Money: Bulgaria Now Uses the Euro 💶
This is the biggest recent change: on 1 January 2026 Bulgaria adopted the euro, replacing the lev after 146 years (fixed conversion: 1.95583 leva = €1). For Eurovision visitors this is a gift - no exchange offices, no leftover banknotes, no mental arithmetic. Prices are displayed in both currencies until August 2026, then euro-only.
Cards are accepted almost everywhere in cities; contactless is standard. Keep a little cash for small kiosks, markets and village stops.
How Expensive Is Bulgaria?
One of the cheapest countries in the EU - typically 40-60% below Western European prices. Indicative city prices:
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Espresso | €1-2 |
| Local beer (0.5L, bar) | €2-3.50 |
| Sit-down dinner with drinks | €10-20 per person |
| Metro/bus ticket (Sofia) | ~€0.80 |
| Taxi across town | €3-8 |
| Banitsa + ayran (classic breakfast) | €2-3 |
Expect Eurovision-week premiums on hotels and some nightlife, but day-to-day costs will stay refreshingly low compared with recent host cities.
Language
Bulgarian is a Slavic language written in Cyrillic - Bulgaria is actually where the Cyrillic alphabet was developed. Street signs in cities are usually transliterated, and English is widely spoken by younger people and anyone in tourism. A few words go a long way:
- Zdravei (Здравей) - hello · Blagodarya (Благодаря) - thank you
- Molya (Моля) - please / you're welcome · Nazdrave! (Наздраве!) - cheers!
Is Bulgaria Safe?
Yes - Bulgaria is a safe destination with low violent crime. Use normal big-city sense: watch for pickpockets in crowds and on busy public transport, use licensed taxis or apps, and avoid unlit shortcut streets late at night. LGBTQ+ fans will find the Eurovision bubble welcoming as always; general public attitudes are more conservative than in Western Europe, so public displays of affection draw more attention than in, say, Vienna.
Weather in May
May is one of Bulgaria's best months: typically 17-24°C daytime, mild evenings (10-14°C), a mix of sunshine and spring showers. Pack layers, one warm jacket for evenings, and something rain-proof. If the contest lands in Burgas, the Black Sea is still cold for swimming (~16-18°C) but the beach promenade weather is lovely.
Connectivity: SIMs and eSIMs
EU/EEA visitors: EU roaming rules mean your home plan works in Bulgaria at no extra cost. Everyone else (UK plans vary - check yours): an eSIM is the easiest option, or grab a cheap prepaid SIM from A1, Yettel or Vivacom at the airport or any city shop.
Practical Quick-Fire
- Visas: Bulgaria is in the EU and Schengen. EU citizens: ID card is enough. UK/US/CA/AU and many others: visa-free up to 90 days. Check your nationality's rules before travelling.
- Plugs: standard European Type C/F, 230V. UK and US visitors need an adapter.
- Time zone: EET (UTC+2; UTC+3 in summer) - one hour ahead of Central Europe.
- Tap water: safe to drink nearly everywhere; Sofia's mountain water is genuinely good.
- Tipping: ~10% in restaurants if service was good; round up for taxis.
- Emergency number: 112.
- Travel insurance: always smart for event trips - it covers the "tickets sold out / flight cancelled" chaos scenarios.
Eat & Drink Like a Local
Don't leave without trying shopska salad (the national salad, conveniently white-green-red like the flag), banitsa (flaky cheese pastry), kebapche (grilled minced meat), tarator (cold cucumber-yogurt soup, perfect in May) and Bulgarian wine - the country has been making it for 6,000 years and it remains absurdly underpriced. The local spirit is rakia; treat it with respect.
Ready to plan? Continue to where to stay or how to get there.