Is Bulgaria Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Bulgaria is overall a safe destination for solo female travelers. Crime rates are relatively low, locals are typically helpful and respectful, and local law enforcement are usually able to assist foreigners. Public transport and taxis are reliable and common sense precautions against petty thefts should be taken, especially in crowded and tourist places. However, as with every destination, a vigilant approach is recommended at night or when visiting isolated areas.

Safety rating

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How safe is Bulgaria?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Moderate

Bulgaria is relatively safe at night, especially in areas frequented by tourists. However, like anywhere, measures should be taken to ensure personal safety when alone. It's advisable to avoid dimly lit streets and walking alone in unfamiliar areas. Trust your instincts, stay in populated areas and always keep your belongings close to you.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Moderate

The public transportation in Bulgaria is generally safe to use and includes buses, trams, taxis, and the metro, especially in the capital, Sofia. However, there can be occasional incidents of pickpocketing or petty crimes, and some women have reported instances of unwanted attention. Also, the service often lacks in the coherence of time schedules. But fear not, the majority of public transportation users have no issues. As always, stay alert and cautious as you would in any foreign place.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Low

Bulgaria is generally considered safe, and reports of street harassment are relatively low. Always be alert, and practice common safety measures, such as avoiding deserted areas at night. The social norms and culture tend to be respectful towards women, but isolated incidents of harassment can still occur, as is the case with any other country.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Low

Bulgaria maintains a moderate level of petty crimes such as pickpocketing, purse snatching, and theft from parked cars. These are particularly more frequent in crowded places such as markets, bus or train stations, and tourist spots. Therefore, it's always recommended to stay vigilant, secure your belongings, and avoid showing off valuable items. Evening or night travel in isolated areas should also be avoided.

Is Bulgaria worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.1 /5

based on 27 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.1/5

Safety

4.2/5

Food

4.3/5

Budget-friendly

4.3/5

Sofia, Group travel

I felt very safe in Sofia, but I was with a group, so I don't know if the experience would have been the same alone. Sofia is an amazing h city, very vibrant and friendly. If you like iconic art, it's the best place to be. The food is also incredibly good. We also went mountain climbing outside the city, which was beautiful.

Posted: September 3, 2024
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Plovdiv, Solo travel

Plovdiv was my favorite city to visit in Bulgaria. It was easy to walk around, and the old part of the city was very beautiful with a bunch of cute bars and cafes. I suggest going on a free walking tour where you get to know the area. I stayed at a hostel and made a wonderful travel companion. The taxi drives very quite rude and had a very bad experience with them. I was treated very differently when I was taking a taxi with a man companion compared when trying to take one alone.

Posted: July 30, 2024
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Emilie

Emilie

Spain

Sofia, Solo travel

Overall Sofia was a beautiful underated place to visit. I stayed at peter pan house and felt very safe throughout my five day stay. I found public transport to be very reliable. People were very helpful, and the outdoor scene is beautiful

Posted: July 13, 2024
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Sofia, Solo travel

I really liked the vibe of this city. There are a lot of restaurants and bars and daily hiking trips to the mountains (with a breathtaking view!). I stayed there for 2 days and did a hiking trip as well as a lovely walking tour. The city has a really interesting history and a lot of different walking tours to learn more about it!

Posted: July 13, 2024
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Irmak

Irmak

Turkey

Bulgaria, Couple travel

I travelled Bulgaria, Sofia only one day but it was quite good. I can't tell much but it vaz very cheap. I ate a desert at the expensive restaurant but even it vas very cheap for me. Transportation is very cheap also. I landes sofia and with 15 turkish lira ı went to city center.

Posted: July 12, 2024
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Marilia

Marilia

Denmark

Sofia, Solo travel

Felt quite safe in Sofia, even though I avoided staying out late and night and I also chose to take a taxi to get back home one of the nights (3 years ago, it was super cheap around 1euro for the shortest distance) I walked a lot, around 20klm per day and I can say that the main attractions, the food places that I chose and the parks where I rested were pretty much connected to each other. However, as I said it was my choice to walk a lot so this way I experienced the city in a way different way as if I chose public transport. I definitely recommend to visit the natural area and mountain Vitosha by sofia, especially if you are travelling in the spring/autumn. 💫 Also, I am from Greece so many parts of the culture, the food, the people seemed quite familiar to what I'm used to, so this made me feel extra comfortable but maybe a person from a different culture might find some things challenging/weird That's it I think, I was there for 3 days on total but overall it was a great experience!

Posted: July 10, 2024Experienced: July, 2021
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Varna, Solo travel

Overall, I felt safe but I knew I had to be vety cautious walking around. The people were nice however if you dont know Bulgarian or Russian they tend to be very rude. My bag got stolen with everything in it, there are professional thiefs there. Everything was cheap compared to anywhere in Europe, the food amazing, the alcohol somewhat good, the pubs and bars were amazing tho. There is public transportation and the beaches were very nice.

Posted: June 20, 2024
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Bulgaria, Solo travel

Spent 4 days in Bulgaria, 2 in Sofia and 2 in Plovdiv. Stayed at a hostel as a solo female traveller Felt extremely safe in both places, no street harrassment or attempts at scamming. There are enough cool activities you can book on GYG. Highly recommend going to the Rila Monastery and definitely don’t stick to just Sofia, Plovdid is magnificent. The country is pretty inexpensive, just check prices before wandering in somewhere. Bulgarians are nice people, if you stop them for help they’ll try to help you even if they dont speak English well

Posted: January 17, 2024
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Sofia, Solo travel

I spend a month in Bulgaria doing Voluntary work in primary schools. I really liked the city and felt really safe even at night. Bulgarians are so nice and helpful, but most of them don’t speak proper English. If you want to visit the whole country, I would recommend: Plovdiv (my favourite city), Sofia, Varna, veliko tarnovo and a day trip to Rila monastery. If you are only staying in Sofia, then you should definitely see the city center, a day trip to Rila seven lakes and Vitosha mountain. The food wasn’t a big deal for me and nothing really surprised me. But I liked tarator (a cold soup), moussaka and banitsa is also something that you should try. Life in Bulgaria is really cheap (comparing to France ) I spent 500 euros for a month excluding hotels because I didnt pay for that. Transportation is really good in Sofia, i used busses and metro but you can also find tramway.

Posted: January 14, 2024
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Bulgaria, Solo travel

Had a great time with my son visiting home city in Bulgaria this summer of 2023 We were visiting a few places and experiencing delicious foods Planning to visit my family in Bulgaria every year , beautiful country and culture

Posted: December 21, 2023
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Is Bulgaria safe for women?

Safety index

3.7 /5

Based on 17 local experiences

Crime index

1.6 /5

Based on 17 local experiences

Sofia

It’s safe. The clubs, bars etc. have good security and outside on the streets no one will say anything if you are in the centre. The side neighbourhoods are a bit more dangerous, but again I wouldn’t worry.

Posted: November 2, 2024
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Plovdiv

Plovdiv is overall safe. And that comes from a very paranoid person. That being said, i cannot help but worry even without any reason at all. I have not experienced harassment of any sort in the city. The closest to that that i have ever come to is a whistle or two from random guys. No one actually takes action in getting close whatsoever. If that does happen though, just a word from you and they will be gone. I usually feel uneasy after dark because many people like to stay outside in groups but they never do anything, they simply enjoy time by themselves.

Posted: October 19, 2024
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Meet locals in Bulgaria

Dilyana

Dilyana

About Me

Hey! My name is Dilyana and I moved to Varna 3 years ago because of my love for the sea. I love meeting new people and I would love to make more international friends. I work in Business development and am 25 year old. I can show you the good places in Varna. 🫶🏼

Speaking

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Malina

Malina

About Me

Hello, Im Malina and im new to this app. I hope i will make meaningful friendships here!

Speaking

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Stay with locals in Bulgaria

Dilyana

Dilyana

Varna

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hey! My name is Dilyana and I moved to Varna 3 years ago because of my love for the sea. I love meeting new people and I would love to make more international friends. I work in Business development and am 25 year old. I can show you the good places in Varna. 🫶🏼

Speaking

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Sage

Sage

Sofia

Can host for:

5 days

About me

My name is Sage, I’m 20 years old, and I have a huge passion for traveling. Currently, I’m a student and I work as a dance instructor. Since I don't have a stable income yet, I'm looking for an affordable way to explore the world. I love meeting new people, learning about different cultures, and gaining new experiences along the way. Traveling is not just about seeing new places, but about connecting with the world and expanding my horizons.

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Upcoming visitors to Bulgaria

Lisi

Lisi

About Me

Lisi from Austria starting my Digital Nomad journey. I like writing and storytelling combined with cultural exploration. The world is your school 🤗 We can learn so much from each other. Became more a living in other countries kinda person than traveling around. Slow traveling 🙌🏼

Speaking

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Safety in Bulgaria