Ceramics and embroidery
Bulgarians have a fine tradition of craftsmanship. The main craft centres are Samokov (woodcarving), Chiprovtsi (goldsmiths) and Troyan (ceramics and pottery). Visiting museums displaying the work of local artists, you'll have the chance to buy some of their wares. One of the best places to do this is the National Art Museum in Oreshak, near Troyan. In the larger towns, you'll also find a number of stores selling ceramic objects for everyday use (plates, bowls, pots, vases, glasses...) or for decorative purposes.
Bulgarians excel in the art of pottery and ceramics. Pottery is made from terracotta and ceramics from clay. The guyvetche is an essential terracotta pot used for cooking food in the oven. They come in all shapes and sizes and are an original souvenir to take home.
Embroidery also plays an important role in Bulgarian craftsmanship. Take a look at napkins, tablecloths or shirts with traditional hand-embroidered motifs.
Last but not least, although more difficult to transport (unless you're traveling with your own car), carpets from the revival period are another example of Bulgarian craftsmanship.
Just one word of warning: in "catch-all" stores, beware of objects that look antique when they're not. An expert eye can quickly tell the difference.
Religious and traditional memories of the country
If you want to bring back a religious souvenir, there is nothing better than an icon or a painting. In the majority of the monasteries there is a small store installed outside or inside the church where you can buy all kinds of religious objects. Apriltsi, near Troyan, was the birthplace of the tempora technique for icon painting. You will notice colorful spun bracelets hanging from the trees, usually near the monasteries. They are a kind of good luck charm associated with the prayers of the believers. You too can do this tradition or buy one of these bracelets. Near some monasteries, sellers even have a whole alley where they display various religious or non-religious objects, installed in their little hut.
Another original and typical Bulgarian souvenir: a traditional costume with embroidery whose technique varies according to the region. Or kukeri masks which are generally leather or wooden masks with multicolored feathers. The latter, in the belief of the kukeri, would protect the house from evil.
The CDs of traditional songs, whose Bulgarian voices are among the most beautiful and original in the world, should appeal to the musically curious who still have a CD player. Why not try playing an instrument of Bulgarian folklore: the duduk or kaval, two kinds of flutes, easy to carry.
In addition to religious paintings, there are also contemporary paintings such as those exhibited at the Nina Gallery in Sofia.
Finally, whether you read Cyrillic or not, bringing back a book in this script will remind you that you were in a country where the writing is different from ours. A good bookstore for this is the Elephant Bookstore in Sofia. It is up to you to choose a well-known book like Harry Potter in Cyrillic or by a Bulgarian author. Ask the bookseller for advice, in English..
Bulgarian wines and other drinks
Did you know that Bulgarian wines have a good reputation? If you can't bring any back in your suitcase, you can taste them on the spot. Each of Bulgaria's regions has its own grape varieties, producing some very interesting wines, most of them Pinot Noir. Among the most famous, choose hamza-suhindd, khan krul or chergai. Only a few vineyards in the Rila region welcome the public for a visit and sell their bottles directly. You'll find wine not only in supermarkets, but also in specialist wine stores, such as Tempus Vini Wine in Sofia or Enoteca Wine & Friends in Bourgas.
As for stronger spirits, try and take along rakija, a type of vodka, or mastika, a drink similar to Greek ouzo. For this, you'll need to love aniseed.
For beer lovers, some brewers offer their own hop-based beverages, such as Aveu Beers in Varna.
Rose products
Temple of the rose with its valley whose flower made its reputation, the stores around products based on rose are found in all major cities of the country: Sofia, Varna, Bourgas, Veliko Tarnovo, Plovdiv ... The best known brands are Refan and Rose of Bulgaria. You will find cosmetics and perfumes made of rose essential oil, or soap. Other stores also offer candies and jams with rose, a treat.
Gastronomic specialities not to be missed
As far as food is concerned, you will easily find stores specialized in typical Bulgarian products. So, maybe you will be tempted by the local sausages, the most famous of which is the syrokopcherye, the mermaid cheese (which can be found in all supermarkets), the Lebanese pita bread which is however very much consumed by the Bulgarians. For sweetness, there are nut sweets or rahat-loukoums.
