How we discovered 120 hidden places in Bulgaria that almost no one knows about

Published: 04.12.2025 • Read: 5 min

Anna Parvanova

Traveler and lover of hidden gems in Bulgaria

Last Sunday, my boyfriend and I witnessed something we didn't expect. A fairytale waterfall, long and truly full of water, surrounded by magical nature, an hour and a half from Sofia, which apparently many people don't know about (at least none of our friends did).

I hadn't seen it on Instagram or TikTok. I hadn't come across it on websites for "interesting places" either. And yet it was there - majestic, beautiful, and almost empty.

How is it possible that such beautiful places in our own country remain unknown to most of us?

The problem with destination searching

I've tried many times. I've spent hours searching for "hidden places in Bulgaria", "unknown places around Sofia", and "where to go this weekend". The result? Always the same 10-15 locations, repeated in countless articles.

The Rila Lakes. Tarnovo. The Belogradchik Rocks... Beautiful places, no argument. But overcrowded. Familiar to the point of boredom. And honestly - Bulgaria has much, much more to offer.

The accidental discovery

Recently, something popped up on my Facebook feed that looked like playing cards, but in an interesting box. They were presented as cards with unknown destinations. I thought, "I'll get them, and whatever happens, happens."

Actually, they just sat at home, but this weekend my boyfriend and I decided to go somewhere, and I remembered the cards. We chose one, in this case, Bistrishki Waterfall, and scratched off the field. A QR code appeared underneath. I scanned it and...

Detailed information about Bistrishki Waterfall - how to get there, what to expect, how long it would take us, whether it was suitable for children - everything we needed was written down.

But what really excited me was something else. When I looked at the other cards in the box, I realized that we actually had 119 other places I had never heard of.

The Experience

Early in the morning, we were already on our way. Like eager children on Christmas. The path was magical - not just the waterfall, but the entire journey to it.

On the way there, we wondered what the situation would be with signs and markings. But the information from the QR code was so detailed that we couldn't go wrong.

When we finally arrived, I understood why this place remained hidden. Not because it isn't beautiful. But because few people know about its existence.

Why does this work so well?

I was surprised how strongly the idea captivated me. But when I thought about it, I understood why.

First, it eliminates hours of aimless browsing and reading conflicting information. Everything is already selected, verified, and described.

Second, the element of surprise makes every weekend like a small adventure. You don't plan too much - you just scratch a card and go.

Third, these are truly hidden gems, not tourist traps, not overcrowded attractions. Genuine, authentic places that tell real stories about Bulgaria.

Who is this for?

If you're wondering if these cards are for you, here's who gets the most value from them:

• Couples who want to create memories together instead of sitting at home every weekend

• Families with children looking for educational and fun outings at an affordable price

• Groups of friends who love to explore new places

• Photographers and nature lovers looking for untouched spots

• Anyone tired of the same old tourist routes

My final thought

I'm not one to advertise products. But this is different.

Because it's not just about cards. It's about rediscovering your own country. About stopping waiting for the perfect moment for a big trip and starting to live adventures every weekend.

Bulgaria is full of places that deserve to be seen. It's just that no one shows them to us.

Until now.