Bulgaria · TOUR REVIEWS

The 15 Best Tours in Bulgaria

498 tours  ·  from $5

A long weekend in Sofia or a fortnight from the mountains to the coast, the problem is the same: too much country, one itinerary. 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 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

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

From Bucharest: Full-Day Trip to Bulgaria

6.From Bucharest: Full-Day Trip to Bulgaria

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

Travel in a small group from Bucharest to Veliko Tarnovo, Arbanasi, and either Ruse’s Holy Trinity Cathedral or St. Basarabov Monastery. English-speaking guides such as Narcis, Lucian, Elena, and Roberto lead the day, with round-trip transport, guided visits, free time, and a Bulgarian lunch stop.

“What a great trip! Our guide was Narcis who was excellent! Nice small group. Be prepared for a long distance travel on the mini bus, but it was broken up nicely with comfort breaks. The border crossing went very smoothly, didn't need to show passports and only waited max of 10mins to go through. You need to take 50 euros per couple to change up at the exchange when get into Bulgaria to give most direct to the guide for the fort visit - which was fantastic! (rest of change was to pay for toilet trips and the odd item). We then went to the village a bit further up…”

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From Sofia: The Seven Rila Lakes Full-Day Hiking Tour - The Panichishte chairlift is part of the adventure
Full-Day, Hiking & Trekking, Seven Rila Lakes Hikes, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Sofia: The Seven Rila Lakes Full-Day Hiking Tour

7.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
Boyana Church Tours, Full-Day, Rila Monastery Tours, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour

8.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

9.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

10.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

11.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

12.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

13.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

14.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
Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Communist Walking Tour of Sofia

15.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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