The most beautiful places in Bulgaria

The beauty of the Danube is palpable walking along the promenade of Vidin. On the opposite shore, the Romanian town of Calafat was smiling playfully. The waters of the Danube were blue, not black, although the river originated from the Black Forest (or Schwarzwald in German) and flowed into the Black Sea. The river, like an exquisite tourist, traveled around 10 European countries and beautified their picturesque towns.

It was the same with Vidin, the promenade was calm and generously laden with greenery, with a lovely playground. It is here that the beautiful fortress Baba Vida, also called Baba Vidini Towers, rises. This is the only fully preserved castle in Bulgaria. Its name is associated with the legends of the sisters Vida, Kula and Gamza, who inherited a local ruler. Vida, the oldest, built the castle, which they named Baba Vida after her.

It is worth going around the entire castle, entering through various courtyards, rooms and towers. From here you can also get stamp No. 13 from the 100 National Tourist Sites in Bulgaria. In the summer, right in front of the fortress, Baba Vida beach with a sandy strip is also available.

Unlike the beach, the castle is open all year round and is worth exploring, as well as continuing your walk through the City Park along the Danube Promenade. Interesting here are the benches in the form of open books, which provide information about the tourist sites in Vidin and the region. It is here that the huge colorful letters VIDIN, which, against the background of the Danube, allow you to take wonderful photos as a souvenir of the city.

The next place I recommend you to sit is the Rechna Gara restaurant (in English The River Station). The river station itself was under renovation, but the restaurant next to it fully compensated for this by offering a wonderful view of the Danube and delicious food.

The city especially impressed me on March 3, when a lavish theatrical reenactment of the Liberation of the city was organized on the central square of Bdintsi. There was a lot of thunder, smoke and fun, a real holiday for adults and children. It’s just a pity that there weren’t many shops and restaurants open during the holidays. Mall Vidin was working and there were good things inside, but there are no food establishments in it. So if you come for the holidays, make sure to visit Rechna gara restaurant or the nearby pizza Classic.

Just a few days ago, the city was decorated with huge trees – martenitsa. It is wonderful to have such places in Bulgaria where holidays become a tradition, fun and a place for people to unite.

In the past, Vidin had different names such as Dunonia, Donavia, Bononia, Budin/Bdin. The city also went through various destinies – raids, destruction and Golden Years. I hope the latter will be repeated with the renovation of the river station, so that river cruise ships will start mooring, and we can boarding and enjoying their trips. I hope the blue-golden waters of the Danube will return the former greatness of the city and Vidin continues to be one of the pearls of the Danube River.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT VIDIN:

Location: Vidin is a town in northwestern Bulgaria, located on the right bank of the Danube River.
Area: 63.22 sq.km
Population: 44 152 people (2023 data)
Official language: Bulgarian

TRIP TIPS FOR VIDIN:

Best time to visit: all year round.
Typical food and drinks: The region of Vidin is famous for its spicy food and its famous Vidin fish brine. While you are there, be sure to try the wonderful wines of Magura Winery, which organizes tastings in the Magura Cave.
Places to visit: Baba Vida Medieval Fortress, Stambol Kapia Fortress Gate, Promenade and Danube City Garden, New Europe Bridge, etc.