Bulgaria is a hiker’s paradise. It has plenty of mountainous regions perfect for hiking or cycling. Visiting Bulgaria in the autumn period (September-October) means temperatures are declining. Yet it’s not cold enough for snowfall to be an issue. We pick out our highlights from the Black Sea Coast and head inland for an autumn trip to Bulgaria.
Photo by: niki spasov/Fotolia
Autumn weather
Bulgarian temperatures in September see average lows of around 8°C and highs of 20°C. These drop in October to 3°C-15°C. It’s worth taking a jumper for the chillier days and be prepared for showers. Don’t be fooled by clouds though as the temperatures can still be warm. Check www.bulgaria-weather.co.uk for local temperatures before you leave.
Flying to the east coast
There are two airports on the Black Sea Coast; Varna and Burgas. When booking flights, it’s worth bearing in mind that only Wizz Air flies daily directly to Varna airport. Wizz Air also fly direct to Burgas, along with Thomas Cook and BH Air. You can get connecting flights on other airlines but journey times head towards 6 hours instead of the expected 3.5 hours.
We did a test quote based on 1 adult flying for September and October (prices correct at 19.07.16);
London-Varna
Wizz Air: Outbound from Luton on 12th September- £40.19 / Return to Luton on 19th September- £112.19
Wizz Air: Outbound from Luton on 1st October- £32.19 / Return to Luton on 8th October- £48.19
London-Burgas
Wizz Air: Outbound from Luton on 14th September- £24.19 / Return to Luton on 21st September- £88.19
Wizz Air: Outbound from Luton on 2nd October- £24.19 / Return to Luton on 9th October- £48.19
Thomas Cook: Outbound from Gatwick on 14th September- £71.99 / Return to Gatwick on 21st September- £101.99
Thomas Cook: No flights from October 1st to May 19th as they were sold out.
BH Air: Sadly, there was a problem with their website so we couldn’t retrieve dates and costs.
Prices correct at the time of writing.
City attractions
Both cities are rich in culture so whichever you pick, grab your hire car but be sure to explore before heading inland.
Varna
Hidden away inside the Varna Mall is the Retro Museum. A mix between waxworks and classic cars, discover the exhibits showing socialist life between 1944-1989. Over 80 classic cars have been restored to original condition.
Thirsty for knowledge? Then take in a talk at the planetarium.
Photo by: Sergej Razvodovskjj/Fotolia
Journey out to the city limits to the Stone Forest and try to work out for yourself the cause of these natural phenomenon.
Burgas
Visit the Archaeological Museum and get your photo taken next to the Gramophone Sculpture on Bogoridi Street.
Taste delights from the sea at Ethno; a restaurant worth checking out for mussels from the Black Sea.
Take a walk down the beach if you visit in September as from July to September sand sculptures from international artists will be on display.
See if you can discover the legendary hidden pirate treasure at St Anastacia Island… Or just visit the monastery and lighthouse there.
Get closer to nature
The largest national park in Bulgaria, Strandzha, is home to many endangered species of flora and fauna. Certain areas are out of bounds and there are strict preservation rules in place. Tourists can visit but you should go with a tour guide who can show you the best accessible spots. It’s an incredible place to walk and see what wildlife you can spot- but no touching!
Brave the Balkans and take a hike (or carefully drive the hire car)! On the other side, north of Sofia, you can cycle or walk along the Iskar River. Along the way you can go kayaking and enjoy the autumnal colours. You can go rafting from the village Tserovo.
Photo by: Ongala/Fotolia
Follow the paths to the beautiful Skaklya waterfall. The Dark Hole Cave is perfect for speleologists but don’t attempt climbing without proper equipment and a guide.
Go eco-friendly
Make your stay memorable and eco-friendly. The Melanya Mountain Retreat near Lyubino is a 2 bed apartment. They have a special ‘eco-friendly Organic Diet Detox’ for you to follow to really cleanse your body. Alternatively, there’s the Wild Thyme Organic Farm. Benefit from the farm’s home-grown organic produce and on-site reiki treatments. Guests can also take music lessons on Bulgarian instruments such as the gaida (bagpipes) or tapan (drum).
Will you be visiting Bulgaria in the autumn?
We hope our guide has introduced you to some great places to discover in Bulgaria with your hire car. If you’ve travelled there before, let us know in the comments what your highlights have been!
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Written by Jessica Juby.
