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About Bulgaria
Population: 7977646
Area:110933 sq. km
Language: Bulgarian
Religion: Orthodox
Summer temperatures: 26o to 30oC
Winter temperatures: -5o to 5oC
Time zone: GMT +2 (April - September +3)
Capital - Sofia
Currency - Lev(BGN)
Exchange - 1 Euro/ 1.95583 BGN
Location and territory
Bulgaria is located in South-Eastern Europe and occupies the North-eastern part of Balkan Peninsula. To the North, the country border on Romania via the Danube River, to the East it touches the Black sea, its southern neighbours are Turkey and Greece, and the West it borders on the Former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia and Serbia.
To drive in Bulgaria
You have to be at least 18 years old. You can use your national license, if it is issued by a country - signatory to the Convention on Road Traffic (Vienna 1968). To avoid unnecessary problems it is useful also to have an international license. Remember always carry your driver’s license with you when you drive. If a representative of the traffic police stops you, do not get out of the car and wait for the policeman to approach. You could be asked to present the vehicle’s documentation which consists in registration card, technical support card and third party liability policy.
Roads
Roads in Bulgaria are bumpy and sometimes hard to drive, when we talk about the countryside. So - drive slowly and carefully. In and around the bigger towns and cities roads are better and faster. Be careful on the motorways too some of them are currently partially in repairs.
Speed limit
In the cities speed limit is 50km/h, outside city limits - 90km/h. On the high way 130km/h are allowed.
Fines
For violating speed restrictions you will be fined between 20 and 150 leva, which you could be asked to pay when leaving the country, at the customs. Remember - fasten your seat belts. Otherwise you could pay a fine of 40 leva
Car Parks
Be careful where you park your car - in cities you could not only be fined but your car could be taken away, which will cost you stress and money! You can park for up to 2 hours in the city centre, in the designated blue zones. The fee for up to one hour parking is between 1.00 - 2.50 leva. Some car parks are privately run and prices vary.
Petrol stations
The biggest petrol station chains in Bulgaria are OMV, Shell, Petrol and LUK Oil In this petrol stations you pay cash or with a credit card.
Equipment
You should always check the emergency equipment of your car because there are some things required by law: emergency medical box, fire extinguisher, triangle, spare tyre with rim, jack screw and lug wrench.
Tourism in Bulgaria
Winter tourist centres, such as Borovetz, Bansko, Pamporovo and Vitosha are picturesque and popular ski resorts. The Bulgarian summer resorts along the Black Sea coast, include destinations, such as the summer resorts: Sozopol, Nessebur, Golden Sands, Sunny Beach, Sveti Vlas, Albena and St. St. Constantine & Helena. Some guests, such as the Germans, Russians or Scandinavians favour the summer beach resorts, while winter tourism, and the ski resorts, are the favorites of the British.
Emergency numbers
112 - Emergency number
150 - First aid
160 - Fire Department
166 - Closest police department
165 - Traffic police
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