The Best of Vidin Bulgaria – Located on the banks of the Danube River, Vidin is a city found in the northwestern portion of Bulgaria. It is one of the oldest cities in Bulgaria, and as such, it has a very rich history that truly starts in the 1st century when it was occupied by the Romans. The Ottomans ruled the area from 1396 to 1878, at which time the area of Vidin became free of the Turks.
As beautiful as the town is, it one of the poorest in Europe. Still, it has gained some ground thanks to the tourism that comes from river cruises. The town features some fantastic historical sites and cultural sites that are sure to be popular with many travelers.
Belogradchik is located in the Vidin province in the foothills of the Balkans, and it has some truly breathtaking rock formations. It is a small town that you can experience simply by walking. You can learn more about the great cities along the Danube River Here.
Vidin Weather – Best Time to Visit Vidin
Located in the northern hemisphere, Vidin Bulgaria enjoys its summer between the months of June to August when the days are long, temperatures hot and weather dry. This is peak tourist season and unsurprisingly given the reliably sunny days with temperatures averaging 86°F though June often sees the highest rainfall.
Spring (April to May) is a great time to visit Bulgaria with pleasant temperatures, especially along the coast which enjoys climatic influences from the Mediterranean. September can also offer good weather though temperatures drop dramatically from October onwards when the country is often carpeted in snow. The resorts along the coast close for the season and ski resorts start claiming the vast majority of Bulgaria’s visitors.
Top Vidin Sights Not to Miss
Baba Vida Fortress
Baba Vida is a medieval castle in Vidin in northwestern Bulgaria and the town’s primary landmark. It consists of two concentric curtain walls and about nine towers of which three are preserved to their full medieval height, including the original battlements, and is the only entirely preserved medieval castle in the country.
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St. Dimitar
Vidin is an important religious center. The proof for that statement is St. Dimitar – the second biggest church in Bulgaria after St. Alexander Nevski in Sofia. The dome is 33 meters high. Absolute beauty and must-see. The art is amazing, including some original art that had been done by some young people. The dome is stunning, so look up, don’t miss it.
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St. Panteleimon Church
St. Panaeleimon church is really a small chapel located in the garden of the Bishop’s palace. Built of stone and bricks, it was completed around 1634, but its decorations have been added in later years. The rectangular nave abuts to a circular apse. The ceiling is decorated by magnificent and well-preserved frescoes and an outstanding iconostasis.
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Belogradchik Rocks
The massive Belogradchik sandstone and limestone rock formations cover an area of around 90 sq. km and tower over the town. The rocks, standing up to 200m high, were sculpted over millions of years by natural compression. Several hiking trails of varying difficulty lace through the rocks. The tourist information center has a map of the routes.
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Belogradchik Fortress
The Romans constructed the fortress between the first and third centuries CE. Notice the openings for guns and the three bastions for cannons on the fortress walls. Climb to the highest point of the fortress, called the first slab, for a view of the 230 ft. high rocks on the other side of the yard. The site also features a monument dedicated to the leaders of the uprising against Ottoman rule, who were taken away through one of the fortress tunnels and beheaded.
Best Vidin Restaurants
Pri Ivan $30 & Over
Get ready for an incredible culinary adventure featuring traditional national, Balkan and European cuisine and a wide variety of alcoholic beverages. Our magic happens when you feel the irresistible aroma flowing from the kitchen and when you have a breath-taking view of the famous Belogradchik rocks. Telephone: 359 87 920 7712 Web: Pri Ivan
Fish’n’grill Dunava $11 – 30
Restaurant Fish & Grill Dunava brings a feeling of coziness, romance and timelessness. Whichever table you sit at in the restaurant, you will enjoy a wonderful view. The most beautiful are the sunrises and sunsets over the river, the full moon in the evening, the swaying of the waves from the passing ships, and also, of course, the lights of the newly built “New Europe” bridge. Telephone: 359 88 908 8673 Web: Fish’n’Grill Dunava
Classic $11 – 30
Classic or ‘Classic Pizza’ as it is known locally is a large, clean and friendly restaurant situated on the banks of the Danube. The menu is comprehensive and has the largest selection of specialty salads. Portions are generous and the quality of the food is good. Telephone: 359 89 865 8598 Web: Classic
Restorant TEATROTO $11 – 30
This is a good place to order perfectly cooked pizza and tasty fish. It’s easy to find Restaurant “Teatro” due to its convenient location. The appealing staff reflects the style and character of this place. Great service, great food, along with great prices. Telephone: 359 89 680 0346 TripAdvisor: Restorant Teatroto
Mislen Kamak $10 & Under
Super nice place! Beautiful view. Classic Bulgarian dishes, low price and friendly stuff. If you want to feel the real Bulgarian spirit you can find it here! Compare to other touristic places here is super nice and calm! Telephone: Web: Mislen Kamak
That location sounds like a wonderful place to visit. After more time there, I can say that I do think Vidin is a fun destination to visit. Before I stumbled across this piece, the recommendation was originally given to me by a friend who lives in Bulgaria. At the moment, I am in the country of Bahrain. And this is my very first time in this location. I’m going to take a couple of your suggestions into consideration while I work on formulating a strategy. Many, many thanks for the post you shared. I will most certainly pass this along.
You are most welcome. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. I would be happy to answer them or help plan your itinerary.
Nice travel destination there. I now agree that Vidin is a fun place to be. I actually first got the recommendation from a friend in Bulgaria before I can across this post. I am currently in Bahrain. And it is my first time here. I’m going to look at a few of your recommendations and come up with a plan 😀 Thanks Leahrae
Sounds great! Please let me know if I can help with your travel planning. And I am glad you are enjoying your visits to Beach Travel Destinations.