Best of Bulgaria Roundtrip – 7 Days

Best of Bulgaria Roundtrip – 7 Days

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Sofia — Arrival & Capital Discovery

Arrive at Sofia Airport. Transfer to your hotel in the city center. Afternoon guided walking tour of Sofia: visit the 4th-century St. George Rotunda, the golden-domed Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the Roman ruins at Serdica, and the vibrant Vitosha Boulevard. Welcome dinner at a traditional Bulgarian mehana featuring shopska salad, banitsa, and rakia.

Day 2: Sofia to Rila Monastery — UNESCO Marvel

Morning drive into the Rila Mountains to visit the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, Bulgaria’s most iconic site. Explore the stunning arcaded monastery complex with its vibrant frescoes, the main church with its gilded iconostasis, and the monastery museum housing Rafail’s Cross. Afternoon hike in the surrounding pine forests. Return to Sofia for evening at leisure.

Day 3: Rila to Melnik — Wine Country

Depart Sofia for southwestern Bulgaria. Visit Melnik, Bulgaria’s smallest town, famous for its unique sandstone pyramids and robust red wines. Tour a traditional wine cellar and taste the local Melnik 55 and Broad-Leaved Melnik wines. Walk through the Kordopulov House, the largest Revival-period house in Bulgaria. Overnight in Melnik or Sandanski.

Day 4: Melnik to Bansko — Mountain Town

Morning visit to the Rozhen Monastery with its beautiful panoramic views. Continue to Bansko, nestled at the foot of the Pirin Mountains (UNESCO site). Afternoon walking tour of Bansko’s old town, cobblestone streets, and the Holy Trinity Church. Optional visit to the Bansko thermal mineral springs. Overnight in Bansko.

Day 5: Bansko to Plovdiv — Europe’s Oldest City

Morning transfer to Plovdiv, Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city (8,000+ years). Afternoon guided tour of the Old Town: the remarkably preserved Roman Theater (still used for performances today), the Roman Stadium, and the charming cobblestone streets of the creative Kapana district. Evening walk through the Tsar Simeon Garden. Overnight in Plovdiv.

Day 6: Plovdiv to Veliko Tarnovo — Medieval Capital

Depart Plovdiv for central Bulgaria. Stop at the Etara Open-Air Ethnographic Museum to see traditional Bulgarian crafts — pottery, woodcarving, and weaving. Continue to Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria’s medieval capital. Afternoon visit to Tsarevets Fortress, dramatically perched on a hill overlooking the Yantra River. Explore the medieval streets of the old town. Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.

Day 7: Veliko Tarnovo to Sofia — Departure

Morning visit to Arbanasi village, a historic settlement with 17th-century stone houses and the remarkable Nativity Church with its fully frescoed interior. Transfer back to Sofia Airport for departure. Take home memories of Bulgaria’s rich history, stunning monasteries, and warm hospitality.

What’s Included

• 6 nights accommodation (3-star hotels & guesthouses)
• Daily breakfast
• English-speaking guide throughout
• All transfers & transportation
• Rila Monastery entrance
• Plovdiv Old Town & Roman Theater
• Tsarevets Fortress
• Etara Open-Air Museum
• Wine tasting in Melnik
• Airport transfers

What’s Excluded

• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Lunch & dinner (except welcome dinner)
• Optional activities
• Tips & personal expenses