Bulgaria · SOFIA TOURS

The 15 Best Sofia Tours & Day Trips

297 tours  ·  from $5

Sofia is small enough to walk and well placed enough that most of Bulgaria is a day trip from it. These 15 cover the Roman street under the city, the communist landmarks, the mountain behind it and the monastery runs that leave at seven.

From Sofia: Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Day Tour - Boyana Church: a short visit with serious art
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From Sofia: Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Day Tour

1.Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 5,107 reviews · 8 - 9 hours · from $23Our pick

Travel from Sofia to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery in an international group, with an English, Spanish, or Italian guide. See Boyana’s remarkable frescoes, explore Bulgaria’s grandest monastery, visit museums, taste mekitsi, and enjoy Rila Mountain scenery. Guides such as Lubo, Kamen, Martin, and Hristo are often praised for clear, lively commentary.

“Rila Monastery was really impressive and Svet our tour guide was very friendly, knowledgeable and made the day fun. Our tour was on a full coach and would have been better if it was a smaller group”

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From Sofia: Must-See Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Day Tour - Meeting the bus at the Vasil Levski Monument
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From Sofia: Must-See Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Day Tour

2.Must-See Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,322 reviews · 9 - 10 hours · from $23

Travel from Sofia to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church with a multilingual guide such as Maria, Iva, or Karina. You get about three hours at Rila, a shorter visit to Boyana, mountain views, free time, and optional museum and church entry. The day lasts 9 to 10 hours.

“Thanks for such a nice experience. Unforgettable moments at the Rila monastery- a perfect place to connect to the Divine!”

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From Sofia: Guided Day Tour of Plovdiv's Must-See Sights - The 9:00 AM departure from central Sofia
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From Sofia: Guided Day Tour of Plovdiv’s Must-See Sights

3.Guided Day Tour of Plovdiv’s Must-See Sights

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,688 reviews · 510 minutes - 10 hours · from $23

Travel from Sofia to Plovdiv in a comfortable air-conditioned van, then choose a two-hour walking tour with guides such as Tuni, Sonia, or Simeon, or explore independently for four hours. See Roman ruins, Revival architecture, hilltop views, and the long pedestrian center before returning to Sofia.

“I liked the knowledgeable guide and perfect communication before and at the end of the tour.”

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From Sofia: 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Extended Trip - Meeting the shuttle in central Sofia
Rila Monastery Tours, Seven Rila Lakes Hikes, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews

From Sofia: 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Extended Trip

4.7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Extended Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,189 reviews · 13 hours · from $64

Join a round-trip shuttle from central Sofia to the Seven Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery. Host Philip or a similar English-speaking coordinator explains the mountain routes, shares maps, and stays in touch by WhatsApp while you explore independently. Expect six hours at the lakes, a 75-minute monastery visit, and a long but rewarding day.

“Everything was on time and as planned. Can’t complain.”

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Sofia: Communist Walking Tour - Starting at the Palace of Justice
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Sofia: Communist Walking Tour

5.Communist Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,106 reviews · 3 hours · from $21

Spend three hours walking central Sofia with an English-speaking guide such as Daniel, Vasil, Martin, or Dino. Visit communist landmarks, a former secret police site, the Soviet Army Monument, and the National Palace of Culture while weighing daily life, politics, and the era’s lasting effects.

“An incredible and knowledgeable tour guide, would recommend this tour to others”

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From Sofia: The Seven Rila Lakes Full-Day Hiking Tour - The Panichishte chairlift is part of the adventure
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From Sofia: The Seven Rila Lakes Full-Day Hiking Tour

6.The Seven Rila Lakes Full-Day Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 923 reviews · 10 - 12 hours · from $47

Spend 10 to 12 hours traveling from Sofia into Rila National Park, riding the Panichishte chairlift when operating, and hiking among seven glacial lakes. Choose a guided or self-guided format, but bring serious waterproof gear in winter. Guides such as Radi, Maya, Stoyan, and Dimitar are known for careful pacing.

“The guided tour was awesome!! The guides were great, they picked us up with a bus and the drive to the lakes was smooth. Very fun hike!!”

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Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour - Meeting at the Vasil Levski Monument
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Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour

7.Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour

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

Travel from central Sofia to two of Bulgaria’s finest religious sites. An English-speaking guide or driver explains Rila Monastery and Boyana Church, with three hours at Rila for the museum, shops, photos, and lunch. Boyana’s tiny interior allows only 10 minutes per group, so expect a short visit and possible queue.

“The tour guide Vasil was wonderful. Tour was good, and extended by nearly 2 hours. Was not worth the extra £€$ to go up the tower in the monestry ,and the steps are really steep. We went outside the monestry and ordered doughnuts, but the local restaurants/bars would not let you eat them outside, even if you purchased from them. Boyana church was also a nice see. But as we where later here it was really busy, and took longer to enter the church, which you get 10 minutes to see inside, which is enough.”

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Sofia Escape Room - Teorema Rooms - Starting at ul. Krakra 11 in Sofia Center
Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews

Sofia Escape Room – Teorema Rooms

8.Sofia Escape Room – Teorema Rooms

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

At Sofia’s Teorema Rooms, you and your private group choose between the TNT Bank Robbery, a classic 60-minute escape room, and Atlantis, a newer quest-style game. English is offered, groups range from 2 to 7 people, and host Maya has earned praise for warm, helpful service.

“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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Sofia's Hidden Bars: 4-Hour Pub Crawl - The first bar sets an easy pace
Drinking Tours, Nightlife, Pub Crawls, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews

Sofia’s Hidden Bars: 4-Hour Pub Crawl

9.Sofia’s Hidden Bars: 4-Hour Pub Crawl

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 884 reviews · 4 hours · from $24

Meet your English-speaking guide by Stefan Stambolov’s statue in Crystal Garden for four hours of Sofia nightlife. Expect local bars, a Rakia shot, free drinks at each stop, club entry, and plenty of conversation. Guides such as Kamen, Martin, Jan, Ivelin, and Damian are known for keeping solo visitors connected.

“It was very very nice meeting with other people hanging out and walking moreover the tour guide was amazing and so helpful ✌️”

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From Sofia: Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Day Tour - Boyana Church: a short visit with serious art
Boyana Church Tours, Rila Monastery Tours, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Sofia: Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Day Tour

10.Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Day Tour

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

Travel from central Sofia to UNESCO-listed Boyana Church and Rila Monastery in an English-speaking group tour. Guides such as Lubo, Lachezar, Martin, and Liubomir add historical context, while free time lets you explore the monastery at your own pace. Boyana entry, museum tickets, food, and audio guides cost extra.

“Excellent tour leader. Lubo is very knowledgeable and courteous. Rila Monastery is great place to visit. We enjoyed the trip”

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From Sofia: Small Group Guided Tour of Plovdiv's Highlights - The road from Sofia to Plovdiv
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From Sofia: Small Group Guided Tour of Plovdiv’s Highlights

11.Small Group Guided Tour of Plovdiv’s Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 857 reviews · 510 minutes - 11 hours · from $23

Travel from Sofia to Plovdiv by comfortable coach, then walk through the Old Town with a live guide such as Maria, Martin, Todor, or Simeon. See the Roman Theatre, Ancient Stadium, fortress walls, Revival houses, and panoramic viewpoints, followed by free time for lunch, Kapana, and shopping.

“The guide was very informative and the trip was well planned.”

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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

12.City Monuments Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 825 reviews · 2 hours · from $17Best value

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”

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From Sofia: The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery Day Tour - The chairlift: useful, scenic, and easy to underestimate
Rila Monastery Tours, Seven Rila Lakes Hikes, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Sofia: The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery Day Tour

13.The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 699 reviews · 12 hours · from $53

Combine a mountain hike and Bulgaria’s finest Orthodox monastery in one long day from Sofia. You’ll ride an open-air chairlift, walk among the Seven Rila Lakes, and visit Rila Monastery with a guide such as Magi, Radi, or Ivaylo, or follow the route independently with practical advice.

“The self guided tour of Rila Lakes and Monastery was the way to go! I was able to set my own hiking pace and the trail was very easy to follow. I was able to make 6/7 lakes at a very comfortable pace, and easily could have made 7 if I had gone just a little faster. The amount of time allotted for hiking was plenty and I didn’t feel stressed or anxious about not having enough of it. The monastery was a wonderful addition because it was gorgeous and well worth the drive to get there! I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Sofia!”

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Communist Walking Tour of Sofia - Starting at Sofia Court House
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Communist Walking Tour of Sofia

14.Communist Walking Tour of Sofia

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

Meet your English-speaking guide at Sofia Court House at 4pm for a three-hour walk through communist-era Sofia. Expect personal stories, political history, architecture, and stops at the Largo, Soviet Army Monument, NDK, and a piece of the Berlin Wall. Guides may include Niki, Nikola, Vasko, Martin, or Stefan.

“So much information! And really interesting history. Great guide, Nickolas, who presented the pros and cons of communism.”

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Sofia: Wine & Cheese Tasting Experience - Arriving at Tempus Vini on Knyaz Boris I Street
Cheese, Food & Drink, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews, Wine Tours

Sofia: Wine & Cheese Tasting Experience

15.Wine & Cheese Tasting Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 674 reviews · 1 hour · from $21

Meet at Tempus Vini, a small wine shop on Knyaz Boris I Street in central Sofia. Hosts such as Kalin guide you through five Bulgarian wines, local cheeses, and the country’s 5,000-year winemaking story. Expect an intimate tasting, with occasional sessions lasting closer to two hours.

“It was wonderful!There were 10 participants mostly in groups of 2-3 people so it was a very personal but social activity. Kalin hosted a very lovely curated wine tasting, including some general knowledge of Bulgarian wine making throughout the centuries as well as detailed backstories of the wines we tasted. The cheese complimented the wine well and its beautiful to see how much dedication and passion is in this experience and I thank Kalin for sharing it with us. The set-up allowed for comfort and the room to discuss the wines with the other participants, and everyone found something they liked especially. There can be found something for every taste.”

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New in Sofia Tours

★ 5.0Veliko Tarnovo & Arbanasi Full day tourFrom $1635 reviews
★ 4.5Private Winter Day Trip to the Rila MountainFrom $573 reviews
★ 5.0Sofia Hidden Gems: Small-Group Walking Tour with Tram RideFrom $457 reviews
★ 5.0Private transfer from Sofia to Plovdiv or vice versa8 reviews
★ 3.5Tour to Koprivshtitsa and the Buzludzha monument incl the Seuthes Thracian TombFrom $1743 reviews
★ 4.5Catacomb Tour in Sofia guided by a LocalFrom $793 reviews
★ 5.0The gorges of Trun and Dragovski stone trailFrom $836 reviews
★ 5.0Discover Sofia’s Unique Ancient Heritage – 5 Museums IncludedFrom $713 reviews
★ 5.0Sofia Under Communism: Self-Guided Puzzle QuestFrom $69 reviews
★ 4.5Private Day Trip to the Belogradchik Rocks and FortressFrom $2206 reviews
★ 5.0Rila Monastery and hiking to the Stob Pyramids- Private Day Trip from SofiaFrom $1895 reviews
★ 5.0Private 2 Hours Sofia Street Art and Graffiti TourFrom $423 reviews
★ 5.0Cook and Eat with a Local in SofiaFrom $1853 reviews
★ 4.5Private Sofia Guided Walking City Tour with Traditional Breakfast9 reviews
★ 3.5Sofia Audio guide Tour offers available in 7 languagesFrom $153 reviews

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