What is Bulgaria best known for? Bulgaria is famous as the oldest country in Europe! Founded in 681 AD by Khan Asparuh and since then preserved its original name. Bulgaria is also famous for its natural diversity as mountains, plains, Black Sea Coast, rivers, lakes and hot springs. If you like churches, history and culture, in Bulgaria you will see unique historical monuments.

2. Second in Europe in terms of hot springs

Do you know that Bulgaria takes second in Europe in terms of hot springs existence?

Bulgaria is extremely rich in hot mineral springs scattered throughout the country. With over 700 mineral springs, Bulgaria is leading SPA destination not only in Europe but across the globe. The ancient Thracians discovered the healing properties of the thermal springs and built their settlements around them. Conquered by the Romans the lands of Bulgaria flourished as a healing centre of their Emperors and armies. With 42 mineral springs, Sofia is the richest capital city on the planet Earth of mineral springs.

With a temperature of 103 °C, the fountain-geyser of Sapareva Banya is the hottest in Europe! It is symbol of the small town famous for its healing waters dating since Roman times.

3. Land of Roses

The Bulgaria Rose Valley is one of the most romantic places across the country. Near the towns of Kazanlak and Karlovo we produce 85% of the world’s rose oil since ancient times. The Bulgarian rose oil is famous because of its noble aroma, used for perfumes and in medicine.Did you know that Bulgaria is the world’s largest exporter of lavender oil? In addition to the organic rose oil, in recent years Bulgaria has become a leading producer of lavender oil.

4. Delicious yoghurt

The delicious Bulgarian yoghurt is the next pride of the country and it is perhaps the best in the world. The unique taste comes from Lactobacillus Bulgaricus (bacterium), which can only be found naturally in the Bulgarian lands.
Bulgarians read and write using the Cyrillic alphabet, and the country is the origin of the alphabet, having adopted its use before Russia. Cyril and Methodius were two missionaries, brothers from Thessaloniki, who created the first Slavic alphabet—the Glagolitic.

6. Martenitsa

What is Bulgaria best known for? Every year on the 1^st of March you may join the celebrations of Baba Marta. This is a holiday welcoming the upcoming spring and all Bulgarians exchange small tassels and bracelets of white and red yarn called martenitsa.

7. UNESCO sites

Even though Bulgaria is a small country, it has 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites lying on its lands.

Seven Cultural Sites:

 •Ancient City of Nessebar

 •Boyana Church

 •Madara Rider

 •Rila Monastery

 •Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo

 •Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak

 •Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari 

•Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe         

•Pirin National Park 

•Srebarna Nature Reserve

The world’s oldest gold treasure dating back from 4,600 BC to 4,200 BC, was discovered in the city of Varna.

8. Unique musicians and folklore

Why Valya Balkanska space song Izlel e Delio Haidutin is the most famous song in the world? The Bulgarian folk song Izlel e Delio Haidutin of Valya Balkanska is still travelling through space. Both vessels of NASA – Voyager 1 and 2 carry copies of her song as the best music example of the Earth civilization. Bulgaria is worldwide famous for its folklore and opera singers and musicians and it is especially proud of its rich folklore traditions. Folk music and dances, national costumes and traditional rituals have an important place in the life of the Bulgarians. Every town and village celebrates folk festivities and Christian holidays in its special way.

9. Bulgarian bagpipes

Gaida is the name of the Bulgarian bagpipe and the Bulgarians are proud of it. In May 2012, 333 Bulgarian bagpipe players played 9-minute folk songs. They set a world record in bagpipe performance recognized by the Guinness Book of Records.

10. Nod

When asking a Bulgarian a question, you will be confused with the reply. In the country, nodding one’s head up and down indicates a negative response, while shaking your head horizontally actually means ‘no’. The funny moment is when the locals speak with foreigners, they often accommodate them by reversing the motions.