Glamping, a relatively recent addition to Bulgaria’s tourism sector, is showing signs of steady growth as both domestic and international visitors express increasing interest in outdoor stays that combine nature with hotel-style amenities.
According to the Bulgarian Glamping Association (BGA), there are currently about 20 dedicated glamping sites across the country, mostly comprised of spacious tents outfitted for comfort.
When other types of accommodations that follow the glamping model—such as luxury caravans, bungalows, and villas—are included, the number is substantially higher.
“Glamping is for nature lovers who don’t want to be traditional campers,” said Valentin Krumov, chairman of the BGA, in an interview with Radio Bulgaria.
“They want to enjoy the outdoors but with comfort — to sleep in a bed with white sheets, just like in a hotel room, and have all the usual hotel amenities, while still being surrounded by nature.”
Krumov noted that while the concept first emerged in the United Kingdom around 2005, it did not appear in Bulgaria until around 2020.
Prices for glamping in Bulgaria range between 100 and 300 leva (approximately €50 to €150) per night, depending on accommodation type and location.
Popular glamping sites are located along the Black Sea coast in areas like Balchik, Sozopol, and Tsarevo, with additional locations near Sofia and in mountain destinations such as Tsigov Chark.
Krumov noted that yurts, safari tents, bell tents, and retro caravans are among the most common glamping accommodations. Some are even part of themed glamping villages, including one furnished in the style of Bulgaria’s socialist era.
“Yurts are the most common type of accommodation in the country, alongside two kinds of glamping tents: safari tents and bell tents,” he said. “We also have luxury caravans, which can be included in this form of tourism — some offer extensive amenities such as private bathrooms and toilets.”
Although the majority of current guests are from neighboring Romania, the BGA is targeting broader markets.
“We’re seeing [Romanians] book longer stays, often a week or more,” Krumov said. Bulgarian visitors, initially more hesitant, are now returning for longer visits after trying glamping for short periods.
The association is working to attract tourists from Scandinavia and Western Europe through a new international online platform that aims to list all Bulgarian glamping accommodations by the end of 2025.
Krumov believes that changes in travel preferences are helping to fuel interest in glamping.
“Ten years ago, all-inclusive packages with entertainment and other extras in large seaside hotels were all the rage,” he said. “But attitudes are changing. Bulgarians are increasingly choosing quiet holidays in peaceful mountain locations or by the sea.”
For professionals in the outdoor hospitality industry, Bulgaria’s glamping development offers insight into how hybrid accommodation models can evolve in emerging markets.
The focus on combining experiential travel with comfort may present new business opportunities in regions previously overlooked by tourists.
With plans to position Bulgaria as a glamping hub in Eastern Europe by 2026, local operators are working to enhance visibility, improve infrastructure, and expand their customer base.