Bulgaria · GUIDED

Top 15 Guided Tours in Bulgaria

29 tours  ·  from $7 a head

Every trip has one free day too few. These 15 guided tours justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to the fun part.

Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia - The Seven Rila Lakes: six hours to choose your route
Guided, Rila Monastery Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Seven Rila Lakes Hikes, Tour Reviews, Tours in Sofia

Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia

1.Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 280 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $54Our pick

Leave central Sofia at 7:00 am with driver Philip and a shared minivan. Hike the Seven Rila Lakes at your own pace, using route advice and paper maps, then visit Rila Monastery. The 13-hour outing includes transport but not the 25 BGN chairlift, food, guide services, or mountain rescue insurance.

“A great and well organised journey which allows you to combine nature with a very impressive UNESCO site, the Monastery of Rila. Trustful company”

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Plovdiv Small Group Full Day Guided Tour from Sofia - The two-hour road to Bulgaria’s second city
Full-Day, Guided, Plovdiv Day Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sofia

Plovdiv Small Group Full Day Guided Tour from Sofia

2.Plovdiv Small Group Full Day Guided Tour from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 235 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $22

Travel from central Sofia to Plovdiv by air-conditioned minibus, then walk the Old Town with an English-speaking guide. You’ll see the Ancient Theatre, Roman Stadium, 19th-century houses, and Kapana before free time for lunch or shopping. Guides such as Hristo, Martin, Maria, and Todor are praised for clear storytelling, though traffic can shorten your time in town.

“A lot of interesting historical information was shared, great sights. Very knowledgeable tour guide.”

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Guided Walking Tour of Sofia - The Russian Church and the National Theatre
Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sofia, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Sofia

Guided Walking Tour of Sofia

3.Guided Walking Tour of Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 143 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $48

Walk central Sofia with an English-speaking guide such as Diana, Jivko, Peter, or Petar. Visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Saint Sofia Church, the Rotunda, Roman Serdica, and more, with a small group capped at 10 people. Expect a brisk historical overview, free time for questions, and an easy finish on Vitosha Boulevard.

“We had a great time walking around the city with our tour guide Peter. Peter was super friendly and encouraged tourists to ask as many questions as possible. We saw key landmarks across the city, and whilst it is a slightly shorter walking tour of 2 hours, in a 32c+ Sofia, 2 hours is enough before you want to get back indoors or find some shade. You’ll have lots more to explore across Sofia once this tour has finished, as it doesn’t cover the entire city, nor the more in-depth history of communism. Some of us even finished the tour with a glass of wine with Peter. Highly recommend.”

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Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Self-Guided Day Trip from Sofia - The road trip and vehicle question
1-Day Tours, Boyana Church Tours, Guided, Rila Monastery Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Sofia

Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Self-Guided Day Trip from Sofia

4.Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Self-Guided Day Trip from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $36

Travel from Sofia to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery in about eight hours. See Boyana’s remarkable 13th-century frescoes, then explore Bulgaria’s best-known monastery with a driver, air-conditioned minivan, and online audio guide. The trip is mostly self-guided, with drivers such as Lubo or Constanza sometimes adding helpful local information.

“Worth to do a guided daytrip to Rila Monastery and Boyana church by an enthusiastic guide. It's a lovely place to visit.”

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Plovdiv guided walking tour - Starting at the Eastern Gate of Ancient Philippopolis
Guided, Plovdiv Day Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Plovdiv, Walking Tours

Plovdiv guided walking tour

5.Plovdiv guided walking tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $22

Meet at the Eastern Gate of Ancient Philippopolis at 11:15 am for an approximately two-hour guided walk through Plovdiv’s Old Town. With no entrance fees included, the tour focuses on outdoor sights, local context, and practical orientation. Groups are limited to 15, and Boris is one of the guides.

“A great walking tour and highly recommended. Why do I have to write so much for this review to accepted?”

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Sofia on an Electric Scooter - Guided Tour - Starting at Crystal Garden
Guided, Scooter Rentals, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sofia

Sofia on an Electric Scooter – Guided Tour

6.Sofia on an Electric Scooter – Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $42

Ride an electric scooter through central Sofia and Borisova Gradina after dark with Lubo or Lubomir, an English-speaking licensed guide. You’ll visit grand squares, old churches, parks, fountains, and lively Shishman Street. The small group has a maximum of three people. Helmets, scooters, and reflective vests are included.

“Lubo is very friendly & speaks excellent English. He was fun to spend a couple of hours with & the tour was a good mix of riding & nuggets of knowledge about the city & its history.”

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Guided Visit to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral - Entering Sofia’s largest Orthodox landmark
Guided, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Sofia

Guided Visit to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

7.Guided Visit to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 16 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.) · from $16

Visit Sofia’s grand Alexander Nevsky Cathedral with either a private English-speaking guide or a self-guided PDF and audio option. Plan for about two hours inside and around the cathedral. The experience includes admission arrangements, though the cathedral itself may allow free entry, so its value rests mainly on the explanation and convenience.

“Very informative activity with rich, interesting and useful information. Glad that we booked it and consumed it all. Alexander Nevsky cathedral is superb with this activity because you get to know so much.”

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Self Guided Tour Experience in Rila Monastery - What you receive on your phone
Guided, Rila Monastery Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sofia

Self Guided Tour Experience in Rila Monastery

8.Self Guided Tour Experience in Rila Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 15 reviews · from $10

Visit Bulgaria’s Rila Monastery at your own pace with a mobile ticket, conversational audio guide, and electronic guide notes. You choose your arrival time during the 8 AM to 6 PM opening period, with no fixed group schedule. Check the download links before leaving Sofia, and dress modestly for this active place of worship.

“Compramos los tiques para el monasterio y no me pude descargar nada después me enteré que solía dar problemas. Se quedaron con el dinero sin soluciónar nada”

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The Seven Rila Lakes Self - Guided Hiking Tour - The Panichiste chairlift and the mountain start
Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Seven Rila Lakes Hikes, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sofia

The Seven Rila Lakes Self – Guided Hiking Tour

9.The Seven Rila Lakes Self – Guided Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $36

Leave Sofia at 7:00 for a self-guided hike through Rila National Park. A climate-controlled minivan takes you to the Panichiste chairlift, then you walk among seven high mountain lakes, including The Eye and The Kidney. The route lasts about five hours and suits hikers with moderate fitness. Guide Petar has also provided useful Sofia and mountain commentary.

“Great day tour from Sofia. Professional on-time driver. I would recommend this tour (self-guided option). Hike with beautiful views that is very moderate.”

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Self-guided tour in Varna Archaeological Museum + ticket - The former girls’ high school is part of the experience
Guided, Museums, Self-Guided Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Varna

Self-guided tour in Varna Archaeological Museum + ticket

10.Self-guided tour in Varna Archaeological Museum + ticket

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 14 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $22

Spend 2 to 3 hours at Varna Archaeological Museum on a self-guided visit in English. You’ll see ancient tombstones, surgical tools, jewelry, and finds from Hellenistic, Roman, and medieval Bulgaria. Your booking includes museum admission, but you must watch for a second access voucher sent by email.

“This was a total rip off. I spent $11.50 for admission instead of a few lev. They gave me nothing & told me to read the English on the walls. You should be ashamed of yourselves for selling this”

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Discover Veliko Tarnovo at Your Pace: Private or Self-guided tour - The old town gives the tour its local feel
Guided, Private, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanasi Day Trips

Discover Veliko Tarnovo at Your Pace: Private or Self-guided tour

11.Discover Veliko Tarnovo at Your Pace: Private or Self-guided tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 11 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $34

See Veliko Tarnovo in 2 to 4 hours, starting at Tsarevets Fortress and walking through the old town, Samovodska Charshiya, General Gurko Street, and the Assen Dynasty Monument. Choose a private English-speaking guide for local stories, or a self-guided format with digital notes and audio content. Hotel pickup is available within Veliko Tarnovo.

“Fast response from tour operator. Interesting and useful facts about Veliko Tarnovo. This will definitely be helpful when I visit!”

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Self-Guided Sand Festival in Burgas - The main stop at Severen Plaj
Guided, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

Self-Guided Sand Festival in Burgas

12.Self-Guided Sand Festival in Burgas

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 9 reviews · from $10

This self-guided Burgas experience gives you a downloadable e-guide covering the Sand Festival’s history, logistics, and visit tips. You explore independently for roughly three to five hours, with the Pantheon of the Fallen Antifascists listed as the main stop. Festival admission is separate and paid on site.

“We wasn’t able to get there until quite late due to other travelling so lighting wasn’t great, I would suggest going in the day. The level of sculpture is awesome, very detailed for Sand!! Was full of familiar characters from movies and kids cartoRead more”

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Private Sofia Guided Walking City Tour with Traditional Breakfast - St. Sofia Church and the city beneath your feet
City Tours, City Tours in Sofia, Guided, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sofia, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Sofia

Private Sofia Guided Walking City Tour with Traditional Breakfast

13.Private Sofia Guided Walking City Tour with Traditional Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Meet at Alexander Nevsky Cathedral for a three-hour guided walk through Sofia’s Roman, medieval, Ottoman, royal, and Soviet-era center. Guides including Diana, Ivan, Piotr, and Chimmy have led past tours. You’ll see the Rotunda, St. Sofia Church, Parliament, the National Theater, mineral springs, and finish on Vitosha Boulevard with a traditional Bulgarian breakfast.

“The breakfast was amazing. The guide was a little quiet for a guide but definitely hit the highlights and did the best he could with us being late from the public transit strike traffic and the kids that were with us.”

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Sofia Under Communism: Self-Guided Puzzle Quest - Roman remains and the Rotunda Church of St George
Buzludzha and Communist Heritage Tours, Guided, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Sofia

Sofia Under Communism: Self-Guided Puzzle Quest

14.Sofia Under Communism: Self-Guided Puzzle Quest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $6Best value

Follow a story about a fallen communist hero through 12 Sofia stops using the Questo app. Solve clues at your own pace, from Saint Nedelia Cathedral to the Temple of Bulgarian Martyrs. There is no guide or entry fee included, but you get 24/7 access, private play for your group, and a flexible two-hour city walk in English.

“The app works well and the sites selected were worthwhile! Even so, many of the puzzles were silly, needlessly confusing, or irrelevant to the historical importance. The storyline was amusing. Players should know that the total time to play the game/ tour the sites is longer than the game estimates. More, you may save money by not doing this through Trip Advisor but instead download the free Questo app and buy similar games from any city for perhaps less!!”

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Self-guided Tour in Tsarevets Fortress - What you will see inside Tsarevets Fortress
Fortress and Castle Tours, Guided, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Self-guided Tour in Tsarevets Fortress

15.Self-guided Tour in Tsarevets Fortress

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 9 reviews · from $11

Visit Tsarevets Fortress independently with a personalized e-guide and flexible entry during opening hours. Allow two to five hours to explore the medieval walls, ruins, royal hill, and hilltop church with its striking modern murals. The route is private to your group, but note that the booking details conflict on whether admission is included.

“Part of an excursion while sailing on the Danube.”

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New in Guided

★ 4.5Catacomb Tour in Sofia guided by a LocalFrom $793 reviews
★ 5.0The Oldest European City – Plovdiv with Audio guideFrom $523 reviews
★ 4.0Self-guided Tour in the Museum of Socialist ArtFrom $84 reviews
★ 5.05 Days Guided Motorcycle Tour Wine, Nature and TraditionsFrom $5994 reviews
★ 4.5Plovdiv Roman Sights Self-GuidedFrom $223 reviews
★ 4.5Self-Guided Off the Beaten Track Tour in NessebarFrom $353 reviews
★ 4.0Church of Christ Pantocrator Self-GuidedFrom $105 reviews
★ 5.0Seven Rila lakes to Rila monastery guided TrekFrom $3353 reviews

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