Bulgaria. It is located to the west of Burgas. The water is 4-11% salty. Fresh water comes from 3 rivers and the neighboring Mandrensko lake that is turned to dam. The lake waters are dirty and it is not recommended to swim there. A lot of people go fishing there. Via Pontica – one of the largest bird migration ‘highways’ passes over the lake and more than 250 bird species can be seen there. Carp fishing is popular in the lake.

Atanasovsko lake

It is located to the North of Burgas. The water is 20-27,5% salty and this makes it very favorable for salt-production. Its northern side is connected to the Black Sea. The Burgas – Nesebar – Varna road passes through the lake. Due to the specific salt flora in the region more than 70% of all birds that can be seen in Bulgaria can be seen in the Atanasovo lake zone especially during the autumn migration. Part of the lake is natural reserve and are under restricted access.

Mandrensko lake

It is located to the South of Burgas. Until 1934 it was salty lake but later its structure was changed and a dam was constructed here. Today it is not a salty lake. Four rivers get into the lake. Via Pontica – one of the largest bird migration ‘highways’ passes over the lake. On the side of the Mandrensko lake is located the Poda bird watching zone.

Rousse (Русе) - More famous as the "Small Vienna", the city centre offers an unforgettable architectural ensemble that cannot be found any place else within Bulgaria. Present-day Rousse is the fifth largest Bulgarian city and is an important economic, financial and cultural hub. The city boasts various places of interest among which the Sexiginta Prista Roman Castle, The Theatre, The House of Caliopa, The Pantheon and so on.

National Transport Museum

Rousse Regional Historical Museum

Pantheon of National Revival Heroes

Kaliopa House