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This trip is ideal for foreign tourists who want to get to know the nature, history and spiritual heritage around the capital of Bulgaria in a short time. The route combines the Vitosha Mountain with parts of the Sofia Holy Mount – a wreath of medieval monasteries, located around Sofia and often called the “little Athos”. It is a unique combination, with which you will visit four special places: the Boyana church – UNESCO heritage site – as well as the three most significant monasteries from the Sofia Holy Mount: Dragalevsky, Germansky and Kremikovsky! The Sofia Holy Mount, also known as “Sredetska Mala Holy Mount”, is a medieval ensemble comprising 14 monasteries, along with hermitages and chapels. This complex flourished around Sofia and its surrounding mountains during the era of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, from 1185 to 1417. This excursion offers a balanced experience – nature, culture and spirituality – just a step away from the modern European capital.

Hike through rugged terrain to the Seven Rila Lakes on a full-day tour from Sophia, and discover the remarkable scenery of the Rila Mountains. Take a chairlift to a high-mountain hut and continue on foot along the jeweled string of lakes. Follow your guide through alpine passes into remote valleys, then rest in the shade of hikers’ shelters; take in sweeping views of the Bulgarian landscape and enjoy the crisp, clear air of the Balkans’ highest mountain range.

Appreciating the diversity of Balkan culture can be difficult, especially with limited time in the region. Explore Macedonian culture on a day tour to Skopje from Sofia, and tick off another Balkan capital in just one day. Travel the distance with ease in a small group, and discover landmarks including the Skopje Fortress, Memorial House of Mother Teresa, and Old Bazaar, with insights provided by your guide.

Save yourself the hassle of hiring a car, and get to two highlights of northern Macedonia with ease, thanks to this small-group day trip. After getting picked up from Sofia, the trip visits the capital city of Skopje to tick off a variety of local landmarks—such as Skopje Fortress, Macedonia Square, and the Memorial House of Mother Teresa. The trip also showcases the natural wonder of Matka Canyon, where you can embark on a boat trip through a cave.

Discover the intriguing history of Bulgaria under communist rule from 1945 to 1990 on this small group guided tour. Explore a hidden park featuring authentic monuments from the communist era, while learning about daily life, economic organization, and restrictions faced by citizens. Delve into topics like media control, educational structures, and the oppressive measures of the regime. Visit the 'Vaska Emanuilova' Gallery, home to significant sculptures from this period, with free entry included. The tour wraps up near a traditional restaurant reflecting communist style, perfect for a lunch stop. - Small group tour exploring Bulgaria's communist history - Visit a park with preserved monuments and limited walking distance - Free entry to the 'Vaska Emanuilova' Gallery featuring propaganda art - Option for lunch at a restaurant decorated in traditional communist style

Reaching the Seven Rila Lakes by public transport typically involves two buses, a shuttle and most of your day. Take the pain out of transportation—while maintaining total independence—with this cost-effective shared transfer. Visit both these beautiful glacial lakes and the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with ample time for hiking.

With its mixture of Communist architecture, contemporary city life, and neoclassical charm, Sofia offers a great location to perfect your photography—not least because some of the best views are uncrowded. This private tour lets your instructor focus exclusively on your group, teaching you everything from managing manual camera settings to honing composition, controlling light, and using your creativity in post-processing.

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.

Forget planning routes, researching sites, and boning up on history. See all Sofia’s key attractions and learn the stories behind them too on this great-value small-group walking tour: perfect for history buffs. Sights include the ruins of the Roman-era east gate, the 4th-century Rotunda of St. George, the Byzantine St. Sofia Basilica, the Ivan Vazov National Theater, and the Cathedral Saint Alexander Nevsky.

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Sofia on this full-day trip to Rila Monastery and the town of Sapareva Banya—home of Kotvata Thermal Spa Complex. Explore the monastery with free online audio-guides in multiple languages, visit the charming town for a wander, and if you like, head to the spa to bathe in its mineral water pools (additional expense).

Getting around Kosovo and North Macedonia independently is a slow and time-consuming business. Discover them with a driver/guide and a small group of like-minded travelers on this 2-day adventure from Sofia, with an overnight stay at a 3-star hotel in historic Prizren. See bazaars, medieval bridges, giant statues, Ottoman mosques, mountaintop fortresses, and more on a whirlwind tour of two of the Balkans’ most fascinating and least visited nations.

Avoid the hassle of organizing car rental and have a private driver for the day instead with this day trip to Plovdiv and Asen’s Fortress. After a Sofia pickup, travel directly to Plovdiv to see its beautiful Old Town landmarks. Enjoy a guided tour past highlights such as the Roman Theater, Europe’s longest pedestrian street, and early Christian mosaics. The trip also visits Asen’s Fortress—a stunning medieval structure in the mountains that offers incredible photo opportunities and panoramic views.

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.

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.

Discover the secrets of the three main Orthodox churches in Sofia with their inherent crypts and museums. Visit the tomb of the king-liberator and first ruler of the Third Bulgarian Kingdom, Alexander I Battenberg. Learn more about the history and development of the Christian religion, about the guiding principles and differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism, and about the life of the first Bulgarian monarch after the liberation from the five-century Ottoman yoke. The tour duration of 2 hours also includes the short walking between the sites.

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.

Combine visits to Kazanlak, the rose oil extraction capital of Bulgaria, and the Valley of the Thracian Kings on this full-day tour from Sofia. Learn about the rose oil industry and visit the noble tombs in the valley, including one UNESCO World Heritage Site. Entrance fees and round-trip hotel transportation included.

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.

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.

Enjoy a memorable trip to the most famous Bulgarian monastery - Rila Monastery - UNESCO heritage site. Relax on a convenient transportation and have the freedom to explore the monastery complex on your own pace. Take photos, check the souvenir shops, explore the history museum and try some of the delicious local pastries, offered in the monastery`s bakery. Audio info (cloud-based) in English, Spanish and Italian is included - smartphone and wi-fi are required to be used. After the monastery visit, you will also stop at the charming boutique wine estate located at the foothills of Rila Mountain - Villa Montevino. There you will be able to take some memorable photos, grab a coffee or drink a glass of local wine. After a delightful trip, you will return in Sofia in the early afternoon, so that you can spend some free time there or continue to the airport for your return flight.

Sofia is a compact city but sights like the Boyana Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are time-consuming to reach independently. Soak up the signatures in just half a day on this small-group guided city tour. First, visit the Boyana Church. Next, explore downtown on a walking tour that takes in the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Roman ruins, the Church of St. George, and more. Tour includes hotel pickup.

Enjoy a relaxing Sofia evening tour, with an exciting folklore program and a delicious traditional Bulgarian dinner! See the most interesting sites of the town – Saint Alexander Nevsky Cahedral, Saint Sofia Basilica, the parliament, the old palace and the Largo complex. Then, continue to a traditional restaurant, where you will be impressed with the local dances and music, as well as with the tasteful local dishes!

This is a private tour that begins with a convenient hotel pick-up at 9:00 am. Your experience starts with a visit to the impressive The Bell Monument, where you’ll have time to take memorable photos of this unique landmark. Next, you’ll explore two of Sofia’s most significant cultural treasures — the National History Museum and the Boyana Church, both offering fascinating insights into Bulgaria’s rich history and heritage. Finally, you’ll head into Sofia’s vibrant city center to discover its most iconic historical landmarks, rounding off a memorable and enriching experience. Additionally — depending on the season — the walking tour in Sofia may take place either at the beginning of the tour (in the morning) or at the end (in the afternoon).