Bulgaria and Romania Tours & Trips
4.6 stars on(9,141 reviews)- Choose from 50+ Bulgaria and Romania tours
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Table of contents
- The best Bulgaria and Romania tour packages
- What people love about Bulgaria And Romania Tours
- Travel Bulgaria and Romania your way
- Bulgaria and Romania tours for every type of group
- Top Bulgaria and Romania travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Bulgaria and Romania
- Contact our Bulgaria and Romania travel experts
- What our customers ask about Bulgaria and Romania Tours & Trips
The best Bulgaria and Romania tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaBulgaria and Romania travel expert at TourRadar
Eastern Europe Explorer (from Budapest to Istanbul)
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Many of the destinations on this tour were not the typical tourist type places, but that was refreshing.”
Judith, traveled in September
Romania and Bulgaria's medieval treasures unfold, from Transylvania's Bran Castle to Veliko Tarnovo's Tsarevets Fortress. Local homestays in Viscri village, wine sampling in traditional cellars, and Plovdiv's Roman theater highlight the journey. UNESCO sites including Rila Monastery dot the mountain landscape.
Duration 19 days Destinations Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
- NZ$7,030
Duration 18 days Destinations Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
- NZ$7,030
Budapest to Istanbul
19 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I had a wonderful experience on this trip. It's always great to visit other countries and make new friendships that will last a lifetime.”
David, traveled in May
The medieval Sighișoara citadel and Bran Castle await in Romania, with stays at the Balla Géza Winery guesthouse. Bulgaria's oldest city Veliko Tarnovo and its Tsarevets Fortress showcase ancient history. The tour features guided countryside excursions in Transylvania and traditional Romanian wine tasting at approx. $210 per day.
Duration 13 days Destinations Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey Age Range Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures From $3,979
20% Off- NZ$3,183You save $796
Castles & Capitals: Serbia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria in two weeks - SMALL GROUP
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Walking through the historical areas of Belgrade, visiting the many temples, churches and castles along the way.”
Luis, traveled in August
Duration 14 days Destinations Serbia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Victor Tours DMC From $6,115
12% Off- NZ$5,382You save $734
Mysterious Journey from Athens to Budapest via Transylvania - Small Group Tour
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was a great experience for me and my wife and we had an amazing time. We visited a lot of places in a couple of days but it wasn't tiring at all.”
Wines, traveled in April
Explore Bulgaria and Romania's highlights from Sofia's Alexander Nevsky Cathedral to Bucharest's Revolution Square. Visit Veliko Tarnovo's medieval fortress, Bran Castle, and Corvin Castle. Stay at Best Western Terminus Sofia and Peakture Hotel Bucharest while discovering Transylvania's UNESCO heritage.
Duration 11 days Destinations Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Ajdinis From
12% Off- NZ$5,212
What people love about Bulgaria And Romania Tours
- Eastern Europe Explorer (from Budapest to Istanbul)
Excellent tour! Got a taste of a lot of places (although it would be nice to spend a second night at some of the spots, just to get a real feel for the place), and had a variety of experiences. The night out in the village was one of the highlights; the ladies were awesome! Loved and hated the bear sanctuary, for reasons that hopefully are obvious; keep that on the tour for sure, and add the roller coaster type ride as a possible extra activity while you're there. Was not impressed with the walking tour guide in Plovdiv; finding a replacement wouldn't be a bad idea, if she's a regular for the tour. The first supper wasn't the best place to be, in my opinion, but the last one definitely made up for it. Casper.... is amazing. Totally Dutch; honest and helpful, practical and resourceful. Excellent leader, and always looking out for everyone. Awesome job.
- Budapest to Istanbul
I would have wanted the Rila Monastery included in the itinerary. Our tour leader, Vlad, was everything (and more) that one can ask for in a guide.It was evident that he was well-read about the history of the places we saw. He even included images to show in his talks. On a personal note, he made every effort to address each group member's questions and concerns in a friendly yet professional manner and go out of the way, if necessary, to attend to them. The local guides, Peter and Ibrahim, were likewise very knowledgeable in their particular areas.
- Mysterious Journey from Athens to Budapest via Transylvania - Small Group Tour
Really recommend this tour for everyone. It was a great experience for me and my wife and we had an amazing time. We visited a lot of places in a couple of days but it wasn't tiring at all. It was a great blend of organized tours, but also having time of our own to explore. Great experience overall.
Travel Bulgaria and Romania your way
Take in the picturesque landscapes and remarkable sights on a guided Coach / Bus adventure of Bulgaria And Romania. There are 6 vacation packages to choose from, that range in length from 9 days up to 15 days. The most popular month for these tours is November.
Our Eastern Europe explorer routes really get into the good stuff - the places many visitors miss in Romania and Bulgaria. Take the Eastern Europe Explorer: you'll get to taste Bull's Blood wine right in Eger's old cellars and wander through Maramures where the wooden churches tell stories from medieval times. We've got routes that take you into little villages where local families host you in their guesthouses and share their dinner table with you. Yes, you'll see Bran Castle, but you'll also discover quirky spots like the Merry Cemetery in Sapanta with its colorful crosses and witty epitaphs. Our travelers keep telling us how much they love walking Budapest at night when the buildings light up, and having free time to explore Sighisoara's hilltop citadel at their own pace.
Select from our extensive range of 56 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Bulgaria and Romania with our expert guides leading the way.
If you're into cultural heritage, we've got some excellent routes through Eastern Europe. You'll spend proper time in Veliko Tarnovo - Bulgaria's medieval capital where Renaissance houses still stand and local artisans keep traditional crafts alive in their workshops. We make sure to give you enough time at Rila Monastery; it's not just about snapping photos but really taking in the architecture and understanding its place in Bulgarian spiritual life. What makes these trips special is meeting locals - you might end up learning how to make traditional socks in Viscri or sharing dinner with a Romanian family who'll bring out their homemade wines and schnapps. Our guests often tell us how much they enjoy exploring Plovdiv's Roman amphitheater and getting lost in the old town's cobbled streets.
Bulgaria and Romania tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
57 tours in Bulgaria and RomaniaExplore Bulgaria and Romania on a pre-planned itinerary and meet like-minded travelers
Small Group
33 tours in Bulgaria and RomaniaThese small group journeys through Bulgaria and Romania, typically with 12-15 travelers, create intimate cultural experiences that larger tours simply can't match. The popular Budapest to Istanbul route gives you proper time in medieval citadels, where the small numbers mean families often welcome groups into their homes for traditional dinners and local wine tastings. Active travelers appreciate combining cultural visits with outdoor pursuits - hiking pristine alpine lakes in Bulgaria's Pirin Mountains and discovering the wooden churches of Maramures, all while maintaining that personal connection that comes with fewer people. Our guests find they can slip into small artisan workshops in Veliko Tarnovo and gain deeper perspective from guides at places like Rila Monastery, thanks to the manageable group size. The Eastern Europe Explorer gets high praise for balancing guided activities with independent exploration, so you can join wine tastings in Eger's Valley of Beautiful Women or wander through Brasov's medieval streets at your own tempo. Past travelers often mention how naturally friendships form in these small groups, whether exploring Sighisoara's hilltop fortress, discovering Sofia's orthodox churches or sharing stories over dinner.
Private / Personalized
11 tours in Bulgaria and RomaniaFor those seeking a more exclusive experience, private tours through these countries offer wonderful flexibility. The comprehensive Serbia-Romania-Bulgaria circuit lets you explore at your own pace with a dedicated guide. Our travelers love how they can linger at places that interest them most, whether it's spending extra time photographing Rila Monastery's frescoes or chatting with local artisans in Arbanasi. Another highly-rated private option focuses on Romania and Moldova over 15 days, where guests particularly appreciate the personal attention when visiting Bucovina's painted monasteries and the famous Cricova wine cellars. Reviews highlight how private guides make visits to places like Poienari Citadel more meaningful by sharing detailed historical context and local perspectives.
Top Bulgaria and Romania travel itineraries to fit your plans
Week-long tours through Bulgaria and Romania let you dig deeper into the region's culture and landscapes. Starting from Belgrade, these routes wind through Serbia's historic Nis before crossing into Bulgaria where Rila Monastery's frescoes and peaceful mountain setting captivate our travelers. You'll spend quality time in Sofia where the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral dominates the skyline and local guides show you hidden spots for trying traditional dishes like banitsa. The journey continues to Plovdiv, where Roman ruins sit alongside 19th-century merchants' houses and our customers love exploring the creative Kapana district. These tours finish in Bucharest after crossing the Danube at Ruse, nicknamed "Little Vienna" for its beautiful architecture.
Our 10-day adventures give you the perfect mix of guided exploration and independent discovery. The Budapest to Sofia route starts with a visit to the Balla Géza Winery where you'll taste Romanian wines and stay overnight at their guesthouse - something our travelers consistently rate as a highlight. You'll explore Sighișoara's medieval citadel and surrounding villages where local guides help you discover traditional crafts and ways of life. The tours include time in Brasov and at Bran Castle, but also take you off the typical tourist path to places like Arbanasi village where you can see well-preserved Ottoman architecture. Our customers particularly appreciate having free time in Bucharest and Sofia to explore at their own pace, with our guides pointing out the best local restaurants and cultural spots.
TourRadar recommends visiting:
Belgrade, Sremski Karlovci, Novi Sad, Budapest, Szeged, Timisoara, Sibiu, Sighisoara, Brasov, Bucharest, Ivanovo, Arbanasi, Veliko Tarnovo, Kazanlak, Plovdiv, Koprivshtitsa, Sofia
Demographics
Discover unforgettable adventures designed for all ages! Whether you're young or young at heart, our adventures offer excitement and wonder for everyone.
Solo Travelers50 tours- Couples45 tours
- Seniors (50+)25 tours
Best time to visit Bulgaria and Romania
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Autumn brings ideal conditions for these Eastern European adventures, with pleasant temperatures and rich cultural experiences. The Eastern Europe Explorer consistently gets great feedback in fall - you can hike comfortably in the Carpathians, explore Brasov's atmospheric old town and enjoy wine tastings without summer crowds. Our travelers particularly love the Budapest to Istanbul route during this season; the changing colors around Bran Castle make for beautiful photos and you can really appreciate the architecture of places like Sofia's Orthodox churches and Bucharest's grand boulevards. Another excellent autumn choice takes you from Sofia to Dubrovnik, where you'll find perfect conditions for exploring Sarajevo's historic bazaar and walking Dubrovnik's famous walls while enjoying more moderate temperatures and smaller crowds than summer months.
- popular 28 tours
- 24 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
Winter brings a special feel to Romania and Bulgaria's historic routes. The From Sofia to Dubrovnik journey gets great feedback from our customers, especially for stops at places like Bachkovo Monastery where you can duck into three separate churches to escape the cold. There's something really special about seeing Belgrade's Kalemegdan Fortress and Sarajevo's Ottoman quarter with a dusting of snow. Another solid winter choice takes you from Athens through Meteora's monasteries and into Bulgaria's mountain regions. These tours work nicely in the colder months since you'll spend lots of time inside fascinating cultural sites like Sofia's gold-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Bucharest's massive Palace of Parliament. Just keep in mind that some seasonal attractions, like the boat trips to Lokrum island near Dubrovnik, don't run from November through March.
- popular 21 tours
- 18 tours
- 21 tours
- Spring 2026
Spring brings perfect conditions for exploring these fascinating countries. Our Eastern Europe Explorer route really shines as the weather warms up - you can comfortably wander through Budapest's evening lights and sample wines in Eger's Valley of Beautiful Women. Travelers consistently praise how the timing lets them enjoy both indoor cultural sites and outdoor experiences, from exploring Bran Castle to walking through traditional villages in Maramures. The Budapest to Istanbul journey gets fantastic reviews in spring, when you can properly enjoy the cobblestone streets of medieval Sighisoara and take your time discovering Veliko Tarnovo's fortress. Another excellent springtime option runs from Athens to Belgrade, combining Meteora's dramatic cliffs with Bulgaria's Rose Valley just as the flowers start blooming.
- 28 tours
- popular 41 tours
- 35 tours
- Summer 2026
Summer opens up so many possibilities across Romania and Bulgaria. Our Eastern Europe Explorer is particularly popular this time of year - you might find yourself hiking to crystal-clear alpine lakes in the Pirin Mountains or taking a lovely ride on narrow-gauge railways through Bulgarian countryside. The Sofia to Dubrovnik route really comes into its own now, mixing cultural visits with coastal experiences like boat trips to Lokrum island. The long summer days mean you can explore Plovdiv's Roman amphitheater in the evening light and still have plenty of time for dinner at local restaurants. Our Budapest to Istanbul journey works beautifully too - you can relax at outdoor cafes in Veliko Tarnovo's medieval center, stroll Sofia's park-lined boulevards and also enjoy warm evening walks.
- 35 tours
- 34 tours
- popular 36 tours
Contact our Bulgaria and Romania travel experts
Nadine
Expert in Bulgaria and Romania at TourRadar
Nadine is one of our seasoned Bulgaria and Romania Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Bulgaria and Romania tours answered!
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+64 4888 0182What our customers ask about Bulgaria and Romania Tours & Trips
What are the main differences you'll notice between Bulgaria and Romania?
You'll find Bulgaria uses Cyrillic letters while Romania sticks to the Latin alphabet we're familiar with. The languages are quite different too - Romanian feels more like Italian or Spanish while Bulgarian connects with Russian and Polish in the Slavic family. When it comes to money you'll need Bulgarian lev in one country and Romanian leu in the other which is something to plan for especially if you're hitting both countries on your trip.
What local experiences can you join in Bulgaria and Romania?
Head to Romania's Maramures region and you'll discover authentic rural life that's still going strong. You can jump into folk music dance workshops even try your hand at wood carving or decorating eggs. The Merry Cemetery in Sapanta is fascinating with its colorful wooden crosses telling stories about the people buried there. Over in Bulgaria the Etara Museum lets you watch craftspeople at work - potters weavers blacksmiths all doing things the traditional way. If you're on the Eastern Europe Explorer tour you'll get to enjoy dinner with a local family in Maramures which is always a highlight.
Where can you explore nature away from the cities?
Romania's Carpathian Mountains are perfect for outdoor lovers with national parks that are great for hiking skiing or spotting wildlife. You can get there by train rent a car or join a tour whatever suits your style. Bulgaria's got the beautiful Rila Mountains where you'll find the famous monastery and some incredible hiking trails. The Danube Delta in Romania is really special - it's UNESCO listed and the boat tours are the best way to see all the wildlife especially the birds. Try the Transylvanian Adventure tour if you want to hike through the Carpathians and have a picnic by Balea Lake.
How do you get around Bulgaria and Romania?
The train network connects the main cities in both countries and you'll find buses everywhere including those local minibuses called marshrutkas in Bulgaria. Taxis are easy to find in cities and if you want more freedom renting a car is a good option just make sure you know the local driving rules. Recent travelers mention hotels aren't always central and some activities cost extra but the Eastern Europe Explorer tour uses trains to connect places like Budapest Eger and Debrecen which works really well.
Which lesser-known places should you check out?
There's this lovely village called Viscri in Transylvania that shows you traditional Saxon life with an amazing 12th-century church. Prince Charles has put it on the map but it's still pretty peaceful. In Bulgaria you shouldn't miss Veliko Tarnovo - it's got this incredible medieval feel and the Tsarevets Fortress is really impressive. The nearby village of Arbanasi is worth exploring too with beautiful old houses and churches from Bulgaria's National Revival period. The Eastern Europe Explorer actually includes Veliko Tarnovo and the fortress in their itinerary which is great if you want everything arranged for you.