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

4.2 /5

based on 31 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4/5

Safety

4.1/5

Food

4.2/5

Budget-friendly

4.1/5

Sofia, Solo travel

Hi, in January 2025 I was in Sofia gor two days with a friend. We slept at a host place an it was really nice! We loved the city! With a free walking tour we learned a lot about the history and the main places of the city. The other day we went to the big mountain and walked trough the snow. The public transportation was really cheap. It was a nice trip! :)

Posted: March 12, 2025
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Dilara

Dilara

Turkey

Sofia, Solo travel

I had an amazing time in Sofya! The city has a charming atmosphere, and the food was absolutely delicious. We tried some traditional Bulgarian dishes, and everything was fresh and flavorful. The service was also excellent—fast and friendly. We explored some beautiful places like Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Vitosha Boulevard, which had great shops and cafes. In the evening, my friends and I went to a karaoke bar, and we had so much fun singing together. The whole trip was unforgettable, and I’d love to visit again to discover even more!

Posted: February 2, 2025
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Bulgaria, Solo travel

It was safe but there are some problems about Bulgaria first you shouldn’t go there in winter because it’s really cold rainy and windy second you shouldn’t trust a guys in Bulgaria as a solo traveler they are nice but some of them has different intentions with you

Posted: January 30, 2025
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Bulgaria, Family travel

I feel safe We eat in some resturaunt, but the best are burger lab and a pancake maker I think it was cheaper than hungary We stayed in a hotel in burgas and it was fine We used public transport and it ran often

Posted: January 28, 2025Experienced: July, 2024
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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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Is Bulgaria safe for women?

Safety index

3.8 /5

Based on 59 local experiences

Crime index

1.9 /5

Based on 59 local experiences

Lina

Lina

Blagoevgrad

It is a safe city, but it can become dangerous on weekends when people go to the clubs and get waisted. I have walked home alone after a night out and have gotten home safely without anyone bothering me, but it really depends on the situation. If you don’t hang out normally around 3am on a Friday night then you have nothing to worry, and if you do i would just keep an eye out.

Posted: March 17, 2025
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Sofia

The city center and the places around it are very safe. However I wouldn't go to Lulin for example. There isn't anything to see in the districts that are further away anyway so I would stay in region of the center regardless.

Posted: March 15, 2025
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Meet locals in Bulgaria

Ally

Ally

About Me

Hello, my name is Aleksandra but people call me Ally for short, I like music, art, adventures, having fun and animals. I am a very social person and I like going out, traveling and exploring new places, I have a friendly cat named Zun-Zun and we live in a cozy one bedroom apartment in the center of Sofia! If u ever need a place to stay during your travels in Sofia or you want to explore cool places like restaurants and coffee shops on a budget or you just want to hang out with someone feel free to contact me!

Speaking

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Lilia

Lilia

About Me

A girl obsessed with traveling, always on the lookout for her new adventure. Whether it’s exploring a new city, hiking through nature, or diving into a different culture, I can never get enough of discovering the world. I believe every journey is a chance to grow, learn, and create unforgettable memories. By day, I work as a Social Media Manager, helping brands tell their stories and engage with their audiences. It’s the perfect job for me, as it lets me stay connected with the digital world while still giving me the freedom to travel and share my experiences with others.

Speaking

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Stay with locals in Bulgaria

Ally

Ally

Sofia

Can host for:

7 days

About me

Hello, my name is Aleksandra but people call me Ally for short, I like music, art, adventures, having fun and animals. I am a very social person and I like going out, traveling and exploring new places, I have a friendly cat named Zun-Zun and we live in a cozy one bedroom apartment in the center of Sofia! If u ever need a place to stay during your travels in Sofia or you want to explore cool places like restaurants and coffee shops on a budget or you just want to hang out with someone feel free to contact me!

Speaking

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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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Upcoming visitors to Bulgaria

Alexia

Alexia

About Me

Hey, I’m Alexia! An adventurous Aussie who loves exploring new places and experiencing different cultures. I’ve traveled to 24 countries and counting, with a passion for off-the-beaten-path destinations. My next big adventure? A six-week trip across the U.S., followed by a month of travel in Europe before settling somewhere new. Always up for great conversations, good food, and making new travel friends

Speaking

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Anastasiia

Anastasiia

About Me

I am an active and curious person, who loves traveling and learning new languages. I am always happy to meet new people and make friends!

Speaking

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Safety in Bulgaria