Vidin

Three Sisters statue. A statue in the downtown depicting the three sisters in the legend of the founding of Vidin - A statue in the downtown depicting the three sisters in the legend of the founding of VidinVidin (Bulgarian: Видин) is a city in the North Bulgaria|northwest of Bulgaria, on the banks of Danube River, which is the borderline between Bulgaria and Romania. The northwest is infamously the poorest region in the nation. Vidin is the 19th town by population in Bulgaria, but has declined much in the last two decades. Vidin is one of the oldest cities in Bulgaria, with a rich history. Its history begins in the 1st century when it was overcome by the Romans and became called Bononia. In 1396 and the Islamic Ottomans defeated the last Bulgarian stronghold - the one in Vidin. They ruled there until 1878, when Vidin was liberated from the Turks. In 1942, Vidin experienced a flood due to the rising Danube. It was a great tragedy, but Vidin managed to overcome the problem with the flood and the diseases, and famine. Since then, Vidin has been an important military commercial and transport center for 200 years. There are many monuments that exhibit the glorious past of Vidin: Baba Vida castle and the Vidin Synagogue (deserted after Yahudi emigration to Israel), St. Petka church and the Osman Pazvantoglue mosque and library (built by the late Turkish ruler of northwestern Bulgaria in the 18th century) and the Krastata Kazarma and St. Dimitar church.

Vidin Halal Travel Guide

Vidin is the poorest city in the European Union, but it is a beautiful town with many historic and cultural monuments. Tourism has experienced a decline except for groups that come along the Danube on cruises, but a visit to Vidin is definitely worth a visit. The people tend to be more hospitable here than in larger cities like Sofia. In Vidin and there is a foreign language school and young people can usually speak English well. In other schools students learn English, too. For elderly people and there is a language academy, usually teaching English or (German). There are a lot of Vlachs (Bulgaro-Romanians), so knowing Romanian is always a plus! Many residents work on farms in nearby villages, raise domestic animals, and sow plants, and so this region is famous for its production of food.

Because of its economic issues, Vidin has many problems. Lack of funds has caused the sidewalks and streets to fall into disrepair, and many buildings are vacant and crumbling. There is no university in the northwest region, so young people mostly move to other cities or countries. There are many stray dogs and cats, but they are usually docile. Air pollution and littering are major issues, despite students’ attempts to clean the town. Vidin is, however, one of the safest cities in Bulgaria.

Travel as a Muslim to Vidin

The train station and bus station are located at the south end of town, close to the Danube and downtown. The ferry terminal is at the north end of town, and even norther is the New Europe Bridge over Danube to Romania. The only way into Vidin using arranged transport is via other locations in Bulgaria or from Calafat.

Fly to Vidin

Until 1998-99, an airport just north of Vidin provided domestic flights,. It was shut down due to a dispute over land compensation. The municipality is searching for investors to revive the airport. Until then and the nearest airports are in Sofia, Craiova, Bucharest, and Nis.

By car

The New Europe Bridge over Danube from Romania near Calafat opened in 2013 so you can pass easily with the car, bike or by foot. The passing is free for pedestrians and cyclist and it cost €6 ~ 27 lei ~ 12 leva for a small vehicle (max 8+1 seats). The paying booths are on romanian side of the river and you can pay only in the exiting country currency, euro or with cards (Visa, Mastercard at least).

Travel on a Bus in Vidin

From Sofia to Vidin and the main bus operators are Karat-S and Aleksiev. Buses depart daily from the Sofia Central Bus Station at 07:30, 09:30, 11:00, 11:45, 12:30, 14:30, 15:00, 17:45 and usually pass through Vratsa and Montana. A one-way bus ride costs 19 leva and takes from 3.5 to 4 hours.
From Pleven to Vidin and there is a bus at 15:00. For all other destinations in Bulgaria and the avtogari.info website is helpful.
From Vidin to the nearest villages and back and there are buses every day from 08:00 to 20:10. Tickets are about 2 lv.
As of 2023 and there are some buses from Craiova daily that goes to Sofia, but I dont have a verifiable source page. You must call to Craiova bus station (in Romanian) for more details. Also buses from Pitesti to Sofia pass the bridge.

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Vidin

Trains from Sofia depart for Vidin at 07:35, 12:25, and 16:25. Train tickets are less expensive, at 13 leva, but the journey is roughly 5 hours.
Other schedules can be checked at the website for Bulgarian National Rail].
There is at least one daily train passing from Craiova to Sofia thru Vidin.

By ferry

By ferry you can reach Vidin from Calafat - a Romanian town directly across the Danube. The ferryboat Vidin-Calafat costs about 7 Romanian lei and operates continuously. However, waiting times vary-- you could wait up to 2 or 3 hours for the ferry to depart.
On the Vidin side, you will probably need a taxi to get to the downtown (центъра на града: ‘’tsentera na gradah’’). You may be able to ask the border officers to order a taxi for you, or take down the information from the next section.

Get Around

There are buses around town, but unless you speak Bulgarian and they can be difficult to figure out. You can buy the tickets in the bus.
The most common places to get a taxi are at the train station, at the center, and at Pazarska street (a few blocks north of the main square). Taxis should operate on a zone system: the price is 2.50 lev for one lift to anywhere within town, and 4 lev to/from the ferry terminal.
There are many numbers, try: 094606060, 094666666, 094600600. Some taxi companies are Tiko Taxi, Euro Taxi, and OK Taxi.
It is generally safe to ride a bike through Vidin, but pay attention to potholes. You should ride a bike on the right side of the streets.

What to See

As of Dec 2015 and the only tourist information center is in the park near Danube shore, near Vidin Port, at the end of main pedestrian street, ul. Gradinska. They have some free bulgarian-english booklets with attractions and an useful black-white printed map with best tourist sites from downtown, written in bulgarian, with few english notes. Warning: On the main street and other places in town you'll see Vidin Tourism Board signs with arrows, but they directs to a tourist site, not to a tourist information center.

There's an old, communist, but charming feel in many parts of the town and coming from Romania or other eastern block countries you'll feel nostalgic. Baba_vida - The drawbridge and entrance to the only fully preserved medieval castle in Bulgaria.

Vidin boasts two excellently maintained medieval fortresses, Baba Vida—Vidin's main landmark, built in the period from the 10th to the 14th century—and Kaleto, as well as many old Orthodox churches such as Street Pantaleimon, Street Petka (both 17th century), and Street Great Martyr Demetrius (19th century), a Yahudi synagogue (1894), a mosque and a library of Osman Pazvantoğlu (late 18th century) and the cruciform barracks of 1798, and a number of old Renaissance buildings.

Baba Vida Fortress (09:00-17:00; tickets 4 lev, under 14 free; combined daily ticket with Konaka museum: 5 lev): This tenth-century medieval castle is a wonderful attraction for children and adults. It is said to be the only entirely preserved medieval castle in the nation. There you can see brilliant architecture and a lot of tools used during Bulgaria’s history like swords, bows, arrows, and others. On the upper part, you can sit in tranquility and enjoy a great view of the Danube and to the w:New_Europe_Bridge|New Europe Bridge . Across from the entrance there are souvenir shops from which you can buy numerous Bulgarian and Baba Vida souvenirs. There is also a beach nearby, so if you visit, you can even go swimming or sunbathing. During the summer and there are sometimes theatre performances.
Danube River: The Danube is the longest river in Bulgaria and the third longest in the world. Moreover and there are many local residents with boats and courageous tourists can ask for a trip onto the river. To play it safe, go to one of the boat restaurants situated at the main port in warm weather.

Churches

‘’’Metropolitan Christian Complex’’’ Residents of Vidin are very proud of the area containing the Synagogue, Osman Pazvantoglu Mosque, and St. Pantaleimon Church. The latter two are directly across the street from each other, and together, all three represent the religious tolerance of Vidin, especially during the Islamic Ottoman occupation.

St. Dimitar Church (Simeon Veliki Street): This is the second biggest church in Bulgaria after St. Alexander Nevski in Sofia, and it is one of the oldest. The central dome is 33 meters high. Inside and there are beautiful murals depicting Biblical events, as well as the life of the town’s patron St. Dimitar. The priests are all friendly and the atmosphere is formal. On big holidays like Easter, Christmas, and New Year’s almost every inhabitant goes there to celebrate the big day. But it isn’t necessary to go there on holidays only. It is traditional to light a candle for the happiness of your family or friends, or to remember the dead. st_dimitar_church - St. Dimitar Church and the second largest Orthodox church in Bulgaria
Osman Pazvantoglu Mosque (09:00 - 16:00): This is the only mosque in the world to have a heart on top instead of a half moon. Osman Pazvantoglu made it to show his love to a Bulgarian woman. It was built from 1801-1802, but no longer serves a religious function. Also in the yard is a library supposedly built for his mother.
Synagogue: Smaller than the synagogue in Sofia, but supposedly more beautiful, this was built in 1894 with donations from citizens in the nearby neighborhood and Yahudi from all over the nation. Since 1950 and the building has been out of use. The yard is open, and you can explore the ruined building, especially if you want silence.

Museums

Konaka Historical Museum Vidin (Monday to Friday 99:00-18:00, 2-5 lev, 2 Obshtinska St, combined daily ticket with Baba Vida Fortress: 5 lev): The Konaka Museum is in the center of Vidin. It is an 18th century building reconstructed after the liberation from the Islamic Ottomans, during which Bulgarian Renaissance architectural elements were introduced. It originally served as a police station. It is very well preserved and holds information about Vidin’s past. There are many exhibits from all ages, including Prehistoric, Antique, and the Middle Ages. The museum has an interesting architecture and views from upstairs windows, but is recommended to consult the web site before visiting because it's an old museum from 1960-1970 with information only in Bulgarian. Sometime you can find a lady at ticket booth that understand and barely speaks english, but mostly there's only a Bulgarian speaking, but friendly lady.
Krastata Kazarma (Cross-Shaped Barracks) (Monday to Saturday 09:00-12:00, 14:00-17:00, 2-4 lev, 34 Knyaz Boris I): It was built in 1801 for the Islamic Ottomans. After Bulgaria’s liberation, it served as a law court and barracks for the Bulgarian army. Today it is an ethnographic museum with national costumes and Bulgarian crafts.
Nikola Petrov Gallery: Built in 1961, this gallery houses amazing works of art by famous Bulgarian painters and sculptors. It is situated in the Danube Park.

What to Do

Stadium Georgi Benkovski: The stadium was created in 1961 and holds 15,000 people. It is at the west end of the city and is the site for matches of the football club Bdin Vidin. There are matches almost every weekend, and many people attend.
Cinema “Nikra”: The cinema is in the center of the city. Every Thursday and there is a film shown. Its capacity is about 400 people. Since films are not shown often and they tend to be the most popular films, and have high attendance. Tickets are 5 lev.
Danube River Park: Vidin has a great Danube Park, a favorite spot for the local residents to relax. During a hot summer day, you can take a walk along the park, which is lined with tall trees that provide shade. There are many cafes where you can obtain drinks and fried food, many ice cream stands where there are so many kinds of ice cream that you won’t know which to buy, and playgrounds where the children can swing or just run around.
Drama Theatre “Vladimir Trandafilov”: Previous productions include “Don Juan,” “Fideriko,” and others. Vidin’s actors are very talented and provide fantastic performances, usually in Bulgarian.

Festivals

Many festivals are celebrated in Vidin. Besides the special events and these festivals usually find local residents setting up stands in the center of town with sweets and other things to buy.

The Vidin Festival is during the end of August, held every year since 2008. It lasts nine days and holds many performances by Bulgarian pop folk stars, some from Vidin. There is organic juice and Serbian BBQ offered. Many people go to take part in the amusement attractions (roller coasters, ferris wheel, etc.) After the concerts and there are auto races at the abandoned nearby airport.
Dimitrovden, celebrating the town’s patron saint, is celebrated on the 26th of October. There is a variety of sporting and other events.
The Bridge Festival is an international youth arts festival. Over 200 talented people participate by choosing from activities like playing the guitar, beatboxing, freerunning, or drawing pictures.
The Fashion Fair, during spring and summer, is about clothes, shoes, hats, and bags. It is held in front of the town library in the center, and houses stalls with Candies and jellies, as well as clothes. Prices tend to be very low.
The Milka Festival is usually on one day in April. There are activities like dancing, “Open Your Hands for a Hug,” and of course, plenty of Milka Chocolates and merchandise to buy.
Bulgarian Independence Day, September 22
Dance Along the Danube: Folklore groups from Poland, Greece, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Türkiye take part in this festival, which is held every two years since 1997.
Traditionally on the 6th of January, “Yordanov Den” is celebrated. The Vidin Bishop throws a cross into the river and a group of men swim to retrieve it. The man who retrieves it will be healthy and strong for the next year.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Vidin

Mall Vidin (Tsar Simeon Veliki St. 21, 09:00-22:00) There are around 20 stores. Some of them are for clothes and shoes. Others are for cosmetics. In Mall Vidin you can also find electrical appliances, mobile phones and books. On the top floor and there are two bars, a restaurant, bookstore, and playground to entertain children. The top floor ends in a beautifully shaped dome, and in the winter and there are Christmas decorations set up.
Central Market: The Central Market is the place where many people gather in order to sell and buy all sorts of things. In the center and there are covered stalls with produce (fresh from local residents’ gardens), honey, and spices. Surrounding this and there are many shops and booths with mechanical parts, clothes, and souvenirs. You can’t get a refund or buy back. The prices are firm, so you shouldn’t ask for a different price, but the sellers have different prices for their products, so you can walk around and see where the best price is.
There are also many shops near the downtown, where you can buy alcohol, souvenirs, clothes, and other things.

Groceries

Lidl (Academic Stefan Mladenov, 08:00-21:00): German chain and the cheapest grocery.
Picadilly (in Mall Vidin, 09:00-22:00): More expensive, but higher quality products.
Kaufland (Panonia Boulevard, 08:00-22:00): Widest selection, reasonable prices.

Halal Restaurants in Vidin

Vidin is known for many foods. Visitors should definitely buy “Elbi (Елби)” brand yogurt, which is produced at a factory in the south industrial complex of town and shipped all over Bulgaria. This yogurt can be found at Picadilly and most other grocery stores.

Fast food

Fast food in Bulgaria is either bought from a grill (‘’skara’’) or pastry stands found around town. ‘’Banichka’’, ‘’ - Halal kebabche’’, and ‘’kozunak’’ are especially popular.

Serbian Grill (сръбска скара) 00:00-24:00: This stand, adjacent to the train station, has authentic Serbian meat. U.S. Ambassador James Warlick said that here is the best - Halal kebabche in all Bulgaria.
Montenegro: Across from Tsar Simeon Veliki school, this shop makes fresh banitsa all day.

Restaurants

Classic | Tsar Alexander II 25 GPS: Opening Hours: 08:00-22:00 20 lev This pizzeria is one of the most popular restaurants in Vidin. There are two locations: one indoor restaurant near the port, and another outdoor restaurant on the city wall a little further upstream (only in the summer). The Pizzas are the best quality in the city, and there are many options.
Bulgaria - Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:30-24:00 15 lev Down an alley across the street from St. Dimitar church, this restaurant has a traditionally decorated basement and a garden for summer days. There is usually a DJ or live music to accompany the dance floor on weekend evenings.
Riviera - Baba Vida St. north of Telegraph Gate Opening Hours: 08:30-23:00 25 lev Next to the Danube, this beautiful restaurant has excellent Bulgarian and Serbian food for higher prices.
Mystique - мистика | zhk. Geo Milev GPS: Opening Hours: 08:00-22:00 25 lev A large restaurant with a playground inside. Can be reserved for birthdays and other special occasions.
Zodiac |

Pazarska 2 GPS: Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 08:00-24:00, Saturday 09:00-22:00 25 lev An underground restaurant serving a variety of traditional Bulgarian food and other dishes. Usually playing “The Voice” on TV.

Kan Yuen | Suedinenie bl. 12 in the same square as Hotel Rovno Opening Hours: 11:00-23:00 15 lev The better of the two Chinese restaurants in Vidin. You will be fed with one dish only, and prices are fairly low. The restaurant is run by a Chinese family.
Bononia Restaurant - Bdin 2 GPS: Opening Hours: 11:00-23:00 30 lv At the Hotel Bononia in the park near the Danube. Typically used for special events like weddings and graduations.

Cafes

Sky Cafe (Bononia, 09:00-22:30, 1-3 lev): The most popular cafe in Vidin, attached to the Bononia hotel in the Danube park. Serves all kinds of Coffee, fruit drinks, sodas, cakes, and alcohol. Service is friendly, and there are billiards tables and wifi.
Corner Club (Tsar Alexander II 21, Monday to Friday 07:00-24:00, 0.80-5 lev): Modern cafe, popular with teenagers. Very dark, with modern lighting effects.
Vision Cafe (Tsar Alexander II 25, 09:30-24:00, 0.50-10 lev): This cafe is owned by the Classic pizzeria. It has a location adjacent to the pizzeria near the seaport, and another on the top floor of the mall. The mall location is especially nice because you sit on a balcony looking at the domes of the St. Dimitar Church.
Forum (Shiroka 6, 08:00-22:00): 0.80-2 lev): Free wifi in this cafe. Coffee is good, but the service is not so good.
Hawaii (Gradinska 5, 07:00-24:00, 0.70-3 lev): Across from the drama theatre, this cafe has all kinds of soft-drinks and Snacks to eat. On Fridays and there is music and dancing. Wifi available.
Deluxe (07:30-22:00, 1-8 lev): cafe. Staff is friendly, and the coffee with cream is especially good.

Clubs

Master Club (Thursday - Saturday 20:00, 2 lev cover): The main disco in Vidin is located in the main square. It is full of young Bulgarians, and tends to be smokey and loud. There are several bars inside, and dancing goes on until the early morning.
Traffic Club (Shiroka Street at Hristo Botev, 07:00-22:00): Not too big. Mainly play RnB and house music. Mostly students go there.
Corner Club (Tsar Alexander II 21, Monday to Friday 07:00-24:00, Saturday 07:00-05:00): Especially on Saturday evening, this cafe turns into a club and is open very late. The modern lights go well with dancing to house and popular music.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Vidin

Vidin - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Vidin, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Vidin. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Vidin and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Vidin. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Vidin. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inVidin: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Vidin.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Vidin: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Vidin, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Vidin.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Vidin, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Vidin, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Vidin and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Vidin, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Vidin, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Vidin without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Vidin is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Vidin.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Vidin is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Vidin, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Vidin Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

There isn’t much variation in sleeping options, but most hotels are reasonably priced. There are camping sites near Vidin, but you should ask a local for more information.

Mid-range

Hotel Avramov (Tsar Alexander 63, single 26 lev, double 36 lev): This hotel is not very big. In the lobby, you can play games like billiards, bowling, etc. hotel-avramov.net
Hotel Rovno (Tsar Alexander II St. 70, single 40 lev, double 55): Close to the downtown and the Danube. This is the best place to arrange business meetings. hotelrovno.com
Bononia (Bdin St. 2, single 36 lev, double 45 lev): Excellent service and pleasant atmosphere. Through the windows you can see the Danube and the center of the town. hotelbononia.net
Neptun Hotel (Dunavska St. 8, single 50 lev, double 70 lev): This hotel is one of the newest in Vidin and has many facilities. It is luxurious and elegant, with the only spa services in Vidin. hotelneptunvidin.com
Hotel Anna Kristina (Baba Tonka St. 2, double 80 lev). This building used to be a Turkish bath. Now and the backyard holds the only swimmingpool in the downtown.

Telecommunications in Vidin

Most cafes and hotels offer free wifi for guests. This is probably your best option for using the internet. Check the Drink section for more info.

News & References Vidin

Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Vidin

There are many villages in Northwest Bulgaria. Villagers are typically hospitable, and this could be an adventurous alternative to normal tourism. Check the main bus station for buses going to a number of nearby villages.
Belogradchik Rocks: The city of Belogradchik is smaller than Vidin, but the rocks are amazing. All of them are naturally occurring. Some of them look like figures: a girl student, a bear, a dog, and others.
The Magura cave is in Rabisha village. It is 2.5 kilometers long and has many galleries.
Albutin Monastery: an ancient rock monastery located in the nearby village of Gradets.