Best Bulgaria Travel Guides of 2025

Time Shelter by Georgi Gospodinov is a mesmerizing novel that takes you on a journey through time. The story revolves around Gaustine, who has opened the first clinic for the past, allowing Alzheimer's patients to transport themselves back in time to unlock their fading memories. The narrator, Gaustine's assistant, collects items from different decades to make the experience more convincing. However, as the clinic becomes more popular, healthy people start using it to escape their mundane lives, leading to unexpected consequences. Gospodinov's writing is sharp and satirical, reminiscent of Italo Calvino and Franz Kafka. Time Shelter is a unique and thought-provoking read that will stay with you long after you finish it.

Rick Steves Eastern Europe is a comprehensive guidebook that offers a wealth of information for travelers looking to explore this exciting part of Europe. The book covers everything from top sights and hidden gems to self-guided walking tours and useful resources like packing lists and historical overviews. Rick Steves, a seasoned traveler and author, provides candid advice on how to beat the crowds and avoid tourist traps. With over 1,000 pages of information, this guidebook is a must-have for anyone planning a trip to Eastern Europe.

Lonely Planet Europe 4 (Travel Guide) is a comprehensive guidebook that provides up-to-date information on Europe's top sights and hidden gems. It includes insider tips to help travelers save time and money while exploring the continent. The book also features essential information such as hours of operation, transit tips, and prices. With over 190 maps and colorful images, this guidebook is perfect for both first-time and seasoned travelers. Overall, Lonely Planet Europe 4 is an excellent travel companion that offers a richer, more rewarding travel experience.

The Lonely Planet Romania & Bulgaria 7 (Travel Guide) is a comprehensive guide to exploring the best of Romania and Bulgaria. This travel guide provides insider tips and honest reviews for all budgets, including eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, and hidden gems that most guidebooks miss. It also includes cultural insights that give readers a richer and more rewarding travel experience. With over 70 local maps, month-by-month festival calendars, and coverage of top destinations like Sofia, Bucharest, and the Black Sea Coast, this guide is perfect for both first-time and seasoned travelers.

Balkan Ghosts: A Journey Through History (New Edition) by Robert Kaplan is a prescient and insightful political travelogue that explores the Balkans' tumultuous history. Kaplan's writing is chilling, enthralling, and timely, making it a modern classic. This new edition includes six opinion pieces written by Kaplan about the Balkans between 1996 and 2000, providing an updated perspective. The book covers everything from the assassination that triggered World War I to the ethnic warfare in Serbia, Bosnia, and Croatia. Overall, Balkan Ghosts is an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the history and politics of the Balkans.

The Shadow Land by Elizabeth Kostova is a compelling novel that takes readers on a journey through Bulgaria's troubled past and present. Alexandra Boyd, a young American woman, finds herself on a mission to return an urn filled with human ashes to its rightful owner after accidentally taking it from an elderly couple. Her search leads her to uncover the secrets of a talented musician who was shattered by political oppression. Kostova's writing is lyrical and suspenseful, making for an engrossing read. This book is a profound meditation on how evil is inflicted, endured, and confronted with courage and compassion.

National Geographic Complete National Parks of Europe is a comprehensive guide to 460 national parks in Europe. The book is full of photos, maps, and tips that will inspire any adventurer to explore the wilderness of Europe. Each entry includes favorite spots for viewing scenery and wildlife, the best trails to walk or hike, and insights into what makes each of these parks worth visiting. This illuminating guide is perfect for anyone who loves camping, hiking, and exploring nature. The book is a must-have for travelers who want to experience Europe's beautiful national parks.

DK Eyewitness Bulgaria (Travel Guide) is a comprehensive guidebook that takes readers on a journey through Bulgaria's culture, history, and food. It covers everything from the capital, Sofia, to the ancient countryside villages of Koprivshtitsa and Veliko Tarnovo. With detailed itineraries, illustrations, maps, and insider tips, this guidebook offers recommendations for every budget, including entertainment and hotel options. The book is part of the DK Eyewitness Travel Guides series, which has been helping travelers experience the world for over two decades. Overall, this guidebook is an excellent resource for anyone looking to explore Bulgaria in-depth.

The Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget is a comprehensive and entertaining travel guide, perfect for anyone looking to explore Europe without breaking the bank. Packed with practical information and honest recommendations, this guide covers everything from off-the-beaten-track adventures to popular tourist areas. The book includes detailed regional coverage, full-color maps, and fabulous photography. It also offers time-saving itineraries and Rough Guides' rundown of the best sights and top experiences to be found in Europe. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for budget-conscious travelers seeking an authentic European experience.

The book "Secret Lisbon" by Vitor Manuel Adrio is an initiatory guide that uncovers the hidden secrets of Lisbon, Portugal. The author, an acclaimed historian and philosopher, reveals his incredible knowledge of the city's esoteric past, including the theories of alchemist kings, masonic ministers, and followers of hermeticism. The book delves into the mysteries of the Portuguese coat of arms, the Lisboan serial killer, and the Knights Templar, who found refuge in Portugal after being banned from the rest of Europe. This guide is a must-read for anyone interested in the spiritual and mystical history of Lisbon.