Bulgaria in 4 days

269 € / per person

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Your Bulgaria in 4 days tour

This 4-day tour of Bulgaria explores UNESCO heritage sites, medieval capitals, charming villages, and breathtaking mountain landscapes, with cultural experiences such as traditional food, music, and historical landmarks, culminating in a return to Sofia via the scenic Balkan range.

Starting the journey in Sofia, the trip begins with a visit to the remarkable 13th-century Boyana Church before continuing with a scenic two-hour drive to the famous Rila Monastery, where travelers admire its breathtaking frescoes and later savor a delicious grilled trout meal.

This immersive 4-day tour of Bulgaria takes you through UNESCO heritage sites, medieval capitals, picturesque villages, and stunning mountain landscapes while offering authentic cultural experiences such as traditional cuisine, folk music, and historical landmarks. Beginning in Sofia, the journey starts with a visit to the stunning 13th-century Boyana Church before continuing on a scenic drive to the renowned Rila Monastery, where travelers marvel at its exquisite frescoes and enjoy a delicious grilled trout meal. The adventure then leads to a charming village in the Razlog Valley, where visitors stay with a local family, experiencing their warm hospitality through homemade food, traditional rakia, and lively singing and dancing. The next day, after exploring the historic streets of Bansko, the group embarks on a scenic journey through the Rodopi Mountains to Plovdiv, where Roman ruins and the charming old town await discovery. Finally, the tour winds north through the Valley of the Thracian Kings, stopping at significant historical sites before concluding with a visit to the well-preserved town of Koprivshtitsa and a breathtaking return drive to Sofia through the majestic Balkan range.

Afterward, the adventure proceeds to a charming village in Razlog Valley, where visitors not only check in with a local family but also experience their warm hospitality through homemade food, traditional rakia, and lively singing and dancing. The following morning, after bidding farewell to their gracious hosts, the group explores Bansko’s historic streets before embarking on a picturesque drive through the Rodopi Mountains, eventually reaching Plovdiv to discover its Roman ruins and charming old town. Finally, the journey heads north through the Valley of the Thracian Kings, stopping at significant historical sites along the way, before concluding with a visit to the preserved town of Koprivshtitsa and a scenic return drive to Sofia through the majestic Balkan range.

Quick information

Duration:

Start: 8:00h
End: 18:30h

Recommended period:

March – November, All year round is possible

Driving time:

18h / 660km approx

Handicap accessible

Yes, fairly accessible

Special requirements:

Comfortable shoes

Overview

Itinerary

Tour Itinerary for Bulgaria 4 days

Day 1

The first thing we are going to visit in the morning is Boyana Church just outside Sofia – an amazing example of 13th century art. After a 2 hour drive we will reach the most visited UNESCO site in Bulgaria – the Rila Monastery. Our visit there takes 2 hours, admiring beautiful frescoes and wonderful mountain landscapes. Then we go to try the local specialty fresh grilled trout. Another 1h 40min drive will take us to to a small village in Razlog Valley, where we will meet a local family and check-in in their own house. In the evening our hosts will show how they prepare their food, how they live and have fun (singing and dancing). They will serve you home made food and a glass of rakia (grape brandy) to welcome you and invite you to join their dances.

Day 2

In the morning after a nice breakfast we say good bye to our hosts and we head to Bansko for a quick walk around its old town, the house of Neofit Rilski (monk from the Monastery) and its charming cobblestone streets. From Bansko we start our 3 hour drive through Rodopi mountains, where you will have the opportunity to see the highest train station in the Balkans and learn about local Pomak people. We will spend the afternoon in Plovdiv and its old town, Roman Theater and Stadium where we will check-in into a beautiful family hotel right next to the old town. Overnight in Plovdiv.

Day 3

From Plovdiv we head north to our medieval capital of Veliko Tarnovo via the Valley of Thracian Kings, where we will stop for a visit to Goliama Kosmatka Seuthus 3rd Thracian Temple and Shipka Memorial Church. We will then cross the Balkan range via Shipka pass, a historical place during the Russian-Turkish liberation war (1877-1878). If we have time we can stop at Dryanovo Monastery for a quick walk around. In the early afternoon we will arrive in Veliko Tarnovo for “an assault” of the Tsarevets hill fortress. In the evening we can enjoy (if lucky) the Sound and Light show over the fortress and relax in our hotel with a great view over the monument of Assen Dynasty of Kings. Overnignt in Veliko Tarnovo.

Day 4

We will start our day early with a drive to Arbanassi village for a visit of the the Nativity of Christ church with its beautiful frescoes from 1632 and one of the oldest preserved iconostasis from wood. The mural paintings include the life of St. John the Baptist, patron of the church, and the wheel of life with the 12 zodiac signs. Then we go back east (3 hour drive) with a short stop in Troyan Monastery (the 3rd largest monastery in Bulgaria) to Koprivshtitsa. It is our most preserved historic town-museum with houses from the 1800s where we will have lunch and a walk to 3 of the houses. The last 2-hour drive will bring us back to Sofia along the beautiful Balkan range (Stara Planina).

More details

Your 4 Days in Bulgaria Tour

Bulgaria has many sightseeing jewels in its crown, but this 3-day super tour of Bulgaria will show you 3 of the most visited tourist sites – Plovdiv, Kazanlak Thracian Tombs and Veliko Tarnovo. We offer all three of them as one-day tours from Sofia, but we feel like it would be too many hours sitting in a car, so we recommend a 3-day tour allowing you to explore the places better and to avoid many kilometers. This tour will also allow you to enjoy Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo at night.

Bulgaria in 4 days