Top Sofia Day Trips

Getting an in-depth experience of Plovdiv from Sofia in a day is tricky, but on this full-day tour, explore Bulgaria’s second city with a guide. Travel in a shuttle bus from Sofia and learn about the history of Plovdiv on a sightseeing tour through the city with your guide. Afterwards, take time to explore independently before returning to Sofia.

Immerse yourself in one of Bulgaria’s signature sights at the Rila Monastery on this convenient day trip from Sofia. Delve into the history of the medieval landmark and its fresco-coated church, with plenty of free time to explore on your own. There's also time to include a visit to Boyana Church, with its pre-Renaissance frescoes, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This day tour of Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa from Sophia saves you the headache of renting a car and navigating Bulgaria’s roads on your own. Your transportation and itinerary are taken care of, and you'll discover the highlights of both cities. Discover the influences of the Romans, Thracians, and Byzantines as you walk through Plovdiv, and see the homes of some of Koprivshtitsa's most famous residents.

Escape the hassle of planning and enjoy a seamless full-day adventure from Sofia to Bulgaria’s cultural gem, Plovdiv. Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle and explore one of Europe’s oldest cities without worrying about transport, navigation, or tickets. Choose between a live guided walking tour or a comprehensive audio guide to dive into over 8,000 years of history at your own pace. Discover ancient ruins, the charming Old Town, then enjoy free time to savor authentic Bulgarian cuisine or wander the cobblestone streets.

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.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rila Monastery is a must-visit for many travelers to Sofia. Pair it with one of the country’s most sacred sites, the Cave of St. John of Rila, who founded the monastery, on this fascinating day trip. The entry level package includes an online, app-based guide: Upgrade for a physical audio guide or a live guide in your chosen language. All options exclude entrance fees.

Cover ground that’s unimaginable by public transport and check off three of Bulgaria’s key attractions safely on this private, fully guided day tour. Hike to—and through!—Prohodna Cave, explore beautiful Saeva Dupka cave, then tour the 13th-century Glozhene Monastery. Besides your private driver/guide, enjoy a dedicated caving guide in Saeva Dupka.

Explore Macedonia’s ancient capital city on this all-day guided tour. After a convenient hotel pickup, catch spectacular mountain views before beginning a walking tour of Skopje. Learn the fascinating history of this cultural crossroads from an informative local guide. Visit important sites like a memorial dedicated to Mother Teresa, the city’s oldest church, St. Saviour, and Skopje’s historic fortress.

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.

Discover one of the Bulgaria’s UNESCO World Heritage gems on this day trip from Sofia. Traveling by minibus, admire rural Bulgaria on route to the Rila Monastery in the pine-carpeted Rila Mountains. Take a guided tour of the medieval treasure with its fresco-coated church, and visit its fascinating museum. Then, spend some time to explore independently. Entrance fees not included. The tour offers 3 different options: 1. The guided tour option is with an English-speaking live guide. 2. Tour with an an audio guide in Spanish, Italian, German, Russian or English. 3. Transport only (that option might not be bookable for some dates).

Forget the hassle of public transport on a private day tour to 2 of Bulgaria’s most popular attractions, optimizing your time with round-trip transfer from your Sofia hotel. Explore the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery and historic city of Plovdiv with your guide, benefiting from their undivided attention and cultural insights for a more personalized sightseeing experience.

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.

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.

Combine two UNESCO World Heritage Sites into a spectacular day of exploring on a full-day tour from Sofia to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. Round-trip transport by climate-controlled vehicle ensures a comfortable day on the road, as onboard Wi-Fi keeps you connected. Free time to check out Rila Monastery and Boyana Church give you the flexibility to explore on your own pace, without the fixed itinerary of a guided tour.

If you're interested in visiting the centuries-old Belogradchik Fortress from Sofia, you likely need to rent a car, pay for gas, and navigate yourself on the drive. Visit this top Bulgarian cultural sight—without the hassle and expense of renting a car—with this private tour. Along the way, enjoy a stop at the bizarre geologic formation known as the Belogradchik Rocks, spend two hours at the fortress—with entry at your own expense—and admire the landscape as you sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride from Sofia.

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.

Get an overview of Sofia’s major sites in just a few hours on this private tour. Get insights as you visit attractions such as Cathedral Saint Alexander Nevski, the National Art Gallery, and much more. Choose your preferred start time and tour option.

This tour is ideal for anyone who wants to explore the beauty of North Macedonia without going on a long day trip. It is perfect for busy travelers or those who prefer a shorter outing. We are thrilled to invite you to join us and experience one of the highlights of North Macedonia – Osogovo Monastery and taste the delicious traditional cuisine during this short trip. This tour is perfect for those who wish to discover the beauty of North Macedonia without committing to a lengthy day tour. Whether you are a busy traveler or simply prefer a shorter excursion, this experience is designed to fit your needs. Don’t miss out on this chance to create lasting memories in a beautiful part of the world!

Hassle-free transfer from the Sofia airport to your hotel. Book your transfer in advance and enjoy an impeccable service. No taxis, no stress, no unexpected payments. With our transfer service your arrival in Sofia will be smooth and pleasant. We will wait for you at the Arrivals hall and will transfer you to any part of Sofia. You can use our service for your transfer upon departure from your hotel / address to the Sofia airport or for other logistic needs in Sofia and entire Bulgaria including sightseeing tours and travel service. We also provide transfers to Bansko, Borovets, Pamporovo, Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo, Varna, Burgas, the Black sea coast and any other point of Bulgaria or on the Balkans (Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Albania, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosna and Herzegovina , Kosovo).

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.)

Visit one of Buglaria's must-see UNESCO World Heritage Sites, without planning a thing, on this hassle-free tour to Boyana Church. After an easy ride to the outskirts of Sofia, you can pay your entry fee and enter this stunning medieval religious space. See the church's three distinct parts—built in the 11th, 13th, and 19th centuries—and admire the renowned frescoes dating back over 1,000 years.

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.

IMPORTANT: Entrance in the monastery is only allowed with covered shoulders and covered knees. So please make sure you have appropriate clothes. Often called the 8th wonder of the world, the Seven Rila lakes are legendary for their beauty and awesomeness. They are one of the most visited natural sites of Bulgaria. We combine them with a visit to the Rila Monastery. The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. The tour starts at 08:00 and finishes around 19:00. The driver will pick you up, will take you to the Monastery and will show you around. After that he will take you to the lift to the 7 Rila Lakes, you will be able to go up to the lakes, the driver will stay down and wait for you there. When you come back, he will pick you from the lift and bring you back to Sofia.