Camping in Bulgaria

Camping in Bulgaria is still a real adventure. The country is nowhere near as well-developed as other European camping destinations. This is precisely why there is so much to discover between the Black Sea coast and the mountains inland. At PiNCAMP you will find the most beautiful campsites.

Popular campsites in Bulgaria

Many travellers are drawn to the mountains for camping in Bulgaria. The Rila, Pirin and Vitosha mountains near the capital Sofia in particular are considered top destinations for hiking and relaxing. On the Black Sea coast, a camping trip can be perfectly combined with a beach holiday. The following campsites are among the most popular holiday resorts in Bulgaria.

Camping Shkorpilovtsi

A great campsite that is particularly suitable for swimming fans. The beautiful wide sandy beach is just a stone's throw away. The campsite offers pitches for caravans and motorhomes with electricity and fresh water supply. You can also hire family tents for up to 4 people. WLAN is available free of charge throughout the campsite.

Camping Emanuil

This natural campsite is beautifully situated on the Zhrebchevo reservoir on the route through to the Black Sea. In addition to pitches for motorhomes, there are also several cosy camping cabins and caravans for hire. The water is only 200 metres away and the large sunbathing lawn is a great place to relax in summer.

Camping Veliko Tarnovo

A beautiful campsite in the centre of the country with a swimming pool and great views of the mountains. The sanitary facilities on the site are clean and modern. In addition to the pitches, you can also stay in the new glamping hut with air conditioning and heating. There is a kitchen for self-catering and a small café.

Camping Kapinovski Monastery

Another fantastic campsite at the foot of the mountains and within walking distance of the Kapinovski and Plakovsky monasteries. The holiday complex offers Western European standards with well-kept sanitary facilities and a good infrastructure. There are caravan and tent pitches for campers. There are also caravans for hire and very cosy wooden cabins.

Eco Camping Batak

Simple but clean and well-kept nature campsite in a wonderful location directly on Lake Batak. The pitches are right by the water and offer great views of the small island in the lake. You can hire kayaks and boats directly at the campsite and set off on exploratory tours. Guided hikes and cycle tours through the surrounding mountains are also on offer.

General information about camping in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is located in the south-eastern part of the Balkans and combines two top scenic conditions for camping fans: mountains and sea. In the numerous national parks in the hinterland and on the border with Greece, you can go hiking and relax in one of the spas. Bansko and Borovets, for example, offer excellent spas, hiking trails and sports facilities for winter days. Near Sofia, you will find some of the most beautiful campsites in Bulgaria in the Vitosha Mountains. The combination of nature and culture in the metropolis is practical here. Fantastic beaches await visitors on the Black Sea coast. There are also ruins from Roman times and the Thracian and Byzantine eras to explore. The campsites in Bulgaria are rather basic and often do not meet the standards of other holiday destinations. In recent years, many operators have gradually modernised their facilities. Nevertheless, the equipment and sanitary facilities are often somewhat outdated. Most sites offer pitches for caravans and tents as well as motorhome pitches. Electricity and water connections are generally available. In some cases, rental accommodation and mobile homes are also available. Bulgaria is still to some extent a new camping country, but not to the same extent as in other European countries. The road conditions in Bulgaria also do not meet Central European standards. There are good motorways in the interior of the country. However, Bulgaria has only a few motorways. You can make good progress on the main roads. However, as soon as you switch to side roads, you have to expect potholes and bumpy country roads. It is generally advisable to only drive during the day. You should also always allow more time for journeys than the navigation device indicates.

Wild camping and free standing in Bulgaria

Wild camping and free standing with a motorhome is officially prohibited in Bulgaria. However, as in many Eastern European countries, it is generally tolerated. It is unlikely that you will get into trouble with the authorities or local residents, especially away from the tourist areas and large metropolises. In any case, avoid free camping in national parks and nature parks, as there are actually controls here and you could face heavy fines if you are caught. If you park your motorhome on private property, you should ask the owner for permission beforehand. Another problem is crime. Vehicles with foreign licence plates in particular are a frequent target for break-ins and theft. It is safer to park your motorhome on an official campsite.

Traffic regulations and tolls

The speed limit outside built-up areas is 90 km/h and 130 km/h on the motorway. Please also note that in Bulgaria you have to pay tolls not only on motorways, but also on many main roads. You should therefore make sure you get a vignette. You can get the vignette at border crossings and at many petrol stations in Bulgaria.

How to make the journey to Bulgaria

Travelling by motorhome takes you right across the Balkans. From Germany, you usually travel first through Austria, then to Hungary, Romania or Serbia. Once you arrive in the north of Bulgaria, you either drive to the mountains in the south-west or to the coast in the east. If you are travelling to Bulgaria from eastern Germany or Berlin, you can take a shortcut via the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The toll charges here are significantly lower than in Austria. When travelling via Serbia, travellers leave the European Union for a short time. On the way to Bulgaria, it is worth making a stopover in the Danube cities of Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest. Novi Sad and Belgrade in Serbia as well as Timisoara and Bucharest are also worth a visit. If you want to get to Sofia, it is best to travel via Serbia. The Black Sea cities of Varna, Sunny Beach, Burgas and Golden Sands are easier to reach via Bucharest. It is around 1,600 kilometres from Munich, 2,200 kilometres from Cologne and Hamburg and 1,900 kilometres from Berlin.

Popular holiday destinations in Bulgaria

When camping in Bulgaria, you can expect the dreamlike backdrop of the Balkan Mountains such as Pirin, Rila and Vitosha. The picturesque Black Sea coast is also a wonderful destination for a camping holiday.

Black Sea coast

On the Black Sea coast, you will find numerous campsites by the sea where you can enjoy great beaches and soak up the sun. Seaside resorts such as Sunny Beach, Nessebar, Golden Sands and Sveti Konstantin in particular are considered top destinations with summer parties, water sports, concerts and much more. Excursions and entertainment shows are organised for families. Cities such as Varna and Burgas offer cultural highlights and sights. Nessebar, with its ancient cultural assets, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Rila Mountains

With altitudes of over 2,900 metres, the Rila Mountains and the neighbouring Pirin Mountains to the south are real highlights for hikers and nature lovers. You can set off on an exploration tour to one of the 150 high-altitude lakes at more than 2,100 metres. The UNESCO-protected Rila Monastery is a cultural attraction in the region. The magnificent frescoes inside are particularly impressive. Architecturally, the medieval buildings, such as the Chreljo Church, are particularly impressive.

Sofia and Vitosha

There are many well-known sights in Sofia, such as the monumental Alexander Nevsky Cathedral from around 1900, the medieval Boyana Church and Banya Bashi Mosque with its surrounding thermal baths. Nature lovers in Sofia are only a few minutes away from the impressive Vitosha Mountains - whose snow-covered peaks form a beautiful backdrop to the city.

Top 5 sights

• Alexander Nevsky Cathedral: The beautiful neo-Byzantine style cathedral is one of the landmarks of the capital Sofia.
• Seven Rila Lakes: The picturesque glacial lakes in the Rila Mountains are one of the most beautiful natural spectacles in the whole of Bulgaria and one of the best destinations for hikers.
• Rila Monastery: The monastery of St Ivan of Rila was founded in the 10th century and is the largest and most important monastery in Bulgaria.
• Sunny Beach: The seaside resort of Sunny Beach (Slantschew brjag) on the Black Sea coast is the largest tourist resort in Bulgaria and perfect for sun worshippers.
• Pirin National Park: Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts will find some of the country's most beautiful natural landscapes in the Pirin National Park in the mountains of the same name.

Top 2 insider tips

• Tsarevets: The imposing fortress is situated in an impressive location on a hill near Veliko Tarnovo, the former capital of Bulgaria.
• Musala: At almost 3000 metres, Musala is the highest mountain in Bulgaria and a great destination for adventurous hikers.

Best time to travel for a camping holiday in Bulgaria

The best time to go camping in Bulgaria is during the warm months of the year from June to August. The main season on the Black Sea coast is in summer. Especially in July and August, you can go swimming in water temperatures of up to 25 degrees Celsius. Outdoor temperatures at this time are around 27 to 29 degrees Celsius. Hiking fans are best off coming to Bulgaria in spring and autumn, especially to explore the lower altitudes. Then it is somewhat milder with temperatures between 17 and 23 degrees Celsius. It is much cooler in the mountains all year round. However, due to the high UV radiation, sun protection should always be worn. You can go sightseeing in Sofia all year round. However, the best time of year for this is from April to October.