Bulgarian resorts are very popular with Russian tourists, especially for families with children, and there are many reasons for this: friendly people, mild climate, low prices. But in addition to buying air tickets, booking accommodation and obtaining a visa, you need to purchase currency before traveling to Bulgaria. The question is what?
Bulgarian lev
The national currency of Bulgaria is the lev. It is believed that the monetary unit received such a name from medieval coins circulated under Tsar Ivan Shishman. One lev is equal to 100 stotinka - this is a Bulgarian bargaining chip. The last time the appearance of the currency (and its "weight") changed in 1999 after the denomination. The Bulgarian National Bank issues banknotes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 leva and coins of 1, 2, 10, 20, 50 stotinki and 1 lev.
In international trade, the Bulgarian lev is designated BGN
Linking the leva to other currencies
Interestingly, the Bulgarian lev has always been pegged to some other “stronger” currency. So, after the liberation of Bulgaria during the Russian-Turkish war and the introduction of its own monetary units into circulation, the exchange rate was equated to the French franc. It is for this reason that the small change was then called centim, and only after it was given the Bulgarian name stotinka. During World War II, the lion was tied in the deutsche mark. And after the introduction of the euro, the Bulgarian National Bank established a rigid course, which still exists: 1 euro can be obtained for 1 lev 96 stotinki.
The exact exchange rate of the lev in relation to the euro is 1.95583. That is, 1,000 euros is worth 1.955.83 levs.
How to change levs?
Before traveling to Bulgaria, you can buy Bulgarian levs in Russia for rubles, but this is not always convenient, since you cannot predict the amount of expenses in the country in advance. Therefore, tourists take money with them and change it there.
The exchange rate of both the ruble and the dollar in Sofia is more profitable than in the resort area, as, indeed, in many countries where tourism is developed.
Due to the fact that the Bulgarian lev is tightly pegged to the euro, you can study the forecasts in the short term and take with you the currency that will be most profitable to exchange. So, if the dollar grows against the euro, it is better to take the American currency with you, since the same situation will be observed in relation to the Bulgarian money. If the European currency loses in value, it is better to buy it in Russia and exchange it in Bulgaria.
As for the exchange offices in Bulgaria, there are many of them, especially in places where foreigners gather. Before giving your money, it is important to carefully study all the plates, signs and announcements, since at the entrance there may be a large written about zero commission, and on the side - in small print and in Bulgarian - that this applies only to transactions of 1,000 euros … To avoid conflicts, it is best to show the banknote to the exchange office employee and ask him to write or type on the calculator the amount that can be obtained for it.
