Bulgaria · TOUR REVIEWS

The 15 Best Tours in Bulgaria

165 tours  ·  from $11 a head

A country the size of Iceland with a monastery, a Roman theatre and a 2,500 metre lake basin inside three hours of each other. The 15 below are the days that earn their place, priced and timed, with the full catalogue underneath when you want to go deeper.

From Bucharest: Full-Day Trip to Bulgaria - The early pickup and the road into Bulgaria
1-Day Tours, Bucharest Day Trips, Full-Day, Tour Reviews

From Bucharest: Full-Day Trip to Bulgaria

1.From Bucharest: Full-Day Trip to Bulgaria

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,008 reviews · 12 hours · from $93Our pick

Cross from Bucharest into Bulgaria for a 12-hour small-group tour of Ruse or Basarabov Monastery, Arbanasi, Tsarevets Fortress, and Veliko Tarnovo. English-speaking guides such as Narcis and Lucian lead the day, with round-trip transport, free time, and scenic Balkan views. Bring your passport, cash, and comfortable shoes.

“What a great way to check off another country. The fortress at Veliko Tarnovo was very cool to explore and the small trip size was a great way to travel.”

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Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour - Boyana Church rewards a short visit
Boyana Church Tours, Full-Day, Rila Monastery Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sofia

Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour

2.Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 918 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $24

Spend about eight hours visiting Rila Monastery in the mountains and Sofia’s small Boyana Church. Expect a 40-minute monastery tour, 2.5 hours of free time, and only 10 minutes inside Boyana Church. Guides such as Maria, Ina, Vasil, and Tuni have led especially well-received departures, though language and guide arrangements can vary.

“We really enjoyed seeing the monastery and church and thought it was a worthwhile trip from Sofia. It’s in a beautiful setting in the mountains.”

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Sofia Escape Room - Teorema Rooms - Choosing between TNT and Atlantis
Tour Reviews, Tours in Sofia

Sofia Escape Room – Teorema Rooms

3.Sofia Escape Room – Teorema Rooms

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 895 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $37Top rated

At Teorema Rooms in central Sofia, your private group of 2 to 7 people tackles one of two English-language games: the 60-minute TNT Bank Robbery or Atlantis Real-Life Quest, which blends escape-room puzzles with an adventure format. Expect about 1 hour 15 minutes, a moderate physical requirement, and host Maya’s friendly help.

“Amazing experience. Had a fun and interesting time in TNT room. It was the higlight of our Trip. Maya is super host. 5/5.”

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From Sofia: Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Day Tour - What the Sofia departure is like
Boyana Church Tours, Rila Monastery Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sofia

From Sofia: Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Day Tour

4.Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 866 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $24

Spend a full day visiting Sofia’s Boyana Church and the mountain-set Rila Monastery with an English-speaking guide such as Lubo or Liubomir. Expect an air-conditioned minibus, free time to explore, optional audio commentary, and extra fees for both church and museum entry. The schedule also allows time for the monastery bakery, museum, or optional St. Ivan’s Cave walk.

“Svet was an awesome tour guide, made everything super engaging. Very knowledgeable about all things Bulgaria and a lot of historical references.”

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Communist Walking Tour of Sofia - St. Petka and the place of religion
Buzludzha and Communist Heritage Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sofia, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Sofia

Communist Walking Tour of Sofia

5.Communist Walking Tour of Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 690 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $21

Walk central Sofia with an English-speaking guide through communist-era landmarks, from the Palace of Justice and Largo to the Soviet Army Monument, NDK, and a piece of the Berlin Wall. Guides such as Niki, Nikola, Vasko, Stefan, and Martin use family stories, photographs, and political context to explain daily life under communism.

“A great experience! Very informative, great guide who made it personal and had great story telling skills. Fascinating side of history!”

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Admission Ticket to the Museum of Illusions in Sofia - A realistic one-hour visit
Museums, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours in Sofia

Admission Ticket to the Museum of Illusions in Sofia

6.Admission Ticket to the Museum of Illusions in Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 659 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.) · from $17Best value

Spend about one hour exploring 400 square meters of optical tricks, unusual rooms, inventions, and photo setups at Sofia’s Museum of Illusions. Staff explain how the exhibits work, and the experience suits families, couples, friends, and curious adults. Mobile tickets are available in English, with free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

“Interessante e simpatica. Da fare con amici o in coppia. Io e il mio compagno ci siamo divertiti molto!”

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Wine Tasting in Heart of Sofia - Five grapes, five ways into Bulgaria
Food & Drink, Food Tours in Sofia, Tour Reviews, Tours in Sofia, Wine Tours, Wine Tours in Sofia

Wine Tasting in Heart of Sofia

7.Wine Tasting in Heart of Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 545 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $36

Meet Kalin at Tempus Vini in Sofia’s Old City Center for a one-hour tasting of five Bulgarian grape varieties: Misket, Melnik, Mavrud, Gumza, and Rubin. You’ll sample wines from small producers, sometimes including Kalin’s own bottles, with local cheeses, craft bread, and a clear introduction to Bulgaria’s wine past and present.

“Very enjoyable, small (5) gathering. Very interesting, starting from white through to red. The shop had so much variety - really enjoy the Bulgarian wines. I felt the wines of the shop owner were the most delicious.”

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Sofia Highlights 2 Hour Sightseeing Walking Tour - Churches, wishes, and Sofia’s name
2-Hour Experiences, City Tours, City Tours in Sofia, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sofia, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Sofia

Sofia Highlights 2 Hour Sightseeing Walking Tour

8.Sofia Highlights 2 Hour Sightseeing Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 442 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $19

Start at Alexander Nevsky Cathedral at 11:00 am for a two-hour English walking tour led by a licensed local guide. Enter the cathedral, taste Sofia’s mineral water, see Serdika’s ruins, and finish near Vitosha Boulevard. Guides such as Nikola explain Bulgaria’s past with patience and plenty of time for questions.

“Nice visit around the place with historical and small détails. The guide was nice and there were not much people (in fact I was alone with the guide 😅...).”

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Day tour to Skopje, North Macedonia - Small Group - Border crossing and the cost of convenience
Skopje and North Macedonia Day Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sofia

Day tour to Skopje, North Macedonia – Small Group

9.Day tour to Skopje, North Macedonia – Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 431 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $95

Travel from Sofia to Skopje in a small group of up to 15, with an English-speaking Bulgarian guide and a local Macedonian guide. Expect about four hours on the road each way, a guided walk through the Old Bazaar, Kale Fortress, Stone Bridge, Macedonia Square, and Mother Teresa Memorial House, plus about two hours for lunch and your own exploring.

“Nice trip but overpriced and short. Travelers should be given more time to spend on their own in skopje. Both tour guides were very professional and helpful. Trip should be cheaper.”

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Transfer services - Choosing between a sedan, minivan, and 9-seater van
Airport Transfers, Private Drivers, Tour Reviews, Tours in Sofia

Transfer services

10.Transfer services

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 430 reviews · from $347

Book a private transfer from Sofia to destinations across Bulgaria or major airports in Turkey, Romania, and Greece. Top Rent A Car offers sedans, minivans, and 9-seater vans for families, business groups, and delegations. Your driver handles the road while you travel securely. Pickup is available, confirmation can take up to 48 hours, and the maximum group size is nine.

“The company is always very efficient and professional. Cars are clean and safe. They also give discount cards for gas.”

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From Bucharest: Small Group Day Trip to Medieval Bulgaria - Crossing the Danube from Bucharest
1-Day Tours, Bucharest Day Trips, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews

From Bucharest: Small Group Day Trip to Medieval Bulgaria

11.From Bucharest: Small Group Day Trip to Medieval Bulgaria

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 382 reviews · 12 hours · from $87

Travel from Bucharest into Bulgaria with an English-speaking guide such as Tudor, Carmen, or Koka. Visit the Ivanovo Rock Churches, Veliko Tarnovo, Tsarevets Fortress, Samovodene Artisans Street, and Arbanassi. Expect a full 12-hour day, border checks, plenty of walking, and extra costs for lunch and entrance tickets.

“wish there was more time actually in the town after we ate there was no time to shop just come straight back but it was unreal”

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Plovdiv - Group Day Trip from Sofia - Meeting at the Vasil Levski Monument at 8:40
1-Day Tours, Plovdiv Day Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours in Sofia

Plovdiv – Group Day Trip from Sofia

12.Group Day Trip from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 304 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $22

Travel from Sofia to Plovdiv in a group shuttle for a guided walk through the Roman Theater area, Old Town, colorful Revival houses, and Europe’s longest pedestrian street. The roughly 8.5-hour trip includes about two hours with a guide and two hours on your own. Guides may include Tuni, Sonya, Maria, Diana, or Raliza.

“It was an interesting day out, the guide was very knowledgeable, good amount of time to go out and explore + shop on your own! overall great value for money”

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Sofia Pub Crawl Tour of The Hidden Unique Bars - What you receive at the bars
Drinking Tours, Nightlife, Pub Crawls, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sofia

Sofia Pub Crawl Tour of The Hidden Unique Bars

13.Sofia Pub Crawl Tour of The Hidden Unique Bars

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 284 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $24

Meet at Crystal Garden at 9 pm for a four to five hour walk through Sofia’s bars and clubs. Guides such as Damien, Mirela, Afrodita, and Jan lead you to four or five stops, with beer or wine, rakia, welcome shots, and entry included. Expect conversation, local nightlife, and a larger group on busy Saturdays.

“Good way to spend an evening. Met some good people, visited some nice bars and drank some good local beers in a cool city. Highly recommend! Fun night out and organised really well by our excellent guide :)”

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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

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

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

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

15.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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New in Tour Reviews

★ 4.5Private Day Trip to the Vitosha Mountain and Pancharevo LakeFrom $17413 reviews
★ 4.0Private Sofia Night Tour with Bulgarian Folklore & DinnerFrom $11012 reviews
One Day Tour from Sofia to Koprivshtitsa and PlovdivFrom $2107 reviews
★ 4.5Private Kayak Tour on the Pancharevo LakeFrom $1811 reviews
★ 5.0Adventure Tour to Plovdiv and Rhodope MountainFrom $1188 reviews
★ 5.0Koprivshtitsa – private day tour from PlovdivFrom $1344 reviews
★ 4.5Rafting on Struma RiverFrom $489 reviews
★ 5.0Vitosha Trail Hunter Bike Tour from SofiaFrom $1159 reviews
★ 5.0Rila Trail Riding for Experienced RidersFrom $1716 reviews
★ 5.0Rila Monastery Bike Tour from SofiaFrom $1786 reviews
★ 5.0Full Day Private Eco Tour in Koprivshtitsa from SofiaFrom $1378 reviews
★ 5.0Dirt bike tour in the Bulgarian mountainsFrom $1,0658 reviews
Buzludzha Monument and the Museum of Socialist ArtFrom $10825 reviews
★ 5.0Private Horse Riding in the Balkan from SofiaFrom $2398 reviews
★ 5.0Private Horseback Riding the Rila RangeFrom $1404 reviews

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Explore Bulgaria

Pick a monastery, a ridge or a cellar.

Monasteries and old towns

Rila MonasteryBoyana ChurchBachkovoKoprivshtitsaFortresses

The mountains

Seven Rila LakesHikingVitoshaThe RhodopesWaterfalls

Food and wine

Wine TastingsFood ToursSofia Food WalksSofia CellarsThermal Baths

On snow and off road

SkiingSki HireWinter DaysOff-RoadCaves