5 Beautiful Castles To Stay In Bulgaria

Bulgaria, an Eastern European treasure, is famed for its rugged strongholds and rich royal history, so turrets and tradition practically come as standard here. Whether you’re in the capital of Sofia or the country’s underrated ski resorts like Bansko or Borovets, a hotel with a sense of history will make your holiday an unforgettable one. Here are some of the country’s most characterful castles for an overnight stay.

# Royal Valentina Castle

This spa hotel’s fairytale factor comes from its battlements and turrets. The castle can be found amid a magical rolling green forest close to Bulgaria’s Pirin National Park. Inside, the fantasy continues with four-poster beds, heavy tapestry rugs and exposed brick walls in rooms with glorious mountain views. Retreat to the outdoor pool, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi for an afternoon of pampering.

# Magic Castle Hotel

Less of a castle and more of a pretty mansion filled with bright, comfy rooms, the Magic Castle Hotel is within walking distance of Sofia’s centre. Arched windows and bedrooms in turret towers add character, while memory-foam mattresses, books to borrow and a home-cooked breakfast go above and beyond the offerings at most budget hotels.

# Hotel Horlog Castle

Horse riding, hog roasts and hearty log fires are just some of the draws to this fairytale location. Hotel Horlog Castle sits in the town of Trigrad, deep in the Rhodope Mountains in southern Bulgaria, which accounts for its rustic, historical look. It features hefty wooden beams and stone fireplaces (in certain rooms), along with an outdoor terrace for enjoying the craggy, pine-fringed scenery. Hike to atmospheric caves with giant stalactites or ride the resident steeds through unspoilt valleys.

# Primorski Hotel

This affordable stay in coastal Saints Constantine and Helena is constructed like a cream-coloured Bulgarian palace, complete with proud bell towers and a central courtyard. Inside are hyper-modern rooms in ice white, dove grey and raw wood, some with serene sea views. Attached are a sprawling thermal spa and beach club, as well as pretty al fresco terraces for drinks and coffee, surrounded by lovely tree-lined grounds.

# Hotel Royal Castle Design and Spa

Set on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast, this sprawling pleasure resort has an outdoor pool and a water park steps away from the beach, as well as a sizeable spa. The decor here is ebullient in a very Eastern European way, with black-and-silver headboards, velvet-upholstered Chesterfields and circular beds. Head to the cocktail bar for lashings of gold, marble and cowhide.