Why Travel To Bulgaria
- Stunning architecture
- Captivating history
- Spectacular landscape
- Good travel infrastructure
- Delicious local cuisine food and wine
- Friendly people
- Budget friendly
Bulgaria Itinerary Map
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Bulgaria Travel Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Sophia
- Day 2: Explore Sophia
- Day 3: Day trip to Rila Monastery
- Day 4: Sophia to Plovdiv, Explore Plovdiv
- Day 5: Explore Plovdiv
- Day 6: Plovdiv to Veliko Tarnovo, Explore Veliko Tarnovo
- Day 7: Explore Veliko Tarnovo
- Day 8: Day Trip to Buzludzha Monument
- Day 9: Depart
If you've more time and want to enjoy the beaches then visit Black Sea coastline.
Best Time To Visit Bulgaria
Just considering the temperatures, the best time to visit Bulgaria would be May through September. June to August the prices of accommodations and flights will be high since it is considered the high season. You could consider travelling during the shoulder months (April-May and September–October) when the prices are lower and the temperatures are comfortable.
Bulgaria Top Experiences
- Massive Sophia Church
- Colorful Rila Monastery
- Performance at Ancient Roman Theatre Of Philippopolis in Plovdiv
- Charming town of Veliko Tarnavo
- Quirky Buzludzha monument
- Delicious Bulgarian cuisine
Day 1: Arrive In Sophia
- After a long journey to Sophia, it would be best to take it easy on your first day in Bulgaria. Sofia is the capital and the largest city of Bulgaria.
- In late afternoon walk around Sophia city center. Then go to Vitosha Boulevard which is the main pedestrian street with many cafes, bars, restaurants and fashion stores. Dine at one of the authentic Bulgarian restaurants on Vitosha Blvd.
Best location to book your stay in Sofia is the City Center area.
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| Sofia |
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| Sofia Ancient Serdica Archaeological Complex |
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| Sofia |
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| Vitosha Boulevard (Sofia) |
(Image By Stolichanin - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39900191)
Day 2: Explore Sophia
- After a good night's sleep and a nice breakfast in morning, start your day with a guided walking tour of Sophia where you'll understand the history and architecture of the city. After the walking tour enjoy authentic Bulgarian food for lunch.
- After lunch visit Cathedral Saint Aleksandar Nevski. This is a massive church which was built between 1882 and 1912 in memory of the 200,000 Russian soldiers who died fighting for Bulgaria’s independence.
- Next visit Banya Bashi Mosque which was completed in 1566. You can also visit The Sofia Synagogue which is the largest synagogue in Southeastern Europe. Travel tip: Please check the tourist visiting hours in advance for the mosque and the synagogue to plan your visit.
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| Cathedral Saint Aleksandar Nevski (Sofia) |
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| Banya Bashi Mosque (Sofia) |
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| The Sofia Synagogue |
Day 3: Day trip to Rila Monastery & Boyana Church
- Start your day by visiting the Boyana Church which is a UNESCO protected medieval Bulgarian orthodox church situated on the outskirts of Sofia. It was built around 11th century.
- Next visit the Rila Monastery which is the largest Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. It was founded in the 10th century and is full of colorful architecture and religious art. Then have a nice authentic Bulgarian food for lunch at a restaurant near Rila Monastery.
- In the afternoon you can visit the Saint Sofia Church which is the oldest church in Sofia, dating to the 4th century. Or you can just spend time walking around and exploring Sophia.
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| Rila Monastery |
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| Rila Monastery |
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| Boyana Church |
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| Regional History Museum (Sofia) |
Day 4: Sofia to Plovdiv, Explore Plovdiv
- Take the transport in morning from Sofia to Plovdiv, which is about couple of hours by road. Plovdiv is the cultural capital of Bulgaria and the second largest city in Bulgaria. In the afternoon join a guided walking tour of the historic old town of Plovdiv.
- In late afternoon visit the Ancient Roman Theatre Of Philippopolis, which is one of the world's best-preserved ancient Roman theatre. The theatre was constructed in the 90s of the 1st century AD. While in Plovdiv, try to attend a performance in evening at the theatre for an amazing open theatre experience.
Best location to book your stay in Plovdiv is the Old Town area.
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| Balabanov's House (Plovdiv) |
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| Nebet Tepe (Plovdiv) |
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| Ancient Roman Theatre Of Philippopolis (Plovdiv) |
Day 5: Explore Plovdiv
- Start your day by visiting Regional Ethnographic Museum. The museum has a collection of over 40,000 exhibits. After your visit have lunch at one of the lovely Bulgarian restaurants.
- In afternoon visit Dzhumaya Mosque which was built in 1363–1364. Then spend rest of the day walking around and exploring Plovdiv. End your day with dinner in Kapana district.
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| Regional Ethnographic Museum (Plovdiv) |
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| Dzhumaya Mosque (Plovdiv) |
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| Ancient Stadium of Philipopolis (Plovdiv) |
Day 6: Plovdiv to Veliko Tarnovo
- Take the transport in morning from Plovdiv to Veliko Tarnovo, which is about 3 hours by road. Veliko Tarnovo is a medieval historic town located on the Yantra River in north central Bulgaria.
- In the afternoon join a guided walking tour of the historic town of Veliko Tarnovo. During the tour you'll experience unique architecture, monuments and street art/murals. End your day with dinner at one of the authentic Bulgarian restaurants with a view of the river valley.
Best location to book your stay in Veliko Tarnovo is the Old Town and City Center area.
Park "Sveta Gora" (Veliko Tarnovo)
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| Wall Mural (Veliko Tarnovo) |
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| Monument of Mother Bulgaria (Veliko Tarnovo) |
Day 7: Explore Veliko Tarnovo
- Start your day by exploring Tsarevets Fortress. It is Second Bulgarian Empire's primary fortress dating back to 12th century and is known for its medieval architecture and history.
- In afternoon visit Museum of the Revival and Constituent Assembly. The museum is housed in former Turkish town hall built in 1872 and has three floors. This museum collection includes numerous artifacts from Bulgarian history like paintings, books, documents, photos, tools, swords, guns, etc.
- Next visit Samovodska Charshiya Complex where you'll encounter blacksmiths, potters, painters, etc. selling their work.
- Then just walk around and explore more of Veliko Tarnovo. End your day again with dinner at one of the authentic Bulgarian restaurants with a view of the river valley.
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| Tsarevets Fortress (Veliko Tarnovo) |
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| Museum of the Revival and Constituent Assembly (Veliko Tarnovo) |
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| Samovodska Charshiya Complex (Veliko Tarnovo) |
Day 8: Day Trip to Buzludzha Monument
- On this last day in Bulgaria you'll visit Buzludzha Monument, which looks like a flying saucer and is located at 1400 meters altitude. It was built by Bulgarian communist government and inaugurated in 1981.
- Along the way to Buzludzha you can visit The Open Air Ethnographic Museum Etar, which showcases Bulgarian customs, culture and craftsmanship.
- You can also visit The Dryanovo Monastery, which is a functioning Bulgarian Orthodox monastery situated in the Andaka River Valley.
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| Buzludzha Monument |
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| Buzludzha Monument |
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| The Open Air Ethnographic Museum Etar |
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| The Dryanovo Monastery |
What to Shop In Bulgaria
Bulgaria is known for Rose oil, Rose cosmetics, Bulgarian cheese, spices, wine, Rakia (Bulgarian alcoholic drink), Bulgarian pottery and handicrafts.
Foods To Try In Bulgaria
- Shopska Salata (chopped vegetables with Bulgarian white cheese)
- Tarator (Cucumber soup)
- Banitsa (pastry)
- Sarmi (stuffed Cabbage vine leaves)
- Kebapche (grilled minced meat stick)
- Meshana skara (grilled meat dish)
- Stuffed peppers
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| Bulgarian Shopska Salad |
(Photo by By Popo le Chien - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=78453300)
Please do let me know in the comments section below if you like this itinerary or if you've any questions/suggestions about the itinerary.
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