Bulgaria Tours & Trips
Imagine Bulgaria's Rila Monastery nestled in mountain forests - a truly breathtaking sight. Or wandering through Plovdiv's old Roman streets. Bulgaria charms with Sofia's golden domes, Veliko Tarnovo's medieval fortresses, Nessebar's cobbled lanes, and the Rodopi Mountains' caves. Taste local wines and watch the Nestinari fire dance. The Balkans' secret gem is ready and waiting.
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Lesley • traveled in August, 2025
Tour offered a wide range of experiences. Preliminary walking tour introduced major landmarks and buildings in Sofia and gave an outline of the nations history...from Roman times through mediaeval regime changes to modern political history. Tour visited the famous Rilla Monestery and a modern spiritual site then char Melnik village in the wine growing region. Next seen were the Pirin Mountain ranges of and the township of Bankso which was a base for hiking and skiing. A short ride on the narrow guage railway thrpugh the Rodope Mountain showed forest and river valleys. Nrxt conytast was the ancient city of Plovdiv which perservrs an old townming Mrlnick villthr eine growing region and travelled over mountsin passes eith brsutiful forrdt and included an ovetnoght stay in Bsnkso ehich is the site for srasonsl hiking and sking. A short journey of the narrow gauge railway through Rodope Mountsins showed mountsins and river ravines. Next thete wre opportunities to view archeytrcture and arts and crafts as wrll as
Best of Bulgaria Roundtrip - K
Karen • traveled in October, 2025
What a wonderful tour through Bulgaria. Our guide Tsveto was knowledgeable, accommodating, and passionate about sharing his experience with us. He made our tour fun & interesting . All hotels were comfortable & centrally located to our needs. Thank you Across Europe for making Bulgaria a memorable journey.
Legends of Emperors and Crusaders , Wines, Traditional Cuisine. Museum Towns and Villages - B
Beryl • traveled in July, 2025
The printed guide and organisation of the final itinerary were excellent. We were glad we changed the itinerary to add a night in Kazanlak between Plovdiv and Nessebar as it was a long way to drive, and as there are many interesting sights around Kazanlak: we also visited Shipka Church and Pass which were well worth seeing as we had a bit of extra time there. Due to the long drive to get to coastal Bulgarian areas, we would have liked an extra night there, probably in Varna which suited our historical interests. Both guided tours in Sofia and Veliko Tarnovo were excellent and very informative. We appreciated the extra time spent with Sofia in Veliko Tarnovo giving us a guided tour of the Tsarevets Fortress and also sights in the town. Overall the sights in Bulgaria including historic and natural were a pleasant surprise.
Discover Bulgaria: A Self-Drive Exploration of Its Best-Kept Secrets
Table of contents
- The best Bulgaria tour packages
- Most popular destinations in Bulgaria
- Travel Bulgaria your way
- Best tour companies for Bulgaria tours
- Best places to start your Bulgaria tour
- Discover Bulgaria tours for every budget
- Bulgaria tours for every type of group
- Top Bulgaria travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Bulgaria
- Contact our Bulgaria travel experts
The best Bulgaria tour packages
Compiled by
NinaBulgaria travel expert at TourRadar
Best of Bulgaria Roundtrip
20 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour was a good trip, with the guide being very knowledgeable on the history, art and culture of Bulgaria and the Balkan states.”
Mauro, traveled in August
Bulgarian cultural treasures unfold over eight days, from Sofia's 4th-century St. George Rotonda to Plovdiv's Roman theater. Local artisans welcome visitors at Etura craftsmen village, while Yagodina cave reveals stunning stalactites. The UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery rounds out the journey. Includes 7 breakfasts and expert English-speaking guide.
Duration 7 days Destinations Sofia, Rila, Melnik, Ognyanovo, Bansko, Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo Age Range Ages 6+ Operator Penguin Travel From
- US$890+$119 local payments
Legends of Emperors and Crusaders , Wines, Traditional Cuisine. Museum Towns and Villages
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“What a wonderful tour through Bulgaria. All hotels were comfortable & centrally located to our needs.”
Karen, traveled in September
Bulgarian heritage comes alive from Sofia's ancient streets to Varna's Roman baths. The Valley of Roses in Kazanlak beckons, historic Melnik offers wine tasting, and UNESCO-listed Nessebar dazzles visitors. Total costs around $2,600 includes 3-4* hotels, expert guides, and authentic experiences including Nestinari fire dancing at farewell dinner.
Duration 10 days Destinations Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo, Varna, Pomorie, Kazanlak, Plovdiv, Melnik Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Across Europe Ltd. From
- US$2,784+$101 local payments
Discover Bulgaria: A Self-Drive Exploration of Its Best-Kept Secrets
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The sights in Bulgaria including historic and natural were a pleasant surprise.”
Beryl, traveled in July
Rila Monastery's frescoes and Plovdiv's Roman amphitheater showcase Bulgaria's rich heritage. Riverside family hotels welcome you while exploring Bansko's old town and Kazanluk's Rose Valley. The tour features Sofia's Alexander Nevski Cathedral and Varna's archaeological museum with world's oldest gold treasure.
Duration 11 days Destinations Sofia, Rila, Bansko, Plovdiv, Kazanlak, Nesebar, Varna, Arbanasi, Veliko Tarnovo Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Across Europe Ltd. From
- US$1,116+$47 local payments
Peaks & Lakes of the Pirin and Rila Mountains
32 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Beautiful scenery and our guide Stefika Dimtrova was excellent!”
Anne, traveled in July
Bulgarian peaks await on this 8-day alpine adventure. The route leads through Pirin and Rila National Parks to scale Musala (2925m) and Vihren (2914m), passing 17 glacier lakes, with a visit to UNESCO Rila Monastery. Comfortable 3-star hotels in Bansko and Govedartsi serve as base camps, while expert guides lead daily hikes with daypacks.
Duration 8 days Destinations Sofia, Bansko, Pirin National Park, Mount Vihren, Rila, Seven Lakes National Reserve, Malyovitsa, Govedartsi, Mount Musala Age Range Ages 13+ Operator Traventuria From
- US$1,353
Balkan Cycling (Bulgaria)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Everything was perfectly organized, and the schedule allowed us to see and do so much without ever feeling rushed.”
Virgil, traveled in August
Bulgarian heritage comes alive from Sofia to Veliko Tarnovo for approx. $710. Cyclists pass Teteven's historical museum, browse Etura's open-air ethnographic displays, and marvel at Bozhentsi's 100 Revival Period houses. Seven nights in family guesthouses and authentic meals provide local immersion.
Duration 7 days Destinations Sofia, Goliam Izvor, Ribaritsa, Troyan, Apriltsi, Gabrovo, Etara, Tryavna, Bojentsi, ElenaSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Penguin Travel From
- US$736+$119 local payments
Hike Bulgaria's Rodopi Mountains
10 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“A beautiful place & charming local people who made us very welcome. The walking is varied & for many, challenging but we were able to take the hard bits at our own pace.”
Carolyn, traveled in August
Bulgaria's wild Rodopi region opens up from Yagodina village. Rare butterflies flutter through Kastrakli Nature Reserve, while dramatic views await at Trigrad karst plateau and Mount Golyam Snezhnik (7,178ft). The family-run Yagodina Hotel provides home-produced meals before transfer to Sofia's Crystal Palace Hotel.
Duration 8 days Destinations Sofia, Borino, Zmeitsa Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
- US$2,400
Go Local: Best of Bulgaria, Self-Drive
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We found every detail of the organisation to be perfect. We would happily recommend your company to anyone.”
David, traveled in August
Bulgarian heritage spans from Sofia's Alexander Nevski Cathedral to Plovdiv's Roman Amphitheatre. The Rose Valley leads to Kazanlak's Thracian Tomb, while Varna's Archaeological Museum houses the world's oldest gold treasure. UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery completes the journey. Includes 10 nights' accommodation and traditional village lunch in Dobarsko.
Duration 11 days Destinations Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo, Varna, Balchik, Nesebar, Burgas, Kazanlak, Plovdiv, Bansko, Rila Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, French Operator Destination Services Bulgaria From $1,328
15% Off- US$1,129You save $199
Most popular destinations in Bulgaria
Travel Bulgaria your way
Best tour companies for Bulgaria tours
Looking at feedback from TourRadar travelers in Bulgaria, Traventuria stands out for their hiking and trekking tours. Their guides get high marks for knowing just when to change plans based on weather and how to adapt the pace for different hiking abilities. Emiliana impressed customers with quick responses and solid professional handling of self-drive tour details - exactly what you want when exploring unfamiliar roads in Bulgaria. Over in Varna, local tour operators put together well-thought-out itineraries, and their guides really engage with the groups, adding local knowledge that makes the difference. It's worth noting a couple of hiccups too. There was an issue with hotel staff at a Bansko ski resort that didn't meet expectations, and some cyclists mentioned problems with bike conditions and unclear information before their trip started. The pre-trip communication could have been clearer about what to expect and bring along. The good experiences seem to come down to guides who know their stuff and can think on their feet, especially when weather or group needs change. And while most accommodation and equipment worked out fine, those few issues show how important clear communication and quality gear are for active tours in Bulgaria.
Best places to start your Bulgaria tour
Most people start their Bulgarian journey in Sofia - 38 of our tours begin right there in the capital. If you're looking at other options, Varna on the Black Sea kicks off 5 tours, while Bansko and Athens each launch 2 routes. Our booking patterns show that 69 days before departure is the ideal time to lock in your trip; you'll get the dates you want and have plenty of time to get ready. The local guides consistently earn praise from our customers - they really know their stuff and love sharing stories about their homeland. May-June or September hit the sweet spot for visiting, with nice temperatures and fewer tourists around. Spring travelers often time their visits with the Rose Valley harvest, while autumn brings excellent hiking weather and mountain slopes painted in fall colors. The ski runs in Bansko draw winter sports fans too, which means Bulgaria works well no matter when you visit.
Discover Bulgaria tours for every budget
Bulgaria budget tours10 tours
Starting from
$102
per day
- Bulgaria luxury tours
6 tours
Starting from
$117
per day
Bulgaria tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Top Bulgaria travel itineraries to fit your plans
Demographics
- Solo Travelers38 tours
- Couples54 tours
- Seniors (50+)15 tours
- Family37 tours
Best time to visit Bulgaria
- Winter 2025 / 2026
Winter in Bulgaria centers on Bansko's 75km of varied slopes, where our ski packages include smart touches like airport transfers and hotels with spa facilities. The setup works really well - active mornings on the slopes flow into cultural evenings exploring traditional mexanas (restaurants) along Pirin Street. Many of our guests love taking breaks at Banya's thermal springs, which locals have long used for their healing properties. The format gives you room to choose your pace - ski hard or take it easier with trips to mountain villages and cultural spots nearby.
- Spring 2026
Bulgaria really comes alive in spring, especially during May's rose harvest in the Rose Valley. Our Sofia-based cultural route gets you right into the action - you can pick flowers yourself and see how local distilleries create that precious rose oil. The Rhodope Mountains offer another great option as wildflowers spread across the hills. The spring monastery circuit connects UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery with gentle forest walks, while the weather stays just right for exploring Plovdiv's Roman sites and Sofia's historic center. Our TourRadar travelers often mention how they appreciate having major sites mostly to themselves during spring visits.
- 22 tours
- 26 tours
- popular 41 tours
- Summer 2026
Summer opens up serious mountain possibilities in the Rila and Pirin ranges. Our most complete route takes you up notable peaks like Polezhan, Vihren and also Musala, with clear views stretching over glacier-carved lakes below. The days mix proper hiking with cultural stops - you'll cross alpine meadows by day and settle into mountain villages for traditional Bulgarian dinners at night. Our guides know their stuff cold - from local plants and animals to mountain stories passed down through generations. Travelers particularly like how we've structured things around hotel stays rather than mountain huts, so you only need carry a daypack.
- 40 tours
- popular 44 tours
- 41 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2026
Autumn brings ideal conditions for mixing culture with walking tours. Our September and October routes catch the mountain color changes while temperatures stay comfortable enough for proper exploring. One route that gets consistently good feedback starts in Sofia and works through the Rhodope Mountains, where our customers tell us the autumn views are especially good. Wine fans tend to prefer our cultural circuits through Melnik, where you can sample local wines just as harvest wraps up. The guides know exactly where to catch the best seasonal colors, and travelers love how shorter walking days lead into cozy evenings at traditional restaurants.
- popular 43 tours
- 38 tours
- 16 tours
Contact our Bulgaria travel experts
Melissa
Expert in Bulgaria at TourRadar
Melissa is one of our seasoned Bulgaria Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Bulgaria tours answered!
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