Bulgaria in May

Rose harvest begins late in the month in the Valley of Roses; green and mild everywhere.

No other month rates higher than May for Bulgaria in this guide.

• Sofia and the upland basins · Sofia, Bansko, Samokovbest weather

  At 550 m Sofia is cooler than the plains; snowy winters and warm summers; Vitosha skiing and hiking on the doorstep.

• Thracian plain and the Danube · Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, Veliko Tarnovo, Rusebest weather

  Hot summers (35 °C (95 °F)+), cold foggy winters; spring and autumn are ideal for city sightseeing.Hot summers (95 °F (35 °C)+), cold foggy winters; spring and autumn are ideal for city sightseeing.

• Black Sea coast · Varna, Nesebar, Burgas, Sozopolfine

  Swimming mid-June to mid-September; sea around 24–26 °C (75–79 °F) in August. Windy and grey in winter.Swimming mid-June to mid-September; sea around 75–79 °F (24–26 °C) in August. Windy and grey in winter.

• Mountains · Rila, Pirin, Rhodopes, Balkan rangefine

  Skiing December–March; high trails (Seven Rila Lakes, Vihren) snow-free from late June to September.

• Balkan Mountains: North foothills (Gabrovo, Tryavna) · Predbalkanbest weather

  Sheltered from the worst ridge wind; spring and autumn are the walking months, July–August afternoons are hot.

• Balkan Mountains: High ridge and passes · Central Balkan above about 1,500 mbest weather

  Snow can lie into May and return in October; the Shipka and Troyan passes close in heavy winter.

• Balkan Mountains: South side and Rose Valley (Karlovo, Kazanlak) · Podbalkanbest weather

  Warmer and drier than the north; roses bloom late May to early June.

• Bulgarian Black Sea Coast: Coast · Varna to Rezovobest weather

  Sea swimming is roughly June to September; July and August are the busiest and priciest. May and September give warm days with fewer people. Winter resorts close; many beach businesses shut from October.

• Bulgarian Shopluk: Sofia basin and the low mountains · Sofia, Pernik, Kyustendil, Pravetsbest weather

  Continental: hot summers, cold snowy winters; Sofia sits about 550 m up, so evenings are cool even in July.

• Bulgarian Shopluk: Rila and the high Balkan · Borovets, Samokov, Seven Lakes, Musalafine

  Alpine above about 2,000 m; snow lingers into May, the lakes thaw in June, and afternoon storms are common in July–August.

• North Bulgaria: Danube plain (Ruse, Pleven, Vidin) · Along the riverbest weather

  Continental: July–August 30 °C (86 °F)+ with humid river air; January can sit below 0 °C (32 °F) with snow and Danube fog.Continental: July–August 86 °F (30 °C)+ with humid river air; January can sit below 32 °F (0 °C) with snow and Danube fog.

• North Bulgaria: Fore-Balkan hills (Veliko Tarnovo, Gabrovo, Belogradchik) · Foothills of the Balkan Mountainsbest weather

  Slightly cooler than the plain; spring and autumn are the walking months.

• Pirin Macedonia: Struma and Mesta valleys · Blagoevgrad, Sandanski, Melnik, Banskobest weather

  Southern parts turn Mediterranean: Sandanski and Melnik are the warmest spots in Bulgaria, with mild winters and hot summers.

• Pirin Macedonia: Pirin and the western mountains · Pirin National Park, Belasitsafine

  Skiing December–March; high trails snow-free from late June to September.

• Southern Dobruja: Danube plain · Dobrich, Silistra, Tutrakanbest weather

  Continental: hot dry summers, cold winters with snow and Danube fog. May–June and September–October are the comfortable months.

• Upper Thracian Plain: Upper Thracian Plain · Maritsa and Tundzha valleys, Plovdiv to Svilengradbest weather

  Continental, with hot summers (30 °C (86 °F)+ common in July–August) and cold, sometimes snowy winters. May–June and September–October are the comfortable months; June can bring heavy rain.Continental, with hot summers (86 °F (30 °C)+ common in July–August) and cold, sometimes snowy winters. May–June and September–October are the comfortable months; June can bring heavy rain.

• Sofia22 °C (72 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 12 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 12 rain days
• Arbanassi23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 9 rain days
• Asenovgrad21 °C (70 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 5 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 5 rain days
• Balchik23 °C (73 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 3 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 3 rain days
• Bansko21 °C (70 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 12 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 12 rain days
• Belitsa19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 11 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 11 rain days
• Belogradchik20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 9 rain days
• Blagoevgrad22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 7 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 7 rain days
• Borovets18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 8 rain days
• Burgas21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 8 rain days
• Chiprovtsi20 °C (68 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 9 rain days
• Dobrich21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 9 rain days
• Dupnitsa20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 9 rain days
• Elhovo24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 11 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 11 rain days
• Gabrovo21 °C (70 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 12 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 12 rain days
• Haskovo23 °C (73 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 9 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 9 rain days
• Hisarya22 °C (72 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 10 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 10 rain days
• Isperih20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 4 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 4 rain days
• Kamen Bryag20 °C (68 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 6 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 6 rain days
• Karlovo22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 11 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 11 rain days
• Kazanlak22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 9 rain days
• Kiten22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 9 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 9 rain days
• Koprivshtitsa21 °C (70 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 12 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 12 rain days
• Kyustendil23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 7 rain days
• Lovech20 °C (68 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 10 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 10 rain days
• Montana20 °C (68 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 9 rain days
• Nesebar20 °C (68 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 6 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 6 rain days
• Pazardzhik24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 7 rain days
• Pernik20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 4 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 4 rain days
• Pirin National Park19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 8 rain days
• Pleven23 °C (73 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 9 rain days
• Plovdiv24 °C (75 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 9 rain days
• Pomorie22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 4 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 4 rain days
• Pravets22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 9 rain days
• Primorsko21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 7 rain days
• Rakovski20 °C (68 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 4 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 4 rain days
• Razgrad20 °C (68 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 9 rain days
• Rila19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 5 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 5 rain days
• Ruse20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 9 rain days
• Samokov20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 12 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 12 rain days
• Sarafovo23 °C (73 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 9 rain days
• Semkovo14 °C (57 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 13 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 13 rain days
• Sevlievo20 °C (68 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 5 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 5 rain days
• Shumen20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 5 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 5 rain days
• Silistra22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 8 rain days
• Sliven23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 9 rain days
• Sozopol22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 4 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 4 rain days
• Stara Zagora23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 4 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 4 rain days
• Sunny Beach23 °C (73 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 6 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 6 rain days
• Svilengrad23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 3 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 3 rain days
• Targovishte22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 10 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 10 rain days
• Tryavna20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 12 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 12 rain days
• Tsarevo22 °C (72 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 8 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 8 rain days
• Tutrakan24 °C (75 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 9 rain days
• Varshets20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 5 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 5 rain days
• Varvara21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 7 rain days
• Veliki Preslav20 °C (68 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 4 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 4 rain days
• Veliko Tarnovo22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 11 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 11 rain days
• Vidin24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 4 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 4 rain days
• Vratsa22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 8 rain days
• Yambol20 °C (68 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 8 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Orthodox Easter (Good Friday to Easter Monday) big impact

  Moves yearly (2 May 2027)

  Four-day holiday; midnight church services; buses and coast rooms fill.

• Labour Day

  1 May

  Holiday; people head to the mountains.

• St George's Day (Gergyovden)

  6 May

  Army day and lamb roasts; parade in Sofia.

• Day of Bulgarian Culture and the Cyrillic Alphabet

  24 May

  Processions of students; flowers at the statues of Cyril and Methodius.

• Day of Slavonic Literacy

  24 May · Sofia

  A public holiday with a parade.

Crowds · Bulgaria

Medium

Prices · Bulgaria

Medium

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Bulgaria, side by side.

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

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Rated best or good this month

• Sofia and the upland basins

  Best weather of the year (Sofia, Bansko, Samokov)

• Thracian plain and the Danube

  Best weather of the year (Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, Veliko Tarnovo, Ruse)

• Sofia

  Warm; long days.

• Arbanassi

  Best months: May–Oct

• Asenovgrad

  Best months: May–Oct

• Balchik

  Best months: May–Sep

• Belitsa

  Best months: May–Oct

• Belogradchik

  Best months: May–September

• Blagoevgrad

  Best months: May–June, Sep–Oct

• Chiprovtsi

  Best months: May–Sep

• Dobrich

  Best months: May–Sep

• Dupnitsa

  Best months: May–Oct