Top Sofia Day Trips - page 4

Private Day Trip to Plovdiv and Asen's Fortress

9 hoursFree Cancellation

4.5

(13)

from $244

See two of Bulgaria’s UNESCO World Heritage sites in a day—a feat that’s not possible on public transport—when you book this private guided tour, with round-trip hotel transfers from Sofia. First, explore the Rila Monastery, Bulgaria’s largest Orthodox monastery, with a history going back to the 10th century. Next, visit the Boyana Church, a complex of three churches that include 13th-century Byzantine frescoes.

Likely to Sell Out

Rila Monastery Private Tour

4.3

from $126

Iskar Gorge Trek, Skaklia Waterfall and Cherepish Monastery Tour from Sofia

6 to 8 hoursFree Cancellation

4.2

(5)

from $99

Discover the architecture, culture, and history of Koprivshititsa on a private full-day tour from Sofia. Forget uncomfortable public buses and relax in your very own end-to-end private transportation. En route, you’re free to pause the scenic ride at any point to stretch your legs or photograph the surrounding wildlife. Upon arrival, explore the charming Bulgarian town with your guide and learn about the dramatic history of the April Uprising.

Koprivshtitsa Private Day Trip From Sofia

(4)

from $220

Immerse yourself in Bulgaria’s millennia of history—and enjoy tastes of some of the country’s best beers, too—on this two-in-one, full-day tour. In the morning, depart from Sofia and head to the ancient city of Plovdiv: upon arrival, you’ll discover its Old Town, see its Roman–era ruins, and more. Following lunch (own expense) and beer and some free time to explore, continue to Bulgaria’s oldest brewery for an in-depth tour and tasting.

Plovdiv-History and Craft beer Small Group Tour

Plovdiv-History and Craft beer Small Group Tour

10 hoursFree Cancellation

(5)

from $104

Discover the highlights of southwestern Bulgaria without even thinking of touching the wheel on this convenient tour. Discover Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a masterpiece of Bulgarian Renaissance art and architecture. Visit the tiny town of Melnik, with its extraordinary pyramid rock formations, and explore the Kordopulova House. Your tour includes transport and guiding but excludes entrance fees.

From Sofia: Rila Monastery and Melnik Small Group Tour

From Sofia: Rila Monastery and Melnik Small Group Tour

11 hoursFree Cancellation

It’s a 4-hour bus ride to Belogradchik, the little mountain town that houses perhaps Bulgaria’s most spectacular rock formations. Get there and back in just one day on this convenient door-to-door tour capped at only five travelers. Exploring with your driver/guide, see the Belogradchik Rocks, an extraordinary series of pinnacles reminiscent of Utah or Arizona, and the Belogradchik Fortress, with a heritage dating back to Roman times.

(13)

from $35

From Sofia: Belogradchick - The Bulgarian Arizona

11 hoursFree Cancellation

(1)

from $128

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.

One Day Tour from Sofia to Koprivshtitsa and Plovdiv

10 to 11 hoursFree Cancellation

(7)

from $203

Journey through Bulgaria’s history from Roman times to modern day on this full-day tour of Plovdiv and Perushtitsa from Sofia. Marvel at the ancient ruins of Plovdiv, including the Roman Stadium, Roman Forum, and Amphitheater, admire the magnificent Red Church and the Three Generations Monument in Perushtitsa; then enjoy wine tasting at a local winery. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Plovdiv and Perushtitsa Day Trip with Wine Tasting from Sofia

Plovdiv and Perushtitsa Day Trip with Wine Tasting from Sofia

9 hoursFree Cancellation

4.7

(6)

from $168

Discover three of Bulgaria's most spectacular (and often-overlooked) natural wonders on a small-group tour from Sofia. This immersive excursion is perfect for nature lovers, hikers, and history buffs alike. Begin at Devetashka Cave and discover its rock bridge, prehistoric history, and bat population. Then explore the otherworldly beauty of Prohodna Cave, also known as God's Eyes Cave. Finally, take in the majesty and rumored healing powers of the Krushuna Waterfalls.

Wilderness experience- Kroshuna waterfalls with Devetashka and God's eyes cave

Wilderness experience- Kroshuna waterfalls with Devetashka and God's eyes cave

10 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

(11)

from $126

Admire the sights of Sofia by night before dinner and a folklore show on this evening tour. Take a panoramic drive around Bulgaria’s capital to see its illuminated highlights, including the floodlit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, National Palace of Culture, and more. Then, savor a 3-course Bulgarian dinner complemented with a live folklore show of traditional local music and dance. Dinner, show, air-conditioned transport, and central hotel pickup and drop-off included.

Sofia by Night Panoramic Tour with Dinner and Folklore Show

Sofia by Night Panoramic Tour with Dinner and Folklore Show

4 hoursFree Cancellation

4.5

(41)

from $157

Private Transfer from Sofia City to Sofia (SOF) Airport

30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.0

(4)

from $97

Per group

Likely to Sell Out

Prohodna Eyes, Saeva Cave & Zlatna Panega River Trail Tour

Visit Saeva dupka and Ledenika — two of Bulgaria’s fascinating cave systems — on this 1-day tour from Sofia. Travel across the Balkan Range to Brestnica with a guide and explore Saeva dupka — a subterranean cave system of five halls and echoing corridors inhabited since the Roman era. Then, travel onward to Ledenika — widely considered to be Bulgaria’s most impressive underground cave. During your tour, admire mighty stalactites and stalagmites throughout the 10 halls, dip your hand in the Lake of Wishes and enjoy an amazing 3D laser show inside the cave.

Prohodna Eyes, Saeva Cave & Zlatna Panega River Trail Tour

(8)

from $173

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.

Guided Walking Tour of Sofia

2 hoursFree Cancellation

(144)

from $46

Discover Bulgarian history, cuisine, and winemaking on a full-day tour from Sofia to Plovdiv and the Thracia Valley. Spend the morning strolling through Plovdiv Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, pause for a traditional Bulgarian lunch, then visit a beloved vineyard for a guided tasting and tour. This 10-hour tour includes entrance fees at the Plovdiv Roman Theater, lunch, and tastings, with pickup and drop-off at Sofia hotels.

Plovdiv and Thracia Valley with Wine Tasting

10 hoursFree Cancellation

4.7

(17)

from $168

Private Premium One-way Transfer Sofia Airport to Hotel or back

1 hourFree Cancellation

from $68

4.7

(23)

from $133

Travel with a small group to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church, two UNESCO World Heritage sites. An informative guide points out 19th-century paintings depicting the Bulgarian Renaissance at the country’s largest monastery, set against the beauty of the Rila mountains. In the afternoon, visit Boyana Church to view its medieval frescoes. You’ll travel round-trip by air-conditioned minivan from Sofia’s Alexander Nevski Square.

Likely to Sell Out

Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour

Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour

8 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.6

(69)

from $41

Bulgaria’s unique attractions span thousands of years, but visitors without their own transportation risk missing out on some of the country’s most interesting sites. Visit a hand-picked selection of three destinations during this full-day private tour from Sofia. Get a chance to photograph the Communist-era monument of Buzludzha, learn about the Balkan Peninsula’s ancient history at the Tomb of Seuthes III, and explore the historic town of Koprivshtitsa on foot.

Tour to Koprivshtitsa and the Buzludzha monument incl the Seuthes Thracian Tomb

11 hoursFree Cancellation

3.7

from $197

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

Plovdiv Morning or Afternoon Half Day tour

6 to 7 hoursFree Cancellation

Book a tour to Veliko Tarnovo and discover the city and surrounding region with a friendly guide. Veliko Tarnovo is one of the oldest cities in the country, and its history dates back more than 5 millennia. The Byzantine Citadel, first built in the 5th century, has become one of Bulgaria's most famous monuments. Tarnovo boasts many other archaeological wonders in the process of being unearthed and restored; see an excavation of a royal residence in progress at Trapezitsa Hill. Walk to the top of the hill Tsarevets, where the royal citadel is placed and see the reconstructed palace and Patriarchate. The meanders of Yantra river are enjoyment for every one especially for photographers.

(4)

from $57

Day tour from Sofia to the former capital Veliko Tarnovo

Day tour from Sofia to the former capital Veliko Tarnovo

10 to 11 hoursFree Cancellation

from $138

Discover the best of Bulgaria in one unforgettable day, combining culture, nature, and relaxation. Begin your jorney with a guided visit to the stunning Rila Monastery, Bulgaria’s most iconic spiritual site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover its peaceful courtyard, admire the vivid frescoes, and learn the story of the hermit saint Ivan of Rila, who founded this remarkable monastery in the 10th century. The journey then continues into the breathtaking Rila Mountains, where a scenic chairlift ride takes you to the alpine world of the Seven Rila Lakes. Enjoy guided or free time to explore the area at your own pace, surrounded by spectacular mountain views. (Chairlift ticket not included.) To end the day, you can unwind in the warm mineral pools of Aqua Club Kotvata in Sapareva Banya — the perfect way to relax after the hike. (Spa entry optional and not included.)

Rila Monastery, Seven Rila Lakes Hike and Hot Springs from Sofia

Rila Monastery, Seven Rila Lakes Hike and Hot Springs from Sofia

11 to 12 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

(11)

from $70

Buzludzha Communist Monument and Ancient Thracian Tomb

Buzludzha Communist Monument and Ancient Thracian Tomb

10 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

from $68

Sofia Holy Mount: Boyana Church and 3 Monasteries with 1 Trip

5 to 6 hoursFree Cancellation

(1)

from $41

The Seven Rila Lakes Day Tour From Sofia

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What are people saying about Sofia

Scott_J, Jun 2026

7 lakes Rila

It is well worth it at a great price with a very knowledgeable guide who maintained safety at all times and spoke great English. Our guide was Megi Angelova and cannot rate her enough! I would do this tour again in a heartbeat and will be surely recommending to other likeminded travelers I meet! Thank you Megi!

Must-See Plovdiv Day Tour from Sofia

Charlie_H, Jun 2026

Day trip to Plovdiv

If you’re visiting Sofia I would really recommend this trip. Plovdiv is a really interesting place and offers something different to Sofia. There’s the perfect balance of time between the guided tour (I had Martin who was great) and free time to explore, where you have more than enough time to sit down and grab a coffee, a beer, and a meal. Departure and arrival to and from Sofia really punctual as well in a spacious coach.

Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour

Wu_T, Jun 2026

A Memorable Tour with an Exceptional Guide, Ms. Ornella

We joined the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour on May 27, 2025, and it was one of the highlights of our visit to Bulgaria. A special thank you to our tour guide, Ms. Ornella, who made the experience truly memorable. She is warm, energetic, and humorous, with a genuine passion for sharing Bulgaria's rich history and culture. Throughout the tour, she provided detailed information and clear explanations about the sites we visited, bringing the history to life in an engaging and easy-to-understand way. Ms. Ornella was also attentive to her guests, ensuring everyone felt comfortable and included. Her enthusiasm, professionalism, and friendly personality created a wonderful atmosphere for the entire group. The stunning beauty of Rila Monastery and the historical significance of Boyana Church were greatly enhanced by her insightful commentary. We highly recommend this tour, especially if you have the opportunity to explore these remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Sites with Ms. Ornella as your guide.

Communist Walking Tour of Sofia

Penny_D, May 2026

This was such an...

This was such an entertain and informative tour with engaging and knowledgeable John. It brought to life aspects on the communist era in a non confrontational intelligent factual way. Alongside this we were able to admire many of Sofia’s heritage buildings and enjoy this remarkable city. Highly recommended. A must if visiting Sofia.

From Sofia:Rila Monastery with Boyana Church or St. Ivan’s Cave

Adrienne_B, May 2026

Day trip to Rila Monastery

A day trip out to the Rila Monastry. Definitely worth a visit it is beautiful and the church is ornate. Off then to Boyne church also worth a visit. We stopped at a national memorial on the way back which celebrated children and there were bells from all over the world. Took packed lunch though you can buy pastries at the monastery. Downside was the toilets at the monastery are awful just appalling! Wait until you get to the Boyne church.

Plovdiv Small Group Full Day Guided Tour from Sofia

Dmitri_G, May 2026

Ani was a excellent tour guide and very welcoming

Tour guide Ani was very friendly right from the beginning. Despite only being booked and required to speak in Spanish Ani kindly translated everything into English for those of us who should have had audio guides. I had downloaded the audio guide but hard to follow given that the numbers etc. didn't tie up with the order that we saw things in Plovdiv. Also, the audio guide is an American voice that goes into a lot of detail sometimes for nearly 10 minutes at a time, which I found quite annoying after awhile and hard to stay interested in. If you can I definitely recommend booking a tour with a tour guide that speaks your required language and don't book the audio guide tours. Plovdiv was lovely and nice weather. We also went to the Thracian tomb near Starosel and Starosel art village to look at the amazing graffiti art work. Thank you Ani and our driver for a lovely day trip in a comfortable minibus.

Small group tour to Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery

Carlos_B, May 2026

Exceptional service with Josif Barsanov – An unforgettable day in Plovdiv!

I cannot recommend this tour enough. We had a scheduling conflict as the agency was fully booked, but they went above and beyond to make sure we didn't miss Plovdiv. Our guide, Josif Barsanov, was absolutely incredible. Even though it was his day off, he stepped in to take us. His English is excellent, and he is deeply knowledgeable and attentive. He brought his 6-year-old daughter along, who was lovely and made the experience feel even more special and authentic. We learned so much about Bulgaria and felt truly cared for the whole day. If you are looking for a guide who genuinely cares about your experience, Josif is the best. Thank you for making our trip so memorable!

Wine Tasting in Heart of Sofia

Bret_M, May 2026

Bulgarian wine and Viticulture

Enjoyed learning about Bulgarian viticulture, history, and wines. Kalin was very much a student and teacher of the industry. Really appreciated his insights and comparisons to other wine regions. We tasted 5 wines, 3 or which were his own production. The wines helped us explore the different white and red grapes while also sampling some very good local sheep and cow cheeses. Afterwards we were able to purchase from his store stock or those we sampled.

Sofia Walking Private City Tour

Kiril_Y, Nov 2025

First time in Sofia

Our tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. She spoke perfect English and showed us everything a foreign tourist would want to experience when they are in Sofia and Bulgaria in general for the first time. We were very satisfied and would recommend this tour 100% to anyone who wants to learn some of the Bulgarian history and culture when they are in the country for the first time.

Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia

Jennifer_C, Sep 2025

Super organized tour and would highly recommend to everybody!

Philip’s communication before the day and via the WhatsApp group was incredibly helpful. Phillip texted us throughout the day with reminders of timing and it made the entire experience feel extremely organized, well thought out and attentive. I also really like the fact that we were in a small bus van, and we purposely arrived an hour after the big bus companies at the monastery so this way, we could have a much more quiet and authentic experience. We were also given paper maps of the hiking trails and also of the monastery, which made for a very easy day to get around. I encountered other people on the mountain trails from the big bus companies and they were given basically no guidance and ended up asking for my help since I had a map from this company. I was very impressed and would absolutely recommend this trip and company to everybody.