14 Days Tour Around Bulgaria

On the second day of our tour in Bulgaria, we will devote ourselves to nature and the world-famous Seven Rila Lakes, situated on the highest mountain in the Balkan Peninsula – Rila. Light hiking, fresh air, sun, and smell of herbs are the things that most accurately describe this day.

→ Departure early in the morning. (08:00)
→ Transfer to the beginning of the Seven Rila lakes  (1:30-2:00 hours)
→ Taking a chair lift or SUV to the upper lift station.
→ Three – four hours hiking around the Seven Rila lakes
→ Going down with a lift or SUV
→ Transfer to Sapareva Banya (30-40 min)

Overnight in Sapareva Banya

Visit the most important Bulgarian cultural and historical sight – the Rila Monastery – the first UNESCO site on the road trip. We then continue to Melnik – the smallest town in Bulgaria, which is also known as the country’s wine capital. In the late afternoon, we visit a local winery and taste five different types of wine from the region.

→ Depart from Sapareva Banya after breakfast
→ Transfer to the Rila monastery (1-1:30 hours)
→ Guided tour of the monastery
→ Visit the Rila Monastery museum and complex
→ Transfer to Melnik (the smallest city in Bulgaria a.k.a. The Bulgarian Capital of Wine) (2 hours)
→ Sightseeing and wine tasting in local winery (optional)

Overnight in Melnik

We spend the next day discovering the authentic Bulgarian villages of Kovachevitsa and Leshten, but before that will visit the 3rd big monastery in Bulgaria – Rozhen monastery. On the way, we’ll take a short walk in the forest around the village of Kovachevitsa. In the evening we’ll enjoy traditional Bulgarian cuisine and homemade drinks. We’ll spend the night in a traditional house and enjoy homemade local food.

→ Transfer to Rozhen monastery after breakfast
→ Explore the monastery complex with beautiful views of the Pirin and Rhodope mountains.
→ Transfer to Rhodope mountains (2 hours)
→ Visit traditional mountain villages Leshten and Kovachevitsa and meet local people on the way
→ Try Bulgarian homemade jam and delicious local food
→ Transfer to Dospat Dam (1:30 hours)
→ Free time in the afternoon for a walk or relax

Overnight in a hotel Dospat area with a lake view

On this day you will visit the East part of the Rhodope Mountains – the city of Smolyan, Pamporovo resort, and the villages of Shiroka Laka, Momchilovtsi, and Smilyan. On this day there is a possibility for different workshops such as cooking class, herb picking, yogurt making, etc. Let us know if you are interested in workshops and activities, and we will organize them for you.

→ Transfer to the Smolyan area (1:30 – 2 hours)
→ Visit a local farm and traditional villages, with the possibility of doing different workshops and activities that suit your interests.

Overnight in a house in the mountain

Departure to Plovdiv – the must-see city in South Bulgaria, winner of the European Capital of Culture title for 2019. Before that, we’ll pass the medieval Asen’s fortress and Bachkovo monastery, located in the Rhodope Mountains. Then we will have a walk through the old city of Plovdiv, some of the old houses, the mosque, and the ancient theater. After the Plovdiv city tour, we’ll have free time to discover the city on our own.

→ Depart after breakfast
→ Transfer to Bachkovo monastery (1.5-2 hours)
→ Explore the second-biggest monastery in Bulgaria
→ Transfer to Plovdiv, The European Capital of Culture (40 min)
→ Walking city tour of Plovdiv including: 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; 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” neighborhood and Nebet Tepe.
→ Free time in Plovdiv in the afternoon

Overnight in Plovdiv

Our multi-day tour around Bulgaria will continue with visiting the city of Koprivshtitsa, famous for its traditional architecture, and after lunch, you’ll drive through the Rose Valley and the city of Kazanlak, (the best time for the roses is in May and June), and the Thracian Tomb – the second UNESCO-heritage sight.

→ Depart from Plovdiv after breakfast
→ Transfer to Koprivshtitsa mountain village (2 hours)
→ Walking city tour of Koprivshtitsa: the exterior of Dimcho Debelyanov’s house, Uspenie Bogorodichno Church, the first Bulgarian school from 1843, The Forestry House, the exterior of the Georgi Benkovski House, the library, Todor Kableshkov’s house from the outside, the liberation square and the “First Gun” bridge.
→ Stop for lunch in a traditional Bulgarian restaurant
→ Transfer to Kazanlak (The Rose Valley)(1.5 hours)
→ Visit the Russian memorial church, the Thracian tomb “Golayma Kosmatka” and a local rose oil distillery
→ Free time in Kazanlak for dinner

Overnight in SPA hotel in Kazanlak area

This day will continue to the Black Sea coast where you will have the opportunities for many beach activities, exploring hidden beaches, or just relaxing under the umbrella with a cocktail in hand. After Lunch will continue to the old coastal town listed in the UNESCO heritage list – the amazing Nessebar. 

→ Depart from Kazanlak after breakfast
→ Transfer to Sozopol (2.5 hours)
→ Free time for beach activities and relax
→ Transfer to Nessebar after lunch (1.5 hours)
→ Walking city tour of Nessebar old town: the Nessebar Archaeological museum, the “Hagia Sophia” church, the church of Christ Pantocrator; the church of St Stephen, the church of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel, and the church of St John Aliturgetos.
→ Free time in Nessebar for dinner

Overnight in Nessebar

Once we have seen the most interesting sights on the southern coast we will head north. We will pass Varna, where will come back later for the night, Balchik, and the northernmost point of our tour around Bulgaria – Kaliakra cape. For lunch, we’ll visit the mussel farm on our way back to Varna, where we’ll spend the night.
→ Transfer to the Kaliakra cape in the morning (3 hours)
→ Explore the beautiful landmark
→ Visit a local snail farm and have free time for lunch
→ Transfer to Balchik (30 min)
→ Visit the Balchik Palace – Explore the beautiful architectural complex of Balchik and its Botanical Gardens with its castle within, and enjoy the flora of the garden with over 3000 types of plants and flowers from all over the world.
→ Transfer to Varna (40min)
→ Free time in Varna for dinner

Overnight in Varna

This day we will have a free day to relax and enjoy the beautiful Black Sea coast. varna offers a lot of opportunities for walking, sports, shopping, and SPA.

→ Free time in Varna to explore the Sea Garden, The port, The main shopping street, and the Pedestrian area

Overnight in Varna

→ Transfer to Shumen area after breakfast(1.5 hours)
→ Visit the Shumen monument “300 Years Bulgaria” and the UNESCO-protected monument “Madara Rider”
→ Transfer Veliko Tarnovo after lunch (1.5 hours)
→ Free time in Veliko Tarnovo to explore the craft street and have dinner

Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo

→ Visit the Tsarevets fortress in the morning
→ Transfer to Etara Ethnographic Complex and explore the open-air traditional museum
→ Stop for lunch in Gabrovo
→ Visit the Interactive Museum of the Industry
→ Transfer back to Veliko Tarnovo
→ Free time in the afternoon

Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo

→ Transfer to Devetashka cave  (1 hour)
→ Explore the Natural landmark
→ Transfer Troyan area (1 hour)
→ Visit a local traditional pottery workshop (Optional depending on working time), and the traditional pottery museum.
→ Stop for lunch in a traditional restaurant
→ Visit the Troyan Monastery
→ Transfer to Sofia (2 hours)
→ Drop off at any location in Sofia

Overnight in Sofia