Key takeaways
Bulgaria has three strong national carriers, A1, Yettel and Vivacom, delivering reliable 4G LTE to cities and most towns, with 5G expanding rapidly in Sofia. A Roamix Bulgaria eSIM connects you to the best available network on arrival at Sofia Airport. As an EU member state, EU SIM holders benefit from Roam Like At Home, but non-EU travellers face high roaming costs that a Roamix plan eliminates. Budget 5 to 8 GB for two weeks, and cache offline maps for Rila Mountain trails and the Rhodope highlands.
- A1 leads on 5G deployment in Sofia; all three operators provide strong 4G nationwide.
- EU Roam Like At Home applies to EU SIM holders in Bulgaria, but non-EU travellers should use a Roamix eSIM to avoid high roaming fees.
- Bulgaria is one of the EU's most affordable destinations, with exceptional value food, transport and ski resorts.
- The Rila and Pirin mountain ranges offer spectacular hiking but signal fades on upper trails.
- The Black Sea coast draws millions of summer visitors to beach resorts from June to September.
Best way to get data in Bulgaria
For non-EU travellers, a Roamix Bulgaria eSIM is the best option, delivering local 5G and 4G speeds at a fraction of international roaming costs.
| Option | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Roamix eSIMRecommended | Best for: Non-EU travellers and anyone seeking convenience | Instant activation, connects to the best local network and eliminates expensive non-EU roaming charges. |
| EU Roam Like At Home SIM | Best for: EU residents using their home EU SIM | EU SIM holders can use their plan at home rates in Bulgaria with no extra charge. |
| Local physical SIM | Best for: Extended stays needing a Bulgarian number | A1, Yettel and Vivacom SIMs are available at SOF airport and city stores. No registration required for short-term prepaid. |
| Carrier roaming | Best for: Very short stays with no setup time | For non-EU travellers, carrier roaming in Bulgaria can be expensive. A Roamix plan offers a far more affordable alternative. |
Free wifi is widely available in Sofia hotels, cafes and shopping centres. Black Sea resort hotels offer reliable pool-area wifi. Mountain lodges and rural areas have inconsistent wifi quality.
How much data you need
Data needs in Bulgaria are moderate. Cities are data-light, but mountain hiking and coastal road trips benefit from offline map preparation in advance.
3 to 5 GB
One week city and culture trip in Sofia and Plovdiv
Metro navigation, cafe browsing, social uploads and daily messaging in well-covered cities.
6 to 9 GB
Two week coastal and mountain trip
Navigation between resorts, offline map downloads for Rila and Pirin hikes, booking ski passes and social uploads.
15 GB or more
Remote work from Sofia for a week
Video calls, laptop tethering and cloud work from one of Europe's most affordable and connected capital cities.
Data per hour, by activity
- Maps and navigation
- 5 MB
- Social media and browsing
- 100 to 150 MB
- Music streaming
- 70 MB
- Standard video streaming
- 700 MB to 1 GB
- Video calls
- 500 MB to 1.5 GB
Download offline map packages for Rila National Park, the Pirin trails around Bansko and the Rhodope Gorge section before leaving covered areas.
How to set up a Bulgaria eSIM
A Roamix Bulgaria eSIM is best installed over wifi before departure. It activates automatically when you connect to a Bulgarian network on arrival at Sofia Airport.
- 1
Buy your plan on the Roamix Bulgaria eSIM page before departure.
- 2
Scan the QR code or tap to install the eSIM over wifi at home.
- 3
Label it Roamix and keep your home SIM active for calls and texts.
- 4
Enable data roaming for the Roamix line only.
- 5
Land in Bulgaria and the eSIM connects automatically to the strongest local network.
Works on eSIM capable devices including iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and recent Samsung Galaxy models. The phone must be carrier unlocked.
Roamix sets the correct APN automatically. If data does not start, apply the APN from your order and toggle airplane mode.
No data on arrival usually means data roaming is off for the Roamix line. Check settings, select the network manually and restart.
Visa and entry for Bulgaria
Bulgaria is an EU member state. EU/EEA citizens can enter with a national ID card. Non-EU Western nationalities including UK, US, Canada and Australia can enter visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Note that Bulgaria has not yet fully joined the Schengen Area for land borders.
- eVisa or ETA
- There is no eVisa or eTA system for eligible nationalities. Present a valid passport or EU ID at entry. Citizens of countries requiring a visa must apply in advance through a Bulgarian diplomatic mission.
- Passport validity
- Non-EU travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond their intended departure date.
- Onward ticket
- Proof of onward travel and sufficient funds may be requested at border crossings.
Keep digital copies of your passport and travel documents accessible on your Roamix eSIM. Sofia Airport immigration is efficient.
Entry requirements may change. Confirm current rules with the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs at mfa.bg before travel.
When you land in Bulgaria
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How people message here
Viber is extremely popular in Bulgaria alongside WhatsApp. Facebook Messenger is widely used for business and personal communication. Many older Bulgarians use SMS.
Do you need a local number?
A local number is rarely needed for tourists. Rideshare, accommodation and tour operators work via Viber or WhatsApp with your existing number.
Keep your home SIM active for SMS two-factor authentication while using the Roamix line for data. Install Viber to reach local contacts who may not use WhatsApp.
Airports in Bulgaria
SOF
Sofia Airport
Sofia
Free wifi throughout Terminals 1 and 2, with reliable speeds for downloads and messaging.
Activate your Roamix eSIM before landing to navigate Terminal 1 versus Terminal 2 connections and book a taxi or Metro Line 1 ride into the city the moment you clear customs.
VAR
Varna Airport
Varna
Free wifi in the terminal. Varna is the main gateway to the northern Black Sea coast.
Varna is the gateway to Golden Sands and Nesebar. Use Roamix data to book your transfer to the coast and check sea conditions and beach forecast before heading to your resort.
BOJ
Burgas Airport
Burgas
Free wifi available in the terminal. Burgas handles the majority of Black Sea summer charter traffic.
Burgas is closest to Sunny Beach, Sozopol and Nesebar. Book your transfer and download the old town walking routes for Nesebar and Sozopol over Roamix data before leaving the terminal.
PDV
Plovdiv Airport
Plovdiv
Basic wifi in the small terminal. Ryanair operates seasonal routes.
Plovdiv old town is 12 km from the airport. Use Roamix data to book a taxi and download the Kapana district and old town map before arriving in this exceptional city.
Apps and internet access in Bulgaria
Bulgaria has a fully open internet and all apps work normally on a Roamix eSIM.
There are no restrictions on social media, messaging or search. No VPN is required for any mainstream service.
WhatsApp, works
Fully available for messaging and calls.
FaceTime, works
Works normally over data and wifi.
Google Maps and Search, works
No restrictions. Essential for navigating Sofia and Black Sea resorts.
Social media, works
Instagram, X, TikTok and Facebook all work.
Getting around Bulgaria
Bulgaria has reliable intercity buses, a decent rail network and affordable taxis. Cities have public transit. Data is useful for scheduling, rideshare booking and navigating the Cyrillic street signs.
Sofia Metro
Sofia has a clean and efficient metro system connecting the airport to the centre and key neighbourhoods. Download the Sofia Metro app with Roamix data for live maps.
Intercity buses
Regular buses connect Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, Veliko Tarnovo and Bansko. Book online with Roamix data via Buschedule or Etap buses.
Rideshare and taxis
Bolt and Uber operate in Sofia and Plovdiv. In coastal resorts, use licensed taxi apps. Avoid unlicensed taxis at airports.
Rental car
Essential for Rila, the Rhodope and rural medieval sites. Use live navigation in cities and download offline maps for mountain passes.
In Sofia, the metro is clean, cheap and runs to the airport. Download the Sofia Metro app with Roamix data for route planning. In coastal resorts, use Bolt or agree fares with licensed taxis before getting in.
Money and payments in Bulgaria
The Bulgarian Lev is pegged to the euro at 1.96 BGN to 1 EUR. Bulgaria uses its own currency despite being an EU member state. Carry BGN cash for local restaurants, markets and smaller guesthouses.
- Cards and cash
- Cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops in cities. Street food stalls, mountain huts, smaller cafes and rural guesthouses often prefer or require cash.
- ATMs
- ATMs are plentiful in Sofia, Plovdiv and coastal resorts. UniCredit, DSK and Raiffeisen machines accept international cards. Choose BGN for withdrawal to avoid dynamic conversion charges.
- Payment apps
- Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted in Sofia and larger cities. ePay is a popular local mobile payment platform used by some merchants.
- Tipping
- Tipping around 10 percent in restaurants is standard and appreciated. Rounding up taxi fares and leaving a few BGN for hotel staff is customary. Bulgaria has a genuine service culture and tips are genuinely welcomed.
Daily budget
Bulgaria is one of the EU's cheapest destinations. Budget travellers spend 50 to 80 EUR per day. Mid-range spending with hotel and restaurant meals is around 80 to 150 EUR per day.
Local tips for Bulgaria
- Language
- Bulgarian uses the Cyrillic alphabet, which can make reading street signs and menus challenging. English is spoken in tourist areas, hotels and by younger Bulgarians. The head-shake for yes (nodding side to side) and nod for no are reversed from Western convention in some parts of Bulgaria, though this varies by individual.
- Food
- Bulgarian cuisine is hearty and flavourful. Look for shopska salad with tomatoes, cucumber and white cheese, kavarma clay-pot meat stew, banitsa filo pastry with cheese, grilled kebabche minced meat rolls and fresh Black Sea fish at coastal restaurants.
- Plugs
- 230V, Type C and F plugs
Apps worth having
Bolt
rideshare
Available in Sofia and Plovdiv for reliable metered rides at low cost, avoiding unlicensed tourist taxis.
Viber
messaging
The dominant messaging app in Bulgaria alongside WhatsApp. Install it to communicate with local guesthouses, guides and operators.
Maps.me
navigation
Detailed offline maps of Bulgaria including Rila and Pirin mountain trails and the Rhodope highland roads.
Safety and health in Bulgaria
Bulgaria is generally safe for tourists. Petty theft in Sofia's busy tourist areas and pickpocketing on public transport warrant the usual vigilance. Taxis at Sofia Airport have historically overcharged tourists, so always book via Bolt or a licensed meter taxi.
- Stay reachable
- Keep your Roamix eSIM active to monitor weather and access emergency number 112. In Rila or Pirin mountains, download weather forecasts and trail maps before ascending, as conditions change fast.
- Health
- Healthcare is adequate in cities. Ticks carrying Lyme disease are present in Bulgarian forests and mountain areas, so use repellent and check for ticks after outdoor activities. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
- Tap water
- Tap water is generally safe to drink in Sofia and most cities. In smaller villages and mountain huts, bottled water is the cautious choice.
Networks and coverage in Bulgaria
Bulgaria's three operators, A1 (formerly Mobiltel), Yettel (formerly Telenor) and Vivacom, cover virtually all cities and main roads with 4G LTE. 5G is expanding rapidly in Sofia. For non-EU visitors, a Roamix Bulgaria eSIM is the most cost-effective way to stay connected from the moment you land at SOF.
A1 Bulgaria
Market leader with the most advanced 5G network in Sofia, strong urban 4G and competitive nationwide coverage.
Yettel Bulgaria
Solid 4G coverage in cities and Black Sea coastal resorts, with competitive data pricing and a strong presence along the resort corridor.
Vivacom
State-linked operator with arguably the best rural reach including mountain villages, border regions and secondary towns across the country.
- Typical speeds
- 5G in Sofia delivers 50 to 200 Mbps. Nationwide 4G LTE runs 20 to 60 Mbps.
- 5G
- A1 leads 5G deployment in Sofia and Plovdiv. Yettel and Vivacom are expanding their 5G networks across other cities.
For city and coastal trips, A1 or Yettel give the fastest 4G data. For mountain hiking in Rila or Pirin, Vivacom has marginally better reach to the lower slopes of major peaks. No carrier is reliable on upper mountain trails.
High mountain zones on Rila, Pirin and Rhodope ranges lose signal above the treeline. Remote village roads in rural Bulgaria can drop to 3G or no signal. The Rhodope Gorge sections and deep forest trails have gaps. Standard European LTE bands including Band 3 and Band 7 used by all three operators work on virtually any modern unlocked smartphone.
Where to go in Bulgaria
Bulgaria surprises visitors with dramatic contrasts: a thriving capital with Roman ruins beneath its streets, some of Europe's best skiing, a medieval heartland of monasteries and fortresses, and a buzzing Black Sea coast. A Roamix eSIM keeps navigation, booking and communication running as you move between regions.
Best time to visit
June to September for the Black Sea coast and hiking. December to March for skiing at Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo. May and October for Sofia and cultural travel with mild weather and few crowds.
Sofia and the Vitosha Plateau
The capital packs 7,000 years of history into a walkable centre where Roman Serdica ruins share streets with Ottoman mosques, Soviet-era boulevards and a booming cafe and restaurant scene, all beneath the Vitosha National Park mountain.
- Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
- Vitosha National Park
- Serdica Roman ruins
- National History Museum
- Boyana Church UNESCO
Excellent A1 5G and Yettel 4G across central Sofia, the airport and the Vitosha Boulevard. Mountain slopes above Simeonovo have patchy coverage.
Plovdiv and the Thracian Lowlands
Bulgaria's second city and 2019 European Capital of Culture has an exceptional old town of painted Revival-era houses on three hills above the Maritsa River, and is the gateway to the rose-growing Kazanlak valley and the Rhodope foothills.
- Plovdiv Old Town Kapana
- Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis
- Bachkovo Monastery
- Rose Valley Kazanlak
- Asen Fortress
Strong A1 and Yettel 4G across Plovdiv city and the old town. The Rose Valley highway and Kazanlak area have good coverage.
The Black Sea Coast
Bulgaria's 380 km Black Sea coastline stretches from the Romanian border to Turkey, with the UNESCO-listed old towns of Nesebar and Sozopol, the resort strips of Sunny Beach and Golden Sands, and quieter fishing villages like Sinemorets in the south.
- Nesebar old town UNESCO
- Sozopol stone town
- Sunny Beach resort
- Golden Sands resort
- Cape Kaliakra
All three operators provide strong 4G along the entire coastal highway and in all major resorts. Yettel is particularly strong at Sunny Beach and Golden Sands. Signal holds in most coastal villages.
The Rila, Pirin and Rhodope Mountains
Three mountain ranges offer Bulgaria's best hiking, skiing and monastery trails. The Rila Monastery is a UNESCO site and the Pirin range hosts Bansko, one of Europe's fastest-growing ski resorts. The Rhodope is a landscape of gorges, caves and traditional pomak villages.
- Rila Monastery UNESCO
- Bansko ski resort
- Pirin National Park
- Trigrad Gorge and Devil's Throat Cave
- Buzludzha Soviet monument
Vivacom and A1 cover Bansko, Borovets and Rila Monastery town. Upper mountain trails above 2,000 metres lose signal. The Rhodope Gorge and Trigrad area have limited coverage.
The Balkan Mountains and Medieval Heritage
The Stara Planina Balkan range crosses Bulgaria east to west, with Veliko Tarnovo, the medieval capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, as the centrepiece, alongside Kazanlak Thracian tombs, Etara Open Air Museum and the rock formations at Belogradchik.
- Tsarevets Fortress Veliko Tarnovo
- Kazanlak Thracian tomb UNESCO
- Etara Ethnographic Complex
- Belogradchik Rocks
- Troyan Monastery
Good A1 and Vivacom 4G in Veliko Tarnovo and along the E85 highway. Mountain pass roads and the Balkan National Park interior have gaps.
Off the beaten path
The largest and most important Bulgarian Orthodox monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating to the 10th century with a stunning striped church, medieval frescoes and a 14th-century tower set in the Rila mountain valley.
Signal: A1 and Vivacom cover the monastery valley. Signal can be weak on the forested approach road. Download your entry ticket and photos offline before arriving.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site on a rocky peninsula in the Black Sea, Nesebar's old town preserves an extraordinary concentration of Byzantine and medieval Bulgarian churches, cobbled lanes and wooden-balconied houses above the sea.
Signal: Yettel and A1 provide strong 4G on the Nesebar peninsula and the old town streets.
One of Europe's best-value ski resorts with 75 km of pistes, a charming Bulgarian old town at the base and an active apres-ski scene, accessible from Sofia in 1.5 hours.
Signal: A1 and Vivacom cover Bansko town and the gondola base station. Upper piste areas have patchy coverage, especially in storm conditions.
A beautifully preserved Black Sea fishing town on a rocky peninsula, with wooden-balconied houses overhanging the sea wall, two sandy beaches and a vibrant arts festival in August that brings Bulgarian and international artists to the ancient streets.
Signal: All three operators provide strong 4G coverage across Sozopol peninsula and the new town.
The Kapana Trap neighbourhood in Plovdiv's old town is a labyrinth of repurposed workshops turned into galleries, craft beer bars and independent restaurants, set alongside 2,000-year-old Roman ruins and 19th-century National Revival houses on the three ancient hills.
Signal: Excellent A1 4G coverage throughout the Plovdiv old town, the Kapana craft district and the main hills.
The most dramatic karst gorge in Bulgaria, where the Trigrad River disappears underground into the Devil's Throat cave, a massive underground chamber with a roaring waterfall, in a narrow canyon of 300-metre limestone cliffs.
Signal: Limited Vivacom coverage at Trigrad village. The gorge walls and cave interior have no signal. Download maps and cave entry information in Devin or Smolyan.
Extraordinary red sandstone rock pillars rising up to 200 metres from the forested hillsides of northwest Bulgaria, integrated with a 19th-century Bulgarian and Austrian fortress and offering trails through a surreal landscape of named rock formations.
Signal: Limited Vivacom coverage at the site. Download the walking trail map and fortress guide in Belogradchik town.
A spectacular abandoned Soviet-era monument in the shape of a flying saucer on a Balkan Mountain peak at 1,441 metres, covered in deteriorating communist mosaics and one of the most surreal and photogenic abandoned sites in Europe.
Signal: Vivacom has limited coverage near the monument. The approach road through the Balkan Mountains is partially covered.
The magnificent ruins of the medieval Bulgarian capital fortress, set on a dramatic hill loop of the Yantra River in Veliko Tarnovo, with the Patriarchate church ruins at the summit and a famous sound and light show projected onto the walls at night.
Signal: A1 and Vivacom cover the fortress hill and the city centre below. Signal is reliable for the famous sound and light show.
A dramatic 70-metre-high red limestone cliff cape jutting into the Black Sea, with ancient fortress ruins, a medieval chapel in a cave, a seal reserve in the waters below and one of Bulgaria's most spectacular sunsets from the narrow promontory.
Signal: Yettel and A1 cover the cape road and visitor area. Good signal for the clifftop photography spots.
Events and seasons in Bulgaria
Late January
Kukeri Festival, Pernik
Pernik, near Sofia
An ancient Bulgarian pagan tradition where performers in elaborate beast-head costumes and bells parade through the streets to drive away evil spirits. The International Masquerade Games in Pernik draws kukeri groups from across Bulgaria and beyond.
March, eleven days
Sofia Film Festival
Sofia
The most important film festival in Southeast Europe outside Sarajevo, with hundreds of international and Bulgarian films screened across city cinemas and an industry platform for Balkan filmmakers.
April to October, multiple nights weekly
Tsarevets Sound and Light Show
Veliko Tarnovo
A spectacular sound and light show projected onto the walls and churches of Tsarevets Fortress, transforming the medieval Bulgarian capital ruins into a canvas for a narrated history of the Second Bulgarian Empire with full pyrotechnic finale.
First weekend of June
Rose Festival, Kazanlak
Kazanlak, Stara Zagora Province
A celebration of Bulgaria's legendary rose oil industry in the Rose Valley, where roses have been cultivated for over 300 years. The festival features a Rose Queen crowning ceremony, parades, music and the spectacular early-morning rose picking ritual in the surrounding fields.
June to July
Varna Summer International Festival
Varna
A major summer classical music and opera festival based in Varna's open-air Summer Theatre and indoor concert halls, drawing Bulgarian and international performers for a programme of opera, symphony and recitals on the Black Sea coast.
June
Sofia Pride
Sofia
The annual Sofia Pride march and festival is one of the largest LGBTQ+ events in the Balkans, with a parade through central Sofia, concerts and cultural events spread across the city.
June 3 to 4 (Saints Constantine and Helena)
Nestinarstvo Fire Dancing
Balgari village, Burgas Province
One of the most mysterious traditions in the Balkans, where mystical healers called nestinari dance barefoot over burning embers in a trance-like state to the sound of bagpipes in the villages of the Eastern Rhodope, an ancient ritual recognised by UNESCO.
August
Bansko International Jazz Festival
Bansko, Blagoevgrad Province
A week-long international jazz festival held in the old town square and venues of Bansko, with both Bulgarian and international acts performing against the backdrop of the Pirin Mountains in a relaxed mountain-resort atmosphere.
Early September, ten days
Apollonia Arts Festival
Sozopol, Burgas Province
Bulgaria's premier arts festival, held in the cobblestone streets and harbour spaces of the Sozopol old town, with theatre, classical music, jazz, film and poetry performances attracting international artists to one of the Black Sea's most beautiful settings.
September
Night of Museums and Galleries
Sofia and nationwide
An annual event when museums, galleries and cultural institutions across Bulgaria open their doors for free on a single autumn evening, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to institutions that are often under-visited during normal hours.
Through the year
- Spring
- March to May is a beautiful shoulder season with wildflowers in the mountains, the Rose Festival in June approaching, mild temperatures and very few tourists. Rila and Pirin trails open from May.
- Summer
- June to August is peak season on the Black Sea coast, with hot and sunny weather, crowded beach resorts and the best conditions for swimming and water sports. The mountains are cool and excellent for hiking. Expect high prices and crowds at Sunny Beach and Golden Sands.
- Fall
- September and October bring cooler temperatures, the Apollonia Festival in Sozopol, empty beaches and excellent hiking in the Rhodope and Rila as colours turn. One of the best months to visit.
- Winter
- December to February brings cold weather to Sofia and snow to the mountains. Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo offer very affordable skiing by European standards. Sofia has a lively Christmas market season.
Working remotely from Bulgaria
Sofia is one of Europe's most attractive remote work destinations, with fast internet, very low cost of living, good coworking spaces and an international community. Plovdiv's old town cafes are equally appealing.
- Connection
- A1 5G in Sofia easily handles video calls and tethering. A Roamix plan of 15 GB suits a working week in the capital.
The Oborishte and Ivan Vazov neighbourhoods in Sofia have the best cafe wifi culture. The WeWork and Betahaus spaces offer professional coworking. Use your eSIM as a secure backup on public networks.
