All Sofia Tours &amp; Excursions in 2026

From Sofia: Plovdiv, Starosel Temple and an Art Village

The Rila Monastery and Boyana Church are two of Bulgaria's most important UNESCO World Heritage sites, but it can be a challenge to visit without a car. Experience them both in a single day on this convenient transfer service from central Sofia. First, check out the frescoes in the Boyana Church, then head to the Rila Monastery for a short guided tour followed by free time (depending on option selected).

Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour

8 hoursFree Cancellation

Must-See Plovdiv Day Tour from Sofia

9 hoursFree Cancellation

The guide will meet you near the National Theater Ivan Vazov. You will visit more than 20 attractions and cultural monuments of Sofia. For convenience and good audibility of the excursion, you will be given audio guides and headphones. You will move comfortably, enter the temples, take photographs, and all this will allow you not to stand next to the guide. The tour will end at the Presidency, where you will be able to video and film the changing of the presidential guard. With us you will see the sights of Sofia freely, in your own language, and at your own pace!

Guided Walking Tour of Sofia

2 to 3 hoursFree Cancellation

4.6

(105)

from $17

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.

Day tour to Skopje, North Macedonia - Small Group

12 hoursFree Cancellation

The mountains are one of Bulgaria’s great joys—especially for hikers—but can be hard to reach independently. Tailor-made for lovers of both walking and history, this action-packed day features a hike around the beautiful Seven Rila Lakes and a tour of the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Opt for self-guided tour, book an audio guide, or explore with a live guide: All packages exclude entrance fees and chairlift tickets.

The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery

12 hoursFree Cancellation

The Eyes of God natural wonder Saeva Dupka cave and Glozhene Monastery day trip from Sofia

6 to 8 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa Full-Day Trip

11 hoursFree Cancellation

From Roman remains and ancient churches to Turkish baths and royal palaces, Sofia has a world of history to offer. Go beyond the guidebooks and spend the time looking at the sights, not down at your phone, when you join this engaging small-group or private tour. As you hit the city’s highlights, learn who invented the Cyrillic alphabet and why, what happened to the last Bulgarian royal family, and more.

Sofia: History and Heritage - Small Group City Tour

2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

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

8 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

Communist Walking Tour of Sofia

3 hoursFree Cancellation

Pre-book tickets to Rila Monastery to explore a UNESCO World Heritage Site with more than 1,000 years of history. Booking Rila Monastery tickets online combines the convenience of advance planning with skip-the-line admission and the flexibility to arrive at any time of day—without being limited to a fixed tour schedule. Your tour also includes an e-guide to further enhance your experience.

Self Guided Tour Experience in Rila Monastery

2 to 6 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

Belogradchik fortress and Belogradchik rocks tour

9 to 10 hoursFree Cancellation

Rila Monastery & Thermae Full-Day Tour from Sofia

9 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour

10 to 11 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

Rila Monastery and St. Ivan Cave History & Nature Trip from Sofia

8 hoursFree Cancellation

Sofia Pub Crawl Tour of The Hidden Unique Bars

4 to 5 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

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

9 hoursFree Cancellation

Soar above the Bulgarian countryside at sunrise - just 30 minutes from Sofia. Float silently over Stara Planina, ancient villages, and golden sunflower fields while the world wakes up below you. No roads, no noise - just open sky. Every flight is captured in full 4K and shared with you afterwards, so you can relive the moment long after you land. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or ticking off a bucket list dream - this is Bulgaria from a perspective most people never see. Your safety, guaranteed: Certified pilots with 10+ years of experience, full pre-flight briefing, and a flawless safety record. Choose your experience: • Tethered flight - ascend and descend from one spot, perfect for first-timers • Shared free flight - drift freely across the landscape with fellow adventurers • Private free flight - just the two of you, the sky, and a glass of champagne • Bungee jump from the balloon - the only one in Bulgaria

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight near Sofia | Pickup Available

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight near Sofia | Pickup Available

1 hour 30 minutes to 3 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

Rila Monastery Afternoon Half Day tour

4 to 5 hoursFree Cancellation

Day Tour to Nis, Serbia - Small group with pick-up and tickets

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.

The Seven Rila Lakes Day Tour From Sofia

The Seven Rila Lakes Day Tour From Sofia

Vitosha Boyana Church and Waterfall Half Day Morning or Afternoon

5 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.

Buzludzha Communist Monument and Ancient Thracian Tomb

Sofia Food & History Tour with Communist-Era Tram Ride

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Must-Dos in Sofia

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What are people saying about Sofia

Michelle_D, Sep 2026

Highly recommend!

What an experience! Turns out I was the only one signed up for this tour and luckily Peter didn't cancel on me! We ended up doing a totally custom tour and it was so much fun! The food was great, we were able to go to a food event in the city with locals, went to a cocktail bar, tried raki and rode different trams around while Peter explained much about the city, it's history, etc. It was a really awesome day!

Wine and Tapas Boutique Bulgarian Wine Tasting

Kevin_D, Sep 2026

We learned Bulgaria produces excellent wine!

Enjoyed five interesting wines from five different geographic regions of Bulgaria. We tasted Two white, one “orange”, and 2 two red wines, all with unique flavor profiles, along with a nice selection of local meats, cheese and bread for pairing. Lyubomir, our host, was very knowledgeable about the history of wine in Bulgaria from early times leading up the present day. The shop has a nice, comfortable room for small group tastings. The experience is at a comfortable pace as well, with plenty of time to ask questions and enjoy each glass of wine. Overall, this was a very enjoyable experience that we are happy to recommend.

Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour

Kelly_L, Aug 2026

Special thanks to Iva the tour guide who made our tour!

10/10 experience! Tour guide Iva and the Bus Driver were awesome! Iva was amazing and patient when explaining, she always went the extra mile to make sure we understood every aspect of the history of the sites we saw! After the tour ended she even patiently took the time to answer any additional questions we had about Sofia to make sure our experience in Sofia was a great one. Would recommend this tour with Iva to anyone!

Day tour to Skopje, North Macedonia - Small Group

Paul_I, Aug 2026

Skjope day out from Sophia

A Great way to sample North Macedonia in few hours . Katarina was an excellent guide as well as driver taking us to Skjope. She handled the whole border crossing with ease, gave us lots of information about Bulgaria and its history with Macedonia in a fun light hearted way. Lina the tour guide in Skjope was also excellent and talked with passion about her home city, really would recommend the day out

Must-See Plovdiv Day Tour from Sofia

Andrew_C, Jul 2026

Lovely day trip to Plodiv

We met up with tour bus at 08:15 for the on time departure at 08:30. There were around 40-50 people in the fully packed bus. After around 2 hours we arrived in Plodiv and were divided into English, Spanish and Italian groups for the tour. Do note that there will be limited toilet stops during the 2-hour tour so please use the restrooms in the mid-stop before Plodiv and at any restaurants or bars you see along the way. It was a very hot day so do prepare hat, umbrella and sunscreen as there is limited cover during the walking tour. We were then given 2.5 hours free time to wander around the old town of Plodiv before the 2 hours 15 minutes drive back to Bucharest. Toilet stop is on request during this trip. We were back on time at 5:30pm. Everything was very smooth for our trip.

Sofia: History and Heritage - Small Group City Tour

ZW_S, Jul 2026

An excellent introduction to Sofia!

This tour was the perfect introduction to Sofia! We took it on our first full day in the city and walked away with a much deeper understanding of Sofia’s history and layout, while also having visited some of its prime highlights—Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, St. Sofia Church, various monuments along the city center’s main promenade, the National Assembly building, etc. Vasil was incredibly informative, and the two-hour tour was the perfect balance of walking, going into certain sights (Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, for example), and learning about other sights that we could visit later during our stay (e.g., Sofia’s top museums and other historical religious buildings). I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants an informative, comfortable (and affordable) orientation to Sofia!

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

Jane_S, Jun 2026

Great day. We went to...

Great day. We went to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery, both of which were beautiful. I definitely recommend bringing snacks or a meal with you, as there was not an opportunity to buy food until after 3 pm, though the bakery was delicious once we got there. Hristo was a great tour guide.

Day Tour to Nis, Serbia - Small group with pick-up and tickets

Eliana_S, Jun 2026

Great opportunity to see something different

This was a great day trip and definitely worth doing if you want to get out of Sofia and see something completely different. Our day started with a bit of unexpected circumstances when our driver had a medical emergency. Thankfully, the company handled the situation incredibly well. They made sure their driver received the help he needed and quickly arranged another driver so our trip could continue with very little delay. We really appreciated how professional and caring they were. Once we arrived, everything was exactly as described. Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and did a great job explaining the history and interesting facts along the way. He even gave us recommendations for places to eat, which was a nice bonus. It's a long day, but the scenery and experience make it absolutely worth it. We'd definitely recommend this tour to anyone wanting to get a taste of Serbia while in Sofia!

The Seven Rila Lakes Day Tour From Sofia

Elias_A, Jun 2026

It is an incredible, must...

It is an incredible, must see hike! Very easy on the knees so it’s available for everyone!! At all levels! And if you can get a guide even better. I highly recommend Dimitar, he is amazing. Very friendly, helpful, knows how to maintain and orchestrate the pace and tells you all the useful and interesting information along the way.

Rila Monastery & Thermae Full-Day Tour from Sofia

Marie_B, May 2026

Stefan was the perfect...

Stefan was the perfect guide. He had a wealth of knowledge about the the path to Rila Monastery and Thermae Spa. And pointing out the stork nests. The tour company were amazingly efficient providing excellent information. The meeting point was very clear. Stefan provided a description of Rila Monastery and then let us explore with several times pointing out amazing things that I would have missed. The audio guide was excellent. The Thermae Spa was wonderful. And clean. There a cool, warm and very warm pools. Fortunately with both the Monastery and the Spa it was not crowded. A perfect day.

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!