13 Reasons We Love World-Schooling in Bulgaria

“What is a great and affordable place to world-school at?” I see this question asked frequently in groups and forums. I cannot help but chime in and suggest Bulgaria.

I am a world-schooling mom, who also happens to be a Bulgarian (dual Bulgarian and American citizen). We have homeschooled and world-schooled out three children, ages 12, 14 and 16 for the past five years, while living on a sailboat and traveling the world.

We have world-schooled in a number of different countries, including Bulgaria. Read all about our Bulgarian adventures in our Destination – Bulgaria.

Visiting Bulgaria? Click HERE for a custom Bulgarian itinerary.

World-schooling in Bulgaria offers a myriad of places to visit, many affordable museums, rich history, great food, and opportunities to meet other world-schoolers – did you know, there is a World-schooling Hub in Bansko?

Why world-school in Bulgaria? Read below to find out!

Unique location

Bulgaria is situated in Southeast Europe, at the unique intersection of Europe and Asia.

To the north, it borders Romania, with the river Danube serving as its natural border and providing an excellent opportunity for a road trip and learning. Here is a very useful guide to visiting Romania, by another world-schooling family.

To the west, Bulgaria’s neighbors are Serbia and Northern Macedonia. Both of which are not EU countries yet, meaning you have a close by place to exit the EU, if you must spend some time away, for your visa regulations!

Look south, and you see Greece and Turkey. Need I say more! Greece is perfectly drivable to, for a day trip (more on that below), and Turkey is a non-EU country as well, and with such an amazing culture!

The entire eastern border of Bulgaria is the Black Sea coast, with lovely beaches and beautiful climate, should you prefer swimming to hiking.

Logistics

Bulgaria is part of the EU, but not part of the Schengen yet. That means that your visa may require you to leave Bulgaria after 90 days, and spend time in a non-EU country.

Not being part of EU’s Schengen Zone, means we have not adopted the Euro as our official currency. The official currency of Bulgaria is the Bulgarian Lev (here is a world-schooling reseach project!). The Bulgarian Lev is tied to the Euro in a ratio of 1:2, which is unchanging.

1 Euro = 2 BGN (it is a tiny bit less than that, but everyone knows it as 1:2 for ease of conversion)

In fact the Euro is readily accepted at many places of business in Bulgaria, even some farmers’ markets. The Bulgarian lev looks pretty cool though, and will soon be gone, so I would use them and save a couple for your scrap-booking project.

Diverse landscape

You can drive from the mountains to the seashore in fewer than four hours!

Bulgaria is one of the few countries in the world, where you can find excellent ski slopes, high mountain trails, long sandy beaches and lush valleys – all within a convenient driving distance!

Mountains

The Seven Rila Lakes, Rila Monastery, the amazing Pirin mountain hikes and the breathtaking views of Rhodope Mountains are all reachable with convenient lifts, or by long hikes. Their beauty has been immortalized in quite a few folk songs, for that music appreciation project you will assign.

Musala happens to be the highest peak on the entire Balkan Peninsula (at 2925m).

Shaded trails, challenging rocks and vast meadows filled with fragrant herbs – there is something for every ability. World-schooling in Bulgaria can be a perfect botany lesson, as many of those mountain herbs are picked and dried for winter teas. Go ahead, make a dried bouquet of thyme, oregano, St. John’s-wort, mint and many more!

Beaches

Tired of mountains? Head to the beach! The Black Sea offers many large resorts, as well as smaller towns and villages with quite affordable rooms to rent!

Miles of long, gold sandy beaches turn into iron-rich dark sands to the south. PE on the beach?

Hint – many private apartments and houses offer rooms for rent at the seaside. All of the popular booking sites will provide hundreds of listings. Lots of them charge per bed, rather than per room. Keep that in mind.

If you stop by the main bus and train station, in any seaside town, people will greet you with “We have rooms for rent” (Stai pod naem / Стаи под наем). Those will also offer the best prices, but July and August are quite busy. June and September are much quieter and still plenty warm for the beach.

Valleys

How about a one-of-a-kind valley? Head over to the Rose Valley, to find out how the world-famous rose oil is made. If you time your visit well, you can attend the amazing Rose Festival, in the town of Kazanlyk.

While there, sneak in a history class, because you will the walking where ancient Thracian kings have once passed in their royal carriages. Thracian tombs and gold treasures are sure to keep you in the area a bit longer.

The best part about it all – world-schooling in Bulgaria means short distances between completely different landscapes!

A variety of climates

There are two climate zones on the territory of Bulgaria – a temperate and a sub-tropical. This makes the northern weather of Bulgaria quite different from the southern.

Temperate to the north

The northern side of Bulgaria experiences much of the fronts arriving from North and West Europe. A long mountain range, called Stara Planina (meaning Old Mountain), blocks those chills from traveling south.

You can tour the vast valleys filled with wheat and sunflowers to the north, while driving between historical ruins and museum.

Sub-tropical to the south.

Wishing for something closer to the Mediterranean climate? Head to the southern regions of Bulgaria and enjoy figs, grapes and a warmer breeze.

When I was growing up, many of my friends did the combo-vacation – a week up in the mountains, and another week at the seaside.

Where else in the world can you make a snowball at the top of a mountain, and lounge at the beach the very next day! Actually, the beaches in Greece are even closer – why not drive over there for the day, many Bulgarians do. And there are Greek ruins to tour on the way.

Field trip idea, for world-schooling in Bulgaria

How about spending time in both climate zones as field trips and noticing all the differences in terms of weather, landscape, plant and animal life?

Many popular routes are easily navigated via buses and trains. Trains are a bit old and old-fashioned, but so are the ticket prices (you’d want to bring your own toilet paper too). Bus agencies offer nicer, cleaner and more comfortable experience, if you don’t feel too adventurous. But many train routes are so beautiful!

Ease of travel to other countries

Bulgaria’s position on the world map is so unique, that while there, there is no way you would feel stuck! There are numerous affordable trips from Bulgaria to neighboring countries.

In fact, it is easier and cheaper to arrive in Bulgaria and book a trip with one of the Bulgarian agencies, rather than booking them from abroad.

I recommend Usit Colours, which has numerous offices throughout the country. Everyone speaks at least one foreign language. It is not an affiliate link, I used to work for them, when I lived in Bulgaria. Our family now books our flight tickets with them.

My mom often picks this one, Bohemia, for organized trips to closer destinations, such as Greece, Turkey, Northern Macedonia and Albania. Some of their trips offer tours in English, but you would have to check details and availability.

You can drive from Sofia to the beaches in Greece in around four hours. It is even closer from one of the southern towns in Bulgaria (Bansko and Gotse Delchev, which are both worth visiting).

A drive to Istanbul, Turkey is also around four hours, from the town of Burgas – one of Bulgaria’s prettiest seaside towns.

World-schooling in Bulgaria provides world-schooling opportunities in surrounding countries with quite different cultures!

Rich history

World-schoolers are well-known for incorporating local travels with local history. It makes perfect sense!

Bulgaria is a treasure-land when it comes to historic sites. It is the only country in Europe to have preserved its name since it was founded in 681.

Here is a brief and entertaining video presentation of Bulgaria, in English, by Rick Steves.

Claiming a strategic spot on the map, it has been shaped by civilizations and cultures dating thousands of years back. We never run out of places to visit, while in Bulgaria, and there are still quite a few, which we have yet to explore.

It is difficult to only mention one or two towns, but some of my favorite are Veliko Tarnovo, Plovdiv, Nesebar, Sofia and Koprivshtitsa.

The lack of proper care for many of the ancient sites is unfortunate, but it also means free access to excavations and ruins, which you would normally be paying to visit in more developed countries.

Diverse culture

World-schoolers crave different, unique, local and quirky, right! You have come to the right place. World-schooling in Bulgaria offers all of the above.

Eastern Orthodox

Bulgarian culture is a curious mixture or eastern and western traditions and customs. We do have an official religion, and it is Eastern Orthodoxy. Countless Bulgarian monasteries have preserved our Christian heritage and provide a true Eastern tranquility and peace.

Bulgaria has a long tradition of offering a safe and comfortable space for different religions to share. While we are a predominantly Christian country, many southern towns and villages house a large Muslim community and are worth a field trip!

Folk traditions

Prior to becoming a Christian country, Bulgaria had been a home for a variety of pagan rituals and beliefs. Some are so fascinating, that they have been preserved and observed until the present day, impressing tourists and locals alike.

Take a look at one such pagan custom, a ritual type of dance over hot coals – Nestinarstvo. It is a bit strange that it is being performed right in front of a Christian church, having nothing to do with Christianity.

Old customs have been woven within our Christian tradition and can be observed during various celebrations and festivals.

Oriental flavor

How about world-schooling with a taste of the orient, without traveling further East?

Due to our country being dominated by the Ottoman empire for 500 years, Bulgarian culture has been heavily influenced by Turkish and Persian customs, cuisine and language.

The southern areas of Bulgaria can be quite interesting to tour, from a world-schooler’s perspective. One can easily observe the differences in lifestyle, culture and religion, based on clothing, food and languages spoken.

A large market in Sofia, known as the “Zhenski Pazar” (Женски пазар), has plenty of small ethnic shops and foods to satisfy any cravings for oriental shopping and cuisine.

Affordable healthcare

Having lived on a boat for almost four years, and being a nurse, I am the worst person to take on a deserted island. I have to always picture the worst possible scenario miles away from medical care! So, I have to mention healthcare.

Quality

Even though Bulgarian medical professionals are quite underpaid, I have always trusted them with the care of myself and our family. I have also never had dental work done elsewhere in the world.

Here is a good website, listing physicians and many reviews. The website is in Bulgarian, but Google Translate can work well.

We do have the benefit of being citizens, but that serves us no good, because we do not pay for state coverage in Bulgaria. So, in seeking healthcare, we are just like any other foreigner.

The good news is, that there is a myriad of private physicians, who charge a fraction of the cost of healthcare services found in Western Europe and the US. Many speak at least one foreign language and most speak decent English.

Cost

The cost of healthcare in Bulgaria is among the lowest in Europe. In fact, with great quality and low prices, Bulgaria has built itself a reputation for a favorite “dental destination” – you receive dental care and a vacation!

An example – a dentist visit I had, in the summer of 2021, cost me around $50 and included an exam, an X-ray and a filling with the more expensive Austrian material. An implant at the same clinic was under $2000 (with every single visit and procedure included, over the course of two years)

One of my kids needed a doctor’s visit for a viral infection, which cost around $20. Many prescription medications are available over the counter. Being a registered nurse, I find that particular healthcare flaw quite useful.

Since professional medical care is so affordable, however, you might want to visit a doctor to ensure the correct antibiotic is prescribed, if needed. I am not an advocate of Google-researched self-care. But if you know exactly what you need, stock up in Bulgaria, before hitting those remote islands!

Affordable Cost of Living

World-schooling in Bulgaria is sometimes suggested in internet groups, for those looking to spend a few months in an affordable country, in Europe. Touring Europe can be very expensive, so many opt to skip the Old Continent altogether, failing to look towards the Balkan peninsula.

South-East Asia as well as certain parts of South and Central America are popular with world-schoolers. They offer rich cultural and culinary experience, along with cheaper accommodations.

But they are not Europe!

World-schooling in Bulgaria means world-schooling in Europe, affordably!

Wondering if you can afford to world-school at all? Of course, you can, check out my post on it!

World-schooling is Affordable (Which is why we do it)!

Accommodation

Bulgaria is still the country with the lowest cost of living, in the European Union. While this is definitely a problem for many citizens, it does attract foreign visitors.

An Airbnb apartment can be rented for around $600-$700 per month, in Sofia (the capital), or one of the other popular mountain or seaside cities, such as Bansko and Burgas (Airbnb prices listed for a family of 2 adults and 2 children).

Longer-term rentals are cheaper.

Transportation

World-schooling in Bulgaria makes perfect sense, because of ease of travel.

Once you have covered your basics – affordable housing being the most important, traveling to various places comes next. Relax! Once in Bulgaria, there are quite a few options to move about. Grocery shops are everywhere, and walking is always an option.

So, how do you move about in Bulgaria?

Car Rental

A week of rental from Sofia Airport is around $300 – $500 (for 7 days). Of course, prices vary quite a lot, based on the company, as well as the type of car. Most of the well-known international rental companies offer car rentals in Bulgaria, but there are a few local car-rentals, which are a great alternative. Try TopRent-a-Car, Easy Rent, or compare many with Kayak.

If you select a house in a smaller town, the housing cost will be lower, so a rented car might be convenient. Larger towns are more expensive to live in but offer convenient public transport.

Prices of gas are high, as they are everywhere else on the Old Continent. Diesel is cheaper, but you will not find the US gas prices in Europe.

Which is why, when in Rome – don’t drive!

Public Transit

Remember, you are in Europe! Public transit is well-developed and very affordable. The most expensive single-trip ticket, for any means of public transit, in Sofia, is less than $1. Daily cards, as well as bundles of tickets offer even cheaper options.

Buses, trains, and small charter flights will take you anywhere in the country. While trains are the cheapest, they offer a bit of a bumpier experience, with older cars and poor conditions, but a few have such amazing routes, that are worth the ride!

You must take this train route, voted among the top ten in Europe, and featured in the NY Times – Rhodope Mountain Tesnolinejka

Far more comfortable, large and air-conditioned buses crisscross Bulgaria at frequent intervals. A one-way ticket from Sofia to a popular ski resort in southern Bulgaria, around 3 hours away, is around $10.

In fact, public transit is so convenient, that quite a few people never have the need to obtain a driver’s license at all.

Walk

By far, my most favorite. Naturally, walking between towns is not a good option, but within each town and city, one can easily walk and find plenty of groceries, farmer’s markets, pharmacies and convenience shops to cover any shopping needs.

When I studied in Sofia University, years ago, I often opted to walk around 2 miles (3km) from my apartment to the school. I would pass by tiny boutique shops, preparing to open for the day; grab a warm pastry from one of the many bakeries, watch kids rushing to school…

Biking

Bulgaria has lots to do to become a biker-friendly country. Many towns have designated biking lanes, which are frequently occupied by parked cars, but bikers are definitely on the rise. Biking is fun and doable, but do not expect the biking infrastructure of Western Europe.

Also, always leave your bike locked, when unattended.

Food

World-schoolers in Bulgaria will enjoy a remarkable variety of foods. Bulgarian cuisine has been influenced by the exotic Orient, the warm Mediterranean, as well as the mayo-rich classics of the Salvic North.

Groceries are among the cheapest in Europe. Depending on your menu, you can eat healthy and affordably on any diet. There are plenty of options for meat-eaters, as well as vegans. Popular brands, such as Lidl and Carrefour, are well-rivaled by Bulgarian favorites Billa, Fantastico, and more.

Local, small groceries and bakeries offer a variety of snacks and pastries. Junk food is abundant, sadly.

Restaurants are far more affordable than anywhere else in the European Union. Still, it all depends on your cuisine and menu choices.

We generally do not eat out, because cooking is a lot cheaper and healthier.

Goods and Services

They say you can recognize a developing country, because goods are expensive, while services are cheap. This is true for Bulgaria, as one of the poorest countries in the European Union.

Brand-name clothing, electronics and other goods can be pricey, while services, such as haircuts, beauty and spa, cleaning, babysitting, etc., are much cheaper than anywhere else in Western Europe, as well as the US.

So, if you must have those Converse shoes, buy them elsewhere, but do pick Bulgaria for that haircut and color!

Things to do, while world-schooling in Bulgaria

Your world-schooler will not be bored, in Bulgaria.

For the outdoors-lovers

Whatever your favorite outdoor activity may be, you will be able to do it in Bulgaria. From skiing, through hiking, to swimming and sailing – they are all there for you, at affordable prices and within short distances!

You can explore many amazing lakes, reservoirs, caves, valleys and beaches.

For the history lovers

World-schooling in Bulgaria is a history curriculum of its own. In fact, you can easily drop whatever you have been following and just concentrate on this amazing puzzle of stories of old (and new).

From ancient Thrace, through the Roman Empire, Byzantium, the Ottoman Empire, World Wars, Communism and Democracy – you will not run out of sites to visit and explore.

For the adrenaline lovers

Many thrilling adventures and sports are available for a change of pace, and some adrenaline rush.

From white-water rafting through rock-climbing, to sky-diving, adventurous world-schoolers will not be bored, in Bulgaria. Oh, and it is affordable too, in case I failed to mention that in other paragraphs above.

When I had fewer back and hip aches, I did bungee jumping with those guys, from Adrenaline Club.

For the city-vibe lovers

Every town and city in Bulgaria has a long pedestrian street. Smaller side streets are where the treasures lie though – unique family-owned boutiques, souvenirs, art shops, galleries, restaurants, pubs, clubs and more.

Teen world-schoolers can easily navigate any big city, as many of the signs are in English, and the metro stops in Sofia are announced in both Bulgarian and English. As with most busy cities, anywhere in the world, walking during the day is great, but caution must be exercised during the late evening hours.

For the art lovers

World-schoolers can enrich their arts and music curriculum by visiting countless galleries, art expos, music and film festivals and more! You are in Europe, art is a given. If arts and music are not your cup of tea, they’d better become one!

Check out various festivals across Bulgaria.

Remember my comment about goods being expensive, while services are cheap in a developing country? Well, the same goes for the arts! It is a sad reality, which I do hope changes one day, because artists deserve to be rewarded for their effort and talent.

But until that day, attending theater performances, concerts, festivals and more is very affordable, in Bulgaria. Take advantage of that!

Just last Christmas season, we all saw the Nutcracker, at the National opera, for 25lv (around $15) per person! It was a beautiful performance, with the amazing music live, by symphonic orchestra. Tickets usually are sold out quickly, keep that in mind.

Socializing while world-schooling in Bulgaria

Did you know, there is a World-schooling hub in Bulgaria? It is in one of the prettiest mountain towns – Bansko, in Pirin Mountain. Bansko is also a popular telecommuter’s hub, gathering travelers from all over the world!

The world-schoolers in Bansko gather every fall-winter-spring season, and there are organized events and classes for a few months. From hiking to skiing, through the longest water slide in Europe, to soaking in hot springs in Dobrinishte, or enjoying horse-back riding and obstacle courses – there is something for everyone!

Useful Tips, while world-schooling in Bulgaria.

Remember these handy tips, they will help you feel a bit less touristy!

Shake for “yes”, nod for “no”

Bulgarians shakes their head for “yes” and nod for “no”. The shake is more like the one you might see in India, when someone agrees with, or approves of something. Yet, it can be quite confusing. Do not expect your wine refilled, if you nod, in a restaurant.

Speaking of refills, those are not a typical offering at restaurants. You will have to ask for another drink and pay for it.

Bulgaria is in the European Union

As you plan your stay in Bulgaria, keep in mind that it is part of the European Union. Traveling to other EU countries is very easy and convenient.

At the same time, if your visa allows you only a certain amount of days within the EU, try one of our neighboring countries, such as Northern Macedonia, Serbia, or Turkey, for a change of scenery and visa reset.

Money

The Bulgarian national currency is the “lev”. One Euro equals two leva (1.98), and the exchange rate is fixed, so you should not expect any surprises.

ATM’s are available everywhere, but most places accept credit and debit cards. Carrying around cash is fine, just be careful walking in desolate alleys at night, alone (duh!).

Toilets

If you plan a day out in the city, finding a toilet might be a bit tricky. Just like in any large city, public toilets are not terribly close together, and can be questionably clean. Your best bet is to find a coffee shop and grab a cup of coffee, so you can use their facilities.

While on the topic, do not be surprised to find absolutely no toilets at highway “rest” stops. These really are just for resting. The best way to use a bathroom, while traveling, is to stop at a gas station.

Squat toilets are still popular in some towns, so be prepared.

Homeless dogs and cats

The streets of any Bulgarian town are a home to countless dogs and cats. They are usually accustomed to being around people and rarely present a danger to passers-by. In fact, I know of three families, who adopted cute pets right off the streets, while world-schooling in Bulgaria!

City water

Tap water is safe to drink in most cities, but there are frequently water main breaks, and the pipes are slow to repair. Find out from locals, if you should be drinking bottled water instead.

Bulgaria is very rich in mineral and natural springs, with over 1500 hot mineral springs. They are free for the public to use. Take your large plastic jugs and fill them up at one of those! How to find them – ask the locals.

Or better yet, check out some of the most popular ones here.

Spring water by the road

If you are traveling by car, off of the highways, you will most likely drive by a stone water fountain. These are great to refill your water bottles. They are mostly on mountainous roads, and offer ice-cold water, from natural mountain springs.

The water is delicious and safe to drink. Those plastic jugs from the paragraph above, can be filled right from the mountain fountain.

To summarize:

World-schooling in Bulgaria is a truly unique and enriching experience. It is very affordable and offers many activities kids of any age will enjoy.

Bulgaria has most landscape varieties you can wish for, within a relatively small territory.

Traveling to other European countries is convenient, while keeping Bulgaria as your temporary “home base”.

Healthcare is available and a simple internet search can help you find the provider you need, along with reviews. Dental care is excellent and affordable.

Your world-schooler can find friends, via the world-schooling hub in Bansko, Bulgaria.

The few tips above will make your stay more enjoyable, and allow you to exit the “tourist” zone faster!

Pack your bags!

Print this post, highlight the various links and useful tips and pack your bags. Meet you there!

What else would you like to know? Leave a comment below, or send me an e-mail and I will respond!

Bulgarian readers – what am I missing? I am happy to add more places, tips and photos! Send them over!

Other Related Posts

Bulgaria – Eastern, as in Eastern Orthodox.

7 Foods to Try in Bulgaria, and Live to Tell the Tale (by a Local).

Visiting Rila Monastery in the Fall, a Journey into the World (as it Should be).

Our Parents Have Lost it – How Joe and I went for a Walk and Ended up With a Broken House.

World-schooling is Affordable (Which is why we do it)!

Long-Term Traveling with Teens (Kill me Now?)