Mountain town in Sofia Province, Bulgaria
Borovets
Bulgaria's oldest ski resort, 70 km from Sofia in the Rila mountains, with cheap lift passes, stag-group nightlife and Musala hikes in summer. Basic facilities, limited English and a short, loud season.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,690–2,480Comfortable, one person · €1,500–2,200Details
- Value for money39/100Better value than 38% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJan–MarWarmest: Aug, 27°CDetails
- Internet94 MbpsFixed broadband, Bulgaria medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableMountain tap water is generally safe in the resort.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$34–68Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundResort shuttle and ski busesVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashEuro is used.Details
Where to stay in Borovets
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Borovets resort centre | Lifts, hotels, bars and ski schools |
| Samokov | Cheaper town 10 km down the valley with shops and buses |
Apps that work in Borovets
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: Viber
- BG Toll: Buying the highway e-vignette
- Taxis: Bolt does not reliably cover the resort. Use hotel taxis or pre-booked transfers; agree the price before getting in.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Bulgaria.
- Mixed: cards and cash Euro is used. Cards work in hotels and shops; carry cash for small bars, buses, taxis and mountain huts.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Avoid Euronet ATMs with high fees; use bank ATMs and always decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: Around 10% in restaurants is customary; round up taxi fares. In resorts, check whether service is already on the bill.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work at contactless terminals almost everywhere in cities.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Full Schengen member since 2025: 90 days in any 180 across the Schengen area. Non-EU visitors give fingerprints and a photo for the EES.
- ETIAS pre-travel authorisation is not yet required; its launch has slipped beyond 2026.
- Border guards may ask for proof of accommodation, an onward ticket and enough money for your stay.
Emergency numbers
Police 166 · Ambulance 150 · Fire 160 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
EU SIMs roam at no extra cost. Prepaid SIMs at operator shops require passport registration; a month of data costs about €10–20. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Bulgaria
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.