Visit all Balkan countries in 4 weeks during spring 2025 See the Itinerary

Essence of Bulgaria: 48-Hour Adventure

2-Day Bulgaria Tour Itinerary. Visit Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo and the Rose Valley

Private Guide Bulgaria

See the very best of what Bulgaria has to offer with a private 2-day cultural tour. You’ll visit historic Plovdiv – the European Capital of Culture – as well as the incredible Valley of the Roses, ancient Veliko Tarnovo, the Tsarevets Fortress and the Thracian Tomb at Kazanlak.

Your local, licensed guide will talk you through the rich history of Bulgaria on a road trip you’ll remember for a lifetime…

You’ll travel in a spacious, air-conditioned private vehicle with an expert on hand to answer your questions, communicate with the friendly locals on your behalf and provide personal care and attention to ensure you get everything you want from your trip.

Here’s what you’ll see:

Highlights

Sofia, Plovdiv, The Rose Valley, Kazanlak Thracian tombs, Shipka Pass and Church, Buzludzha monument (optional), Veliko Tarnovo.

2-Day Bulgaria Culture Tour Itinerary

We can easily tailor this tour around your dates and interests – and send you a free, personalized quote.
Let us know if you would like to start and finish in different cities, add or remove an attraction, add a day for rest.

You choose the places and the pace!

DAY 1: PLOVDIV AND KAZANLAK AREA

Plovdiv, BulgariaDepart from Sofia in the morning

→ Transfer to Plovdiv, The European Capital of Culture (1.5 – 2 hours)
→ Walking city tour of Plovdiv (2 hours)
Visit The Old Town (dating from the 19th century); the exterior of the Ethnographic museum; Balabanov house; the Ancient theatre of Philippopolis; the Ancient stadium of Philipopolis; the St. Constantin and Elena church; the Djumaya Mosque and square;
The building of the Regional Historical Museum; Saint Ludvik Cathedral; the Agara (Marketplace); the famous main pedestrian street; “The Trap” neighbourhood and Nebet Tepe.
→ Enjoy some free time in Plovdiv in the afternoon.
→ Transfer to Kazanlak area
Explore the Thracian Tomb “Golyama Kosmatka” in Kazanlak and the Shipka Church. During the end of May – early June you can visit the rose fields and a rose distillery, to experience more about the production of the famous Bulgarian rose oil

Overnight in Kazanlak area

DAY 2: ETAR COMPLEX AND VELIKO TARNOVO

Veliko Tarnovo → Depart from your hotel after breakfast.
→ Transfer to Veliko Tarnovo area via Shipka pass (1.5 hours)
Visit Etar Architectural-Ethnographic Complex
→ Transfer to Veliko Tarnovo (30 min)
Short city tour of Veliko Tarnovo (1 hour)
→ Visit the Tsarevets Fortress and the famous craft street
→ Transfer back to Sofia (3-3.5 hours)
Drop off at your accommodation in Sofia
End of the tour

What your tour price includes

  • Your fully licensed, expert English-speaking tour guide
  • Do the tour forwards, backwards, skip sites, add sites – personalize your tour to meet your needs
  • Opt for a driver-only, guide-and-driver or all-inclusive tour with luxury accommodation
  • Roomy, air-conditioned vehicles matching your group size – we’re flexible from small, intimate groups up to 50 people
  • Have us tailor your tour around dates, personal tastes and more

Chat about your Bulgaria trip with an expert, commitment-free

Contact us today and talk to us about the trip around Bulgaria you’ve always dreamed of.

There’s no cost or commitment. We’ll be happy to help you make plans. There’s no deposit required upfront.

Benefits

Private tour! No other tourists!
Friendly local tour guide
Starting point and time at your convenience
Breaks and photo stops at your convenience

Includes

  • Licensed local tour guide
  • Transportation with private vehicle
  • Entrance for the museums (upon request)

Excludes

  • Food and drinks
  • Accommodation
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Personal expenses

Good to Know

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes is recommended
Don’t forget your camera

More multi-day Bulgaria itineraries

The Bulgaria Long Weekend Tour
3 DAYS BULGARIA TOUR #1: Rila monastery – Melnik – Plovdiv – The Rose Valley
3 DAYS BULGARIA TOUR #2: Sofia – Veliko Tarnovo – The Rose Valley – Plovdiv

4 Historic Towns in 4 Days
4-day private tour in Bulgaria including Rila monastery, Melnik, Plovdiv, Koprivshtitsa, Kazanlak and Veliko Tarnovo

5 Day Private Bulgaria Tour

One Week Bulgaria Exploration

10 Day Bulgaria Tour Itinerary – The Complete Tour
Explore Bulgaria in 10 days and dive into the local life and traditions

14 Day Bulgaria Tour Itinerary – The Ultimate Tour
Know Bulgaria in Details – 14 days itinerary

Balkan tours including Bulgaria

    RECEIVE A PRICE ESTIMATE

    More about Plovdiv

    Plovdiv is not just the venue for the International Trade Fair organized yearly. It is among the country’s largest cities, a place of cultural significance, with an international theater festival, a television festival, and a plethora of concerts and performances.

    Bulgaria’s river with the greatest abundance of water, the Maritsa, serves as a natural divide which splits the city into two. In the distance are seen the hills of the Balkan Range, and farther south the Rhodope mountains offer coolness and freshness in summer and a profusion of snow in winter. 

    The number of antique sights provides occasions for learning about the area’s history, and tourists cannot fail to visit the antique amphitheater, or marvel at the Roman stadium.

    The climate of the Plovdiv area is typical for the central southern parts of Europe, with a clement annual temperature averaging 12.3 degrees Centigrade, slight winds and white snow covering in winter.

    More about Veliko Tarnovo

    Veliko Turnovo is in roughly the middle of the country, in Northern Bulgaria, towards the country’s center. It was Bulgaria’s capital in the past, and it has witnessed glorious period throughout the millennial history of the country. Until the year 1965 it was called just Turnovo, and Veliko, meaning Great, was added then, to recognize its importance for the whole history of Bulgaria.

    Its location, between the Danubian Plain and the hills of the Balkan Range, on the banks of the Yantra river, blends natural features whose variety enhances the appeal of the place.

    The amphitheatrical arrangement of many of its houses perched on the hills and boasting old style architecture, the narrow cobbled Gurko street hugging the bank of the Yantra, these are just some of the features that make visitors fall in love with the town at once. Veliko Turnovo is a unique town revealing Bulgarian history and culture.