All Sofia Tours & Excursions in 2026 - page 2

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Sofia on a day tour to Lovech, Devetàshka cave, and Krushuna Falls, and explore with a professional guide for intimate insight into the rural region’s landscape, history, and culture. Take advantage of round-trip transfer from your hotel via air-conditioned vehicle for a hassle-free experience, and benefit from the more personalized service of a small-group tour.

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.

Many Sofia food tours limit themselves to the city center. See more of the city—including Roman ruins at Serdika—and get a wider range of flavors on this small-group tour that uses the Communist-era tram network to head further afield. Sample a wide range of local specialties, including Bulgarian beer and a glass of good-quality local wine, at five authentic and off-the-path food stops—easily enough for a full meal.

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.

Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria’s medieval capital, and Arbanasi, a postcard-perfect village known for its fortress homes, are two of the nation’s top historical destinations—and more than a 6-hour round trip from Sofia. Skip the hassle of negotiating buses and taxis and enjoy a guide's insights on this small-group tour, direct from your Sofia address.

Explore the 8000-year history of Plovdiv with ruins from the Roman times, beautiful Revival architecture and cozy restaurants in Kapana district. Enjoy breathtaking views from Asen’s Fortress, perched on top of a hill in the beautiful Rhodope Mountains. Visit the second largest monastery in Bulgaria and see the miraculous icon of Virgin Mary. Take the advantage of this small-group tour with free hotel pickup.

Bulgaria’s wine scene has come a long way since the Communist era but most of the best examples never leave the country. Discover a rich selection of local grapes paired with artisan cured meats and cheeses during this small-group experience on a quiet, artsy street in the heart of the city. All bottles are limited editions from boutique producers, making this perfect for anyone who loves wine.

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.

Enjoy a lighter side of Sofia when you prebook your ticket to the Museum of Illusions Sofia online, guaranteeing you entry even at busy weekends during the school vacation. You'll gain access to 4,300 square feet (400 square meters) of educational entertainment, packed with riveting illusions, fascinating feats of physics, mysterious artworks, and scientific inventions, many with interactive elements too.

The Rila Monastery—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—shouldn’t be missed when visiting Sofia, but many day trips involve hours of being herded around, leaving you little time to appreciate your surroundings. Ideal for independent-minded travelers, this hassle-free excursion by bus gives you hours of free time after a guided introduction, letting you take in medieval frescoes, hike, snap photos, or enjoy a local lunch, all at your own pace.

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.

This is not just a yogurt tasting – it’s a cultural journey set inside the elegant Arte Hotel, located in the very heart of Sofia, just steps away from the ancient ruins of Serdica. You’ll taste five distinct varieties of authentic Bulgarian yogurt – cow, sheep, goat, buffalo, and a special blend – each served with carefully chosen pairings such as artisanal sourdough bread, local honey, homemade bites, and refreshing Ayran. What makes this experience truly unique is the blend of flavor and culture: while you enjoy the tasting, a local host with a passion for history shares the thousand-year story of yogurt, from Thracian roots to its role in Bulgarian identity today. You’ll also hear about Lactobacillus bulgaricus – the remarkable bacteria found only in this region, long believed to hold the secret to health and longevity. Hosted in a premium venue where modern comfort meets history, this experience is perfect for food lovers, families, and curious travelers.

Bulgaria has been making wine for around 5,000 years and boasts a wealth of delicious varietals—many of them found nowhere else in the world and hardly ever exported. Savor the unique flavors of five Bulgarian grapes—misket, Melnik, mavrud, gamza, and rubin—on a tasting led by a local expert in one of Sofia's best boutique wine merchants. Pair their fine flavors with local cheese and artisan breads.

Sofia is rich in colorful street art—if you know where to look. This self-guided tour leads you to the best graffiti, murals, and public art in the city and tells you about the artists and stories behind each work of art. Choose to follow along via Google Maps or a PDF file and set your own pace as you explore the city.

Most travelers in Bulgaria have to decide between sightseeing and relaxation. On this unique, full-day combo tour, experience the best of both worlds as you take in striking Rila Monstery—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—followed by a restorative soak to a traditional mineral bath at a local spa complex. Air-conditioned transfers from central Sofia are included or a hassle-free experience.

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.

The Rila Monastery and Boyana Church are UNESCO World Heritage sites, but it’s tricky to see both in a day if relying on public transportation. This convenient tour from downtown Sofia makes it easy with round-trip transportation. Couple the sights with your choice of the Cave of St. Ivan Rilski in Rila and The Bells monument in Kambanite. Explore with a downloadable audio app or upgrade for a live guide.

Discover insider secrets for how to cook authentic Bulgarian cuisine during a hands-on culinary class in Sofia. This private workshop is a perfect way to immerse yourself in the local culture while gaining valuable culinary skills. Head to a private kitchen of a friendly local chef, where you’ll prepare a traditional 3-course meal. Throughout the experience, you’ll enjoy one-on-one attention as you learn new techniques and recipes.

Veliko Tarnovo is hands down the most beautiful and picturesque city in Bulgaria. Often referred to as the “City of the Tsars”, Veliko Tarnovo is located on the Yantra River and is famously known as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, attracting many tourists with its unique architecture. Tsarevets served as the Second Bulgarian Empire’s primary fortress and strongest bulwark from 1185 to 1393. The Etar Architectural-Ethnographic Complex is an open-air museum. It presents the Bulgarian customs, culture and craftsmanship. It spans over an area of 7 ha and contains a total of 50 objects, including water installations and houses with craftsmen’s workshops attached. As a whole, the complex’s goal is to illustrate the architecture, way of life and economy of Gabrovo and the region during the Bulgarian National Revival. It is the place every visitor must experience if he wants to go back home saying that he really saw Bulgaria.

Belogradchik is around a 3-hour drive from Sofia, and the only practical way to see the extraordinary Belogradchik Rocks and dramatic Belogradchik Fortress in a day is to join a tour. On this intimate tour, with a maximum of seven travelers, your package includes round-trip transfers from your Sofia hotel for an even more seamless experience.

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.

Escape Sofia in 20 minutes — and enter a different world entirely. Village of German sits at the foot of Vitosha Mountain, where forest trails, open meadows and panoramic ridgelines stretch out in every direction. No city noise, no traffic lights — just you, the machine, and the terrain ahead. Your guide leads the way through routes that combine speed, nature and pure freedom. Whether you've never touched a quad bike or you live for off-road — the trails here will surprise you. Bulgaria looks different from the back of an ATV. Most people never see it this way. Your safety, guaranteed: Full pre-ride briefing, certified guides, all safety equipment provided, and routes designed for both first-timers and experienced riders. Choose your experience: - Solo rider — your ATV, your pace, your adventure -Two riders, one ATV — share the ride and the memories - Transfer from Sofia — we pick you up, drop you off, you just show up

Leave the crowds of Sofia behind for the day and take a small group tour to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. Relax as comfortable transportation takes you from the city and into the scenic Bulgarian countryside. Discover 10th-century medieval history at Rila Monastery, then see some of the best preserved Orthodox frescoes in Europe at the Boyana Church. Enjoy immersive guided visits at both UNESCO sites, along with free admission.

Save yourself the hassle of hiring a car, and get to two highlights of northern Macedonia with ease, thanks to this small-group day trip. After getting picked up from Sofia, the trip visits the capital city of Skopje to tick off a variety of local landmarks—such as Skopje Fortress, Macedonia Square, and the Memorial House of Mother Teresa. The trip also showcases the natural wonder of Matka Canyon, where you can embark on a boat trip through a cave.