Top Sofia Food & Drink

Admire the sights of Sofia by night before dinner and a folklore show on this evening tour. Take a panoramic drive around Bulgaria’s capital to see its illuminated highlights, including the floodlit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, National Palace of Culture, and more. Then, savor a 3-course Bulgarian dinner complemented with a live folklore show of traditional local music and dance. Dinner, show, air-conditioned transport, and central hotel pickup and drop-off included.

Appreciating the diversity of Balkan culture can be difficult, especially with limited time in the region. Explore Macedonian culture on a day tour to Skopje from Sofia, and tick off another Balkan capital in just one day. Travel the distance with ease via private vehicle, and discover landmarks including the Skopje Fortress, Memorial House of Mother Teresa, and Old Bazaar, with insights provided by your guide.

This private tour of World Heritage–listed Rila Monastery includes a tasting at Medi Valley, a classic winery with locally produced wines. Travel in the comfort of your private vehicle to the country’s largest monastery, where your own personal guide points out 19th-century paintings depicting the Bulgarian Renaissance. Admire the beauty of the Rila mountains en route to the winery, where you’ll sample five different wines and learn more about the region.

Feel like a Sofia local on this 3-hour afternoon city and food walking tour. Check out historical highlights such as the National Theater and King’s Palace, and see the Rotunda St. George, Banya Bashi Mosque, Synagogue, and St. Nedelya Church. Stop on route to taste ‘shopska’ salad and an ‘ayryan’ yogurt drink; shop for culinary goodies at the Central Hali Market; and finish with tastings of Bulgarian wine and cold meats at a traditional restaurant.

Mingle with fellow travelers from all over the world on this action-packed pub crawl. Discover Sofia’s hippest nightlife hotspots with an insider guide as you explore the Bulgarian capital with new friends. Tours include complimentary wine, beer, or liquor shots at each of five different locations, plus free dance club admission on weekends.

Immerse yourself in the beguiling beauty of two of Bulgaria’s most spectacular sights on a full-day trip from Sofia. Admire the natural splendor of rural Bulgaria as you travel to the Rila Monastery, a sacred structure cradled by the dense pine forests of the mountains. Delve into the history of the medieval landmark and browse the intriguing exhibitions of the on-site museum. Continue to Boyana Church to gaze at the fascinating pre-Renaissance frescoes that decorate the walls within. Please note, entrance fees are not included on this tour.

Grab your passport and head over the border to Serbia on this full-day tour of Nis from Sofia. Learn about the turbulent history of former Yugoslavia as you visit the Nis concentration camp; visit city sights including the Roman ruins of Mediana, the Skull Tower, and the Nisava riverfront; and sample delicious Serbian cuisine with lunch (own expense) at a local grill house.

Reaching the Seven Rila Lakes by public transport typically involves two buses, a shuttle and most of your day. Take the pain out of transportation—while maintaining total independence—with this cost-effective shared transfer. Visit both these beautiful glacial lakes and the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with ample time for hiking.

Visit Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa on a full-day trip from Sophia, and discover the art and architecture of two iconic Bulgarian cities. Stroll the narrow lanes of Plovdiv’s old town, and discover historic traces of the Romans, Thracians, and Byzantines who swept through this region. Continue to Koprivshtitsa for a walking tour to the homes of the city’s most storied residents, and learn how a local revolutionary committee freed Bulgaria from Ottoman rule during the Russo-Turkish war before ending your tour in central Sophia. 

Lovers of landscapes will adore this guided, small-group tour to the rocky vistas around Belogradchik town. Travel through the Balkan Mountains to Belogradchik, then admire the spectacular rock formations and ancient fortress. Enjoy the stalagmites and stalactites of Venetsa Cave and—if there’s time—see the towering Vratsata Gorge before your guide returns you to your hotel.

Forget planning routes, researching sites, and boning up on history. See all Sofia’s key attractions and learn the stories behind them too on this great-value small-group walking tour: perfect for history buffs. Sights include the ruins of the Roman-era east gate, the 4th-century Rotunda of St. George, the Byzantine St. Sofia Basilica, the Ivan Vazov National Theater, and the Cathedral Saint Alexander Nevsky.

Make the most of your time in the Balkans on this full-day tour to Skopje, the capital of neighboring North Macedonia. Travel the distance easily with included round-trip transportation from your Sofia hotel and enjoy more time to immerse yourself in the diverse city. Benefit from the personalized insights and attention of your small-group guide as you take in landmarks such as the Old Bazaar, Stone Bridge, and Mother Teresa Memorial House.

1. The incredible history: Plovdiv is on the 8th place for oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Inhabited since 4,000 B.C., beginning with a Neolithic settlement, Plovdiv has been conquered many times throughout the years by the Thracians, the Greeks and the Romans. Plovdiv contains 13 cultural layers. 2. We offer personalized, educational wine tours! 3. It’s a European city of culture for 2019 4. Know more about Bulgarian culture

Designed with foodies in mind, this off-the-beaten-path market tour visits three essential Sofia markets: Flea Market, Zhenski Pazar Women’s Market, and the covered market known as Central Market Hall. Alongside your guide and a small group, enjoy access that would be impossible to achieve independently and savor tastings of classic Bulgarian fare at a range of venues.

Take a break from the crowded city streets and discover the best of Bulgarian wine on a 9-hour tour to Melnik. Comfortable transportation collects you from your Sofia hotel and takes you into the sprawling Bulgarian countryside. Upon arrival in Melnik, explore the wine cellar at an 18th-century mansion. After a bit of sightseeing in Rojen, taste some the country's best wine at Villa Melnik.

Want to know what makes Bulgarians tick? Then, get to know Bulgarian culture better on this small-group tour in Sofia. With an experienced local guide, learn the things everyone should know about Bulgarian life. Sample a traditional Bulgarian breakfast; learn the ‘horo’ national folk dance, and discover more about the country’s language, history, and regional customs.

During your personal tasting experience I will guide you through the distinctive world of Bulgarian wines. Although Bulgaria has been producing wine for 5000 years it is still relatively unknown to the rest of the world. Now a rising new generation of Bulgarian boutique winemakers are devoted to the craft and bringing new attention to our country. You will taste 5 wine varieties of local grapes unique to Bulgaria, that can not be found anywhere else: Miskets, Melnik, Mavrud, Gumza and Rubin. Plus, local cheeses, artisanal bread and mineral water. The tasting is held in one of the best boutique wine shops in Sofia – Tempus Vini, which is located on an artsy street in the city center, known for its fine restaurants and boutiques. And just a few streets away from Sofia’s main pedestrian boulevard. During the tasting I can tell you about the wine regions of Bulgaria including the history and the wine culture of my beautiful country. All tastings are held in English or Bulgarian

An absolute one of a kind experience in the heart of Sofia to help you really understand the culture of Bulgaria.

Discover Bulgarian history, cuisine, and winemaking on a full-day tour from Sofia to Plovdiv and the Thracia Valley. Spend the morning strolling through Plovdiv Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, pause for a traditional Bulgarian lunch, then visit a beloved vineyard for a guided tasting and tour. This 10-hour tour includes entrance fees at the Plovdiv Roman Theater, lunch, and tastings, with pickup and drop-off at Sofia hotels.

Lovers of history will thrill to this action-packed private walking tour that takes you from the 4th-century Rotunda of St. George to grand 20th-century architecture. Stops include the Ottoman-era Banya Bashi Mosque, the Cathedral St. Alexander Nevski with its glorious icons, and the Ivan Vazov National Theater.

Sofia is one of the oldest cities in Europe. See it with a local guide by booking our Sofia walking tour. Learn about the history, culture and lifestyle of Bulgarians during a nice walk in the city center. Sofia walking tour would show you the main landmarks of our capital, plus leaving you with a nice impression of this part of Europe. The tour could be in English, German, Spanish, Arabic and other languages.

Sip your way through the Bulgarian countryside on a 9-hour wine tour from Sofia. After a scenic drive from the city, visit two distinctive wineries and sample a total of 10 different wines. Every detail of the tour, including lunch and transportation, is carefully planned to ensure you have an enriching and stress-free day away from the hustle and bustle.

Discover the heart of Sofia without even thinking about a map on this convenient, fully guided walking tour. See key landmarks from the different cultures that have occupied the city and explore St. Sofia Church, the Rotunda of St. George, and Cathedral St. Alexander Nevski. Along the way, enjoy a traditional Bulgarian pastry breakfast with a glass of “ayran” salt yoghurt drink.

Kazanlak's Rose Festival is the annual celebration of the Rosa Damascena, the Bulgarian oil-bearing rose that has become a cultural and economic icon for the Rose Valley region. On this trip, experience the colour and music of the Festival without getting caught by its tourist traps; instead, spend the rest of the day visiting the Valley's cultural landmarks and some of its authentic rose-oil makers. Enjoy a healthy mix of Festival excitement and peaceful exploration of the Valley itself.