“What should I buy as a souvenir from Bulgaria?” is a question every foreign tourist visiting the country ponders on. Maybe wine, red or white? Hand-painted icons? Local treats? Whether you are in Zlatni Pyasatsi or Slanchev Bryag, you can bring beautiful and valuable souvenirs from Bulgaria, which will remind you of lovely holidays for a long time.
Regardless of where they go, tourists tend to bring souvenirs from every trip. Popular examples include fridge magnets or local treats.
You can also bring some interesting objects associated with the country from Bulgaria. Depending on your interests and preferences – here you will find examples of local alcohols and handicrafts. Unfortunately, as everywhere, the fakes are everpresent.
So, what is worth buying in Bulgaria?
Wines from Bulgaria and other alcoholic beverages
Bulgarian wines, liqueurs and vodkas are famous abroad. They are of remarkably good quality and not at all expensive for their class, and thus worth packing into your holiday suitcase.
For fans of alcohol, these are good red wines: Melnik 55, Mawrut, Mezek, Gymza, Merlo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Trakija. High quality white wines are: Riesling, Tamianka, Damianica and Karłowski Misket. Taste the wine produced with the addition of wormwood – Pelin, and of course, any homemade varieties (domaszno wino). However, it is better to stay away from products that contain the word Sofia in brand name.
In addition to wines, Bulgaria is famous for its rakija, produced not only from grapes, but also from peaches and plums. Homemade version can contain as much as 70% pure alcohol. A popular drink is also anise liqueur – mastika and a version of mint liqueur – mentowka. Tourists often pack Savoy rum, Tetevočina slivovice (plum brandy), Slantschew Brjag brandy and Diva Koza whiskey.
Other notable souvenirs from Bulgaria are:
Rose cosmetics: oils, shampoos, creams, soaps
The symbol of Bulgaria is the rose, and the flagship export commodity is rose oil. Thanks to this, while on holiday in Bulgaria, we can stock up on cosmetics and other products based on rose oil. Creams, soaps, shampoos, perfumes and rose water. For pure oil, go to the city of Kazanlak, located in the famous Rozova Dolina (lit. Rose Valley). What’s more, everywhere you can buy souvenirs decorated with the likeness of blossoming roses: alcohols, jams and scented sachets.
Handicraft
Local products, mainly ceramic and embroidery, mugs, bowls, plates, jugs – all in traditional Bulgarian national colors, carefully painted in various patterns. For fans of folk style it’s an earthly paradise – Trojan is especially great for shopping purposes. You can also buy beautiful hand-embroidered tablecloths and napkins (from Varna and Nessebar) and lace products, which can sometimes be bought from grannies selling on the market. Admire hand-forged metal decorations, candle holders, hangers and coffee pots (dżezwe).
You can also buy a hand-painted icon in local galleries or directly from artists, but those are quite expensive. Those sold in souvenir shops are only mass factory production, not the highest quality. You need to be prepared to pay a lot for a real painting.
Leather products
Bulgaria is also famous for its leather products. You can buy pretty decent leather clothes at a good price. From jackets and sheepskin coats to gloves, belts and hats.
When buying souvenirs from Bulgaria, you cannot forget about food!
Local treats
When it comes to food products, grilled vegetables (especially peppers) like ajwar or lutenica are very popular in Bulgaria. The country also produces delicious honeys: pine, chestnut, forest (dark honey from Strandzha mountains), multiflorous, acacia etc. It is worth taking with you Kashkaval (yellow cheese) or Sirene (white cheese somewhat resembling feta) tightly closed in a vacuum package to survive the return trip. Most popular sweets are rose and fig jams, or oriental jelly-like candies in various flavors – lokumi.
As for the spices, apart from peppers (sweeter than the more famous Hungarian peppers), try some czubrica – winter savory. It is usually mixed with other spices such as salt, pepper, red pepper and added to almost every dish, both cheese and meat. Typical czubrica blends are colored salt (szarena soł) or table czubrica (trapezna czubrica, the blend described above). Bulgarians are also fond of an universal seasoning called podprawka, avaiable also as a garlic version called podprawka po rodopski.
Memories are the most important souvenirs, but tangible ones are also diverse and everpresent. Of course, the largest selection is avaiable in popular resorts such as Zlatni Pyasatsi or Slanchev Bryag, but those places also have the most fakes. Whatever you will decide to take with you from Bulgaria will serve as a memento of the holidays you had spent there.
A very helpful list of foods, drinks & souvenirs, I particularly fancy bring back some brandy and, maybe some local foods.