Itinerary
- Day 1
Sofia
You'll arrive at Sofia Airport and transfer to your hotel. Depending on when you land, there's time for a walking tour through Bulgaria's capital. You'll see Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral, the ancient St. Sofia basilica, Parliament Square, and the ruins of Ancient Serdica before dinner and overnight.
- Meals
- Dinner (3-course menu, mineral water)
Included Activities
- Walking city tour of Sofia (based on arrival time)
- View Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral
- Visit St. Sofia 6th century basilica
- See Parliament Square
- Visit National Theatre
- Explore Old City Garden
- Visit St. George 4th century Rotunda
- View the Presidency
- See ruins of Ancient Serdica
Landmarks/POIs Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral St. Sofia Basilica Parliament Square National Theatre Old City Garden St. George Rotunda Ancient Serdica - Day 2
Sofia to Veliko Turnovo
After breakfast, you have free time or can take the train to Veliko Turnovo in Central Bulgaria. The journey runs about 4 to 4.5 hours with one change at Gorna Oriahovitsa station. You'll cross the Balkan mountains with views of valleys, peaks, and the Iskar river gorge, then check in at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train journey through Balkan mountains and Iskar river gorge
Landmarks/POIs Iskar River Gorge Balkan Mountains - Day 3
Veliko Turnovo
With your private guide, you'll walk through medieval Veliko Turnovo, Bulgaria's former capital that sits on 4 hills above the Yantra river. The Old Town has cobblestone streets, Tsarevets Royal Hill features a fortress and Baldwin Tower, and the Samovodska Charshia marketplace lets you try local wines. You'll have free time to explore on your own before returning to your hotel.
Included Activities
- Private guided tour of Old Veliko Turnovo
- Visit Tsarevets Royal Hill with fortress
- Explore Baldwin Tower
- Visit Patriach's complex
- Visit Samovodska Charshia old marketplace
- Wine tasting
Landmarks/POIs Tsarevets Royal Hill Baldwin Tower Samovodska Charshia Yantra River - Day 4
Veliko Turnovo to Tryavna to Veliko Turnovo
After breakfast, you'll take the train to Tryavna, a trip of about 1 hour climbing toward the Balkan mountains. This town is known for icon painting and woodcarving. You'll see the Old Tryavna complex with its Clock tower, Old school, and St. Archangel Michail Church, plus the Daskalov House museum of woodcarving and local galleries. Lunch is at a local restaurant, then you return by train to Veliko Turnovo.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Train journey to Tryavna
- Visit Old Tryavna architectural complex
- See Clock tower
- Visit Old school
- Visit St. Archangel Michail Church (1192)
- Visit Daskalov House museum of woodcarving
- Explore galleries and workshops
Landmarks/POIs St. Archangel Michail Church Daskalov House Clock Tower, Tryavna Stara Planina - Day 5
Veliko Turnovo to Stara Zagora
You'll have breakfast and free time in Veliko Turnovo, or board the train to Stara Zagora in Central Thrace for about 3 hours. Known as a 'time machine' with 8 historical names, the city is famous for its linden trees. From late May to mid-July, annual festivals celebrate the linden flowering. You'll check in at your hotel and rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 6
Stara Zagora
Today you'll explore Stara Zagora, a city with 8,000 years of history. The Regional History Museum sits on remains of the ancient Roman city Augusta Traiana's main street from the 1st century A.D., where you can walk along preserved ancient roads. The Neolithic dwellings museum takes you back over 8,000 years with displays of prehistoric artifacts. The Museum of Religions shows a cult pit, Thracian sanctuary, medieval Christian cemetery, and Muslim temple together.
Optional Activities
- Visit Regional History Museum
- Walk along ancient Roman street of Augusta Traiana
- Visit Neolithic dwellings museum
- Visit Museum of Religions
Landmarks/POIs Regional History Museum Augusta Traiana Neolithic Dwellings Museum Museum of Religions - Day 7
Stara Zagora to Plovdiv
You'll depart by train from Stara Zagora to Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second-largest city and Europe's oldest continuously inhabited city. The journey takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. After checking in, your private guide leads a walking tour of central Plovdiv and Old Plovdiv, a UNESCO-awarded architectural reserve. You'll see National Revival houses, St. St. Constantine and Helena Church, the Ancient Theatre, remains of the Roman forum and Stadium, and the Djumaya Mosque along the world's longest pedestrian street.
Included Activities
- Private guided walking tour of central Plovdiv
- Visit Old Plovdiv architectural reserve
- View St. St. Constantine and Helena Church
- Visit Ancient Theatre
- See Roman forum remains
- See Stadium remains
- Walk longest pedestrian street of the world
- Visit Djumaya Mosque Square
Landmarks/POIs Ancient Theatre of Plovdiv St. St. Constantine and Helena Church Roman Forum Stadium of Plovdiv Djumaya Mosque - Day 8
Plovdiv
You have a free day in Plovdiv to explore at your own pace. The city has numerous museums, galleries, small workshops, and traditional restaurants to check out. The artistic neighborhood of Kapana is highly recommended for discovering various attractions and cultural sites. You'll stay at the same hotel.
Optional Activities
- Visit museums
- Explore galleries
- Visit small workshops
- Dine at traditional restaurants
- Explore Kapana artistic neighborhood
Landmarks/POIs Kapana - Day 9
Plovdiv to Bansko
You'll spend the full day traveling from Plovdiv to Bansko by train. At Septemvri railway station, you'll change to Bulgaria's only narrow-gauge railway line, built between 1921-1945. This 4-hour journey passes through valleys and gorges, linking the Upper Thracian Plain with the Western Rhodopes, Rila, and Pirin mountains. The route features 35 tunnels, 11 stations, and 10 stops. Avramovo station at 1,267 meters is the Balkans' highest station. You'll arrive in Bansko at Pirin mountain's foothills and check in.
Included Activities
- Train journey on narrow-gauge alpine railway
- Pass through Western Rhodopes, Rila and Pirin mountains
Landmarks/POIs Avramovo Station Pirin Mountain Western Rhodopes Rila Mountain - Day 10
Bansko
You'll dedicate the day to Bansko and Pirin mountain, a protected area within the EU's Natura 2000 network. Bansko is the perfect base for hiking and trekking at all levels, with marked eco trails through dense pine and fir forests, peaks, century-old trees, glacial lakes, and scenic views. You can use seat lifts, chalets, and mountain huts. You'll visit St. Trinity Church (19th century, a town symbol), Museum-House of Velyan, and House-Museum Neofit Rilski.
Optional Activities
- Hiking in Pirin National Park
- Trekking in Pirin National Park
- Walking trails in Pirin National Park
- Visit St. Trinity Church
- Visit Museum-House of Velyan
- Visit House-Museum Neofit Rilski
Landmarks/POIs St. Trinity Church Museum-House of Velyan House-Museum Neofit Rilski Pirin National Park - Day 11
Bansko to Sofia
You'll have a private car transfer to Sofia. Along the way, you'll stop at Rila Monastery, a UNESCO site and Bulgaria's largest monastery located 1,100 meters above sea level in Rila Mountain National Park. You'll have free time to see the wooden balconies, colorful murals, and views of mountain peaks. You'll arrive in Sofia in the afternoon and check in at your hotel.
- Meals
- Lunch (Family-run restaurant near Rila Monastery)
Included Activities
- Visit Rila Monastery UNESCO site
Landmarks/POIs Rila Monastery Rila Mountain National Park - Day 12
Sofia
You have free time in Sofia for your own discoveries or shopping before you depart the city.
