The Telegraph: 19 Reasons why you Should Visit Bulgaria

Regular readers will know that Bulgaria features at the top of nearly every survey into the cheapest destinations in Europe. But there's more to the eastern European country than its price tag. Allow us to introduce you to the reasons Bulgaria really should be your next holiday.

1. It's cheap as chips

First things first, let's address the cost. Sunny Beach, one of the country's most popular beach resorts on the Black Sea, has been named the cheapest beach getaway in Europe for the fourth time in four years by the Post Office. Using a basket of holiday essentials, including a three-course meal for two with a bottle of wine (just £19.53 here), as a barometer, Sunny Beach was way out in front of second place, the Algarve. This came as no surprise to us.

2. Its beaches are more than Sunny

But what of the beaches? Sunny Beach sounds idyllic, doesn't it? "It's cheap and cheerful, with some fairly rough and ready communist-era constructions," said Telegraph Travel's Adrian Bridge, following a visit to the resort of Varna, just north of Sunny beach. "But there are some nice cafes and restaurants. We drank a couple of beers (£1.30 for two) and ordered fresh fish from the Black Sea."

3. It has cute, coastal towns

Approximately a third of Bulgaria's 378km Black Sea coast is made up of golden, sandy beaches. Along it you will find some charming coastal outcrops, such as Nessebar, the "Pearl of the Black Sea" and a Unesco World Heritage site.

4. And surprisingly epic mountains

Bulgaria's beauty does not stop at beaches. Indeed, it barely starts, given the country's remarkably picturesque mountains. Take the Rila range, Bulgaria's highest and rife with tempting hikes. Its ancient Thracian name means "well-watered mountain"...