LOCATIONS MAPS
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TRANSFERS & DIRECTIONS Driving Directions from Sofia International Airport
Distance To / From the Hotel
- Sofia International Airport - 8 kilometres, approximately 15 minutes' drive;
- Hotel shuttle bus services are available;
| VISA INFORMATION
| Latest Visa Information Nationals of the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel and Switzerland can stay in the country visa-free for 30 days in any 6 months period. Citizens of EU countries other than the UK can stay in Bulgaria without a visa for 90 days. Nationals of other countries should contact the Bulgarian embassies and consulates in their home countries about visa arrangements. Note that visas cannot be obtained at the border. If you want to stay longer than 30 or 90 days allotted, you’re advised to obtain a “type D” visa from the Bulgarian embassy in your home country before traveling.Once you arrive in Bulgaria you are required to register with the local police within 5 days of arrival. For those staying in a hotel or accommodation arranged through an agency, the registration will be done for you. You will be given a dated registration slip which you should keep in a safe place – you might be asked to produce it when leaving the country. People who don’t bother to register (or who don’t bother to keep the registration slip) can be subjected to large fines on departure- although this rarely happens to short-stay foreigners from Western countries.
NOTE: The following information is subject to change, as the visa requirements are being reviewed and changed by the State of Bulgaria- travellers are advised to contact the nearest Consulate for Bulgaria, prior to their journey.
VISITOR INFORMATION Customs Foreigners can import an unlimited amount of either Bulgarian or foreign currency – but it has to be declared at the border if the total amount exceeds 8000 lv. or equivalent. You are not allowed to export more money then you import. You can bring 200 cigarettes and 1 liter of spirits into the country, but as both nicotine and alcohol are relatively cheap here, there’s little point in importing such things unless you are bringing in a particular brand of whisky as a gift for your hosts. When entering Bulgaria by car you have to present a document of ownership. You are not allowed to export antiques, artworks or coins of numismatic value unless you have a permit issued by the Ministry of Culture. Due to fears about child trafficking, travellers with small children may be asked for documentary evidence of their parental relationship before being allowed to leave the country.
EMBASSIES A
Afghanistan Albania
Ovcha kupel, 61 Boriana Str., Sofia, 10 Krakra Str.
bl. 216, ap. 15 Tel: (+359 2) 44 11 10, 44 33 81
1087 Sofia Fax: (+359 2) 943 30 69
Tel.: (+359 2) 55 61 96 E-mail: albania@centrum-group.com
E-mail: ariana@sofianet.net Algeria Argentina
16 Slavianska Str. Sofia, 36 Dragan Tsankov Blvd., IWTC, bl. 2, fl. 2
1087 Sofia Tel: (+359 2) 971 25 39, 971 37 91, 973 32 04
Tel.: (+359 2) 980 22 50 Fax: (+359 2) 714 630 28
E-mail: ambalgsf@infotel.bg E-mail: arebulg@online.bg Armenia Austria
Sofia, 11 April 20th Str. 4 Shipka Str., 1087 Sofia
Tel/Fax: (+359 2) 52 60 46, 54 79 70 Тel: (+359 2) 980 35 72; Fax: (+359 2) 980 35 73, 981 05 67, 981 17 21
E-mail: armembsof@omega.bg E-mail: sofia-ob@bmaa.gv.at, obsofia@online.bg
Australia Consulate
3 Iantra Str.
1087 Sofia
Tel.: (+359 2) 44 34 68 B
Bosnia and Herzegovina Brazil
1 Al. Jendov Str. Iztok, 19 Frederic Julio Curie Str., bl. 1, floor. 4 , ap. 6
1113 Sofia 1087 Sofia
Tel.: (+359 2) 973 37 75 (Technical Secretary) Tel: (+359 2) 72 35 27, 72 24 97, 72 34 23
Fax: (+359 2) 973 37 29 Fax: (+359 2) 971 28 18
E-mail: embihsofia@dir.bg E-mail: sofbrem@main.infotel.bg C
Cambodia China
Mladost 1, Andrei Saharov Blvd., residece 3 Geo Milev, 7 Alexander Fon Humbolt Str., 1087 Sofia
1087 Sofia Tel.: (+359 2) 973 38 51
Tel.: (+359 2) 75 71 35 E-mail: embassycn@yahoo.com Colombia Croatia
Geo Milev, 1 Alexander Jendov Str., ap. 37 18 Cracra Str.
1087 Sofia 1087 Sofia
Tel.: (+359 2) 973 36 44 Tel.: (+359 2) 943 32 25, 943 32 26, 946 16 77
E-mail: embcol@medianet.pl Fax: (+359 2) 946 13 55 Cuba Cyprus
Iztok, 1 Konstantin Shtarkelov Str. Iztok, 22 Iurii Gagarin Str., bl. 154A, floor 1, ap. 2
1087 Sofia 1087 Sofia
Tel.: (+359 2) 72 09 96, 72 20 14 Tel.: (+359 2) 971 22 41, 70 10 77
Fax: (+359 2) 72 04 60 Fax: (+359 2) 73 97 95
E-mail: embacu@netissat.bg E-mail: cyembsof@fintech.bg
Czech Republic
9 Ianko Sakuzov Blvd., entrance Panaiot Volov Str.
1087 Sofia
Tel.: (+359 2) 946 11 11, 946 11 10
Fax: (+359 2) 946 18 00
E-mail: sofia@embassy.mzv.cz
Web:www.czechembassy.org/wwwo/?zu=sofia D Denmark
54 Dondukov Blvd.
1504 Sofia
PoBox 1393
Tel: (+359 2) 917 01 00
Fax: (+359 2) 980 99 011
E-mail: sofamb@um.dk
Web: http://www.ambsofia.um.dk/da E Egypt
5 Sixth September Str.
1087 Sofia
Tel.: (+359 2) 87 02 15
E-mail: egembsof@spnet.net F Finland France
16 Krakra Str. 27-29 Oborishte Str., 1087 Sofia
1504 Sofia Tel.: (+359 2) 946 03 80, 946 03 90, 946 15 79; Fax: (+359 2) 946 15 58
Tel.: (+359 2) 942 49 10 E-mail: press@ambafrance.bg;
Fax: (+359 2) 942 49 11 Web: www.ambafrance.bg/index.html
G Germany Great Britain
Izgrev, 25 Frederic Julio Curie Str. 9 Moskovska Str.
1087 Sofia 1087 Sofia
Tel.: (+359 2) 963 45 18, 65 04 51 Tel.: (+359 2) 933 92 22
Fax: (+359 2) 963 16 58, 65 02 75 Fax: (+359 2) 933 92 50
Consultant and visa enquiry:
Fax: (+359 2) 963 41 17 E-mail: britembinf@mail.orbitel.bg
E-mail: gemb@vilmat.com Web: www.british-embassy.bg
Web: www.german-embassy.bg Greece
103, Evlogi Georgiev Str.
Sofia 1504
Tel.: (+359 2) 944 79 59, 944 77 90
Fax: (+359 2) 944 28 68
E-mail: economy@grembassysofia.org H Hungary
57 Sixth September Str.
1087 Sofia
Tel.: (+359 2) 963 11 36 I Iemen India
Mladost 1, Andrei Saharov Blvd., residece 3 31 Patriarh Evtimii Blvd., 1087 Sofia
1087 Sofia Tel.: (+359 2) 88 25 22, 87 66 50; Fax: (+359 2) 980 12 89, 87 79 84
Tel.: (+359 2) 75 61 63 E-mail: indembg@inet.bg, india@inet.bg Indonesia Irak
53 Simeonovsko chaussee Blvd., residence 4 Iztok, 21-23 Anton Pavlovich Chehov Str.
1087 Sofia 1087 Sofia
Tel.: (+359 2) 962 52 40 Tel.: (+359 2) 70 00 41
E-mail: indosof@geobiz.net E-mail: iraqyia@spnet.net Iran Israel
77 Vasil Levski Blvd. Bulgaria Sq., NDK 1st administration building, floor 7, 1087 Sofia
1087 Sofia Tel.: (+359 2) 951 50 44, 951 50 46, 54 32 01
Tel.: (+359 2) 987 85 46 Fax: (+359 2) 52 11 01
E-mail: embassysofia@hotmail.com E-mail: info@sofia.mfa.gov.il Italy
2 Shipka Str.
1087 Sofia
Tel.: (+359 2) 980 77 47
E-mail: italdiplsofia@online.bg J Japan
Iztok, 14 Lulakova gradina Str.
1087 Sofia
Tel.: (+359 2) 971 27 08
Web: www.bg.emb-japan.go.jp K Korea Kuwait
1 Bulgaria Sq., NDK, floor 12 Vitosha quarter, Simeonovsko chaossee Blvd., residence 15, 1087 Sofia
1087 Sofia Tel.: (+359 2) 962 56 89, 962 51 30, 962 52 09
Tel.: (+359 2) 65 01 62 Fax: (+359 2) 68 34 15
www.mofat.go.kr/missions/Bulgaria.nsf/English E-mail: kwtemsf@omega.bg L Libya Levan
Mladost 1, Andrei Saharov Blvd., residece 1 Iztok, 19 Frederic Julio Curie Str., bl. 1, ap. 2
1087 Sofia 1087 Sofia
Tel.: (+359 2) 974 32 97 Tel.: (+359 2) 72 04 31 M Macedonia Marocco
Iztok, 19 Frederic Julio Curie Str., bl. 2, ap. 1 129 Evlogi Georgiev Blvd.
1087 Sofia 1087 Sofia
Tel./Fax: (+359 2) 971 37 08 Tel.: (+359 2) 943 30 90
E-mail: maked@bgnet.bg, todmak@bgnet.bg Moldova Mongolia
17 Patriarh Evtimii Blvd. Iztok, 25 Frederic Julio Curie Str.
1087 Sofia 1087 Sofia
Tel.: (+359 2) 981 85 53 Tel.: (+359 2) 65 90 12 N Norway Royal Netherlands
15 Oborishte Str., 1504 Sofia
54B Dondukov Blvd. Tel.: (+359 2) 8160300
1000 Sofia Fax: (+359 2) 8160301
E-mail: emb.sofia@mfa.no E-mail: sof@minbuza.nl
Web: http://www.norvegia.bg/ Web: http://www.netherlandsembassy.bg P Palestina Peru
22 Jeims Baucher Blvd. Iztok, 17 Frederic Julio Curie Str., bl. 2, ap. 2, 1087 Sofia
1087 Sofia Tel.: (+359 2) 971 37 08; Fax: (+359 2) 973 33 46
Tel.: (+359 2) 963 43 24 E-mail: peru@mail.bol.bg Poland Portugal
125 Evlogi Georgiev Str. Javorov, 6 Ivailo voivoda Str.
1504 Sofia 1087 Sofia
Tel.: (+359 2) 944 16 86, 943 42 45 Tel.: (+359 2) 943 36 67
E-mail: brh_pl_sofia@bsbg.net
Web: www.brhplsofia.bsbg.net R Romania Russia
Sitniakovo Blvd. 28 Dragan Tsankov Blvd.
1087 Sofia 1087 Sofia
Tel: (+359 2) 971 28 58 Tel: (+359 2) 963 09 12
Fax: (+359 2) 971 3619
S Serbia and Montenegro Slovakia
Tel.: (+359 2) 946 16 33 9 Ianko Sakuzov Blvd.
1087 Sofia
Tel.: (+359 2) 943 32 82
South Africa Spain 26, Bacho Kiro street 27 Sheinovo Str.
Second floor 1000 SOFIA 1087 Sofia
Tel: (+359 2) 981 66 82 Tel.: (+359 2) 943 36 20
Fax: (+359 2) 981 57 76 E-mail: embespbg@cit.bg
E-mail: saembsof@techno-link.com Web: www.embespbg.com Sweden Switzerland
Geo Milev, 4 Alfred Nobel Str. 33 Shipka Str.
1087 Sofia 1087 Sofia
Tel.: (+359 2) 971 24 31 Tel.: (+359 2) 946 01 97
Fax: (+359 2) 973 37 95
E-mail: swemb@einet.bg
Syria Consulate General of the Republic of Sudan
13A Simeonovsko chaussee Blvd. 23 Parchevich Str.
1087 Sofia 1087 Sofia
Tel.: (+359 2) 962 57 42 Tel.: (+359 2) 980 74 85
Fax: (+359 2) 980 94 90
E-mail: scgs@cybernet.bg
Web: www.scgs-bg.com T Turkey
80 Vasil Levski Blvd.
1087 Sofia
Tel.: (+359 2) 980 22 70 U United States of America Ukraine
16 Kozyak Str. Residential district "Ovcha kupel", 29 Boriana Str.
1407 Sofia Sofia
Tel.: (+359 2) 937 51 00 Tel.: (+359 2) 955 94 78
Fax: (+359 2) 937 53 20 Fax: (+359 2) 955 52 47
E-mail: irc@usembassy.bg E-mail: puvrb@mbox.contact.bg
Web: www.usembassy.bg Web: www.ukramb.data.bg
Uruguay
Iavorov, 91 Tzar Ivan Asen II Str.
1087 Sofia
Tel.: (+359 2) 943 45 45, 943 45 96
Fax: (+359 2) 943 40 40
E-mail: urubulg@mbox.digsys.bg
Web: www.emburuguay-bg.org
V
Venezuela Vietnam
1 Tulovo Str. j.k. Izgrev, 1 Jetvarska Str.
1087 Sofia 1087 Sofia
Tel.: (+359 2) 943 30 61, 943 34 95 Tel.: (+359 2) 65 83 34
Fax: (+359 2) 943 30 10 E-mail: dsqvnsofia@eml.cc
E-mail: embavenez@mbox.digsys.bg
Web: www.embavenez-sofia.bg  |
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BULGARIA INFORMATION
Area
110 994 sq. km
Population
5.56 million (July 2005 est.)
Geographic Location
Located in the south-east of the Balkan Peninsula, Bulgaria borders Romania to the North, the Black Sea to the East, Turkey and Greece to the South and Serbia and Macedonia to the West. The river Danube forms the country’s northern frontier and offers quick access to Central Europe. A crossroads location between Europe and Asia facilitates transport flows through the country.
Landscape
Bulgarian landscape is extremely diverse. The North is dominated by the vast lowlands of the Danube plains, the South by highlands and elevated plains. The average altitude of Bulgaria is 470 m and overall, lowlands prevail. There are eight mountains in Bulgaria, which rise more than 2 000 m above sea level. The highest peak (Moussala 2 925 m) can be found in the Rila Mountains. Along the Black Sea coast to the East of Bulgaria, the 130 km of good, wide beaches are among the country’s main tourist attractions. Bulgaria is mountainous with over four thousand mapped caves. Thirty-eight percent of Bulgaria consists of forests and woodlands; there are many rivers, waterfalls, lakes and mineral springs.
Protected areas include Pirin National Park, Sinite Kamani National Park, the Bourgas Wetlands, Steneto Reserve and Parangalitza Reserve. The Srebarna Nature Reserve, a World Heritage site, is home to over a hundred species of indigenous and migrating birds.
Climate
A continental climate with hot summers and cold winters made the country a popular beach resort while offering good skiing in the winter. A Mediterranean influence can be felt in the valleys of the South-Western Rhodopi Mountains, where dry summers and mild winters prevail. The influence of the Black sea is limited to a narrow strip of land (200-300 km) in Eastern Bulgaria.
Population
Bulgaria's population was estimated at 7,450,349 in 2005. The country has a relatively homogeneous ethnic structure, with ethnic Bulgarians constituting 86% of the population. Bulgarians are the most genuine and hospitable of people. As a nation they are well-educated, intelligent, intellectual and seem to have an endless source of knowledge on practically any topic. Language
The Bulgarian language belongs to the South Slavic group, along with Serbo-Croatian, Slovene, and Macedonian A number of dialects remain in common speech. Bulgarian is the official language, using the Cyrilic alphabet. Some ethnic Turks speak Turkish as their mother tongue, but generally have Bulgarian as a second language. Russian, previously a required subject in school, is also widely spoken. English is now the most widely studied second language, followed by German and French.
Religion
Some 85% of the population claim affinity to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, while Muslims make up a further 13% of the population. The Communist regime discouraged religion, however religious freedom has now been re-established and religious holidays are openly celebrated.
Education
The literacy rate in Bulgaria is very high - 99% for men and 97% for women - and the country still boasts a strong education system. Particular strengths include computer programming and electronics.
History and Culture
The territory of Bulgaria has been inhabited since the earliest times of history - the Stone Age and the Copper Age. The Thracians were the first to settle in this region. In the second half of the VII century the proto-Bulgars, a people of Asian origin, settled on the territory of present northeastern Bulgaria. Forming a union with the Slavs they founded the Bulgarian state which in 681 was acknowledged by the Byzantine Empire.The state was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1396. For nearly 5 centuries Bulgaria was under Ottoman rule. In 1878 the April Uprising broke, which was the first organized attempt to overthrow Ottoman rule. The uprising was cruelly crushed and drowned in bloodshed, but managed to attract the attention of the big European countries to Bulgarian national issues. In the early forties Bulgaria’s policy was in favour of Germany and its supporters. In 1946 Bulgaria was proclaimed a Republic. The Bulgarian Communist Party came to power. The political parties that did not join the Fatherland Front were banned, enterprises and banks were nationalized, the arable land was forcefully included in co-operative farms. November 10-th, 1989 socialist`s marks the beginning of democratic changes in Bulgaria. A new Constitution was adopted in 1991, the political parties were restored, property seized in 1947 is being reinstated, privatization and arable land reinstatement have begun.Georgy Parvanov has been President of the country since autumn 2001. Prime Minister - Sergey Stanishev. Architecture
Monuments in Bulgaria date back to the Thracian era: the Tomb of Sveshtari (third century BC) and the Tomb of Kazanlak (fourth century BC).
The Bulgarian town of Nessebar began as a Thracian settlement. Like the Thracian tombs, the town is on the World Heritage List. Evidence of Greek colonisation can be seen in the Acropolis and the Temple of Apollo. Other architecture of interest in Nessebar includes nineteenth century wooden houses.
Bulgarian religious buildings on the World Heritage List are Rila Monastery, Boyana Church, Sofia (dating from the tenth century), and the Christian churches of Ivanovo (thirteenth and fourteenth centuries).
There are a number of examples of Turkish architecture from the centuries of Ottoman occupation. Restoration has recently taken place on Ottoman architecture in Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, Shumen and Yambol.
Political Situation and Institutions
Bulgaria is a Parliamentary Republic and the Legislature is the basic power within the country. The Constitution provides for a multi-party, parliamentary system and free elections on the basis of universal suffrage. The National Assembly is vested with the legislative power and exercises parliamentary control. Its mandate is for a term of four years. The President serves as Head of State, and is directly elected once every five years for a maximum of two terms. The President is the Supreme Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria as well. Minorities’ rights are protected. All Bulgarians regardless of ethnicity have the right to stand for local or national elective office and participate in decision making.
Food
Bulgaria's cuisine is influenced by neighbouring Balkan countries (Yugoslavia, Greece and northern Turkey).
Traditional food includes bread, pickled vegetables, salads, soups, stews, casseroles, stuffed vegetables, kebabs, spicy sausages and cheese dishes. Yoghurt is very popular and eaten most days. In fact, Bulgaria is said to be the home of yoghurt and Bulgarian yoghurt is thought to have curative properties.
Meat (pork, chicken, lamb and beef), fish and vegetarian dishes are served with staple foods such as rice and bulgar wheat. Vegetables include aubergines, beans, cabbage, carrots, corn, courgettes, cucumbers, lettuce, mushrooms, onions, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes and olives.
Favourite desserts are pancakes, baklava, baked apples and fruit: apricots, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, grapes, melons, raspberries, strawberries, peaches, pears, plums and quinces.
Traditional alcoholic drinks are "rakiya" (a fruit brandy, often plum), wine and "boza" (a type of beer made with grain, usually millet). Non-alcoholic drinks include coffee, tea, juices, buttermilk and mineral water.
Currency
The country’s currency is the Bulgarian Lev. The exchange rate is announced every day. Money can be exchanged in banks and 24-hour change bureaus.
Local time
Winter time - GMT + 02:00 hours
Summer time - GMT + 03:00 hours Daylight saving time - from last Sunday of March to last Sunday of October
Weekend - Saturday, Sunday
National Holidays
1 January - New Year
3 March - Liberation Day
1 May - Labour Day
Late April/May - Easter
6 May - St. George's Day (Day of Bulgarian Army)
24 May - National Culture Day
6 September - Union Day
22 September - Independence Day
1 November - Day of National Revivals
24 December - Christmas Eve
25 December - Christmas
26 December - 1st day of Christmas
Shopping hours - Offices - Mon-Fri 9 am - 5:30 pm
- Banks - Mon-Fri 9 am - 3 pm
- Shops - Mon-Fri 9 am - 7 pm; half-day Saturday
But more of the shops stay open until 8pm on weekdays and 5 pm on Saturdays.
Few shops (except for grocery stores) are open on Sunday.
Electricity
220 Volt / 50 Hertz - Western-style appliances need adapters for the country's twin-prong plugs, as well as voltage converters (for US applicances only)
Communications Network
Bulgaria has a developed domestic and international communications network. The country is served by three international airports and two commercial Black Sea ports. Sofia Airport is the largest and handles most international traffic, while Varna and Burgas airports service domestic and international charter flights. The two Black Sea ports need reconstruction. Two major east-west highways afford easy access to all regions and form part of a European transport corridor providing the most direct overland routes from Western Europe to Turkey and the Middle East.
Speed limits
Right hand drive - residential areas - 50 km/h
- country roads - 90 km/h
- motorways - 120 km/h
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