BULGARIA
Bulgaria's best days out.
The 10 best full-day tours in Bulgaria. What each one involves, who runs it, and what you will pay.
Day trip from Sofia to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church, with guided history, UNESCO frescoes, and time for lunch and photos.
“Maria was a great guide and was very knowledgeable about the Rila monastery and the Boyana church. Our bus driver drove the bus like it was a car ...it was quite impressive! We felt safe and cared for the entire time.”
Plovdiv day trip from Sofia with a small group, guided Old Town walk, optional Roman sights, and real free time to wander.
“It was a smooth ride to Plovdiv. Our guide Kamen was nice and managed everything so we could make it back on time for my flight. We had a nice walk through Plovdiv with some insights from Kamen. Thanks!”
Full-day trip from Sofia to Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa with guided old towns, Roman ruins, and liberation history in an air-conditioned ride.
“Be prepared to walk on authentic uneven stone paved streets. History is amazing! Scenery on the bus ride is beautiful!”
Full-day tour from Sofia to Niš with Mediana Roman ruins, the Skull Tower, WWII camp, Niš Fortress, and scenic gorge views.
“Amazing tour, my first time to serbie, a very beautiful town, with great food at very good prices, got some amazing pictures of Nish, going up to the fortress and walk along the walls and get some great pictures is a must do, michael our tour guide was very friendly, respectful and very knowledgeable of…”
A long-but-worth-it Sofia day trip to Belogradchik Rocks, Belogradchik Fortress, and Venetsa Cave with hotel pickup.
“Communication, transport, pace of the trip were all excellent. Our guide was helpful and pleasant. The fortress is magnificent and the cave (Venetsa) was a nice little addition. Highly recommended.”
Full-day hike from Sofia through the Seven Rila Lakes, then a soak at Sapareva Banya Spa. Small group, chairlift, 103°C thermal water.
“This was a great tour if you like hiking. Our guide Phil was very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful.”
Small-group day trip on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast: Roman Baths of Odessos, an Orthodox church, Pobiti Kamani, mosaic museum, and lunch.
“Wunderbar geführte Tour um Kultur und Bräuche Bulgariens zu erleben. Ein Erlebnis für groß und klein”
Snowshoe the Seven Rila Lakes from Sofia, then unwind in Sapareva Banya thermal pools with guide-led instruction and pickup.
“In advance of the tour, we sent multiple Viator messages, wrote an email, and called the provided number 5+ times. We did not select a pickup point because we were already going to be in Rila and wanted to meet there, so we asked where would be best to meet the local guide. No one…”
Seven Rila Lakes day hike from Sofia with small-group minivan transport, cable car access, and a moderate 5-hour walk at high altitude.
“Great experience. Don’t miss. This can be challenging physically hiking to the top. The views are stellar along the way!”
Small-group full-day tour from Sofia to Plovdiv Old Town and Asen’s Fortress, with Roman sites, views, and VR.
“Guide & driver very pleasant people however the bus was not what was expected, seatbelts didn’t work , air conditioning broken & working intermittently- exhaust fumes filtering into bus. The tour felt very rushed - sure there are better options available.”
