The Republic of Bulgaria is a little known country that, although it may seem otherwise, has a lot to offer. Considered by many to be the most enigmatic of all European countries, it is located in the area known as the Balkans, bordering Romania to the north, Turkey and Greece to the south, and Serbia and Macedonia to the west. Also, do not forget that to the east is the Black Sea.
Have you ever considered traveling to Bulgaria? Well, you should know that it has everything: mountains, spectacular forests, sea, historic cities … The best of all is that it has not been invaded by mass tourism, so it can be enjoyed with peace of mind. Today we want you to get to know this country more thoroughly and, therefore, we are going to talk to you about its main cities , based, of course, on the number of inhabitants. Would you like to join us?
Sofia
First of all, we want to talk about Sofia, the capital and the most populous city in Bulgaria, as well as being the administrative, economic, cultural, educational and transportation center of the country. Considered one of the oldest capitals in Europe, it is home to important monuments, such as the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral or the Church of Bayonne, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Plovdiv
We also have to talk about Plovdiv, the second most populous city in the country. Although its population is predominantly Bulgarian, there are also minorities of Gypsies, Turks, Hebrews and Armenians. Among its main points of interest we find the ruins of the Roman Stadium, the Dzhumaya Mosque, the Archaeological Museum and the house of the painter Zlatyu Boyadzhiev.
Varna
Another city to stake is Varna, the largest resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, as well as being the third most populous city in the country. Known as the "sea capital" of Bulgaria, it is a major business and tourist destination. On the other hand, we want to comment that it is the setting for a part of the novel "Dracula" by Bram Stroker. In addition, it has an important aquarium.
Burgas
The fourth most populous city in Bulgaria is Burgas, which is considered the second largest city on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Surrounded by the lakes of Burgas, the city is an important tourist and industrial center. In fact, it has the largest local port in the country. In addition, we must emphasize that it hosts annual national exhibitions and international festivals.
Ruse
Ruse is the fifth most populous city in Bulgaria. It is located in the north of the country, on the banks of the Danube and opposite the Roman city of Giurgiu. For many it is one of the most elegant cities in the country, being able to find examples of belle Ă©poque architecture . Its museums and the remains of the Roman fortress stand out.
Stara Zagora
The sixth most populous city in Bulgaria is Stara Zagora, considered one of the most modern cities in the entire country. In addition, it is important to note that it is a cultural and educational center, with numerous secondary schools, technical and secondary schools, and research centers. Also, you should know that here is one of the most important operatic stages on the Balkan Peninsula.
Pleven
Famous for its museums and parks, Pleven is the seventh most populous city in the country. Among its many points of interest, the Panoramic Museum "The Epic of Pleven 1877" stands out, a unique monument on the Balkan Peninsula. We must also highlight the central square of the city, with its fountains and waterfalls; and the Chernelka nature reserve, which is on the outskirts of the city.
Sliven
Finally, we must talk about Sliven, the eighth largest city in Bulgaria. We want to highlight the famous Sninite Kamani rock massif and the associated national park, which offer different opportunities for tourism.