Itinerary
- Day 1
Sofia
You'll arrive at Sofia Airport and head to your hotel to get settled in. This is your chance to rest up after travel and get oriented with the city. Grab a bite if you're hungry, but the main goal today is just to decompress and prepare for exploring Bulgaria.
- Start point
- Столична, София, Bulgaria (Airport)
- Day 2
Sofia
After breakfast, a private guide takes you around Sofia for a half-day tour hitting the main sites. You'll see St. Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral, St. Sofia Basilica, Parliament Square, and other historic spots. Later in the afternoon, you're free to wander the city on your own and discover neighborhoods or cafes that catch your interest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Half-day private city tour of Sofia with local tour guide (3 hours)
- Visit St. Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral (entrance included)
- Visit St. Sofia 6th century basilica (entrance included)
- Visit Parliament Square
- Visit National Theatre
- Visit Old City Garden
- Visit ex. Royal Palace/National Art Gallery
- Visit St. George 4th century Rotunda
- Visit the Presidency
- Visit Arena di Serdica ruins
Optional Activities
- Free afternoon exploration and discoveries in Sofia
Landmarks/POIs St. Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral St. Sofia Basilica Parliament Square National Theatre Old City Garden National Art Gallery St. George Rotunda Arena di Serdica - Day 3
Sofia to Bansko
You'll drive south into Rila Mountain National Park to visit Rila Monastery, Bulgaria's largest and a UNESCO site. Walk through the main yard and church to take in the architecture and history. From there, continue to Bansko, a museum town nestled in the foothills of Pirin Mountain National Park where you can spend the rest of your day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Rila Monastery (UNESCO site, entrance included)
- Visit Rila Monastery's main yard and church
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Rila area
- Visit old town of Bansko
- Walking or hiking outside Bansko town
Landmarks/POIs Rila Monastery Rila Mountain National Park Pirin Mountain National Park - Day 4
Bansko
This day is yours to choose. Head to Melnik, Bulgaria's tiniest town, surrounded by sandstone pyramids and wine cellars for tasting. Or if you prefer hiking, take a cable car up to alpine huts and mountain peaks. Other options include the Dancing Bears park in Belitsa or the historic Dobursko village church with its traditional interior.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Melnik museum town with sandstone pyramids
- Visit picturesque village of Rojena
- Visit 9th century Rojen Monastery
- Car ride to nearby Dobrinishte (6 km)
- Cable car to Gotse Delchev hut (1894 m) and Bezbog hut (2227 m)
- Walking to Popovo lake
- Walking to Bezbog peak
- Walking to Polejan peak
- Visit Dobursko village (20 km) with church of St. St. Theodore Tyron and Theodore Stratilat
- Visit Belitsa town (20 km) with park of the Dancing Bears
Landmarks/POIs Melnik Rojena Rojen Monastery Gotse Delchev hut Bezbog hut Popovo lake Bezbog peak Polejan peak Dobursko Church of St. St. Theodore Tyron and Theodore Stratilat Belitsa Park of the Dancing Bears - Day 5
Bansko to Plovdiv
Travel north to Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second city and the 2019 European Capital of Culture. You'll spend time in Old Plovdiv walking through UNESCO-recognized architecture, checking out ancient ruins and museums, and seeing historic houses. The Kapana neighborhood has an artistic edge worth exploring. On the way, there's an optional stop at Velingrad spa town or Kleptuza karst lake if you want to break up the drive.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Old Plovdiv historical reserve (UNESCO golden medal)
- Walk along the longest pedestrian street in the world
- Explore Kapana artistic neighborhood
- Visit remains of Roman Forum
- Visit Roman Stadium
- Visit Djumaya Mosque Square
- Visit Ancient Amphitheatre
- Visit Kuyumdzhioglu House with 130 windows (Ethnographic museum)
- Visit National Revival houses complex
- Visit Old Pharmacy
- Visit churches in the Old town
Optional Activities
- Stop at Velingrad spa town en route
- Visit Kleptuza karst lake (largest karst lake in Bulgaria)
Landmarks/POIs Old Plovdiv Kapana Roman Forum Roman Stadium Djumaya Mosque Ancient Amphitheatre Kuyumdzhioglu House Velingrad Kleptuza 
- Day 6
Plovdiv to Kazanluk
After some time to yourself in Plovdiv, head north with a stop at the Damascena ethnographic complex. You'll tour the rose gardens and distillery, tasting rose products and oils. Then continue to Kazanluk, the world center for rose oil extraction and your entry point to the Valley of the Thracian Kings with all its ancient history.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Damascena ethnographic complex (entrance included)
- Visit rose gardens at Damascena
- Tasting of traditional rose products (included)
Optional Activities
- Free time in Plovdiv before departure
- Visit regional museum of Kazanluk
- Visit Kazanluk Thracian Tomb (UNESCO site, copy)
- Visit Ostrusha Thracian tomb
- Visit Goliama Kosmatka Thracian tomb
Landmarks/POIs Damascena ethnographic complex Kazanluk Kazanluk Thracian Tomb Ostrusha Thracian tomb Goliama Kosmatka Thracian tomb - Day 7
Kazanluk to Veliko Turnovo
Drive through the scenic Shipka mountain pass in the Balkan Mountains, one of Bulgaria's most beautiful routes. Stop at the Etura open air complex and the Museum of Humor and Satire in Gabrovo to get a feel for local culture and history. There's the option to visit the Shipka memorial church or Dryanovo Monastery if time allows. By evening you'll reach Veliko Turnovo for a guided tour of Tsarevets Royal Hill Citadel and medieval sites, then walk through traditional craft streets as the sun sets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Tsarevets Royal hill with Citadel (guided tour with local guide, entrance included)
- Meet local tour guide at Tsarevets for explanation of medieval history
- Evening walk to Samovodska Charshia street of traditional crafts, workshops, cafes and galleries
- Walk to Gurko Street facing Yantra river
Optional Activities
- Visit Shipka memorial church
- Visit Etura open air ethnographic complex
- Visit Museum of Humor and Satire in Gabrovo
- Stop at Dryanovo Monastery en route
Landmarks/POIs Shipka mountain pass Shipka memorial church Etura ethnographic complex Museum of Humor and Satire Gabrovo Dryanovo Monastery Tsarevets Royal Hill Samovodska Charshia Gurko Street - Day 8
Veliko Turnovo to Sofia
Spend the morning in Veliko Turnovo with optional trips to nearby museum villages and monasteries if you want more exploration. After lunch, you'll drive back toward Sofia, check into your hotel, and return the rental car to the rental company. This gives you time to relax after the road trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Arbanassi museum village (10 km away)
- Visit Transfiguration Monastery nearby
- Visit Liaskovski Monastery nearby
Landmarks/POIs Arbanassi Transfiguration Monastery Liaskovski Monastery - Day 9
Sofia
You'll have breakfast and then head out from Sofia to wrap up your trip. This is your departure day, so make sure you have transport arranged to the airport or your next destination.
- Meals
- Breakfast
