Top Bulgaria Archaeology Tours

Traverse millennia of history on a seamless day trip from Sofia. Traveling by air-conditioned coach, explore ancient Plovdiv, the mystical Starosel Thracian Temple, and the open-air street art village of Staro Zhelezare. - Plovdiv Old Town: Walk through historic cobblestone streets and major Roman ruins. - Lunch & Walk: Enjoy local food along Europe's longest pedestrian zone. - Starosel Temple: Discover an ancient 4th-century BC Thracian site. - Staro Zhelezare: Capture vibrant street art in a unique rural village. - Scenic Drive: Relax through the scenic Thracian Valley. Important Details This tour operates as a large group tour. Transport is provided by large 45 to 65-seater tourist coaches (not small minibuses). You will share the vehicle with other travelers and multi-language guided groups Passengers with different options may share transport; add-ons may require vehicle/guide changes. Closed-toe walking shoes are strictly required for uneven cobblestone streets.

Visit one of Buglaria's must-see UNESCO World Heritage Sites, without planning a thing, on this hassle-free tour to Boyana Church. After an easy ride to the outskirts of Sofia, you can pay your entry fee and enter this stunning medieval religious space. See the church's three distinct parts—built in the 11th, 13th, and 19th centuries—and admire the renowned frescoes dating back over 1,000 years.

Knowing the best spots to experience Bulgaria’s rich and varied cultural heritage can be tricky for visitors on limited time in the capital. Tick off Plovdiv, Asen’s Fortress, and Bachkovo Monastery in just 1 day on a small-group tour from Sofia. Save time with seamless round-trip transfer between landmarks, and learn about their Roman, Ottoman, and modern history from your professional guide.

Dive deep into Bulgarian history on a 10-hour group tour to the Valley of the Thracian Kings region. Beginning and ending at your Sofia accommodation, comfortable transportation enables you to cover a number of destinations in a short amount of time. Along the way, listen to mysterious stories about Orpheus and Spartacus. You also enjoy guided visits to Ostrusha Tomb, Golyama Kosmatka Mound, and the UNESCO listed Tomb of Kazanlak.

Grab your passport and head over the border to Serbia on this full-day tour of Nis from Sofia. Learn about the turbulent history of former Yugoslavia as you visit the Nis concentration camp; visit city sights including the Roman ruins of Mediana, the Skull Tower, and the Nisava riverfront; and sample delicious Serbian cuisine with lunch (own expense) at a local grill house.

IMPORTANT: Entrance in the monastery is only allowed with covered shoulders and covered knees. So please make sure you have appropriate clothes. Often called the 8th wonder of the world, the Seven Rila lakes are legendary for their beauty and awesomeness. They are one of the most visited natural sites of Bulgaria. We combine them with a visit to the Rila Monastery. The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. The tour starts at 08:00 and finishes around 19:00. The driver will pick you up, will take you to the Monastery and will show you around. After that he will take you to the lift to the 7 Rila Lakes, you will be able to go up to the lakes, the driver will stay down and wait for you there. When you come back, he will pick you from the lift and bring you back to Sofia.

If you're interested in visiting the centuries-old Belogradchik Fortress from Sofia, you likely need to rent a car, pay for gas, and navigate yourself on the drive. Visit this top Bulgarian cultural sight—without the hassle and expense of renting a car—with this private tour. Along the way, enjoy a stop at the bizarre geologic formation known as the Belogradchik Rocks, spend two hours at the fortress—with entry at your own expense—and admire the landscape as you sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride from Sofia.

Escape the hassle of planning and enjoy a seamless full-day adventure from Sofia to Bulgaria’s cultural gem, Plovdiv. Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle and explore one of Europe’s oldest cities without worrying about transport, navigation, or tickets. Choose to explore only Plovdiv, either with a guided walking tour or a comprehensive audio guide, or upgrade to include a visit to the National Revival town of Koprivshtitsa.

Forget the hassle of public transport on a private day tour to 2 of Bulgaria’s most popular attractions, optimizing your time with round-trip transfer from your Sofia hotel. Explore the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery and historic city of Plovdiv with your guide, benefiting from their undivided attention and cultural insights for a more personalized sightseeing experience.

Your guide will meet you at the entrance to Tsarevets Fortress. You will explore the medieval capital of Bulgaria, including Tsarevets, its Palace Complex and the Patriarchal Palace. Continue through Veliko Tarnovo to discover its museums, historic streets, monuments and panoramic viewpoints. For your comfort, you will receive an audio guide and headphones, allowing you to listen to fascinating stories in your own language without having to stand next to the guide. Along the route, you will see the Museum of the Bulgarian Revival and the Constituent Assembly, the Prison Museum, Gurko Street, Sarafkina House, the Monument to the Asen Dynasty and the famous House with the Monkey. The tour ends at Samovodska Charshiya, a charming historic street where you can enjoy local food and buy unique souvenirs. Discover Veliko Tarnovo comfortably, in your own language and at your own pace!

The Yagodinska Cave is 10 kilometers long, 5 stories tall, and made up of many labyrinths. Visitors enter the cave through an artificial opening and follow a special path with electric lights illuminating the beautiful and mysterious formations – stalactites, stalagmites, and cave pearls. In the natural entrance to the cave, located 10 minutes walk from the main visitor entrance, hearths dating back to 4,000 B.C. have been uncovered. These hearths are evidence of eneolithic peoples who lived in the cave. Devil’s Throat is, according to legend, the route by which Orpheus, the legendary Thracian singer, attempted to retrieve his beloved Euridice from Hades in the Underworld. It is connected to lots of mystical powers and it beholds the largest waterfall inside a cave on the Balkan peninsula. Teams from all over the world have tried to connect the waterfall with different rivers but nobody has succeeded and the mystery where and how the water goes still persists until today.

Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Sofia on a private half-day tour. This thorough sightseeing excursion takes you to over a dozen of the city's top landmarks, including the Central Market Hall, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and the vibrant historical city center. Along the way, your guide will provide insights into the city's past and present, making this personalized tour a perfect introduction to Sofia's highlights.

Get out of the busy city and explore Bulgaria’s history on this full-day private tour. Depart from your Plovdiv hotel with a guide. Visit the Rose Valley and learn about rose oil production. Continue on to the Valley of the Thracian Kings and visit the Golyama Kosmatka Tomb and the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak.

Explore ancient Bulgaria on this private 8-day guided tour through the world of the Thracians, one of Europe's most mysterious and powerful ancient civilizations. Visit more UNESCO World Heritage Sites in a single tour than almost any other Bulgaria itinerary on Viator. From Sofia, travel to Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria's medieval royal capital, before diving deep into Thracian history at the UNESCO listed Tomb of Sveshtari, the extraordinary Kazanlak Thracian Tomb (one of the best preserved ancient burial sites in Europe), and the vast Perperikon cliff sanctuary, a sacred city carved entirely from rock. En route, discover Starosel, home to Bulgaria's largest Thracian cult complex, before arriving in Plovdiv, one of Europe's oldest continuously inhabited cities. End your journey with a visit to the iconic Rila Monastery, Bulgaria's most visited UNESCO site, before returning to Sofia.

Discover Sofia’s hidden past beneath the city streets! Walk through the underground Roman ruins of ancient Serdica, where history, legends, and everyday life from 2,000 years ago come alive. ✅ Tickets included

Plovdiv was originally a Thracian city before later becoming a Greek city, and then a major Roman city. In the Middle Ages, it retained its strategic regional importance, changing hands between the Byzantine and Bulgarian Empires. Plovdiv’s history spans 8,000 years, it’s the second biggest city in Bulgaria, it has traces of a Neolithic settlement dating to roughly 6000 BC. Approximate schedule, it can be plus/minus 30 minutes at those stops depending on the day and the traffic: 12:00 Meet and leave Sofia 13:30 We arrive in Plovdiv and have some time to walk around 14:00 Joining the Free Plovdiv Tour (this is a donation based tour, and the tip for the guide is not included in the price of the tour) 16:00 Time to walk around Plovdiv and optionally grab some food 17:00 We leave Plovdiv 18:30 We arrive back in Sofia

Learn what life was like in communist-era Bulgaria on a Sofia city walking tour. Meet your informative guide in central Sofia and check out the buildings and monuments that testify to its and Bulgaria’s 45 years on the eastern side of the Iron Curtain. See the Largo complex, former home of Bulgaria’s Communist Party; the Monument to the Soviet Army; the National Palace of Culture and more as your guide explains communist ideology and the everyday lives of Bulgarians during the controversial Cold War period.

Take a journey back in time to when the Thracians occupied what is now Bulgaria on this tour of the Thracian Tombs. Choose a self-guided tour or opt to have a private guide to learn about how these ancient peoples buried their dead in elaborate tombs. There are over 60,000 tombs in Bulgaria but this tour takes you to six tombs to learn about their stories and the history, customs, and beliefs of the Thracians.

You will explore the old town of Nessebar on your own at your own pace, with the help of an audio guide and a map of the excursion route. Approaching the desired object, you dial its number and start playback. After paying for the tour, a link with access to audio files will be sent to your email. On the day of the excursion you have chosen, the link will become active and will be valid for 24 hours. You will listen to audio recordings through your phone. Attention: Internet consumption is minimal! The tour ends with a visit to the winery, where you will be treated to the best wines and you can try their great taste yourself. The Nessebar was founded about 3,000 years ago by the Thracians. Built on a small peninsula that attracts its guests with its romantic narrow streets and enchanting views. It has since then developed, but is still one of the oldest cities in Europe.

Get an overview of Plovdiv’s notable historical sights on this private sightseeing tour. Learn about the history of Plovdiv and Bulgaria from your guide as you stroll through the city. Take time to visit the Roman Stadium, the Ancient Theater, Old Town, and Djumaia Mosque. As you stroll, get a feel for the laid-back nature of the city.

Maximize your limited vacation time in Bulgaria on a private day tour from Sofia to Plovdiv. As you explore Plovdiv's Old Town, the Roman Stadium, and the Roman Theater, your guide provides live commentary that takes you beyond the guidebook and into the city's history. Thanks to your local guide, you also gain insights and up-to-date information on Bulgaria's current political and economic landscape.

Discover Plovdiv on a comfortable small-group day trip from Sofia. The experience combines hotel pickup in Sofia, organized transportation, a guided walking tour through the most interesting parts of the city, free time, and a pleasant final bonus with traditional Bulgarian rakia. During the approximately 2.5-hour walking tour, you will explore the main highlights of ancient Plovdiv and the Old Town, discover lesser-known archaeological sites, and experience the unique atmosphere of the city.

Travel from Sofia to Plovdiv in a comfortable Mercedes van and immerse yourself in the rich history of one of the world's oldest cities. Experience a guided walking tour through Plovdiv’s Old Town, where you will admire its Revival-era architecture and visit the Ancient Roman Theatre, known for its exceptional preservation. After the tour, enjoy approximately 3 hours of free time to explore at your own pace, whether revisiting favorite spots or discovering new hidden gems in the vibrant Kapana district. With a small group setting, this tour ensures a relaxed atmosphere and exceptional service throughout the day. - Comfortable transport from Sofia to Plovdiv in a Mercedes business van - Guided walking tour of Plovdiv’s Old Town, lasting approximately 2 hours - Visit iconic landmarks like the Ancient Roman Theatre - Enjoy 3 hours of free time to explore Plovdiv at your leisure