Bulgaria Guide for Israelis 2026 — Sofia, the Black Sea & skiing

1Why Bulgaria

Bulgaria is an EU member, fully in Schengen since January 2025, and on the euro since January 2026. What makes it special:

• Exceptional variety — a capital city, two UNESCO sites, 378 km of Black Sea coast with around 70 beaches, and an international ski resort — all in one country.
• 3 airports with direct flights from Israel — Sofia, Varna and Burgas.
• Affordable prices — public transport and attraction tickets are relatively cheap compared with Israel.
• No travel advisory — according to Israel's NSC, Bulgaria is rated "normal precautions recommended".
• A Jewish community and kosher food in Sofia.

2Flights from Israel

Three airports with direct flights from Tel Aviv:

• Sofia (SOF) — Arkia, Bluebird, Bulgaria Air, El Al, Wizz Air. Duration ~2 hours and 50 minutes.
• Varna (VAR) — El Al, Israir, Wizz Air. Duration ~2 hours and 35 minutes. (Good for a beach holiday)
• Burgas (BOJ) — Bluebird, Israir. Duration ~2 hours and 25 minutes. (Close to Sunny Beach)

Prices found (31.5.2026): Skyscanner — from $59 one-way to Sofia; El Al — from $349 round-trip. Prices change — check in real time.

3Visa & entry for Israelis

Bulgaria is a full Schengen member since January 2025. Israelis enter without a visa for stays of up to 90 days within 180 days. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after your departure date from the Schengen Area, and issued within the last ten years.

ETIAS is still not active (May 2026) — expected late 2026. Check before you travel.

4When to fly

• Spring (April–June) — good for Sofia, Plovdiv and Rila Monastery. Comfortable weather.
• Summer (June–September) — Black Sea beach season. Varna, Burgas and Sunny Beach at their peak.
• Winter (December–March) — ski season in Bansko (mid-December to mid-April).
• Autumn (September–November) — comfortable for city trips, less crowded.

5How many days & a recommended itinerary

• 3–4 days — Sofia: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Boyana Church, Mount Vitosha.
• 5–6 days — Sofia + Rila Monastery + Plovdiv.
• 6–8 days — Sofia + Plovdiv + Bansko / the Pirin Mountains.
• 5–7 days in summer — Varna or Burgas + the Black Sea beaches.
• Winter itinerary — Sofia + Bansko for skiing.

6Attractions & things to do

• Rila Monastery — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A spiritual and literary centre of the Bulgarian National Revival. About 120 km from Sofia.
• Alexander Nevsky Cathedral — one of Sofia's symbols, open to visitors 07:00–19:00.
• Boyana Church — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 13th-century frescoes that are among the most important collections of Byzantine art in the world.
• Mount Vitosha — Bulgaria's first nature park, right next to Sofia. Good for hikes and walking trails.
• Old Plovdiv — one of the oldest cities in Europe, with evidence of settlement going back 8,000 years.
• The Roman Theatre in Plovdiv — a 2nd-century theatre still used today for events and concerts.
• Bansko — a ski resort in the Pirin Mountains. Daily adult ski pass: €59 (2025–2026 season).
• The National Museum of History in Sofia — adult ticket: €7.67.
• Varna — Sea Garden — Varna's main seafront park, one of the city's symbols.
• Sunny Beach — one of the largest resort areas on the Black Sea coast.

7Where to stay — areas

• Central Sofia — easy access to the cathedral, museums and public transport.
• Vitosha Boulevard / Serdika — restaurants, shopping and a metro connection.
• Old Plovdiv — a blend of a historic city and picturesque alleys.
• Bansko — for winter and skiing, or mountain hikes in summer.
• Varna / Burgas / Sunny Beach — for a Black Sea beach holiday.

8Transport & getting from the airport

• The airport: Sofia Airport — SOF, about 10 km from central Sofia.
• Metro from the airport (station next to Terminal 2, line M4) to the city. Operates ~05:26–23:49.
• Public transport in Sofia: metro, buses, trams. Single ticket: €0.80; day ticket: €2.00; 72 hours: €7.60 (as of 31.5.2026).
• Intercity trains — BDZ to Plovdiv, Bansko and more.

9Internet & eSIM

• Local operators: A1 Bulgaria, Yettel, Vivacom.
• A1 Bulgaria — 15GB for 30 days: €7.67.
• Vodafone Travel eSIM — 30GB for 30 days: ~$19; 50GB: ~$29.
• Roafly eSIM — 3GB for 30 days: $7.50; 10GB: $14.
• For Israelis — an international eSIM before the flight is the most convenient solution.

10Money, costs & tips

• The currency: the euro — Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026. The Bulgarian lev is no longer in circulation for payment (the parallel-circulation period ended 31.1.2026), but prices may be shown in both currencies until August 2026.
• Rate: as of late May 2026, €1 ≈ 3.27 shekels.
• Price examples: daily metro €2; National Museum €7.67; daily ski pass in Bansko €59; McDonald's Happy Meal ~€7.50.
• Bulgaria is budget-friendly for public transport and attractions. Ski resorts and coastal resorts are pricier — don't compare them to each other.

11Frequently asked questions