Bulgaria · SELF-GUIDED TOURS

The 15 Best Self-Guided Tours in Bulgaria

26 tours  ·  from $5

Good self-guided tours fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Sofia: City Monuments Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide - Meeting at Ivan Vazov National Theater
Audio Tours, City Tours, Guided, Self-Guided Tours, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Sofia: City Monuments Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide

1.City Monuments Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 825 reviews · 2 hours · from $17Our pick

Start by Ivan Vazov National Theater and follow a guide through Sofia’s central sights, including Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Serdika ruins, St. George Rotunda, and the Presidency. Headphones provide commentary in seven languages, while the live guide keeps you on course and leaves time for photos.

“Toni was a great guide, very informative and knowledgeable. The walk itself was done at a very relaxed pace stopping a 20 locations with the last being the Changing of the Guard at the Residency, Thank You”

Check availability →Read our full review

Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia - Reaching the Seven Rila Lakes by chairlift
Guided, Rila Monastery Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Seven Rila Lakes Hikes, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews

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

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

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

Join Philip and the Rila Shuttle for a 13-hour self-guided escape from Sofia to the Seven Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery. You’ll get transport, trail advice, maps, and WhatsApp updates, while hiking independently. Bring 25 BGN for the chairlift, food, water, and mountain clothing.

“7 lakes trail was fantastic even if the queue for the chair-lift was interminable and I had to jump it to avoid at least one-hour wait”

Check availability →Read our full review

Sofia: Rila Monastery & Boyana Church - Audio guided tour - Boyana Church and the faces of medieval Bulgaria
Audio Tours, Boyana Church Tours, Guided, Rila Monastery Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Sofia: Rila Monastery & Boyana Church – Audio guided tour

3.Rila Monastery & Boyana Church – Audio guided tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 91 reviews · 8 hours · from $58

Travel from central Sofia to two UNESCO-listed monuments: Boyana Church, with its remarkable 1259 frescoes, and Rila Monastery in the pine-covered Rila Mountains. A small minibus, six audio-guide languages, and up to seven participants keep the day simple, though only two hours are set aside for Rila.

“Guida e autista molto disponibili e simpatici. Nessun problema, se non il fatto che siamo stati solo 2 ore al monastero di Rila che forse sono un po’ poche per godersi la gita a pieno e senza fretta. Abbiamo avuto delle audio-guide in italiano.”

Check availability →Read our full review

From Sofia: Plovdiv with audio guide + free pick-up - Pickup in Sofia and the ride south
Audio Tours, Guided, Self-Guided Tours, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews

From Sofia: Plovdiv with audio guide + free pick-up

4.Plovdiv with audio guide + free pick-up

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 48 reviews · 8 hours · from $53

Travel from Sofia to Plovdiv in a small group of up to seven, with free pickup, comfortable minibus transport, and an audio guide in six languages. Walk Plovdiv’s Old Town, Roman Stadium, Amphitheatre, and main street, then enjoy free time for lunch or coffee.

“It's a wonderful experience! Our guide, Maria, told us everything there is to know about this beautiful city. In addition, Maria is teeming with knowledge not only about Plovdiv but also about Sofia and Bulgaria in general. She is a very nice and approachable person and will be happy to answer all questions. We rode with an extremely comfortable car, visited the old town, the main street and ended up having free time for lunch, coffee and other. I definitely recommend if you have extra time in Sofia”

Check availability →Read our full review

Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Self-Guided Day Trip from Sofia - The road to Rila Monastery
1-Day Tours, Boyana Church Tours, Guided, Rila Monastery Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews

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

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

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

Spend eight hours visiting Sofia’s Boyana Church and Bulgaria’s famous Rila Monastery. Your driver handles the route, while an online audioguide adds context. Expect 45 minutes at Boyana and two hours at Rila, with entrance fees and food extra.

“Very well-organised tour, comfortable air-conditioned minivan, ample time to visit the places, you can visit the Rila Monastery on your own, but the driver, who is a guide as well, offered a little tour. Our guide Constanza was very energetic and joyful. Recommended.”

Check availability →Read our full review

From Sofia: The Seven Rila Lakes Full-Day Self-Guided Tour - From Sofia to Panichishte in about two hours
Full-Day, Guided, Self-Guided Tours, Seven Rila Lakes Hikes, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Sofia: The Seven Rila Lakes Full-Day Self-Guided Tour

6.The Seven Rila Lakes Full-Day Self-Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 33 reviews · 9 - 12 hours · from $115

Travel from Sofia to Panichishte, ride the chairlift, then hike among the Seven Rila Lakes with route notes and a map instead of a standard guided group. Guides such as Megi, Radi, or Plemen may assist when conditions require it. Bring proper hiking shoes and cash for the lift.

“The trip was amazing with a lot of information from Mr. Radi he is very professional with great experience Thanks as well to the driver with smooth journey Highly recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review

Nessebar: Audio Guide Tour Nessebar + visit to the Winery - Following the 15-point route through the old town
Audio Tours, Bulgarian Wine Tastings, Guided, Nessebar Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wine Tours

Nessebar: Audio Guide Tour Nessebar + visit to the Winery

7.Audio Guide Tour Nessebar + visit to the Winery

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 30 reviews · 1 day · from $15

Use your phone, headphones, and a route map to explore 15 sights in Old Nessebar at your own pace. Audio is available in five languages, and your day ends with a winery visit and tasting. The tour is flexible, but you must download and use the audio link yourself.

“Terrible. Not worthdy at all. dO NO WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS. The guide has like 15 points with only like 2 mins per stop. The info shared was super basic and you can make the tour in less than half an hour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Plovdiv: Old Town Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Ancient Theater and the houses of Old Plovdiv
Audio Tours, Guided, Plovdiv Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Plovdiv: Old Town Self-Guided Audio Tour

8.Old Town Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 24 reviews · 1 day · from $15

Walk Old Plovdiv independently with audio commentary in nine languages. Follow a circular route from the Roman Stadium through the Ancient Theater, Armenian Church Museum, Nebet Tepe, Roman mosaics, and Trakart. Bring headphones, a charged phone, and internet access.

“Unfortunately we couldn’t do the walk , the sun was dangerously hot for our party and we couldn’t have managed it. Suggest being allowed to use the audio guides after 5pm when it was cooler .”

Check availability →Read our full review

Self Guided Tour Experience in Rila Monastery - Why the monastery is worth your time
Guided, Rila Monastery Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Self Guided Tour Experience in Rila Monastery

9.Self Guided Tour Experience in Rila Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 15 reviews · from $10

Explore Bulgaria’s Rila Monastery at your own pace with a mobile ticket, conversational audio guide, and electronic guide notes. The visit lasts about two to six hours, with flexible arrival during opening hours. Check the entry details carefully, as the included admission wording can be unclear.

“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”

Check availability →Read our full review

Self-guided tour in Varna Archaeological Museum + ticket - The building is part of the attraction
Guided, Museums, Self-Guided Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours, Varna Tours

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

Visit Varna Archaeological Museum on your own with an English-language admission voucher. Spend about two to three hours viewing Hellenistic, Roman, and medieval objects, including the Varna Gold, tombstones, jewelry, and surgical tools. Check the voucher email carefully before arrival.

“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”

Check availability →Read our full review

From Sofia: Rila Monastery and Plovdiv Self-Guided Trip - The early road to Rila Monastery
Guided, Rila Monastery Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews

From Sofia: Rila Monastery and Plovdiv Self-Guided Trip

11.Rila Monastery and Plovdiv Self-Guided Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 13 reviews · 13 hours · from $104

Leave Sofia by air-conditioned minibus for Rila Monastery and Plovdiv, exploring both on your own with maps and help from an English-speaking driver-host. You get over an hour at Rila and more than four hours in Plovdiv, but expect a long day and substantial driving.

“Le guide très aimable et cordiale, il a été très compréhensif et a l’écoute. L’excursion était incroyable le monastère extrêmement beau, la ville de Plovdiv est très belle.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Self-guided Day Trip to Rila Monastery - The most important transport warning
1-Day Tours, Guided, Rila Monastery Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews

Self-guided Day Trip to Rila Monastery

12.Self-guided Day Trip to Rila Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 12 reviews · from $27

Visit UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery independently with an English conversational audio guide, electronic guide notes, and live maps. You spend about three hours at the monastery, while the surrounding Rila Mountains, Rila National Park, and Bansko appear on the drive route. Transport from Sofia is not included.

“Me mintieron en lo que yo contraté. Incumplieron la reserva contratada. El viaje a Rila desde Sofia para 4 personas desde Sofia,tengo mail de confirmacion por parte de la empresa del viaje desde Sofia a Rila) Estoy pendiente de devolucion de la suma pagada 76€ y espero ponerme en contacto con la oficina del consumidor al regresar a España.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Discover Veliko Tarnovo at Your Pace: Private or Self-guided tour - The Assen Dynasty Monument and General Gurko Street
Guided, Private, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Veliko Tarnovo Tours

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

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

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

Start at Tsarevets Fortress and walk through Veliko Tarnovo’s old town, Samovodska Charshiya, General Gurko Street, and key monuments. Choose a private local guide or a self-guided electronic option. Hotel pickup is available only from hotels in Veliko Tarnovo.

“Velocity Tarnovo is very hilly and cobblestone streets. I needed a shorter tour and decided to cancel. Viator wrote and said it would be adjusted. It was shortened by over an hour annd we did not go to the fortress. Lots of stops ant shops which we anre not fond of. and we were left with a difficult walk back to our hotel. It was not a good value then at $209 US for just a couple of hours. Guide was informative and kind. Just be sure you are up to the walk.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Self-Guided Sand Festival in Burgas - Starting at Severen Plaj and the Pantheon area
Burgas Tours, Guided, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

Self-Guided Sand Festival in Burgas

14.Self-Guided Sand Festival in Burgas

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 9 reviews · from $10

Visit Burgas’ annual sand sculpture festival independently with a downloadable e-guide covering the event’s history, route, and logistics. You set the pace, usually spending 3 to 5 hours around Severen Plaj and the Pantheon area. Entrance 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”

Check availability →Read our full review

Sofia Under Communism: Self-Guided Puzzle Quest - Roman Sofia at the Rotunda Church of St. George
Guided, Self-Guided Tours, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews

Sofia Under Communism: Self-Guided Puzzle Quest

15.Sofia Under Communism: Self-Guided Puzzle Quest

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

Follow a 12-stop walking quest through central Sofia with the Questo app. Solve clues at churches, government buildings, galleries, and former communist-era sites while learning about a fallen communist hero. You choose the pace, start any time, and can pause whenever you like.

“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!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

New in Self-Guided Tours

★ 3.5Sofia Audio guide Tour offers available in 7 languagesFrom $153 reviews
★ 4.5Plovdiv Roman Sights Self-GuidedFrom $223 reviews
★ 4.5Self-Guided Off the Beaten Track Tour in NessebarFrom $353 reviews
★ 3.5Self-Guided Tour of Rila Mountains and Seven Rila LakesFrom $273 reviews
★ 3.5Perperikon Self-GuidedFrom $223 reviews

Keep browsing

Rila Monastery Tours59Plovdiv Tours43Wine Tours36Food & Drink45Walking Tours32Museums15
Scroll to Top

Explore Bulgaria

Pick a monastery, a ridge, a cellar or a beach.

Monasteries

Rila MonasteryBachkovo MonasteryBoyana ChurchHistory ToursMuseums

Mountains

Seven Rila LakesVitoshaMountain HikesSki DaysJeep Safaris

Table and cellar

Wine TastingsFood TastingsFood & DrinkMehana DinnersBar Nights

Rock and water

Belogradchik RocksCavesKrushuna WaterfallsMineral BathsBlack Sea Boats