Bulgaria Shopping and nightlife
Shopping in Bulgaria
Popular Bulgarian souvenirs include rose oil and rose-based cosmetics, traditionally produced in the Rose Valley around Kazanlak. Other local products include hand-painted pottery, woodcarvings, woven textiles, embroidery and traditional dolls. Bulgarian wine and rakia (fruit brandy) are also widely sold, although travellers should check customs allowances before taking alcohol home.
Sofia has the country's widest choice of shops, from international brands and shopping centres to independent boutiques. Vitosha Boulevard is the capital's principal pedestrian shopping street, while smaller shops around the city centre sell crafts, antiques and locally made products. Plovdiv's Kapana district is a good place to look for independent design, jewellery and handicrafts.
Markets are found throughout the country and are useful for fresh produce, food and inexpensive household goods. When buying antiques, icons or other objects that may have cultural or archaeological significance, travellers should ensure that the necessary documentation is provided, as restrictions apply to the export of protected cultural property.
Nightlife in Bulgaria
Sofia has Bulgaria's most varied nightlife, with bars, pubs, live-music venues and nightclubs concentrated around the city centre. Areas around Vitosha Boulevard and Shishman Street are particularly lively, while clubs range from electronic music venues to places specialising in Bulgarian pop-folk music.
Plovdiv has a smaller but lively scene, particularly in the Kapana district, where bars and cafés occupy the narrow streets around the old town. During summer, nightlife becomes particularly active along the Black Sea coast, with beach bars and clubs in resorts such as Sunny Beach and Golden Sands and a more varied selection of bars and restaurants in Varna and Burgas.
Traditional mehanas (taverns) offer a more distinctly Bulgarian evening, serving local food and wine, often in rustic surroundings. Some feature live folk music and dancing, particularly in tourist areas and mountain resorts such as Bansko.
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