Day Trips & Excursions in Bulgaria

Visit the fascinating city of Plovdiv on a full-day tour from Sofia, and explore ancient ruins, some of Bulgaria's most historic landmarks, and the city's Ethnographic Museum. This full-day Plovdiv trip includes pickup and drop-off at a central location in Sofia, a guided walking tour of Plovdiv, and admission to the museum and the Plovdiv Roman Theatre.

Immerse yourself in the beguiling beauty of two of Bulgaria's most spectacular sights on a full-day trip from Sofia. Admire the natural splendor of rural Bulgaria as you travel to the Rila Monastery, a sacred structure cradled by the dense pine forests of the mountains. Delve into the history of the medieval landmark and browse the intriguing exhibitions of the on-site museum. Continue to Boyana Church to gaze at the fascinating pre-Renaissance frescoes that decorate the walls within. Please note, entrance fees are not included on this tour.

Save time but preserve the benefits of independence on this private tour that checks off not one but two UNESCO World Heritage sites in just one day. Traveling with your private driver/guide, see the 10th-century Boyana Church with its medieval frescoes, followed by the Rila Monastery with its 14th-century tower. Tour includes door-to-door transport but excludes entrance fees.

Discover Bulgaria's rich cultural heritage on this full-day tour from Bansko. Marvel at the views from the Pirin Mountain, explore the historic Roshen Monastery, and enjoy wine tasting in the traditional village of Melnik. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Plovdiv is the 2019 European capital of Culture and home to one of Bulgaria's most impressive archeological sites. This full-day tour from Sofia takes in all the highlights, including a walking tour of the atmospheric Old Town and visits to the Roman Stadium, Roman Forum, and Amphitheatre. Tour includes hotel pickup, lunch, and entrance fees.

Spin along open roads and explore Bulgaria by bike on this 9-hour Rila Monastery trip from Sofia. Hop onto your bike and follow a guide along rolling asphalt roads through the Bulgarian countryside. Along the way, gain insight into the country's culture and history, and admire sweeping views over the peaks and vineyards. Visit the 10th-century Rila Monastery - widely considered one of Bulgaria's most important pilgrimage sites. Explore the cave of St Joan of Rila, then zoom down the valley back to base.

Visit two of Bulgaria's religious sites with ease from Sofia on this private full-day tour. Travel in an air-conditioned car equipped with WiFi to Vitosha Mountain and visit Boyana Church. Learn about its history from your driver-guide. Continue on to Dragalevtsi Monastery. Take in panoramic views of Sofia from Vitosha Mountain and go on a hike if weather permits.

Reaching the Seven Rila Lakes by public transport typically involves two buses, a shuttle and most of your day. Take the pain out of transportation - while maintaining total independence - with this cost-effective shared transfer. Visit both these beautiful glacial lakes and the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with ample time for hiking.

Plovdiv is in the top 10 ancient cities in the world. Inhabited since 4,000 B.C., beginning with a Neolithic settlement, Plovdiv has been conquered many times throughout the years by the Thracians, the Greeks and the Romans. Explore the unique Revival old town, see the Roman theater and learn more about the history of the town from your local guide.

Combine the flexibility of independent travel with the expertise of a private guide on this private Plovdiv tour. Learn about the Bulgarian National Revival as you wander the cobbled streets of the old town. See the Plovdiv Roman Theater, the Ancient Stadium of Philippopolis, and early Christian mosaics, and enjoy a 3-course lunch.

This tour is a great chance to experience these two amazing places in one day. They are both situated in the Rila Mountain. The main part of the tour will be the area of the lakes, where the hiking takes about 5 hours and it is a perfect opportunity for an escape in the nature. The visit of the monastery will be a little bit more limited but you will still be able to learn the main things about it.

Use the opportunity to go for winter sports in the outskirts of Sofia and then to have a relaxing SPA afternoon HIGHLIGHTS: - Very close to Sofia - Magnificent natural landscapes - Relax in a hot thermal SPA complex

Explore two Bulgarian and Serbian medieval masterpieces on this 9-hour tour to Boyana Church and Poganovo Monastery from Sofia. First, visit the UNESCO-protected Boyana Church just outside Sofia, to admire its 13th-century frescoes, considered some of the best examples of medieval Bulgarian artistry. Then, cross into Serbia to the Poganovo Monastery to view its artworks and treasures, and absorb its deep spirituality. Tour includes a Serbian lunch, air-conditioned transport, and Sofia hotel pickup and drop-off.

Make the most of your time in the Balkans and discover the region's varied history on a day trip to Bulgaria from Bucharest. Take in sights including the UNESCO-listed Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo and Tsarevets fortress as you enjoy seamless transfer between locations via air-conditioned vehicle. Gain insight into Bulgaria from your personal guide, and avoid hidden costs with round-trip transportation and entrance fees included.

See two of Bulgaria's religious treasures and another in Macedonia on this full-day tour from Sofia. Admire Sofia's Boyana Church, a UNESCO-listed gem famed for its 13th-century frescoes, and then travel to the rural Zemen Monastery, a medieval complex graced with murals and portraits of Bulgarian nobles. Finally, cross into Macedonia to the mountainside Osogovo Monastery, considered one of the country's most beautiful. Lunch, Boyana and Zemen admission, and Sofia hotel pickup and drop-off included.

Ride a 4x4 through Bulgaria's Pirin Mountains to Melnik on this full-day, off-road safari from Bansko. Wind through rugged countryside and forests, and bump through rivers on route to Melnik, a tiny historical town famous for its wine and backdrop of steep, pyramid-like sandstone mountains. Enjoy a wine tasting and visit the nearby medieval Rozhen Monastery before returning to Bansko. Lunch, wine tasting, and hotel pickup and drop-off in Bansko included.

Cover ground that's only really possible with a professional at the wheel and check off three key Bulgarian attractions in just one day on this convenient guided tour. Soak up the architecture and Roman ruins of Plovdiv Old Town, the 17th-century murals at Bachkovo Monastery, and 13th-century Asen's Fortress. Tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off but excludes entrance fees.

Save yourself the self-drive hassles but enjoy the flexibility of independent travel on this door-to-door private guided tour. Discover the historic town of Plovdiv, with its Roman ruins, Christian mosaics, and gorgeous Old Town. Then explore Bachkovo Monastery, first established in the 11th century. Make the most of free Wi-Fi as you travel.

Visit the beautiful hill fortress Tsari Mali Grad and then go for winter sports in Borovets, the oldest Bulgarian mountain resort.HIGHLIGHTS: - Enchanting view from the fortress - Variety of beautiful tracks for skiing & snowboard - Magnificent natural landscape - Private driver- guide 

It's impossible to visit both the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church by public transport in one day, so this convenient tour saves both time and energy. Check off not one but two UNESCO World Heritage sites as you explore the medieval church on the outskirts of Sofia and the 19th-century monastery in the Rila Mountains. The day includes guiding and door-to-door transfers but entrance fees are at your own expense.