MONEY AND BANKING IN BULGARIA
Bulgaria is in the EU but not in the euro €. This means that it has a national currency, the Lev (LEV), although the vast majority of transactions you can use and €. But it is to do leva, because in many transactions may miss. The rate is 1 € = 1,9558 BGN Bulgarian currency is perfectly connected with the €, with a constant rate.
The rate $ / lv is 1 / 1.48 and ₤ / lv 1 / 2,30. It is best to exchange money at a bank where you will find the rate of 1 / 1.95. Rates encountered in hotels (and of course not exchanged) 1 / 1.80! and a currency exchange in Bansko 1 / 1,85 lift and close to 1 / 1.90 below near the historic center of Bansko (and think that writing outside no commission !, that had ie notice).
Therefore bank bank again. Banks are usually open Monday to Friday 9: 00; 16:00 (maybe later). The Lev is divided into 100 stotinki (Vulgate. Стотинки, «stotinka», стотинка). For those picking the currencies of the countries visited for numismatic reasons to know that you will find notes: 1lv, 2lv, 5lv, 10lv, 20lv & 50lv and coins: 1st, 2st, 5st, 10st, 20st, 50st & 1lv.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS IN BULGARIA
In Bulgaria there are many internet café in all cities of over 10,000 inhabitants fee not exceeding 2lv (1 €) per hour in any case, although the vast majority of hotels (more than 3 stars) offers free wireless internet. You certainly can use the roaming service for your mobile phone or to buy new Bulgarian prepaid.
If you do not want to mess with them and just want a phone card (fonokarta) to say hello at home then you can buy from kiosks and post office (open Monday to Saturday 8: 30 to 17:30) phone card (10 lv sufficient 8 calls of 2 minutes in Greece as calculated) or orange tone phone (Bulfon) or blue payphones (Betcom). The international code of Bulgaria is 0123 and the numbers of emergency: Direct Action: 166 First Aid: 150 Fire: 160.
EATING IN BULGARIA
If you want to eat somewhere in Bulgaria will have to visit one of the following: PECTOPAHT, MEXAHA, XAH пицария (restaurant, mechana, inn, pizzeria). The food in Bulgaria is good and cheap. The kitchen is close to ours and so delicious to eat. Be sure to try:Trout baked, fried or in a pot. пъстърва
- Grilled meat on rack (pork, lamb, sausage, kebabs) a mix grill will cover. скара
- Soup with beans. бобена супа
- Crab omelette (here say kavarma) - the make and Thrace. Кавърма в омлет
- Season salad with grated white cheese and salad with yogurt sauce. салата
- Yellow fried cheese crust egg, breadcrumbs and flour. пържен кашкавал
In less tourist areas you will eat less 10 € for 2 persons (2 main dishes, one appetizer, one salad, two beers), while in the more tourist (eg Bansko) with at least 15 € for 2 persons.
COFFEE IN BULGARIA
If you are addicted to caffeine, coffee will not miss in Bulgaria and not just talk about the cafes in Bulgaria but for the thousands of coffee machines that you find even in small villages mainly in the central squares and almost out of all the convenience stores. Since these machines can be purchased in a plastic cup hot images, cappuccino, espresso, moccasins, tea, chocolate at prices ranging from 0,20 € to 0,30 €! For this to have your coins 5st, 10st, 20st, 50st or 1lv (gives change).
In cafes you can find coffee from 0,40 € to 2,00 € as the brown tourism promotion area.
OTHER WINES & SPIRITS IN BULGARIA
Bulgaria is famous for good reason for its wines. A good bottle of wine at a restaurant can cost from 4 to 7 €.
In the super market you can find a wide selection of Bulgarian wines at good prices. Wine, however, produces the entire southern Bulgaria. In many places you will see and sell wine in bulk in most cases are quite good.
MARKETS & WORKING HOURS IN BULGARIA
In Bulgaria you can find most of the products we consume super market in Greece in prices at most 50%. Intoxicants (interesting enough) is certainly much cheaper due to lower indirect taxes (VAT and excise duties).
In electrical goods and branded clothing did not see big differences. From Bulgaria, you can buy quality cosmetics from a Rose water and rose oil and the country cultivates large areas with roses. You'll find products brand ROSE even souvenir shops. We recommend to buy this brand of cosmetics and other pharmacies not because the other stores sell monkeys but because storage conditions, temperature, etc.
Other little things that you can buy as souvenirs and for daily use are: refractory, ceramic hulls in various sizes, traditionally known perfumes in wooden cases, rugs, aprons and tablecloths in shades of red and green, wool socks (very hot and odorless in extreme conditions!), fur hats, etc. Shops are usually open Monday to Friday 8: 30 to 18:00 and Saturday 8: 30 to 14:00, although there is a relative anarchy. Shops are closed on the following holidays: January 1, March 3, Sunday and Easter Monday, 1 & May 24, 6 & 22 September 25 & 31 December.