Full Day Trip to Bulgaria from Bucharest

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Bucharest, Romania

Popular pick

Booked 20+ times last week!

12 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.5

· Jesse_S ·

Apr 2026

This trip to Bulgaria was the highlight of our trip. Our guide (bald man like my father) was simply the best, very friendly and professional! Lunch was great and recommended to eat it before the castle. We had a great time in Veliko Tarnovo, can only recommend!

· RichardG_H ·

Jun 2026

Sebastian was an excellent guide. He was very knowledgeable and treated us with great care. We enjoyed the visits and he made sure our needs were met. Recommending this towards anyone interested in a day trip from Bucharest.

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Overview

Explore Romania’s southern neighbor—and enjoy hassle-free logistics—on a full-day trip to Bulgaria. Departing from Bucharest with just a small group for company, cross the border into the foothills of the Balkan Mountains and visit Veliko Tarnovo, the capital of Bulgaria during medieval times. Then, learn about Bulgarian history from your guide while visiting Ruse, one of the country's most elegant cities.

Cross the border into Bulgaria on a full-day tour from Bucharest
Explore the medieval city of Veliko Tarnovo, nestled in the foothills of the Balkan Mountains
Learn about Bulgaria's medieval history from a knowledgeable guide
Pick-up and drop-off at central meeting point is included

What's Included

Pick-up from central meeting point location
Services of a professional tour escort, offering commentary and assistance
Round-trip transportation in a comfortable vehicle

Entrance tickets
Optional Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point

University Square - Gray Line Meeting Point
Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta 9-5, 030167 București, Romania

Operating hours
.7:30 am

Itinerary

Bucharest (Pass By)

Piaka Unirii (Pass By)

Palace of Parliament (Pass By)

University's Square (Pass By)

Tsarevets

2 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included

Ruse

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Freedom Square (Pass By)

Bucharest (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This activity requires a minimum of 4 participants. If this minimum is not reached, we will contact you to offer alternative dates or trips.

Please make sure you have all the necessary documents and permissions to cross the border.
Entrance fees are not included (approx. EUR 15). We recommend bringing euros in cash, as card payments may not be accepted at all locations.
Please be advised that the Giurgiu–Ruse border crossing may take longer than usual due to repair work on the bridge over the Danube. Single-lane, alternating traffic can cause delays and queues.
Children under 4 years old cannot join shared tours. Please contact us for a private tour offer.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 18 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

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Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.5

based on 380 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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Sebastian was an...

RichardG_H, Jun 2026

Long day but interesting

Kevan_M, Jun 2026

It’s a long day . It’s all dependent on you getting over the bridge. The fortress isn’t worth it but the cathedral is harrowing.

Good experience of Bulgaria for a day-trip

Ritayan_B, Jun 2026

The experience was extremely good. The pickup was on time at 7:30 am as specified while making the booking. Our guide (Adonis) drove the van very safely and was very knowledgeable regarding the places that we visited. Firstly, we visited the city of Ruse, just across the border from Romania. Then we headed to the picturesque fort of Tsarevets near the town of Veliko Tyrnovo. Afterwards, we spent some time in the town. The restaurant Adonis suggested was very nice. Once done, we did some souvenir shopping before heading back to the city of Bucharest.

Perfect day!

Suzan_S, Jun 2026

I wish I could remember the guide’s name but he was also the driver of the van and we went on June 15, 2026 if that helps. He was great! It was really a lovely day and a wonderful tour of (at least a slice) of Bulgaria. The guide also recommended the restaurant to eat at, which most of us joined him there for lunch and really had a delicious, authentic and cheap Bulgarian meal. Couldn’t recommend this tour more!!

A very worthwhile day trip

Piers_V, Jun 2026

An excellent way to spend a day sightseeing! Our guide, Narcis, had a great command of English and provided an excellent commentary and a most enjoyable day. There were 7 of us allowing everyone to get acquainted. After crossing the Danube we spent time in Ruse, before traveling south to Veliko Tarnovo, the early Capital of Bulgaria, to visit the castle and extraordinary church, then driving up to a traditional restaurant to try the local food and sample Rakia, a local type of slivovitz. I recommend eating after the castle visit not before as the peasant food is filling, and the climb to the castle quite steep and there is a lot of walking involved! Then back into town to walk around the picturesque village and shop in the artisan stores (some are tacky but most offer quality, locally handmade goods), before going north to the border and into Romania again. An odd highlight was seeing storks on their huge nests atop telegraph poles along the road. Highly recommended!

When in Romania go to Bulgaria for a day

Tamie_M, Jun 2026

This trip is long, but worth it. Rodica Canciu, our tour guide, was informative and has pictures to help one understand the trip. Within 5 minutes from her presentation, I could tell that Rodica was a teacher. She and her driver were very patient on the road and with the tourist. She gave us time to see what we needed to see and gave us good restaurant recommendations. She is very knowledgeable about the sites we saw on the tour. Though the entry price to the Nativity Church is not included in the price of the tour, the tour stopped there. I paid the entry price. I am very glad that I did, as it was my favorite site on the trip. The interior paintings are spectacular and Rodica's story of the Church is very interesting. In the town where we had lunch, I found a silversmith, a pen-and-ink artist, and a ceramist, all in their individual stores practicing their crafts. In my travels to over 50 countries, it is often difficult to find local artists still practicing their craft. I was elated to be able to speak to these craftsmen. Because the bridge over the Danube was still under construction and there was a national holiday, our return trip to Bucharest was 5+ hours long. This was the only downside of the trip, and it is my understanding that the construction will be completed soon.

Little taste of Bulgaria

brigitte_k, Jun 2026

A full dau trip ,pleasant and a nice experience. A small group .a good driver in a comfortable minibus. A symphatic tour guide, english speaking.thank you Elena

Perfect Day Trip to Bulgaria from Bucharest

Sakshi_J, May 2026

This was a fantastic day trip and a great way to explore Bulgaria from Bucharest. The views throughout the journey were beautiful, and there were plenty of well-planned stops that allowed us to enjoy each destination without feeling rushed. A special mention goes to our guide, who was incredibly attentive and alert throughout the day. They made sure everyone was comfortable, kept the group organized, and took excellent care of all the tourists from start to finish. The itinerary was well-balanced, informative, and enjoyable, making it an ideal day trip for anyone visiting Bucharest. I highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to experience Bulgaria’s charm, history, and scenic landscapes in a single day.

Interesting day to see...

Rachel_A, May 2026

Interesting day to see Bulgaria when visiting Romania. Definitely would never visit these spots unless doing this tour. Tour guide was funny. The border times can vary drastically as Bulgaria border is under construction. The tour includes a small town on the border and a couple stops in a small village and fortress with free time to eat lunch and have a drink. Would recommend but it is a long day and a lot of driving so pack some water and snacks and have a nap on the ride.

What a fantastic experience!

JulieElizabeth_C, May 2026

This was such an incredible day, we saw such beautiful countryside, modern Bulgarian towns, ancient villages and medieval buildings and mosaics, and an incredible fortress! Our guide was kind, fun, really knowledgeable and very helpful! There were plenty of stops for toilet visits and snack breaks (and reminders that you could always ask for an extra toilet break). Also the air conditioning on the coach was very nice! We even got a recommendation for an amazing third wave coffee place! Highly recommended!!!

Day trip to Bulgaria

Austin_B, May 2026

This was a great trip that included multiple stops to beautiful cities, monuments, and the fortress. Lots of activities crammed into one day but totally worth it.

Good tour! Awesome guide

JOY_R, May 2026

Our guide Lucien and Drago our driver were both superb. He Injected a lot of personal stories and humor into the explanation of things. He gave us directions of where to go and what to expect. He was very patient when one of the tour participants got lost in the medieval village. He actually stayed behind to find her and directed us what to do in the next stop. I took one star out because Ruse is okay but not worth stopping for. We could’ve stayed longer in the fortress and the village

Interresting trip

ANNA_T, May 2026

Interresting trip, the guide and the drive were very professionals and give all the explanations. Guide had a lot of humour too. Highly recommended

Not value for money

Gilbia_S, May 2026

I found the trip poorly organized and not value for money. Ruse and the Tsarevets castle were not worth visiting. There are pretties cities and castles in Romania. The only site worth visiting was Veliko Tarnovo but we had just 1 hour there. The guide was also not the most organized person. He could have told us to buy the tickets for the castle online BEFORE we got the castle. Instead we had to do it on the spot and the internet connection was bad.

Good sights, but beware

Helen_P, May 2026

The trip and what we saw was fine and we liked it but I can only give a three star rating because 1) we had a driver but no guide. The driver had to serve in both jobs which is not fair to the driver. 2) The driver , Luciano, got too political in his comments. He said that life was better during communism ( then why the uprising?) He said that North Korean and Iran were better. He should not give his personal opinions. 3) He drive without the vehicle registration and we got stopped by Bulgarian border control for a long time - more than 39 minutes. We were lucky to pass without a fine. Either he or the company is at fault for not having vehicle registration in the vehicle. I’m sorry to write these problems for a trip that should have been lovely.

Good option

ANTONIO_L, May 2026

Long nice day through Bulgaria. Good guy and good guide this Narcis . Excursion ok pero no vimos las capillas y en piedra.

This trip to Bulgaria was...

Jesse_S, Apr 2026

Bulgaria Day Trip from Zagreb, Croatia.

Donald_W, Apr 2026

I really enjoyed it. The only issue for me is the van was completely full. It's nice to meet new people, but to be so close to absolute strangers is uncomfortable. I realize you cannot rent an oversize vehicle to transport 6 people. But there should be a bit more space to add to the comfort of riding for several hours.

Excellent Trip

Rhonda_A, Apr 2026

Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, answered all of our questions, had great personality, very explicit with the time and place where we should meet after our tour completed. He also gave us a lot of interesting background when we were traveling in our van. Our van driver was very safe, always aware of what was going on around us and did his best to keep us on schedule. We highly recommended this trip.

Interesting place

Jocelyn_P, Apr 2026

Bulgaria is still developing their tourism, so it was a very interesting place to visit. Learning about its history was fascinating as it is very different from the rest of Europe. After touring Europe for so long and seeing all the historical the cities, they all can start kind of blending together. So visiting Bulgaria was a very nice change.

Hotel pick up service should be standard

Terrance_T, Apr 2026

First time visitor to Bucharest, and I was unable to locate the tour operator at the designated meeting point located at the university square. I arrived at the square on time, however the EXACT location of the tour operator wasn’t specific enough, and I guess it’s possible the tour operator came and went while I was wandering from one end of Elisabata blvd to the next trying to find the guy. Long story short, the instructions I was provided weren’t specific enough, and so it’s my mistake for booking a tour that does not provide pickup service from your hotel.

Bulgaria day trip from Bucharest

Sribachha_P, Apr 2026

The trip through communist era of Bulgaria and the way the country has evolved since was good to know. Our guide "Angelika" was an excellent person and did all she could to accommodate us throughout the trip and was sweet, funny and entertaining. The reason I docked the 1 star is because I perhaps drew the shortest straw in the 18-seater van and got the seat right behind the guide. The pitch on the seat was less than what most budget airlines would operate. Sitting in that cramped space for 7-8 hours was not fun.

Do NOT miss this...

Robin_B, Mar 2026

Do NOT miss this opportunity! Absolutely the best part of our trip. You will make friends with the group and have a shared experience of a lifetime. I had my niece and young nephew, their world view is forever enlightened. Thank you so much for the adventure.

Great tour of Bulgaria, and excellent guide!

Christopher_M, Mar 2026

This tour was great to get a good feel for Bulgaria and visit a beautiful fortress. The guide was top notch as well!

Funny & Knowledgeable

Emma_K, Feb 2026

Lucien was our tour guide today and we had a great time. He was very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour too. We had a little wait at the bridge crossing but that was nobody’s fault. We started our morning in Ruse with a great coffee & cookie recommended by Lucien. We then moved onto the monastery followed by more recommendations for lunch in Veliko. We finished our trip with a walk up to the Fortress where we also managed to sit and enjoy the first sun of this year! We then travelled back to Bucharest accompanied by more information and humour. Thank you for a lovely day 😊

Kudos to Narcis

Roberto_V, Feb 2026

It was indeed a very pleasant experience conducted by our tour guide Narcis who certainly added more interest to our tour with his knowledge about Romania and Bulgaria. Strongly recommended

Lucien was great!!!!

Irina_M, Jan 2026

Lucien was great. He was very knowledgeable and full of anecdotes. Although it was a long day, he made it worthwhile!!! Learned a lot about Bulgaria.

Great visit

Jeffrey_M, Jan 2026

Great tour. Bad weather but Lucian the guide was a champ. Wonderful trip all around! Saw things otherwise impossible to experience

Great day in Bulgaria

Nicky_T, Dec 2025

Our guide, Lucian David, was good, amusing commentary. Transport was in a comfortable 20 seater minibus. First stop was Rousse, pleasant but nothing special. The church in Arbanasi was well worth seeing, amazing frescoes and good views, would have liked some free time as village was beautiful. Excellent pizza restaurant for lunch in Vileko Taranova and stunning views all around the town. A good walk up to the fortress, definitely worth doing for amazing views and surprisingly modern frescoes in the church. All in all a great day and good value.

Go even in december

Taina_K, Dec 2025

The town and castle were beautiful and interesting.Rock monastrry was worth seeing.The driver/guide was very good and had much knowledge.Driving was excellent.