Bulgaria · FULL-DAY
Between the Balkan range and the Black Sea, the choice is rarely quality — it is which day fits your route. Below, the 15 full-day tours we rate, priced and timed.
Visit Bulgaria from Bucharest on a 12-hour small-group trip to Veliko Tarnovo, Tsarevets Fortress, Arbanasi, and Ruse.
“What a great way to check off another country. The fortress at Veliko Tarnovo was very cool to explore and the small trip size was a great way to travel.”
Visit Bulgaria’s Rila Monastery and Boyana Church from Sofia on an affordable full-day tour with transport, history, and mountain views.
“Very poorly organized. For some reason, a few of us got put in an Italian tour and the guide Karolina, although knowing perfectly how to speak English, didn't explain to us about basic logistics of ticket purchasing and later told us: "you are not in a guided tour so I shouldn't be even talking to you in English at all". Incredible. The monastery was beautiful but the stop was too long and we were all freezing.”
See Plovdiv’s Roman ruins, Old Town, Kapana, and pedestrian center on an affordable guided day trip from Sofia with free time included.
“Plovdiv was very beautiful and has a lot more history than people probably realise. So if you like history, this trip would be perfect. But also, some amazing sights and views and with the guide, we saw more sights than we probably would've if we were on our own. On this trip, we had a nice long walking tour, about 2 and a half hours, and then an hour and a half free time afterwards, but that's all that would be needed because we covered a lot of Plovdiv with the guide. Going this time of year was perfect as it was hot but not super hot, and it was…”
See Roman Plovdiv and historic Koprivshtitsa on an 11-hour Sofia day trip with an English guide, transport, free time, and mountain views.
“Plovdiv old town was the main highlight. I loved the architecturr. Also i loved the serenity of Koprivshtitsa.”
Review of the full-day Niš tour from Sofia, with Roman ruins, Skull Tower, a Nazi camp, Serbian food, border tips, and honest value advice.
“Everything was perfection. The tour started on time, the minibus was clean and Gorge was an amazing driver and guide. He effortlessly navigated us through Nis and gave us plenty of free time for lunch and souvenirs. Gorge was also very knowledgeable about the culture, history and even geography of the Balkans so it was fun and a learning experience. He made sure we had enough rest stops and kept us entertained on the ride. I highly recommend this tour with Gorge, he’s one of the best guides I’ve encountered in over 53 countries.”
Review of Sofia’s Belogradchik Rocks and Fortress day trip, with practical advice on the long drive, stairs, guide, price, and cave option.
“i cannot recommend this trip it’s brilliant. i was completely alone and the tour still went ahead with i have to give so much respect to ventsislav he said he wudnt cancel. it was like a vip tour for me. he was excellent . the journey is long but we chatted and to be honest the views are amazing you cud stare out the window all day long and not get board . bulgaria is a beautiful country. the caves wer fantastic but for me it was the rocks they shapes and how they formed fascinated me. the views from the top are incredible. we went for a local lunch…”
Hike Bulgaria’s Seven Rila Lakes from Sofia, then relax in Sapareva Banya’s thermal pools on a guided full-day mountain tour.
“We had the chance to be just the two of us on this day tour and we spent a very nice time with Kiril, a great guide. He was very knowledgeable about the seven lakes and their biodiversity, he told us about the history of Bulgaria and even bought us some delicious organic pears and apricots. He proposed to us different options adapted to our physical condition and our wishes. We could walk on a lovely way far from other tourists and be literally alone in the mountains. The view on the top was awesome, it was a wonderful moment. Then, Kiril drove us to the spa where we could…”
Explore Varna’s Roman remains, Orthodox traditions, Pobiti Kamani, mosaics, and a Bulgarian lunch on a 7-hour minivan tour.
“Wunderbar geführte Tour um Kultur und Bräuche Bulgariens zu erleben. Ein Erlebnis für groß und klein”
Snowshoe across Bulgaria’s frozen Seven Rila Lakes, ride a mountain chairlift, then soak in Sapareva Banya’s hot mineral pools.
“O passeio não aconteceu pois o teleferico que nos levaria aos lagos estava fechado em virtude dos fortes ventos. Faltou atitude da empresa/guia, de obter informações sobre o tempo no local . Viajamos por horas, perdemos nosso dia. depois vimos que já estava sendo divulgado localmente que não era recomendado o passeio e não fomos avisados. Na minha opinião todo o valor pago deveria ser devolvido.”
Hike Bulgaria’s Seven Rila Lakes from Sofia with minivan transport, a mountain guide, and a moderate five-hour route above 2,100 meters.
“Like the title says. There are multiple spots to turn around so pretty accessible regardless of your fitness level”
Review of the full-day Plovdiv and Asen’s Fortress tour from Sofia, with ancient ruins, Old Town walks, mountain views, costs, and practical tips.
“great guide, knew much, safe driver, very good English!; the old city center and the theatre of Plovdiv are really worth a visit!”
Visit Bulgaria’s UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, then unwind in mineral pools at Kotvata Thermal Spa on a full-day trip from Sofia.
“All very interesting, competent and kind guide. The fascinating monastery. Relaxing and quiet spa. .Auto-translated”
See Belogradchik Fortress, strange rock figures, and Venetsa Cave on a guided 10-hour trip from Sofia with transport included.
“I was fortunate to be the only one on this tour, and it was incredible. Belogradchik is a great place to visit. It is a place that I wouldn't be able to visit by myself and, thus, getting this tour was the right choice. During the trip, unfortunately, Venetsa was closed, so I visited Magura Cave which is amazing instead. Georgi was an excellent guide. Apart from being very knowledgable about his country and the whole Balkan region geographically and historically, he made sure that all my questions answered. He helped me get sheep-milk yoghurt, and on the way back to Sofia, he drove along the scenic route so I…”
Review of Sofia’s 10-hour Bulgaria and Macedonia tour, with monasteries, Boyana Church, border tips, costs, guides, and practical advice.
“I had a fantastic trip. The ride was nice, and I get to see more of Bulgaria. I highly recommended this tour if you don't have enough time and would like to see more of Bulgaria and a little bit of Macedonia. Maria was an exceptional tour guide. She is very knowledgeable and welcoming. She explained to us about the history, politics and economy of Bulgaria as well as Macedonia, in addition to the three monasteries we stopped. They are fascinating, and it makes visiting these important sites much more special. A small group tour means there were only three of us, in addition to the guide that we got…”
Review of Sofia’s full-day tour, covering Boyana Church, the National Museum, Pancharevo Lake, and the city center.
“We enjoyed our day with Peter very much. He was knowledgeable and flexible so we saw what we wanted to see. I would strongly recommend this tour…”
Four ways into the country, none of them wrong.
