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 take a stroll through Sophia city center. Afterward, head over to Vitosha Boulevard, the bustling pedestrian street lined with numerous cafes, bars, restaurants, and trendy shops. Enjoy a nice dinner 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
- Begin your day feeling refreshed from a restful night's sleep and a delicious breakfast. Then, embark on a guided walking tour of Sofia, where you'll discover the rich history and stunning architecture of the city. After the tour, treat yourself to a delicious lunch featuring authentic Bulgarian cuisine.
- 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, a stunning medieval Bulgarian Orthodox church recognized by UNESCO, located just outside Sofia. This beautiful structure dates back to the 11th century.
- Next visit the Rila Monastery which is the largest Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. Established in the 10th century, it showcases stunning colorful architecture and beautiful religious art. After exploring, treat yourself to some delicious authentic Bulgarian cuisine at a nearby restaurant for lunch.
- In the afternoon, you might want to check out the Saint Sofia Church, the oldest church in Sofia, which dates back to the 4th century. Alternatively, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll and discover the charming sights of Sofia.
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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, don’t miss the chance to catch an evening performance at the theatre for a truly unforgettable open-air 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
- Begin your day with a trip to the Regional Ethnographic Museum, where you can explore a fascinating collection of more than 40,000 exhibits. Once you've enjoyed your visit, treat yourself to lunch at one of the charming Bulgarian restaurants nearby.
- In the afternoon, visit the Dzhumaya Mosque, constructed between 1363 and 1364. After that, enjoy the rest of your day wandering through the charming streets of Plovdiv. Wrap up your day with a delightful dinner in the 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 takes roughly 3 hours by road. Veliko Tarnovo is a charming medieval town nestled along the Yantra River in north-central Bulgaria.
- In the afternoon, take part in a guided walking tour of the charming historic town of Veliko Tarnovo. You'll get to see its distinctive architecture, impressive monuments, and vibrant street art and murals. Wrap up your day with a delightful dinner at a traditional Bulgarian restaurant that offers stunning views 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
- Begin your day with a visit to Tsarevets Fortress, the primary fortress of the Second Bulgarian Empire from the 12th century. This site is celebrated for its stunning medieval architecture and rich historical significance.
- In the afternoon visit Museum of the Revival and Constituent Assembly. This fascinating museum is located in a former Turkish town hall that dates back to 1872 and features three floors of exhibits. You'll find a rich collection of artifacts showcasing Bulgarian history, including paintings, books, documents, photographs, tools, swords, firearms, etc.
- Next visit Samovodska Charshiya Complex where you'll find talented blacksmiths, potters, painters, and more showcasing their crafts for sale.
- After that, take a stroll and discover more of Veliko Tarnovo. Wrap up your day again with dinner at one of the charming Bulgarian restaurants overlooking the river valley.
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| Tsarevets Fortress (Veliko Tarnovo) |
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| Museum of the Revival & Constituent Assembly (Veliko Tarnovo) |
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| Samovodska Charshiya Complex (Veliko Tarnovo) |
Day 8: Day Trip to Buzludzha Monument
- On your final day in Bulgaria, you'll explore the Buzludzha Monument, an impressive structure resembling a flying saucer, perched at an altitude of 1400 meters. This unique site was constructed by the Bulgarian communist government and officially opened its doors in 1981.
- On your journey to Buzludzha, make sure to stop by The Open Air Ethnographic Museum Etar, which showcases Bulgarian customs, culture and craftsmanship.
- You might also want to check out The Dryanovo Monastery, an active Bulgarian Orthodox monastery located in the picturesque 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)
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this itinerary! Feel free to share your questions or suggestions in the comments section below.
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