Are Bulgaria and Romania safe countries for tourists (cities + countryside) ?

Show all answers

LAJOIE2007

In terms of safety, Romania and Bulgaria are no different than any other E.U. nations. I can tell you that in the month that I spent visiting both countries this summer, I didn't hear of a single local murder or act of violence on the news. The problems of gypsies, theft, and pickpocketing are widespread on the European continent so just take the same precautions you would anywhere else. However, traffic accidents, and fatal ones are quite frequent, so really, your main area of concern, as others have mentioned, will be the driving. In Bucharest the traffic is an absolute mess in most part because of the massive construction project going on - reduced lanes - can you believe I saw traffic jams on the sidewalk I was walking on - pot holes, detours, one way streets, etc. - just chaos. As well, stop signs and speed limits are not consistently observed so be extra careful both as a driver and as a pedestrian. Outside of the capital and in most cities road conditions are pretty good, but again my recommendation is to drive defensively at all times...on national highways watch out for the occasional cart on the side of the road. And remember that if you drive, your blood alcohol level has to be zero. The same applies for Bulgaria. I haven't been to the capital Sofia, but I have been on highways to the coast and again my recommendation is to drive defensively.

In both countries it's okay to buy fruits, vegetables, and eggs from the road side stands - just make sure of course that you wash the produce very well.

Other than that, in both countries, the people are for the most part accommodating (although I found the Bulgarians to be a tad more friendly than the Romanians), particularly in the country side and on the coast. In the cities the people tend to be a little more abrupt, but that's their nature.

The best place to look for safety/security information on a country is in the government/consular regional travel reports for each country: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html

Also you can look at the travel reports on the Canadian Department of foreign affairs: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/ctry/reportpage-en.asp

You'll find all the info you need in these reports including where to find the nearest consulate/embassy, exit/entry requirements, weather, etc.

So enjoy your trip to both countries - for Romania in particular, I hope you can see beyond Bucharest and get out to the beautiful mountains, picturesque (and clean) cities of Transylvania, and unique monasteries of Moldova. Petrecere frumoasa! (Bon voyage in Romanian - sorry don't know in Bulgarian)

Vaggos.Gr

I've never been in Bulgaria or Romania so i can't answer your question.
I want only to make a comment.
I am not from Bulgaria,Romania or East Europe, but i can't understand some people who say that they are not like West European Countries and are East.

Why all the countries in EU must look like France or UK ?
Each country has her own identity, culture etc.
That makes her unique !

malasorte71

I live here and i can tell you that Romania is safe. But pay attention to the every gipsy - the usually stole.
I don't want to be rude, but i don't think Bulguria is a safe country. It is renowned for the their corrupt authorities.

If you have planned to visit Bucharest and after that Transilvanya (Bran Castle, Sibiu - European Capital of Culture, Sighisoara - an ashtonishing medieval city), i suggest you to go on the Prahova Valley. It is the link between Bucharest and Transilvania. And if you do so, you will pass through Ploiesti city. I would be glad to show you in a few hours the beauties of Ploiesti. So, if you want to have a tour of Ploiesti, please contact me.

pcmanbv

"Safe" depends on regions i think.... u can see very poor town, cities, but also nice ones too. Brasov is a nice place to visit, also Bran, Sighisoara, Korond. U can have few trips in the mountains too. Many tourists come to Brasov especially for the Black Church. People are more friendly in Transilvania, and know english.
http://www.ischiatour.ro
http://www.carpati.org/album/piatra_mare/2458/

Petra

I live in Brasov. Romania. It is very safe here aside from crazy drivers and pickpocts (which I have yet to encounter) I would say go for it and head towards Brasov when your in Romania it is beatuiful and we have some wonderful things to see here. Avoid Bucharest it is dirty and ugly and not 1/2 as wonderful as where we are..

Martin M

In terms of Bulgaria, the countryside will pose absolutely no problems as far as your safety is concerned.

Cities will generally give yo the same problems any other City worldwide would give. Therefore same awareness and precautions should be taken when in these places.

fast&furious

I'm from Romania, and I'm telling you that Romania might be not safe by European standards(Gypsy's...) but it's more safer than US. The worst thing can happend to you is to get robbed by somebody...

NotoFroto

I have been to Bulgaria... it is safe... but you have to realize its different than Western Europe. I happen to think that Bosnia and Serbia were much nicer than where I went in Bulgaria. That being said I went to Sofia, not the sea side (which I hear is really nice).

You should consider also going to Bosnia and Serbia, these countries are really safe. They just get a bad rap because of that war that happened thirteen years ago.

You may think that Bulgaria and Romania is safer because its in the EU but that really is only politics. From what I understand it has to do with their relations with the US (and letting the US build bases in their country).

In short. Bulgaria and Romania are both safe countries with lots of tourists. Romania has more gypsies. Bulgaria is nice... but it is still eastern Europe so there is more poverty than western Europe.

I really did like Serbia, Bulgaria and Bosnia.

I hope I helped... if you want more ideas about traveling you can check out my blog at
http://www.scottstravelblog.com

Happy Travels

ramona e l

Any trip may involve some kind of risk, right? All sorts of accidents can happen wherever you go. Though I live in Romania, I believe some are making too great a fuss about gipsies. It always depends on how one treats others, provided one has some common sense ... I don't know about Bulgaria, but Romania is safe, it has beautiful countryside. I would also recommend visiting Brasov and avoiding Bucharest. I recently spent 7 months in Germany, for instance, and returning back home didn't make me feel like going back in no man's land. Have fun!

alLe

I see that some people don't like Bulgaria so much... I live here and I do admit that some stuff are not going well. Sofia is a good example. If you want to have fun in BG you should choose the countryside. I suggest Veliko Tyrnovo, it's where I live, and some places at the sea side. But you have to choose very carefully.
I don't really know a place that provides information about the safety. I live here for my whole life and it was pretty safe :) It's true about the gipsies. They are a nasty thing (some of them). If you go to the sea side, it's good to keep your money in a place where you are sure no one will touch them. As for Veliko Tyrnovo, it's pretty much safe.

As for Romania... I know nothing. I guess it's a nice place to visit and when I have time I'll go there ;)

You should know that it's pretty much cheap here. That's why so many people want to come.. Such a pity.. Out country is great!

Tay

Yes, Romania is safe. Be careful of pocket pinchers! Keep your money safe to you at all times! Good luck and have fun, lucky thing! :)

Aura

Believe it's safe. I live in Bucharest and there is more police here on the street then in New York.

It's a beautiful country and there are loads of cool places to check out. You can read the history on every piece of wall, street, river, mountain... it's amazing. And lucky for you almost everybody can speak English in Romania.

One bad thing though... Many gypsies invaded this country, I wish they could go the hell back from where they came. They won't harm you, they live like normal people.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: