Top Bulgaria Cultural Tours - page 2

Enrich your knowledge of Bulgaria’s rich culture and history on a full-day excursion to Koprivshtitsa and Starosel from Sofia. Alongside an expert guide, travel through the picturesque Bulgarian countryside and embark on a tour of Koprivshtitsa, a town whose architecture typifies the Bulgarian style. After admiring 19th-century houses, historical monuments and precious jewelry, continue to the ancient Neolithic ruins of Starosel, home to the largest underground temple in the Balkans. Conclude your tour with a visit to a popular wine cellar to sample some of the best wines in the region before returning to Sofia by comfortable coach.

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.

Koprivshtitsa is one of Bulgaria’s most beautiful historic sights, with spectacular houses that played home to some of the nation’s most influential thinkers and revolutionaries. But it’s tricky to reach from Sofia on public transit. Save time and gain the expertise of a private guide on this door-to-door tour that pairs Koprivshtitsa with Bulgaria’s photogenic second city, Plovdiv. Please note that entrance fees are at your own expense.

This day tour of Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa from Sophia saves you the headache of renting a car and navigating Bulgaria’s roads on your own. Your transportation and itinerary are taken care of, and you'll discover the highlights of both cities. Discover the influences of the Romans, Thracians, and Byzantines as you walk through Plovdiv, and see the homes of some of Koprivshtitsa's most famous residents.

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.

The Rila Monastery—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—shouldn’t be missed when visiting Sofia, but many day trips involve hours of being herded around, leaving you little time to appreciate your surroundings. Ideal for independent-minded travelers, this hassle-free excursion by bus gives you hours of free time after a guided introduction, letting you take in medieval frescoes, hike, snap photos, or enjoy a local lunch, all at your own pace.

This day trip takes you to the highlights of one of Europe’s oldest cities—Plovdiv, as well as the stunning Rhodope Mountains. Going on an organized tour means there’s no need to worry about booking transport or waiting in ticket lines—round-trip transfers and admission are both included. During the tour, learn about Bulgaria’s history and culture, explore Plovdiv’s Old Town, and enjoy a boat ride that showcases mountain views.

The mountains are one of Bulgaria’s great joys—especially for hikers—but can be hard to reach independently. Tailor-made for lovers of both walking and history, this action-packed day features a hike around the beautiful Seven Rila Lakes and a tour of the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Opt for self-guided tour, book an audio guide, or explore with a live guide: All packages exclude entrance fees and chairlift tickets.

Buzludzha is a historical peak in the Central Balkan Mountains, Bulgaria and is 1,432 metres high. In 1868 it was the place of the final battle between Bulgarian rebels led by Hadji Dimitar and Stefan Karadzha and forces of the Ottoman Empire. The House-Monument of the Bulgarian Communist Party (also known as the Buzludzha Monument) was built on the peak by the Bulgarian communist regime. It commemorated the events of 1891, when a group of socialists led by Dimitar Blagoev assembled secretly in the area to form an organised socialist movement that led to the founding of the Bulgarian Social Democratic Party, a forerunner of the Bulgarian Communist Party. Construction of the monument began on 23 January 1974 under architect Georgi Stoilov, a former mayor of Sofia and co-founder of the Union of Architects in Bulgaria. The building exemplifies the brutalist architectural style common to many state-constructed communist buildings.

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.

The tour is one of the classic cultural and heritage tours and with us you will you learn not only about the monastery and the church, but also history of Bulgaria, some Orthodox Christianity basics or details on Orthodox traditions, as well as you will get information on modern daily lifestyle of the average Bulgarian family, and last but not least - great professional and friendly attitude by knowledgeable tour guides!

Lovers of landscapes will adore this guided group tour of the rocky vistas around Belogradchik town. Travel from Sofia through the Balkan Mountains to Belogradchik, then admire the spectacular rock formations and ancient fortress. Enjoy the stalagmites and stalactites of Venetsa Cave before your guide returns you to your hotel.

Southern Bulgaria is home to fascinating cultural and natural attractions, but moving between locations isn’t easy by public transportation. Visit two of the country’s most iconic landmarks during this full-day, small-group combo tour. First, tour iconic Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, taste the famous wines of Melnik, near the Greek border, and visit the town’s pyramid-shaped rock formations.

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.

Get an in-depth look at the culture, history, and architecture of Sofia on a small-group tour. Get a better understanding of Bulgarian culture (plus free admission) during guided visits at the National History Museum and UNESCO-listed Boyana Church. Round out your day with a comprehensive but leisurely tour of the city center.

Explore Macedonia’s ancient capital city on this all-day guided tour. After a convenient hotel pickup, catch spectacular mountain views before beginning a walking tour of Skopje. Learn the fascinating history of this cultural crossroads from an informative local guide. Visit important sites like a memorial dedicated to Mother Teresa, the city’s oldest church, St. Saviour, and Skopje’s historic fortress.

Experience old-time Bulgaria on this small-group tour of Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi from Sofia. Travel by air-conditioned minivan to Tarnovo, a one-time medieval craft center and capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire. Stroll the cobbled streets, discover the craft shops, explore Tsarevets Fortress, once a stronghold of Bulgaria’s tsars, and visit nearby Arbanassi village, famous for its well-preserved stone houses and church frescoes. Central Sofia pickup and drop-off included, with entrance fees at own expense.

Get out of Sofia and learn about rose oil on this guided tour. Visit the Valley of the Roses, a center of rose oil production before continuing on to the Thracian tomb in Kazanlak to learn about its history from your guide. Admire the architecture at the 19th-century Memorial Temple of the Birth of Christ. It is important to note that rose blooms can only be seen from mid-May to mid-June.

Visit two of Bulgaria’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites on a full-day excursion from Sofia to Plovdiv and Bachkovo Monastery. Spend the morning exploring the Roman ruins in Plovdiv Old Town, then see the gorgeous icons in one of Europe’s oldest Eastern Orthodox monasteries. This 9-hour tour includes pickup and drop-off at Sofia hotels as well as entrance fees at the Plovdiv Roman Theater, and it’s the perfect introduction to Bulgaria’s rich history and culture.

History buffs and anyone with an interest in the Communist era will love this informative walking tour. Learn about everyday life for Bulgarians during the Communist period as you tour the city’s key Communist sites. See the Soviet Army Monument, the National Palace of Culture Congress Center, and the Georgi Dimitrov Mausoleum, and shop for relics at the Flea Market.

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.

Travel back in time to the Socialist Republic of Bulgaria on a full-day Communist tour. Provided round-trip transportation from your hotel eliminates the guesswork of navigating public buses on your own. After a visit to the Museum of Socialist Art in Sofia, relax during a scenic country drive to the Buzludzha monument. Along the way, listen to in-depth commentary about the country’s eventful history from 1946 to 1989.

Discover Plovdiv, the 2019 European Capital of Culture, and the mighty Asen’s Fortress on this full-day small-group tour from Sofia. Explore the atmospheric Old Town of Plovdiv on a guided walking tour; go back in time with a virtual reality experience; enjoy a typical Bulgarian lunch at a local restaurant (own expense), then marvel at the views from the mountaintop medieval castle.

The region surrounding Veliko Tarnovo is studded with waterfalls, monasteries, and history-steeped sights. Make sure you don’t miss its best bits; take a tour by Jeep with a local guide to make the most of your time in the region. You’ll go off-road to get up close to Bulgaria’s nature, and find the hidden gems that you’d struggle to find if exploring on your own. Hotel pickup is available for added convenience.