The best time to visit Bulgaria depends on the purpose of your journey. Bulgaria has four distinct seasons and it has a mild continental climate, that varies a lot between the coastal and the inland cities, as well as the mountain regions. While July and August are perfect for a beach holiday or hiking, September is better for exploring Bulgarian cities, enjoying still relatively warm weather. January and February are best for a ski holiday in the mountains.
Choosing the right time to visit a destination is always crucial to your holiday experience. Although going in a specific month is never a guarantee for good weather, I will try to give you some rules of thumb and help you minimise your risks.
Read on for more details about the weather in Bulgaria, plus my tips as a local for packing accordingly.
What You'll Find In This Post:
When is the best time to visit Bulgaria for a beach holiday?
The tourist season on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast starts in June and extends to September. Although temperatures in June are mostly high already, the chances of thunderstorms are higher at the beginning of summer. Moreover, the seawater is not warmed up yet and bathing will be less pleasant – you’re looking at a temperature around 18-22 °C, depending on the year and where you are along the coast. July and August offer perfect conditions for a beach holiday, because it is hot, afternoon thunderstorms are rare, and the water temperature is at its highest – 25-26 °C (77 °F). Of course, there is always a small chance of a few rainy days, but they are way fewer than in June or September. The constant breeze coming from the sea usually makes the heat much more bearable than in the inland.
Don’t forget to pack: Obviously many light clothes – T-shirts, shorts and a swimsuit, but also a pair of long pants, a light jacket and a sweatshirt for the evening, as it gets quite cool at night or after a storm. Except sandals and slippers, sneakers are a good idea too for a rainy day. An umbrella is optional, but sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and a mosquito repellent are a must!
Can you visit the Bulgarian Black Sea coast in September?
September has the huge advantage, that the beaches are no longer fully packed with tourists and accommodations and flights are usually cheaper. The temperature of the water on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast in September is around 23-24 °C (74 °F), making it still very pleasant for swimming. However, towards the end of summer the weather could be very variable. Heatwaves and hot days are common, so if you are lucky, you can thoroughly enjoy sunbathing and swimming even in early autumn. Sadly, rainy and cooler periods are also common in September, so I wouldn’t recommend it if your sole purpose is to visit the beach.
When is the best time to visit Bulgaria for a ski holiday?
The skiing season in Bulgaria starts in December and extends to the end of March in the highest resorts. However, the best time for skiing, in my opinion, is between the end of December till February. If you want to avoid overpriced holiday packages around Christmas and New Year’s Eve, stick to January and February. The beginning of the year is always best for skiing, because it is cold, and the snow coverage is perfect. Avoid March, even though it is still possible to ski in some resorts. The snow might have already started to melt a bit, because of rising temperatures. In that case, many of the tracks get icy, because in the evenings it is still cold enough for the melted snow to freeze. Every skier knows what a big difference this makes to the experience, so I wouldn’t recommend it.
Don’t forget to pack: warm (woollen) clothes, jumpers, an insulated jacket, a hat, gloves, a scarf. Good insulated winter boots are essential. However, a swimsuit is not a bad idea if your accommodation has a pool or SPA area.
When is the best time to visit Bulgaria for hiking?
The mountain ranges Rila and Pirin are alpine, and it takes a bit longer until temperatures up there start rising. So hiking in May or June is not ideal, because there is still a big chance of snow on the higher trails. July and August are perfect for hiking in the Bulgarian mountains. Although the beginning of September is also possible, bear in mind, that it will be cooler.
Don’t forget to pack: hiking boots, different layers to be prepared for changing weather conditions (T-shirts, shirt or vest, waterproof jacket or raincoat, hiking pants), backpack and a MUST – sunscreen and a hat
When is the best time to visit Sofia or Plovdiv?
Although summer might seem enticing to travel, I wouldn’t recommend visiting Sofia, Plovdiv or other Bulgarian inland cities in the peak summer months July and August. Even though Sofia generally remains slightly cooler than other parts of Bulgaria, heat waves are common with high temperatures reaching or exceeding 35 °C (95 °F) on the hottest days, particularly in July and August. In the lowlands, Plovdiv, for example, daily temperatures are even more often around and above 35 °C (95 °F). The lack of breeze from the sea makes this heat unbearable, particularly between 11a.m. and 6 p.m. Exploring a city in these conditions is possible, but not really pleasant, so if you want to be able to enjoy it more, consider visiting in spring or late summer/autumn.
From May to mid-June, temperatures are usually around 20-25 °C (67-77 °F) making it much more pleasant for strolling around the city. However, possible thunderstorms in the afternoon must be taken into account.
September and October are perfect for exploring Bulgaria’s inland cities like Sofia and Plovdiv. In September, it is a bit cooler than August, but not cold yet. It is also quite a dry period, excellent for a city trip. October is a beautiful month in Bulgaria, because of all the colourful autumn leaves. Added bonus, it is not really high tourist season anymore, as the summer season is over and the winter hasn’t started yet.
Don’t forget to pack: clothes for every weather – short- and long sleeved shirts, one thicker jumper, jeans/pants, sandals, sneakers, umbrella, sunscreen, insulated raincoat.
Conclusion
Bulgaria is a destination that you could visit almost all year round. With its distinct four seasons and diverse landscapes, it has something for everyone at any time – from ski and snowboard lovers to hikers, city explorers, beach- and water-sport enthusiasts. We have got it all!
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