lovinbulgaria

Lifestyle

Living here: housing, money, family and everyday life.

Close-up of a person holding a utility bill with a calculator in the foreground, no logos visible.
Lifestyle

How to Read a Bulgarian Utility Bill: A Simple Guide for Newcomers

Understanding your electricity, water and heating bills is an essential part of settling into life in Bulgaria. This guide explains what to look for and how to pay with confidence.

A colourful vegetable stall at a Bulgarian open-air market
Lifestyle

How to Haggle at Bulgarian Markets: A Polite Guide to Bargaining

Learn when and how to negotiate prices at Bulgarian open-air markets and bazaars, with useful phrases and etiquette tips for newcomers.

Jars of thick red pepper and tomato spread with fresh vegetables
Lifestyle

How to Make Bulgarian Lyutenitsa: A Homemade Pepper and Tomato Spread

Lyutenitsa is Bulgaria's beloved roasted pepper and tomato spread, found on tables from breakfast to dinner. Here's how to make it at home and use it in everyday meals.

People dancing in a circle holding hands outdoors
Lifestyle

A Beginner's Guide to Bulgarian Horo: Joining the Circle Dance

Horo is Bulgaria's communal circle dance, found at every celebration. Learn the basic steps and etiquette so you can join in with confidence.

A colourful Bulgarian kilim rug with traditional geometric patterns.
Lifestyle

How to Decorate with Bulgarian Textiles: Kilims, Embroidery and Woven Throws

From handwoven kilims to colourful embroidered cushions, Bulgarian textiles add character and cosiness to any home. Here’s how to choose, use and care for them.

A glass jar of golden honey with a wooden dipper and a piece of honeycomb on a rustic table.
Lifestyle

A Guide to Bulgarian Honey: Types, Tastes and Everyday Uses

Bulgaria is known for its rich variety of honey, from light acacia to dark honeydew. Here’s what makes each type special and how to enjoy them in everyday life.

Colourful recycling bins on a Bulgarian street
Lifestyle

How to Recycle in Bulgaria: A Practical Guide to Sorting Your Waste

Recycling in Bulgaria is straightforward once you know the colour codes and local collection rules. This guide explains what goes in each bin and how to handle common household waste responsibly.

A decorated cornel twig used for survakane, with colorful threads and dried fruits.
Lifestyle

A Guide to Bulgarian New Year: Survakane, Banitsa with Lucky Charms and More

From breaking bread with hidden fortunes to the gentle tap of survakane, Bulgarian New Year is rich in warmth and symbolism.

Picnic spread on a blanket with traditional Bulgarian food in a green park
Lifestyle

A Guide to Bulgarian Picnics: How to Picnic Like a Local

Picnicking is a beloved pastime in Bulgaria, blending fresh local food, nature and family time. Here's how to join in like a local.

Rows of purple lavender in bloom under a blue sky in Bulgaria.
Lifestyle

A Guide to Bulgarian Lavender: From Fields to Home Uses

Discover how Bulgaria's fragrant lavender fields can inspire everyday rituals, from calming sachets to culinary touches.

Red and white martenitsa bracelets and pom-poms on a wooden surface
Lifestyle

A Guide to Baba Marta and Martenitsa: Bulgaria's March Tradition of Red and White

Every March, Bulgarians exchange red and white tokens of health and luck. Here's how to join the tradition of Baba Marta and martenitsi.

A jar of homemade Bulgarian rose jam with rose petals on a wooden table.
Lifestyle

How to Make Bulgarian Rose Jam: A Fragrant Treat from the Rose Valley

Capture the essence of Bulgaria's famous Damask roses in a simple homemade jam perfect for spreading on toast or swirling into yogurt.

Interior of a typical Bulgarian pharmacy with shelves of medicines and a counter.
Lifestyle

How to Use a Bulgarian Pharmacy: A Practical Guide for Everyday Needs

From over-the-counter basics to prescription pickups, here's what to know about navigating pharmacies in Bulgaria with confidence.

Festive Bulgarian birthday table with cake, banitsa, and drinks
Lifestyle

How to Celebrate a Bulgarian Birthday: Traditions and Tips for a Festive Gathering

From homemade banitsa to heartfelt toasts, Bulgarian birthday parties are warm and welcoming. Here’s what to expect and how to join in with confidence.

A red tram and a bus at a stop in a Bulgarian city
Lifestyle

How to Use Public Transport in Bulgaria: A Practical Guide for Newcomers

From the Sofia metro to city buses and trams, here's what you need to know to navigate Bulgaria's public transport with confidence.

A bowl of thick homemade Bulgarian yogurt with a spoon
Lifestyle

How to Make Bulgarian Yogurt (Kiselo Mlyako) at Home

Learn the simple, time-honoured method for making thick, tangy Bulgarian yogurt at home with just milk and a spoonful of starter.

A bowl of Bulgarian shopska salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onion and grated white cheese.
Lifestyle

How to Make Bulgarian Shopska Salad: A Fresh Classic for Every Table

Discover the simple joy of Bulgaria's national salad, made with ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onion and grated white cheese.

Exterior of a typical Bulgarian apartment block with balconies
Lifestyle

A Guide to Condominium Fees and Rules in Bulgaria: What Apartment Owners Need to Know

Living in a Bulgarian apartment block means navigating the condominium association. Here's how fees work, what rules you should expect, and how to participate in building decisions.