13 Best Places To Live In Bulgaria

There are several good places to move to in Bulgaria if you’re an expat considering relocation. Deciding to move to a different country can be very challenging; you’ll want to make sure you choose the best place for you, taking into account factors such as safety, surrounding amenities and cost.

We’ll be taking a look at the best places to live for work, immigrants, family and more.

Let’s start by taking a look at the best places to live in Bulgaria.

Sections

Best Places To Live In Bulgaria

City	Reason
Sofia	Best for work
Veliko Tarnovo	Best for affordability
Sofia, Boyana	Best for families
Plovdiv	Best for immigrants
Varna	Best for retirement
Sofia, Simeonovo	Best for young adults
Sofia, Studentski Grad	Best for students
Burgas	Best for food and nightlife
Varna, Briz	Best for singles
Sofia, Place Positano	Best for the LGBT+ community
Burgas	Best for weather
Bansko	Best for mountains
Nessebar	Best for beaches

Best Places To Live In Bulgaria for Work

Sofia is located in Western Bulgaria, below Vitosha Mountain, and is the capital of the country. It’s the best city for expats relocating to the country and hoping to find plenty of job opportunities.

The main work industries in Sofia are mining, industry, agriculture, and tourism. Those who are skilled in these sectors are likely to find an active job market with saturation in the IT and technology fields.

Sofia is also more affordable than some other cities in the country and has good public transportation links, as well as very low crime rates that are appealing to many international expats.

Plovdiv is another good city which is very popular with English speakers and is a good choice for those who speak little Bulgarian. The city is located in Southern Bulgaria and Plovdiv’s Old Town has a charming atmosphere.

Cheapest Places To Live In Bulgaria

Veliko Tarnovo is one of the best cities in Bulgaria for those hoping to keep to a budget as well as experience the authentic charm that Bulgaria has to offer. The city is known as the ‘culture capital’ of the country and is ideal for expats hoping to relocate on a budget.

In recent years, the demand for housing in Veliko Tarnovo has increased due to its popularity. The climate in Veliko Tarnovo is very good and the residents are known to be friendly and welcoming. Many expats also enjoy the clean streets and make good use of the international airport.

Burgas is located on the Black Sea coast and is another good option for expats relocating on a budget. The city has a safe reputation and is popular with many solo travellers.

Best Places To Live In Bulgaria for Families

Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, is one of the best places to consider relocating to if you’re hoping to move to a new country with family in tow. The city is relatively small and easy to travel through which gives it a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.

There are also good amenities available in the city as well as well-maintained public transportation. It’s also a very clean city with plenty of options for entertainment and eating. Several popular districts in Sofia include Boyana, Simeonovo and Dragalevtsi.

For those looking for something more rural, the city of Popovo is a good option. Many expats love nature and wildlife in and around the city and several bird species can be watched such as eagles and falcons.

Best Places To Live In Bulgaria for Immigrants

Plovdiv is one of the greatest cities in Bulgaria for immigrants hoping to relocate to the country. The city has a unique and interesting atmosphere and has been named the ‘culture capital’ of Bulgaria.

Plovdiv also has more affordable costs of living and housing than Sofia which is good for those hoping to keep to a smaller budget while still experiencing authentic Bulgarian city living.

The Old City, in particular, is one of the best areas for immigrants who are hoping to dive right into the culture of Bulgaria and experience the outstanding architecture, cuisine and museums that Plovdiv has to offer.

Sofia is another excellent choice for immigrants. As the capital of Bulgaria, it has a large, existing expat community, as well as several attractions and amenities that draw in tourists year after year.

Best Places To Live In Bulgaria for Retirement

Varna is the best city in Bulgaria for those who are considering relocating to the country for retirement. Located on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, Varna has an immense amount of charm and is a wonderful coastal city for those who want to soak in the beach atmosphere.

Varna is extremely affordable and has several good qualities such as its decent range of housing, well-maintained public transportation system and, of course, its outstanding beaches. If you’re hoping to meet new people, Varna attracts plenty of digital nomads and has a large expat community.

Popovo is another good choice for expats, especially those with a keen interest in wildlife and the great outdoors. The city also has an exciting history and is a great option for those who want to learn more about Bulgaria’s heritage.

Best Places To Live In Bulgaria for Young Adults

Several cities in Bulgaria are great for young adults, but none more so than Sofia. The capital has plenty of different districts for young adults to choose from regarding housing which is also affordable as is the cost of living in the country.

There are a range of different amenities in Sofia which make it an enjoyable place to live, with several different cafes, restaurants and entertainment venues. Sofia is the city most expats relocating to the country consider first.

There are also good amenities available in the city as well as well-maintained public transportation. Several popular districts in Sofia include Boyana, Simeonovo and Dragalevtsi.

Burgas is another city which is ideal for young adults. Not only is the city very affordable, but there are high internet speeds which attract plenty of digital nomads and expats, plus there is an active nightlife here for those who enjoy partying.

Best Places To Live In Bulgaria for Students

Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, is the best city for international students who are hoping to study in Bulgaria. The city is known as the cultural and economic capital of the country and there is a good potential for job opportunities once your education is completed.

Some of the main universities found in Sofia include the Medical University of Sofia and the Technical University of Sofia. Sofia is a great option for international students because it is a safe and affordable city.

Most students find residence in Studentski Grad, but housing in the city is relatively affordable in comparison to other countries.

Another great option for students is the city of Varna. Varna is a port city that is popular with international students due to the low cost of living and the several universities available with a range of courses.

Best Places To Live In Bulgaria for Food and Nightlife

Burgas is located on the coast of the Black Sea and is known to be Bulgaria’s culinary gem. Bulgarian cuisine shares characteristics with lots of Balkan cuisines as well as Middle Eastern cuisine.

The national dish of Bulgaria is shopska salad which contains plenty of salad vegetables plus finely grated sirene cheese (a local Bulgarian cheese similar to feta). Burgas is a great city to explore and indulge in some of Bulgaria’s most well-loved restaurants and eateries, where you can sample yoghurt and cheese which punctuates plenty of Burgas cuisine.

In regards to nightlife, Sunny Beach is one of the best resort towns for those who enjoy the nightlife scene. Sunny Beach is known to be a very affordable resort town located on the Black Sea coast and close to the town of Nessebar.

If you’re looking for a more rounded location then Sofia offers good housing and, an affordable cost of living and there are plenty of bars and music venues to try.

Best Places To Live In Bulgaria for Singles

Varna is the maritime capital of Bulgaria and a great option for singles hoping to relocate to the country. It’s located on the Black Sea coast and has a vibrant and charming atmosphere which makes it ideal for those hoping to settle somewhere with history and character.

As it is so close to the beach, Varna is also great for those who have an interest in water sports or the beach and are hoping to find community in these spaces. Varna also is a very safe and affordable city which is ideal for those who may be relocating on a smaller budget.

Briz is a popular neighbourhood with expats as it is slightly removed from the city centre but an easy commute and as it is located on a hill enjoys stunning views of the city.

Sofia is another good option for singles as it has a large expat community being the capital and there are good options for both job opportunities and housing.

Best Places To Live In Bulgaria for the LGBT+ Community

Bulgaria’s gay scene mostly keeps to itself as attitudes towards homosexuality in Eastern Europe tend to be more conservative than liberal. Saying that the capital city Sofia has a thriving queer scene with bars and hotels that cater to the LGBT+ community.

Most of the gay scene is clustered around Place Positano with several gay clubs. As well as this small gay scene, Sofia offers those relocating a genuine charm and plenty of quirky cafes, outstanding restaurants and entertainment options.

The city is both safe and affordable and has a large expat community for those hoping to find new friends or neighbours once they’ve moved.

Best Places To Live In Bulgaria for the Weather

Burgas is one of the best Bulgarian cities for those hoping to relocate to the country and enjoy the weather. The climate in Bulgaria is largely continental, with hot, dry summers and cold winters but there is a touch of Mediterranean climate in the south.

On average, the weather in Bulgaria tends to be fairly sunny and you can expect the best months of the year for weather to be May, July, August and September. Burgas tends to be a particularly good city for those hoping to enjoy the sunny spells by lounging at the beach.

Plovdiv is another city which experiences largely good weather most of the year, with the summer months of May, July and August offering the best chance to soak in the sun.

Best Places To Live In Bulgaria Near Mountains

One of the best towns in Bulgaria for mountain-lovers is Bansko which is located at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, which are part of Pirin National Park. Bansko is a famous gateway to several skiing and snowboarding slopes on Todorka Peak.

Bansko is ideal for nature lovers who enjoy walking, hiking and climbing and the town is welcoming and used to the tourist who is drawn to the idyllic town each year. The town has hundreds of bars, cafes, restaurants, pubs and casinos to cosy up in after a long day on the slopes and is very affordable in comparison to some larger cities.

Borovets is another mountain town on the northern slopes of Bulgaria’s Rila Mountains which acts as a gateway to Rila National Park’s craggy Musala Ridge. Borovets is extremely affordable and popular with those who are hoping to enjoy the nightlife scene.

Best Places To Live In Bulgaria Near Beaches

Nessebar is without doubt one of the best beach city options for those hoping to relocate to Bulgaria – though the country does have a few lovely beach cities that often go overlooked.

Nessebar is located in the Burgas Province on the Black Sea coast and is ideal for beach lovers. The city has a beautiful ancient town and plenty of eateries. Its most famous beach is Sunny Beach which is well-loved by partiers, but there are several other beaches and coves close to the city that one can explore.

Sozopol is an ancient beach town that is another great option for those who are relocating to Bulgaria and hoping to be, not only close to the water but amongst Bulgaria’s heritage and history. Sozopol has a more authentic atmosphere that encourages a relaxed lifestyle.