Top Sofia Tours by Duration - page 3

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.

Venture away from the bustling city of Sofia and discover the natural landscapes of Bulgaria during this small-group tour. Visit three of the country’s most popular, and beautiful, caves and learn about how these underground locations have been used throughout the centuries. See the corridors and halls of Saeva dupka, then head to Bulgari’s most famous cave, Prohodna—also known as the ‘Eyes of God’—before concluding at Devetashka.

Plenty of tours cover Rila Monastery—Bulgaria’s most famous UNESCO World Heritage Site—but how many include a rafting excursion? Combine history and adventure during this unique full-day combo tour. First, navigate the fast-flowing Struma River gorge alongside a private instructor during a rafting trip, with boat rental and gear included. Then, enjoy a self-paced audio tour of Bulgaria’s iconic mountainside monastery. Transportation from Sofia is included.

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.

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.

Get an in-depth exploration of the Bulgarian capital on this full-day tour of Sofia. Set out from your hotel and travel in an air-conditioned minivan. Accompanied by a guide, visit Boyana Church, the National Historical Museum, Pancharevo Lake, and more. Take a walking tour through the city center and learn about Bulgarian history from your guide.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Immerse yourself in the Bulgarian wilderness on an 8-hour tour to Trun, a region once home to Thracians, Romans, and Crusaders. The full-day excursion is perfect for hiking enthusiasts, aspiring geologists, and adventurous travelers who want to veer off the typical tourist path. Comfortable transportation takes your small group (maximum five people) to the Dragowski Stone Trail, where you hike to the Gorge of Trun and more.

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.

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.

Discover the natural wonders of Bulgaria on this full-day hiking tour from Sofia. Set out on a 3-hour trek through the Iskar Gorge, admire the stunning Skaklia Waterfall, and enjoy lunch (own expense) overlooking the Iskar River Ravine. Finally, visit the magnificent Cherepish Monastery, at the foot of the Balkan Mountains.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Explore Bulgaria's Revolutionary capital of Koprivshtica on this full-day tour from Sofia. With your guide and group, stroll the cobblestone streets and hear about the April Uprising. On the return to Sofia, stop at Chavdar, a reconstruction of a neolithic village.

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.