10-Day Bulgaria Tour Packages
Want ten days in Eastern Europe's most underrated country? Bulgaria offers Sofia's mix of Ottoman mosques and Soviet architecture, Plovdiv's Roman theater and old town, and Veliko Tarnovo's medieval fortress. Visit Rila Monastery, Black Sea beaches at Sozopol or Varna, and the Valley of Roses or wine regions. The hiking's excellent, costs are low, and the food's hearty.
Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Bulgaria tour itineraries
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NinaBulgaria travel expert at TourRadar
10 Days in Bulgaria, incl. Sofia and Plovdiv
A fascinating 10-day circuit weaves through 7 Bulgarian cities, from Sofia's Roman ruins to Varna's ancient baths. Three UNESCO sites including Nessebar, Rila Monastery, and Plovdiv's Old Town showcase cultural richness. Local experiences include wine tastings at Villa Melnik, rose production at Damascena complex, and traditional Nestinari fire dancing.
- Day 1
Sofia
Start your Bulgarian adventure in Sofia, a city Constantine the Great called "My Rome." Get a private transfer from Sofia Airport to your hotel. Book an afternoon arrival if you can to avoid the morning traffic congestion.
- Day 2
Sofia to Veliko Tarnovo
Explore 7,000-year-old Sofia in the morning before traveling to Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria's medieval capital. Visit Tsarevets Fortress, perched on four hills overlooking the Yantra River. The fortress walls and Baldwin's Tower showcase Bulgaria's historic victory over the 4th Crusade in 1205. A recent visitor noted: "Bulgaria has good roads and very attractive towns and villages. There is a lot to see."
- Day 3
Veliko Tarnovo to Varna
Take a morning walk through Veliko Tarnovo's cobblestone streets and visit Samovodska Charshia for wine tasting. Travel to Varna, a coastal gem that houses the world's oldest gold treasure from the 5th millennium BC. Explore the Roman baths and Sea Garden. Leave early to beat summer traffic on coastal routes.
- Day 4
Varna to Nessebar/Pomorie
Visit Nessebar, a UNESCO site founded in 510 BC. This ancient town sits on a peninsula linked to the mainland by a narrow strip. Have lunch in Old Nessebar before going to Pomorie for wine tasting. Check wine tasting schedules between Varna and Pomorie as they vary by day and season.
- Day 5
Nessebar to Kazanlak
See Europe's best-preserved Neolithic dwellings in Stara Zagora. Move on to Kazanlak in the Valley of Roses, once producing 75% of global rose oil. Visit the Thracian tomb, a UNESCO site. You'll see a replica since access to the original is restricted for preservation.
- Day 6
Kazanlak to Plovdiv
Stop at Shipka Church and sample rose brandy at Damascena Ethnographic complex. Continue to Plovdiv, Europe's oldest continuously inhabited city and 2022's Best Cultural Destination. A visitor shared: "I particularly enjoyed learning about the wine culture and the history of this proud nation." Take an evening walk through UNESCO-listed Old Plovdiv.
- Day 7
Plovdiv and Bachkovo
Take a day trip to Bachkovo Monastery, Bulgaria's second-largest monastery from the 11th century. Visit Assenova Fortress and stop for wine tasting in Brestovisa village. Return to Plovdiv for the night. Wear sturdy shoes for the old town's slippery cobblestones.
- Day 8
Plovdiv to Melnik
Visit Bansko museum town near Pirin Mountain National Park. Head to Melnik, Bulgaria's tiniest town, known for sandstone pyramids and wine cellars. Try the Broad Leaf Melnik wine at Villa Melnik, reportedly Winston Churchill's favorite.
- Day 9
Melnik to Sofia via Rila Monastery
See Kordopulov House, the Balkans' largest 19th-century home. Visit the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery at 1,100m elevation. Return to Sofia for a final dinner with folklore music and Nestinari fire dancing (seasonal, May-October).
- Day 10
Sofia Departure
Use your free morning to shop or explore. Late flights? Visit the National History Museum or take the cable car up Vitosha Mountain.
10 Days in Bulgaria, incl. Sofia and Plovdiv
Bulgaria's finest attractions unfold over 10 days featuring Sofia's Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Plovdiv's Roman ruins, and UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery. Five major cities plus traditional villages Kovachevitsa and Melnik offer diverse perspectives. Luxurious stays at Hotel Sense and Zornitza Estate include exclusive culinary and cultural experiences.
- Days 1-2
Sofia
Begin in Bulgaria's capital city. Visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral before 9 AM to avoid crowds and see the golden domes in perfect morning light. Explore the Yellow Pavements area mid-morning when the cafes are lively. For lunch try a Soviet-themed restaurant but book ahead for 1 PM as they get busy.
- Days 2-3
Plovdiv
It's a 2-hour drive from Sofia to Plovdiv, known as Europe's oldest continuously inhabited city. Walk carefully on the Old Town's cobblestone streets which can be slippery. The Roman Theater offers beautiful sunset views over the city but has steep steps. Book a hotel in the Kapana district where you can spend your evenings trying local wines at nearby bars.
- Day 4
Gela
The mountain drive to Gela takes about 2.5 hours. Bring a physical map since GPS isn't reliable in this area. If you're visiting in July try to catch the National Bagpipe Festival. Book the foraging experience ahead and pack hiking shoes as trails often get muddy.
- Day 5
Kovachevitsa
Getting to Kovachevitsa involves winding mountain roads. Book Maria Jekova's cooking class well in advance. Bring warm clothing as mountain temperatures can drop unexpectedly.
- Days 6-8
Zornitza Family Estate & Melnik
Start early to photograph Melnik's sand pyramids in morning light. Visit Kordopulov House right when it opens at 9 AM before tour groups arrive. Book your spa treatments at Zornitza Estate a day ahead. Wear good shoes for the BBQ dinner location which involves walking on uneven ground.
- Days 9-10
Rila Monastery & Sofia
Get to Rila Monastery before 11 AM to beat the crowds. Plan extra time for the drive back to Sofia especially on weekends when traffic can extend the usual 2.5-hour journey. Book a later flight to avoid rushing.
Peaks & Lakes of the Pirin and Rila Mountains
Bulgaria's majestic peaks beckon on this 8-day trek covering 9 destinations. Summit Musala (2925m) and Vihren (2914m), marvel at 17 glacier lakes, and visit UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery. Three-star hotels in Bansko and Govedartsi serve as base while expert guides lead daily expeditions.
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What people love about 10-day Bulgaria tours
- Legends of Emperors and Crusaders , Wines, Traditional Cuisine. Museum Towns and Villages
Well thought out tour with a good English speaking guide. We are history fans and this tour checked all our boxes. The hotels were comfortable with great breakfasts and good mattresses. None of the drives were excessively long and the vehicle was spacious and comfortable. Would highly recommend this tour.
Amazing hiking tour, every day offers a unique experience and a variety of scenery. Metody is a fantastic guide very knowledgeable and funny. His enthusiasm for hiking and the history of Bulgaria take this tour to the next level. A reasonable level of fitness and hill walking stamina is required for this trip. You will need to use your hands to scramble over some boulders, but nothing too technical, if you are confident walking in the Lake District or Scotland this trip will be suitable for you. I loved every moment of this trip.
Peaks & Lakes of the Pirin and Rila Mountains
Had a wonderful trip. Highlights was the burgaria people. Home stay was great. Tour leader George avram was very helpful and very friendly. The group were fantastic. Had a pleasant trip.. thank you ☺
Eastern Europe Express
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