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2026

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Who is travelling?

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

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ChildrenUnder 18

0

Best of Bulgaria

9 days
Start and end in Sofia
4.4
15 traveler reviews

No departure dates available

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Plan your adventure:
In-depth Cultural
Immerse yourself in rich history and local traditions
Fully Guided
An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Guided in English
Group Size 7 - 16
Ages 16+
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Sofia

    Start point
    Budapeshta Street 92А, 1202 Orlandovtsi, Sofia, Bulgaria (Hotel Budapest, Hotel Reception, 18:00)

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Archaeological Museum to see Thracian, Roman and medieval artefacts in a former mosque dating from 1496
    • Explore Museum of Socialist Art featuring items from the Soviet era including statues of Lenin and propaganda films
    • Walk through ancient ruins of Serdica with eight streets, an early Christian church and a Roman bathhouse
    Landmarks
    Archaeological Museum
    Museum of Socialist Art
    Serdica Ruins
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  2. Day 2

    Sofia to Bansko

    Included Activities

    • Visit Monument to the Soviet Army with guided tour
    • Walking tour of Sofia
    • Visit Neo-Byzantine Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
    • Visit Saint Nedelya Church with colourful murals and carved wooden iconostasis
    • Visit Rila Monastery UNESCO World Heritage Site with frescoes, gilded iconostasis and religious art
    Landmarks
    Monument to the Soviet Army
    Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
    Saint Nedelya Church
    Serdica ancient crossroads
    Rila Monastery
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  3. Day 3

    Bansko to Plovdiv

    Included Activities

    • Walk to UNESCO-Listed Church of Saint Theodore Tyron and Theodore Stratelates
    • Meet local women and experience traditional customs including folk songs and round dance 'horo'
    • Taste banitsa cheese pastry and homemade cheese
    • Train journey on Rhodope Narrow Gauge Railway through mountains and Chepinska River Gorge to Avramovo Railway Station
    Landmarks
    Church of Saint Theodore Tyron and Theodore Stratelates
    Dobarsko
    Avramovo Railway Station
    Itinerary Image 1
  4. Day 4

    Plovdiv

    Included Activities

    • Guided tour of Plovdiv highlights with Tour Leader
    • Visit Roman Amphitheatre of Philipoppol
    • Visit Ethnographic Museum in 1847 merchant's house
    • Visit Church of Saint Constantine and Helena
    Landmarks
    Roman Amphitheatre of Philipoppol
    Ethnographic Museum
    Church of Saint Constantine and Helena
    Itinerary Image 1
  5. Day 5

    Plovdiv to Nessebar

    Included Activities

    • Visit rose oil distillery in Rose Valley
    • Visit Thracian Tomb of Kazanluk UNESCO-Listed replica with murals
    • Visit Shipka Memorial Church
    Landmarks
    Rose Valley
    Thracian Tomb of Kazanluk
    Shipka Memorial Church
    Itinerary Image 1
  6. Day 6

    Nessebar to Varna

    Included Activities

    • Visit Park-Monument Dedicated to the Bulgarian-Soviet Friendship
    • Climb Staircase of Victory to view Brutalist style statue

    Optional Activities

    • Explore old town of Nessebar
    • Visit Temple of Apollo
    • Walk through acropolis and old city walls
    • Visit Archaeological Museum
    • Relax at the beach
    Landmarks
    Temple of Apollo
    Nessebar Acropolis
    Park-Monument Dedicated to the Bulgarian-Soviet Friendship
    Staircase of Victory
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  7. Day 7

    Varna to Veliko Tarnovo

    Included Activities

    • Visit Monument to 1,300 Years of Bulgaria
    • Visit Nativity Church in Arbanasi Village with frescoes

    Optional Activities

    • Walk through largest landscaped park in the Balkans
    Landmarks
    Monument to 1,300 Years of Bulgaria
    Nativity Church
    Arbanasi Village
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  8. Day 8

    Veliko Tarnovo to Sofia

    Included Activities

    • Walk up to and explore Tsarevets Fortress
    • Visit Samovodska Charshiya handicraft market
    Landmarks
    Tsarevets Fortress
    Samovodska Charshiya
    Itinerary Image 1
  9. Day 9

    Sofia

    End point
    Budapeshta Street 92А, 1202 Orlandovtsi, Sofia, Bulgaria (Hotel Budapest, Hotel reception, 09:00)
    Meals
    Breakfast
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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport
  • Free eSIM
    TourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Additional Services

Operated by

Explore!

4.5
(8,631 reviews)

Number of tours

588

Age Range

16 to 85 years old

Response time

within 1 day

Response rate

96%

Explore Worldwide has over 40 years’ experience in creating expert-led small...

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Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Other

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Traveler Reviews

4.4
Overall rating based on 15 Reviews
  • Itinerary
    3.9
  • Transport
    4.4
  • Guide
    4.9
  • Accommodation
    4.3
  • Food
    4.0
  • 4.5

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  • A
    December 23rd, 2019
    4
    I used assistance on flights which Explore arranged..this worked perfectly
    Traveled in September 2019
    Review collected by Explore!
    Reply from: Explore!
    Great, thanks for the kind feedback
    Show more
  • A
    December 23rd, 2019
    4
    Should warn people that they need to pas the hat round for the driver as well as the guide. Lunches far less...
    Show more
    Traveled in September 2019
    Review collected by Explore!
    Reply from: Explore!
    thanks for the feedback
    Show more
  • A
    December 23rd, 2019
    4.5
    -
    Traveled in September 2019
    Review collected by Explore!
    Reply from: Explore!
    Thanks for your review. Glad you had a great trip!
    Show more
  • A
    December 23rd, 2019
    4.3
    The itinerary needs tweaking: too much time spend in places where there is little to see; not enough in others where...
    Show more
    Traveled in September 2019
    Review collected by Explore!
    Reply from: Explore!
    thanks for your feedback, we'll pass your comments to our product team
    Show more
  • Best of Bulgaria reviewer 5
    September 23rd, 2019
    4
    Pleasant cultural tour, but you need to be into churches and museums to really enjoy it. Itinerary needs a bit of...
    Show more
    Traveled in September 2019
    Reply from: Explore!
    thanks for your feedback, we'll pass it to our product team to review
    Show more
  • N
    June 25th, 2019
    4.5
    This tour covered many of the historical, cultural and geographical aspects of Bulgaria very well. The pace of the...
    Show more
    Traveled in June 2019
    Reply from: Explore!
    Thanks for your review and feedback. Glad you had a great trip!
    Show more
  • J
    June 8th, 2019
    4.5
    Great overall view of a country not many know much about. This country was conquered by the Thracians, Greeks,...
    Show more
    Traveled in May 2019
    Reply from: Explore!
    Thanks for your review and feedback.
    Show more
  • A
    May 17th, 2019
    4.7
    Fabulous trip, fabulous country, lovely guide and group
    Traveled in May 2018
    Reply from: Explore!
    Thanks for your review!
    Show more
  • A
    May 17th, 2019
    5
    A really enjoyable tour a shame that the last two days were a bit of a rush.
    Traveled in June 2018
    Reply from: Explore!
    thanks for the feedback. we'll pass your comments to our Product team to review the rushed days. Thanks, The Explore team
    Show more
  • A
    May 17th, 2019
    4.7
    Fascinating trip. Wished it had been longer with more time in Sofia and Varna. 10 days about right
    Traveled in July 2018
    Reply from: Explore!
    Thanks for your feedback and review.
    Show more

What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.
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  • B

    Barbara

    Asked on June 27th, 2022

    Does this tour have guaranteed departure?

    Tour Details
    • Explore!OperatorWritten June 2022

      For our BOB - Best of Bulgaria trip 10 September 2022 - This is a Guaranteed date with 6 passengers already confirmed.

Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at Explore! with your enquiry, they usually respond within 1 day.

No departure dates available

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Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 124404

  • Currency
    лв.
    Bulgarian Lev
    Bulgaria
  • Plugs & Adapters

  • Vaccines
    • These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
    • Hepatitis A - Recommended for Bulgaria. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Tuberculosis - Recommended for Bulgaria. Ideally 3 months before travel.
    • Hepatitis B - Recommended for Bulgaria. Ideally 2 months before travel.
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before May 20th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after May 20th, 2026, a minimum payment of 10% is required to confirm your booking with Explore!. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 75 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • Some departure dates and prices may vary and Explore! will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "Explore!" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.

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Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec