Top Sofia Full-day Tours - page 4

Spin along open roads and explore Bulgaria by bike on this 9-hour Rila Monastery trip from Sofia. Hop onto your bike and follow a guide along rolling asphalt roads through the Bulgarian countryside. Along the way, gain insight into the country’s culture and history, and admire sweeping views over the peaks and vineyards. Visit the 10th-century Rila Monastery — widely considered one of Bulgaria’s most important pilgrimage sites. Explore the cave of St Joan of Rila, then zoom down the valley back to base.

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.

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.

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.

Feel like a Sofia local on this 3-hour afternoon city and food walking tour. Check out historical highlights such as the National Theater and King’s Palace, and see the Rotunda St. George, Banya Bashi Mosque, Synagogue, and St. Nedelya Church. Stop on route to taste ‘shopska’ salad and an ‘ayryan’ yogurt drink; shop for culinary goodies at the Central Hali Market; and finish with tastings of Bulgarian wine and cold meats at a traditional restaurant.

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.

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.

Bulgaria is packed with stunning natural and historical attractions, but visitors without their own transportation may find it tricky to venture beyond the capital. Visit two unique sites during this full-day, small-group excursion. First, head to the foot of the Balkan Mountains to the ancient fortress of Belogradchik. Then, get a first-hand peek at stalactites and stalagmites in stunning Venetsa Cave.

Avoid the restrictions of a group excursion and discover the historic capital at your own pace on an audio-guided tour of Sofia, with commentary available in multiple languages. Be immersed in the city’s atmosphere as you stroll between top attractions, and take advantage of the self-led nature of the tour to depart at a time that suits you.

Discover three of Bulgaria's most spectacular (and often-overlooked) natural wonders on a 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.

Explore two Bulgarian and Serbian medieval masterpieces on this 9-hour tour to Boyana Church and Poganovo Monastery from Sofia. First, visit the UNESCO-protected Boyana Church just outside Sofia, to admire its 13th-century frescoes, considered some of the best examples of medieval Bulgarian artistry. Then, cross into Serbia to the Poganovo Monastery to view its artworks and treasures, and absorb its deep spirituality. Tour includes a Serbian lunch, air-conditioned transport, and Sofia hotel pickup and drop-off.

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.

Getting around Bulgaria on public transport can be slow and time consuming. Delve into the country’s rich history without waiting for public buses on this guided small-group tour, with transfers from your downtown Sofia hotel. Discover Plovdiv Old Town and its Roman theater, Starosel’s Thracian temple, and the historic spa town of Hissarya. Please note that entrance fees are at your own expense.

Tour two of northern Bulgaria’s top attractions on this private 10-hour tour from Sofia. Visit the traditional village of Arbanasi, famous for its rich past and fresco-coated Church of the Nativity. Then, continue to Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria’s former medieval capital and home to the Tsarevets palace-fortress. Tour the hilltop ruins, including the main church and execution rock, where traitors were pushed to the deaths, and discover the town’s history. Private transport and entrance fees included.

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.

Take a break from the crowded city streets and discover the best of Bulgarian wine on a 9-hour tour to Melnik. Comfortable transportation collects you from your Sofia hotel and takes you into the sprawling Bulgarian countryside. Upon arrival in Melnik, explore the wine cellar at an 18th-century mansion. After a bit of sightseeing in Rojen, taste some the country's best wine at Villa Melnik.

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.

Plovdiv is the 2019 European capital of Culture and home to one of Bulgaria’s most impressive archeological sites. This full-day tour from Sofia takes in all the highlights, including a walking tour of the atmospheric Old Town and visits to the Roman Stadium, Roman Forum, and Amphitheatre. Tour includes hotel pickup, lunch, and entrance fees.

Swap Sofia for a day trip to the beautiful town of Plovdiv—which is known for being one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited settlements. Instead of facing the crowds on busy local bus services, enjoy the luxury of traveling in a Wi-Fi-equipped private vehicle. Along the way, you can see Roman ruins, early Christian mosaics, and traditional Bulgarian houses, as your driver-guide expands your knowledge of the area’s history.

Visit the town of Belogradchik and its two notable attractions—Belogradchik Rocks and Belogradchik Fortress—on this day trip from Sofia that combines the natural scenery and history of northwestern Bulgaria. Be wowed by the natural formations of sandstone rocks in the Balkan Mountains, and admire the fortress, which dates back to Roman times.

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.

Embark on a day trip to the northwestern corner of Bulgaria to visit the stunning Belogradchik Rocks. The journey from Sofia takes approximately 3 hours. These rock formations, primarily composed of sandstone, were nominated in 2009 as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The rocks form various impressive shapes, each associated with fascinating legends. Many are named after people or objects they resemble, and during your tour, the guide will share some of these intriguing stories, pointing out the specific formations along the way. The rocks are recognized as a Natural Landmark by the Bulgarian government. Perched on a hill near the rocks is the medieval Belogradchik Fortress, originally constructed during the Roman Empire. You’ll have the chance to explore this historic site and admire its well-preserved and imposing facade. The trip also includes a visit to the nearby Venetsa Cave, renowned for its stunning natural formations enhanced by modern, colorful lighting.

Perfect for outdoor adventurers, this Rila National Park snowshoeing experience from Sofia takes you inside the park to see five of the Seven Rila Lakes and Goritsa Waterfall. A guide leads the way through the park by snowshoe. After your hike, relax in warm mineral pools before returning to Sofia with hotel pickup included.

Visit two of Bulgaria's must-see UNESCO World Heritage Sites in just one day with this full-day tour from Sofia. After you're whisked from the city, you get to explore Rila Monastery—the biggest cloister in Bulgaria—and Boyana Church, which is celebrated for its preserved frescoes, dating to the 11th century. After paying the entry fees and exploring with your guide, you end your day with easy travel back to Sofia, where you're dropped off at your hotel.