Outdoor activities in Bulgaria
“Open your eyes wider, live greedily, try to see the world! It is more beautiful than any dream created in a factory and paid for with money. Don’t ask for guarantees, don’t seek peace – there is no such beast in the world.”
Ray Bradbury.
When it comes to holidays in Bulgaria, most people immediately imagine a picture like sea, beach, sunbed and umbrella. Few people think about the fact that Bulgaria is also a country of great opportunities for active holidays.
Among the most common types of alternative holidays to the beach are horse riding, golf, surfing, hunting, hiking, boating, cycling and snowboarding. Bulgaria’s unique combination of natural resources suits both aristocratic equestrian enthusiasts and avid extreme sportsmen equally well.
To the horses!
Horse breeding in Bulgaria preserves centuries-old traditions and is famous for them far beyond the country’s borders. Every famous resort in Bulgaria today has its own stables or rents horses. Also, most resort towns have their own equestrian clubs and private stables, where you can easily rent a horse for a walk. Such walks can lift the mood and liberate a person, and, most importantly – the horse has a beneficial effect on the process of restoring health, especially in children. Sometimes even a simple communication of a sick person with a horse contributes to accelerated recovery, positively affects both moral and physical state.
Breeding elite horse breeds at specialized stud farms has become a traditional activity among locals due to the rapid development of equestrian tourism, especially in recent years. It is not difficult to learn horse riding – the main thing is to have a desire, love for horses and a good instructor. Most of the equestrian centers in Bulgaria have their own riding schools. After completing the training, the schools issue international certificates. For foreign tourists there is an opportunity to study in Russian, German and English languages. Under the guidance of an experienced trainer and guide you even have the opportunity to ride the whole northern part of the Bulgarian coast in five days. There are similar equestrian centers in Albena and Varna. For those who like to compete, the equestrian center in Kranevo provides a small field with an obstacle course and hurdles.
For experienced riders and nature lovers who want to learn more about the history of the country, there are excellent one-week and two-week horse riding trips among the equestrian tourism offers. The routes of these excursions go along the Danube valley to Troyan, through the Balkans. Beautiful natural landscapes and unique representatives of the animal world are often in the crosshairs of the cameras of tourists who decided to participate in a photo safari. Such competitions take place in the Central Balkan Park. The park offers 14 different routes with special tracks that go through the most remote corners of the park, with rare representatives of the animal world.
In the town of Shumen is the largest horse farm in Bulgaria, Kabiyuk. The stud farm organizes equestrian demonstrations for its visitors and presents horses of elite breeds, on which everyone can ride.
Equestrian tourism is also the best way to walk in the countryside. It is great for adults and children alike, and for a few days can be an alternative to a seaside holiday for the whole family.
Why don't we play a round of golf?
Golf is one of the most popular hobbies in Europe today. Bulgaria is no exception, which, thanks to the peculiarities of its climate, has a great potential for the development of golf tourism. Here every lover of this noble sport can enjoy playing golf up to 9 months a year!
Over the past few years, several world-class courses have been developed here. Today there are eight golf courses in the country with instructors certified by the Professional Golf Association. Among the best of them are Black Sea Rama, Lighthouse and Thracian Cliffs.
Located 35 kilometers from Varna, the Black Sea Rama complex has an 18-hole golf course. It was the first golf course in Bulgaria to host major championships. It was designed by the legendary golfer Harry Player. It is also surprising that the complex is located on the cliffs, from which the sea can be seen. On the territory of Black Sea Rama there is also an opportunity to do other sports. If you wish, you can also go fishing – the complex has four artificial lakes, one of which is used for breeding perch, carp and pike.
Lighthouse, a prestigious golf course with an exceptional design, is located 32 kilometers from Varna. Innovative irrigation technologies and drainage systems were used for its construction. Even the grass on this course is the result of the latest scientific research. There is also a Golfer’s Academy where everyone can learn the sport.
Between the towns of Kavarna and Balchik golfers will find Thracian Cliffs, a golf course with 18 holes of Signature class. Like Black Sea Rama, it was designed by the legendary Gary Player. It is one of the most impressive golf courses on the planet. It is fenced from the shore by sharp cliffs and the endless Black Sea.
Bulgaria plans to further develop golf tourism and build new golf courses. Thus, 40 new courses are to appear in the country by 2020!
On the crest of the wave
Among the most popular outdoor activities and sports, the first thing that comes to mind is surfing – high-speed maneuvering on a specially shaped board in the midst of high waves. Surfing has not escaped Bulgaria, where this kind of active recreation and sport is a favorite pastime not only for locals but also for tourists.
Of course, the Bulgarian coast offers less challenges to surfers than the ocean coast – without strong winds and high fast waves, but there are also good places for surfing. Almost every seaside resort in Bulgaria is ready to provide every extreme and thrill-seeker with a full set of equipment for this sport.
Many resorts in the country also have their own surf clubs, where you can rely on the support of experienced instructors. In the resorts of Golden Sands, Sunny Beach, Primorsko and Albena, you can find many offers for surfing.
During the hot summer months in Bulgaria, the strong wind on the sea appears only in the afternoon. Therefore, the best time for surfing is the beginning of spring and the end of autumn. The best month suitable for this sport is September.
Speleology and hiking
The last white spots on the world map are caves. This miracle of nature conceals many mysteries that one would like to unravel… There are about 4000 rock gorges, caves and chasms in Bulgaria. Only 12 of them are open to tourists, these are: Bacho Kiro, Rabishka Cave, Syeva Hole, Ledenika, which is located in the western part of the Stara Planina Mountains, the caves: Magura, Bynderitsa, Chudnit Mostove, Trigrad Gorge, the cave “Ahmetova Dupka”, “Devil’s Throat” and others. Excursions organized to these caves are one of the best opportunities to get acquainted with the underground world of Bulgaria, to see its unique beauty.
Hiking tourism is very popular among foreign tourists, which is the best way to get acquainted with the beauty and richness of Bulgaria’s nature, the diversity of its fauna, flora, cultural rituals and traditions of the country’s inhabitants. More than 500 developed routes, paths, camps and guest houses will pleasantly surprise even experienced tourists with their diversity.
Thrill seekers
Fans of more extreme holidays in Bulgaria will also find activities to their liking. You can, for example, go to the mountains by hiring a quad bike, or go to the airport with an experienced instructor to fly a motorized hang glider or paraglider. You can also enjoy the thrill of rafting on the turbulent Stakevska River or canoeing on the Danube.
Snowy turns
Bulgaria is designed for skiing: mountain ranges, the most famous of which are the Stara Planina, Rhodope, Rila and Pirin, cover more than 30 per cent of the country. In many regions there is a snow cover of a density rarely found in Central Europe. The Bulgarian mountains have created all conditions for skiing in recent decades. Long pistes offer slopes of varying difficulty for skiers of all abilities. Numerous lifts take skiers to the mountain tops in all resorts. Ski centers offer ski equipment for hire. Ski schools have competent instructors fluent in many languages.
Despite the active development of the infrastructure of winter resorts, today Bulgaria is still one of the most inexpensive countries for ski tourism. Russians, who have fallen in love with local winter resorts, are attracted by the absence of language barrier, geographical and mental proximity to Russia, short flight, and the possibility to put children and beginners on skis quite inexpensively.
If you are an active person who aspires to unforgettable journeys, extreme adventures, vivid impressions and positive emotions, Bulgaria is waiting for you!
