Bulgaria · GUIDED
Between the Balkan range and the Black Sea, the choice is rarely quality — it is which day fits your route. Below, the 15 guided tours we rate, priced and timed.
Hike Bulgaria’s Seven Rila Lakes and visit Rila Monastery on a 13-hour self-guided day trip from Sofia with shared transport.
“The tour was perfect we had enough time to do the both activity I did the big tour which normally took a lot of time”
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 Sofia’s Roman ruins, Orthodox churches, Ottoman traces, and Soviet-era landmarks on a lively two-hour small-group walk.
“Our guide Peter was excellent! Sofia was such a beautiful city, and our guide didnt waste time giving long history lectures.”
Visit Boyana Church and Rila Monastery from Sofia on an affordable self-guided day trip with transport, parking, and an online audioguide.
“Worth to do a guided daytrip to Rila Monastery and Boyana church by an enthusiastic guide. It's a lovely place to visit.”
Explore Plovdiv Old Town on a two-hour English walking tour with a small group, live history, Roman sights, and useful local tips.
“A great walking tour and highly recommended. Why do I have to write so much for this review to accepted?”
See Sofia after dark by electric scooter, from Alexander Nevsky Cathedral to Borisova Gradina, with a small English-speaking group.
“Great experience! The tour, the guide, the sites. I would recommend this to anyone wanting an enjoyable way to see the city. Absolutely worth it 🙌🏻”
Review of Sofia’s Alexander Nevsky Cathedral visit, with practical advice on guided and self-guided options, price, value, timing, and what to expect.
“When we arrived there was not an English speaking person. Nobody was able to help us. We paid for a tour and did not receive one. I hope they will refund our money. We got the same experience as anyone who walked in. I would not recommend this tour.”
Review of the flexible Rila Monastery self-guided tour from Sofia, with audio guide, entry details, pricing, dress rules, and booking advice.
“They don’t accept it. They make you buy another one. I guess I was confused to how it works Spoke to Viator said supposed to just download on phone but in a lot of area not allowed to have phone out”
Hike Bulgaria’s Seven Rila Lakes from Sofia with minivan transport, a chairlift, flexible pacing, mountain views, and practical guidance.
“Great day tour from Sofia. Professional on-time driver. I would recommend this tour (self-guided option). Hike with beautiful views that is very moderate.”
Explore Varna Archaeological Museum at your own pace, with ancient gold, Roman tools, medieval finds, and a pre-booked entry voucher.
“We had tickets for September 6 which was Bulgarian National Holiday and all museums were closed for 3 days so did not get to enter the Museum. Please refund our ticket price.”
Explore Veliko Tarnovo on foot, from Tsarevets Fortress to Samovodska Charshiya, with a private guide or self-guided option.
“Velocity Tarnovo is very hilly and cobblestone streets. I needed a shorter tour and decided to cancel. Viator wrote and said it would be adjusted. It was shortened by over an hour annd we did not go to the fortress. Lots of stops ant shops which we anre not fond of. and we were left with a difficult walk back to our hotel. It was not a good value then at $209 US for just a couple of hours. Guide was informative and kind. Just be sure you are up to the walk.”
Explore Burgas’ annual sand sculptures with a flexible e-guide, practical tips, honest pricing advice, and a clear look at what to expect.
“Great sand figures from emeging artists. Very cool to visit such an attraction especially with the eguide. Would come next time again. They change it every year.”
Walk Sofia from Roman ruins to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, then taste banitsa, ayran, kozunak, and mekitsa with a local guide.
“We had a fantastic time on this tour. We were lucky that day we had to see a local wedding party at the same time we were there. Our guide Chimmy was wonderful host. She took us around the places we haven't seen earlier in Sofia. She was wonderful guide. We would definitely recommend the tour.”
Explore Sofia’s communist past through a self-guided puzzle walk linking landmarks, clues, and stories at your own pace.
“A wonderful tour around Sofia's hidden communist secrets. You will solve puzzles to get to the next stop and will learn what it was like to live here some half a century ago.”
Explore Tsarevets Fortress at your own pace with an e-guide, sweeping Veliko Tarnovo views, flexible entry, and useful history.
“Wonderful to visit in the winter too. So beautiful with the snow. Great eguide with all the information the physical guides explain. Strongly recommend it.”
Four ways into the country, none of them wrong.
