Top Bulgaria Cultural Tours

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.

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.

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.

Get out of the city and explore the notable religious sites around Plovdiv on this private day tour. Travel with a guide towards the Rhodope Mountains and visit King Asen's Fortress in Asenovgrad. Stop at the 11th-century Bachkovo Monastery and learn about its history. Choose to take a walk in the Red Wall Nature Reserve.

Trek up Mt. Vitosha and see the Boyana waterfall on this full-day tour from Sofia. Don your walking boots and hike to the top of Bulgaria’s fourth-highest mountain, passing lush meadows and pine woods. After soaking up panoramic views of Sofia from the summit, enjoy lunch (own expense) and descend to the Boyana fall, whose waters tumble down a steep rock face. Your tour includes return transfers from Sofia, including hotel pickup and drop-off.

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.

Dating back around 7,000 years, Sofia is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Get the perfect introduction to this fascinating and very walkable city on this private walking tour. See imperial landmarks, the ruins of the Roman city, historic places of worship, including the Sofia Synagogue, Sofia Church of St. George, and the Banya Bashi Mosque, and more. Any entrance fees are at your own expense.

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Sofia on a day tour to Lovech, Devetàshka cave, and Krushuna Falls, and explore with a professional guide for intimate insight into the rural region’s landscape, history, and culture. Take advantage of round-trip transfer from your hotel via air-conditioned vehicle for a hassle-free experience, and benefit from the more personalized service of a small-group tour.

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.

See two of Bulgaria's top attractions in one day on this self-guided tour that allows you to combine the convenience of a tour with flexibility of independent travel. By taking a shared shuttle, you can visit the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, in Rila National Park, in the morning and then in the afternoon explore the charming and historic city of Plovdiv, which is considered the cultural capital of Bulgaria.

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.

See two of Bulgaria’s religious treasures and another in Macedonia on this full-day tour from Sofia. Admire Sofia’s Boyana Church, a UNESCO-listed gem famed for its 13th-century frescoes, and then travel to the rural Zemen Monastery, a medieval complex graced with murals and portraits of Bulgarian nobles. Finally, cross into Macedonia to the mountainside Osogovo Monastery, considered one of the country’s most beautiful. Lunch, Boyana and Zemen admission, and Sofia hotel pickup and drop-off included.

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!

Sofia is one of the oldest cities in Europe, placed at crossroads. Life here began around the thermal springs. The traces of many cultures are found in the city. Despite the natural and human vicissitudes Sofia retains its spirit. Come with us and let’s see the ancient walls and temples, to drink the mineral water and feel like a local, and to understand why Sofia visitors become wiser.

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.

Sofia might be a small city but it's packed with history and culture. This small-group tour takes you around the Bulgarian capital to visit important landmarks, ruins, and museums. Learn about Bulgaria’s ancient heritage at the National Archaeology Museum and the Sofia History Museum to learn about the 20th-century monarchy period. Other highlights include the ruins of ancient Serdica, the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, and remnants from the Communist era.

With its lakes, waterfalls, caves, and forests, Pirin National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site—but it’s hard to reach without your own transport. Skip the hassle of researching routes and join a guide for a scenic hike past three of the beautiful Banderishka Lakes. After lunch (own expense) in Bansko, Bulgaria’s biggest ski resort, take a short walking tour of its historic quarter, then enjoy hotel pickup and drop-off in Sofia.

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.

Mingle with fellow travelers from all over the world on this action-packed pub crawl. Discover Sofia’s hippest nightlife hotspots with an insider guide as you explore the Bulgarian capital with new friends. Tours include complimentary wine, beer, or liquor shots at each of five different locations, plus free dance club admission on weekends.

Lovers of history will thrill to this action-packed private walking tour that takes you from the 4th-century Rotunda of St. George to grand 20th-century architecture. Stops include the Ottoman-era Banya Bashi Mosque, the Cathedral St. Alexander Nevski with its glorious icons, and the Ivan Vazov National Theater.

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.

Meet other travelers and ride comfortably with this Minibus tour of Bulgaria. Discover local traditions, culture, and history while visiting gems off the beaten path. Led by a guide, with different language options on different days, learn about the nation's daily life and social systems. Tour highlights include the Roman Baths of Odessos, the Stone Forest desert, and the Museum of Mosaics. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

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.

Discover two of Bulgaria's UNESCO World Heritage Sites on a private day tour from Sofia. With round-trip transportation and a local guide included, you're sure to get a seamless and immersive sightseeing experience. Begin with a leisurely visit to the active Rila Monastery, featuring relics, Tsar Boris III's coffin, and a museum. Next, head to Boyana Church, renowned for its beautiful frescoes. Weather permitting, you can also visit the Cave of John of Rila.