The Best Places To Explore In Bulgaria Via Bulgaria Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Sofia

The first day is reserved for exploring the capital- Sofia known for the current mixture of European and Communist-style architecture, the Bulgarian capital is well surrounded by many beautiful sceneries and orthodox churches. The central area, surrounding the most important attractions of Sofia, can be explored by foot. Simply walk around and explore the 2500-year-old city in the middle of the Balkans. Some of my favorite attractions are the Central Mineral Baths, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and the main shopping street for pedestrians, Vitosha Boulevard. Sofia is not a very touristic city, thus to explore the hidden parts of it, taking a free walking tour is quite feasible. The locals even offer a free food tour named Balkan Bites - one of the first free food tours you will come across in Europe.

Day 2: The Regional Ethnographic Museum

The second day should be invested in exploring the Vitosha Mountain. It is an excellent spot for hiking, alpinism, and skiing. There’s the lift station, Dragalevtsi, from where you can reach the “Goli Vrah”, or Bald Peak at 1820 m altitude by the lift within half an hour. There are also lots of bridges, rivers, caves, and mineral springs surrounding this nature park in the Balkans; which happens to also be the oldest. Some of them are the Golden Bridges (Zlatnite Mostove), the Vladayska River that runs beneath the Zlatnite Mostove (also the largest stone river), and the Duhlata Cave with a total length of 18200 m (59711 ft), and considered to be the longest in Bulgaria. These are just a few to name, so imagine what else you will be able to explore here. At the foot of the mountain, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Boyana Church, is a good starting point for a day trip to the mountain. Explore the area in a day and go back to your hotel in the evening.

Day 3: Rila Monastery

Standing isolated on the northwestern part of the Rila Mountains above the majestic slopes and covered with centuries-old forests, the Rila Monastery is undoubtedly one of the most famous places in Bulgaria. It is the largest Eastern Orthodox Monastery in the country. Visitors come here, not just for the historical, religious, and cultural spirit, but also for the picturesque landscape and natural atmosphere. Standing in the center of the inner ring, the main church is decorated with incredible displays of wood carvings and an iconostasis that has been plated with gold. To get here, there’s no need to book an expensive guided tour to the Rila Monastery because you can explore the site on your own by public transportation. There’s one bus leaving daily at around 10:20 AM from the West Bus Station, that is also known as Ovcha Kupel, to where you can leave from tram 5. If you only have a short time in the country, take a minibus to both UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church.

Day 4: Plovdiv City and Bachkovo Valley

According to your Bulgaria itinerary, invest your fourth day in Plovdiv, one of the oldest cities in Europe and the second-largest city in Bulgaria is located on six hills between the Rhodope Mountains and the Stara Planina (Old Mountains). Enjoy this city that is full of art and medieval architecture by walking around the old town. The city also offers great cuisine, music events, and rose products. A romantic way to end your daily itinerary is to watch the sunset view from the hills surrounding Plovdiv. From here, you can also catch a bus from the Rhodopi Bus Station to Bachkovo to visit the Bachkovo Monastery along the valley of the Chepelarska River. This is the best way to end the fourth day of your Bulgaria tour.

Day 5 & 6: Veliko Tarnovo

Day 5 would be your busy in getting to Veliko Tarnovo and the bus ride is one of the best ways to get there. Upon reaching there, you will be welcomed by the scenic views of mountains and sunflower fields. As you get closer to Veliko Tarnovo, you will find more greenery around and this what makes it one of the greenest city around the world. Spend a full day in Veliko Tarnovo before you move to your next vacation destination. Tsarevets Fortress is one of the finest places to explore here and if you are a fan of “Game of Thrones” then you must check this place. No Bulgaria itinerary is made without keeping it on the list. Explore it on the sixth day of your Bulgaria tour and once you are done with your area exploration, return back to your hotel to take some rest.

Day 7: Seven Rila Lakes

Day 7 should be invested wisely by taking a hiking tour to the Rila mountains to view the breathtaking Seven Rila Lakes. This is something that you shouldn’t miss on your Bulgaria itinerary. It can be tricky to get public transportation, but you can book a cab or take service provided by the Rila Shuttle to avail a comfortable ride to the beginning of the trek. Depending upon your choice, you can go hiking with or without a guide, but the only thing that you should keep in mind while hiking is to explore it thoroughly to add some fun and adventure to your tour. Spend a full day in adventurous activities and come back to your hotel in the evening. After having your dinner, you can proceed to your room and pack your luggage before you hit the bed. It is suggested to pack your bags in the night so that you can reduce the pressure of packing luggage in the next morning which is supposed to be your last day in Bulgaria. 

Day 8: Last Day in the Capital City of Bulgaria

Needless to say, this is the last day of Bulgaria tour, wake up early in the morning and if you haven’t bought any souvenirs for your friends, do some shopping for them before you will be escorted to the airport by your cab driver. Hope this Bulgaria itinerary meets your travel expectations.