Even though I was born and raised in Bulgaria, I only got to explore its winter gems once I moved back here from studying in Austria.
I moved back to Bulgaria in 2020 and have been travelling around the country with my partner ever since. As he’s an avid skier, we’ve also been visiting different ski resorts pretty much every month in the winter.
Thanks to all these experiences, I was able to put together this list of the best things to do in Bulgaria in the winter.
*Yes, we know we can ski in Bulgaria.* – is what you may be thinking. Hold on – there’s quite a few other things you can do around here. 🙂
Weather in Bulgaria in winter
Even though it’s located in the southern part of Europe, Bulgaria gets quite cold in the winter months. The winter weather in Bulgaria starts around the beginning of December and ends at the beginning of March. December usually has average temperatures from -1.7°C (28.9°F) to 13.3°C (55.9°F) and the days are 10 hours long, with the sun setting by 5 p.m. January is usually the coldest month in Bulgaria and the temperatures could get as low as – 15°C (5°F), but it’s usually around 0°C (32°F). February is still very cold and really good for skiing – the temperatures vary between -5°C (23°F) and 10°C (48.9°F).
Things to know before travelling to Bulgaria in winter
We already established that Bulgaria gets very cold in the winter months, so make sure you bring some warmer clothes, as well as a hat, a scarf and gloves! Here is a list of some of the things you should know about travelling to Bulgaria in winter.
Skiing and snowboarding are very popular in Bulgaria
Many Bulgarians love going to the mountains for a short ski/snowboard vacation, as there are quite a few resorts. This is also the reason why the resorts are usually packed on the weekends, so if you’re coming on a ski trip, you might want to consider doing it during the week. But even if you don’t ski, there are so many other things you can do.
The snowfall always surprises us
There’s this local joke that each year our local authorities are “surprised” by the snowfall, even though it’s been in the forecast for at least a week. This is because many of the roads don’t get properly cleaned from the snow in time, so it might cause some inconvenience. But most of the time things are fine!
The best way to get around is by car
If you’re coming to Bulgaria in winter and want to explore destinations other than the bigger cities, I’d recommend renting a car. The Bulgarian train system is very old and slow (but also cheap!), and the buses don’t go everywhere.
Sofia has a mountain in its backyard
Sofia is the only European capital with a high mountain in its backyard, where you can enjoy the slopes before or after work. We’ve covered the skiing options near Sofia in this article about the best ski resorts in Bulgaria.
Things to do in Bulgaria in winter
After covering some basics, let’s discuss some of the best things you can do in Bulgaria in winter.
Go skiing or snowboarding in one of Europe’s most affordable countries
Probably the number 1 reason people visit Bulgaria in winter is for its affordable ski resorts, especially compared to Western Europe. We may not have the absolute best winter resorts, but they’re quite nice, easy to reach and affordable (at least most of them!).
Well, one of the best ski resorts in Bulgaria – Bansko, even hosts some of the disciplines of the FIS World Cup, so there must be something good about it!
Whether you enjoy skiing or snowboarding, there’s something for everyone here and you can definitely enjoy a winter vacation, filled with sports activities! Be sure to check out my blog post about the best ski resorts in Bulgaria.
Enjoy the hot springs in Bulgaria
Even though it’s still relatively undiscovered, Bulgaria is one of the leading spa destinations in Europe. There are over 700 mineral springs in the country, the water of which is diverse in chemical composition, temperature and properties.
The mineral water is used both for the treatment of various diseases (after a doctor’s consultation) and for toning and maintaining good shape. Or you can just go to a thermal bath to relax after a full day at the slopes – it’s the best thing ever!
Most spa resorts are located in the mountains, so you get a good combination of clean air and the healing thermal water.
Be sure to check out Velingrad (probably the most well-known SPA resort here), Banya (located only 5km away from Bansko (the most popular ski resort in Bulgaria), Hisarya, Sandanski and Pomorie (located at the seaside). There are even more places where you can experience Bulgaria’s hot springs, so I’m going to write a dedicated article on this topic – follow me on social media so you’re sure you won’t miss it!
Winter trekking
Do you enjoy winter trekking? Bulgaria is full of trails, suitable for this!
Locals are no strangers to hiking, and there are even quite a few organised winter treks that one can sign up to! In fact, I strongly encourage you to do any sort of mountain trekking only with a guide, as the mountain can be an unpredictable place, especially in the colder months.
The good thing is that trekking in the Bulgarian mountains doesn’t require any special training or equipment – just be sure you have the necessities!
Here are some of the best winter treks you can take in Bulgaria:
- Musala peak (the highest peak on the Balkans) in Rila Mountain
- Cherni vrah in Vitosha Mountain, right next to Sofia
- Vihren peak in Pirin Mountain – one of the most extreme peaks, if you ask me
- Malyovitsa peak in Rila Mountain
- Polezhan peak in Pirin Mountain
Try the delicious local cuisine
No trip is complete without getting to know the local cuisine of a place. There are so many traditional Bulgarian foods to try, so I’ve prepared a full list that you can read here.
The winter is an especially good season for trying some dishes like sarmi (cabbage rolls with rice stuffing), as this is when people prepare sauerkraut in their homes.
Other must-try dishes are moussaka (similar to the Greek moussaka, but prepared with potatoes instead of aubergine), shopska salad, banitsa, kyufte and so much more!
I remember a funny story when an acquaintance of ours from Canada was visiting Bulgaria and said – “I keep seeing this restaurant chain everywhere and it’s so good, although the interior is always a bit different. It’s called Mexana!”
This was so funny because you’ll indeed see the word “Механа” written on restaurants very often, especially if you’re travelling to some smaller towns, but it indicates a traditional restaurant, usually with traditional Bulgarian interior and meals. They have these wooden tables and benches, the red embroidered tablecloths and folk music in the background. It’s pronounced “mehana” and they usually serve some of the best food around.
All I can say is that if you’re a fan of home-made hearty food, you won’t be disappointed. Just be sure to always check the reviews of a restaurant prior to visiting, as there are some rotten eggs out there that don’t serve the best quality food.
Experience Bulgaria’s Winter Festivals
The winter season in Bulgaria is marked by a couple of interesting festivals or traditions. If you’re curious to be part of one, this is for you!
Surva Festival in Pernik, Bulgaria
Surva is one of the most traditional fests in Bulgaria and it’s a festival of the masquerade games where over 100 groups from different regions in the country get into traditional costumes. It promotes variations of ancient Bulgarian customs that are still alive today.
Over 6000 people get dressed in traditional costumes and according to Bulgarian folklore tradition, it’s meant to be performed by single men and women. During the festival, participants would put on scary masks and costumes to chase away the evil spirits.
With its competitive nature, the festival is not only a venue but also a contest for the living vessels of this tradition, namely the Kukeri and Survakari.
Surva will take place on 27-29 January 2023 in Pernik, Bulgaria. Check out the full program here.
Trifon Zarezan (Bulgaria’s alternative to Valentine’s day)
February 14th is usually a day dedicated to the love for our partners. In Bulgaria, we celebrate the love for wine. Actually, locals usually decide which day they want to celebrate depending on their status – singles usually go for a good glass (or bottle) of wine. Or why not both?
St. Trifon, or as we call it – Trifon Zarezan, is the day when we celebrate winemakers, and St Trifon is considered to be the guardian of vineyards.
This tradition can be traced way back to the time of the Thracians, and it’s still preserved to this day. If you happen to be in Bulgaria on February 14th, make sure to get a nice glass of wine and raise a toast to those, who provide us with this great beverage on a daily basis!
Baba Marta (Grandma March)
Baba Marta is something celebrated across the whole country once March 1st arrives. I’ve decided to include it in this list even though it’s just between winter and spring, as it’s something that’s always been interesting for foreign visitors.
On March 1st everyone in Bulgaria exchanges these white and red threads, usually in the form of bracelets and brooches. We receive these “martenitsas” from everyone close to us and wear them until we see a stork or a blooming tree. Then we either put them under a rock or we hang them on the blossoming tree, as a symbol of the upcoming spring and as a wish for good health.
If you’re visiting Bulgaria in the spring, you’ll definitely notice many trees filled with these adornments. And in the first week of March you may also receive them yourself – Bulgarians are always very happy when foreigners embrace their traditions, so putting it on would mean so much!
Visit the Christmas markets in Sofia
There used to be a saying going around every year – “Sofia doesn’t have a Christmas spirit – it has a Christmas ghost.” That was because the Christmas decorations in the Bulgarian capital were so scarce that they didn’t create a festive spirit at all… until 2022.
We finally got our dreamed Christmas decoration, at least partially. In 2022 Sofia had around 10 Christmas markets and I sincerely hope this trend will continue.
If you’re visiting Bulgaria in winter, I can finally say – make sure to check out some of Sofia’s Christmas markets!
F.A.Q. regarding Bulgaria in winter
Is Bulgaria worth visiting in the winter?
It’s definitely worth visiting Bulgaria in winter, especially if you’re into winter sports or thermal baths. Bulgaria has both!
How cold does Bulgaria get in the winter?
Bulgaria can get very cold in the winter, with temperatures dropping to – 15°C (5°F), or a bit lower on some rare occasions. The average winter temperature, however, varies between -5°C (23°F) and 10°C (48.9°F).
Are you planning a trip to Bulgaria? Here are even more useful blog posts:
А Full List of Sofia’s Christmas Markets
25 Gorgeous Places to visit in Bulgaria
18 Traditional Bulgarian Foods and Drinks to try on your trip
Hand-picked city guide: 27 Awesome Things to do in Plovdiv
Kovachevitsa and Leshten – Bulgaria’s fairytale villages
11 Wonderful Things to Do in Troyan, Bulgaria – Culture, Nature and Spirituality
Lyubomira is the creator and author behind Bulgarian On The Go. With a background in journalism and experience in the field of tourism and marketing, her mission is to show travellers many beautiful places they might have never thought of visiting or even knew existed.
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