When coming to Bulgaria for your exchange, you could be placed anywhere in the country – it depends on where we find the right host family for you. These are just some of the Bulgarian cities and towns that we have had exchange students in before, and gives you an idea of what to expect from our country!
Sofia
As the capital city of Bulgaria and the location of the YFU office, we usually place quite a few students in Sofia for their exchange year. It is the largest city in Bulgaria, with a population of around 1.3 million people. Sofia has many attractions, such as churches and galleries, markets, and lots of restaurants and bars. The pedestrian zone, Vitosha Boulevard, is a very popular shopping area and a pleasant street to shop and relax.
Botevgrad
Botevgrad is a town in the Sofia province, situated about 50kms from the capital. It is situated in a picturesque valley, and the area surrounding the town is quite rich in natural resources. It is quite a small town, named after the famed Bulgarian poet and revolutionary Hristo Botev. One of Botevgrad’s major landmarks is a 30-metre high clock tower in the city centre, constructed in the 1860s.
Ruse
The city of Ruse is situated on the bank of the Danube river, which functions as the border between Bulgaria and Romania. It is one of the largest cities in the country, and it is an important cultural, commercial and industrial center. Often called the “Little Vienna”, the city has many interesting landmarks, such as the remains of an ancient fortress, and several churches and monasteries in the city’s vicinity.
Stara Zagora
Stara Zagora is one of the oldest continuously populated places in Europe, with more than 8000 years of history. With a population of around 140,000, there is always a lot going on in Stara Zagora and it has a great cultural life. It is a pleasant town with many coffee shops and galleries, and streets lined with linden trees.
Sliven
Located in southeastern Bulgaria, Sliven is the eighth largest city in Bulgaria with a little more than 110,000 people. It sits beside the famous Blue Stones, and the national park Sinite Kamani, which is a popular hiking and camping destination. Sliven is one of the windiest towns in Bulgaria, but otherwise has a mild climate with relatively warm summers and mild winters.
Burgas
Located on the Black Sea Coast, Burgas is a lively city with over 300,000 inhabitants. The Black Sea is a popular tourist destination in the summer, with very warm water and lots of resorts up and down the coast. The city of Burgas hosts many festivals in literature, music and folklore, and has multiple galleries and theatres.
