A 12-Day Itinerary Featuring The Best Of Bulgaria
Experience the best of Bulgaria with this 9-day itinerary. Visit Sofia, the Black Sea Coast, Rila Monastery, the Eyes of God, Prohodna Cave, the Seven Lakes, Veliko Tarnovo, and more. Explore historic landmarks, relax on sandy beaches, and marvel at beautiful natural wonders.
A tour at a glance
- Day 1: Arrival in Sofia
- Day 2: Black sea coast
- Day 3: Explore Aheloy
- Day 4: Travel to Nessebar
- Day 5: Black Sea Coast to the Rhodope Mountains
- Day 6: Rhodope Mountains to the Trigrad Gorge
- Day 7: Trigrad Gorge to the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak
- Day 8: Visit the Rila Monastery
- Day 9: The Eyes of God, Prohodna Cave
- Day 10: Hike The Seven Lakes
- Day 11: Journey to Veliko Tarnovo
- Day 12: Fly back home
Tour Price
Our private tours typically range from $500 - $1000 per person/per night depending on chosen hotels and room categories, vehicles used, types of tours, flight cost, time of year and other factors. Make an inquiry for a customized trip quote.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Sofia
Upon arrival in Sofia, get a private transfer and check into your hotel. Spend the evening exploring the city.
Sofia, Bulgaria's capital and largest city, offers a mix of modern amenities and historical landmarks. Go on an introductory tour of the city visiting the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Boyana Church, and the National Gallery of Art. Have a lavish dinner in authentic Bulgarian style and return to your hotel.
Day 2: Black sea coast
In the morning, your private guide will drive you from Sofia to the Black Sea Coast. It is a 4-5 hour journey. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring the coast. The Black Sea Coast is known for its beautiful beaches, charming towns, and ancient ruins.
Day 3: Explore Aheloy
Spend exploring Aheloy, a small town along the Black Sea Coast. Aheloy is known for its sandy beach and laid-back atmosphere. You can relax on the beach and go for a swim, or try some water sports. In the evening, dine at a local restaurant or bar or stroll along the promenade.
Day 4: Travel to Nessebar
After breakfast, explore Nessebar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located along the Black Sea Coast. Visit the Church of St. Sophia, the Archaeological Museum, and the Ethnographic Museum. Stroll along the waterfront in the evening and enjoy a gourmet dinner at a seafood restaurant.
Day 5: Black Sea Coast to the Rhodope Mountains
Today, head to the Rhodope Mountains, a region in southern Bulgaria known for its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Start your day by visiting the Bachkovo Monastery, one of Bulgaria's largest and most important monasteries. The monastery is home to a rich collection of art and manuscripts, and its beautiful grounds are a popular spot for hiking and picnicking.
Day 6: Rhodope Mountains to the Trigrad Gorge
Today, visit the Trigrad Gorge, a beautiful natural canyon in the Rhodope Mountains. The gorge is home to various flora and fauna and offers hiking and rock climbing opportunities. In the afternoon, visit the Devil's Throat Cave, a spectacular underground cave system with underground waterfalls and stunning stalactites and stalagmites. In the evening, dine at a restaurant in the nearby town of Trigrad, which serves traditional Bulgarian dishes made with locally sourced ingredients.
Day 7: Trigrad Gorge to the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak
Today, visit the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Kazanlak. The tomb is a well-preserved example of Thracian architecture and art and offers a unique glimpse into the culture of this ancient civilization. In the afternoon, visit the Kazanlak Archaeological Museum, which features a collection of artifacts from the Thracian civilization. In the evening, dine at a restaurant in Kazanlak, which serves traditional Bulgarian dishes made with locally sourced ingredients.
Day 8: Visit the Rila Monastery
In the morning, start early from the Black Sea Coast to the Rila Monastery, located in the Rila Mountains.
The Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous monastery in Bulgaria and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend the day exploring the monastery's beautiful grounds, which include chapels, a museum, and a library.
Check into a premium hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 9: The Eyes of God, Prohodna Cave
Spend the day exploring two natural wonders: The Eyes of God and the Prohodna Cave. The Eyes of God are two large holes in the rock face of the Iskar Gorge, which are said to resemble the eyes of God. The Prohodna Cave is a large natural skylight located near the town of Karlukovo. The drive time from Rila to these two destinations is 4-5 hours. You will also enjoy a traditional dinner with the locals on the way back to your hotel.
Day 10: Hike The Seven Lakes
Go on a full-day hiking adventure exploring the Seven Lakes, located in the Rila Mountains. The Seven Lakes are a series of beautiful mountain lakes with unique characteristics. Enjoy the panoramic views of the mountains and the variety of flora and fauna throughout the hiking trail. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a resting spot beside one of the lakes. In the evening, return to your hotel and rest.
Day 11: Journey to Veliko Tarnovo
In the morning, your private guide will pick you up and drive to Veliko Tarnovo, located in central Bulgaria. Veliko Tarnovo is the former capital of Bulgaria, and it is known for its beautiful old town, which is home to ancient churches, fortresses, and museums. Spend the day exploring the city and its surroundings. Spend the evening at leisure and check into your hotel for dinner.
Day 12: Fly back home
Spend the day packing and preparing for your departure. Your private guide will escort you to the Bulgaria airport to catch a flight back home in the evening.
