Top Sofia Full-day Tours

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.

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.

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.

The mountains are one of Bulgaria’s great joys—especially for hikers—but can be hard to reach independently. Tailor-made for lovers of both walking and history, this action-packed day features a hike around the beautiful Seven Rila Lakes and a tour of the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tour includes chair-lift ticket to the lakes but excludes monastery entrance fees.

Trek up Mt. Vitosha and see the Boyana waterfall on this full-day tour from Sofia. Don your walking boots and hike to the top of Bulgaria’s fourth-highest mountain, passing lush meadows and pine woods. After soaking up panoramic views of Sofia from the summit, enjoy lunch (own expense) and descend to the Boyana fall, whose waters tumble down a steep rock face. Your tour includes return transfers from Sofia, including hotel pickup and drop-off.

Visit the fascinating city of Plovdiv on a full-day tour from Sofia, and explore ancient ruins, some of Bulgaria’s most historic landmarks, and the city’s Ethnographic Museum. This full-day Plovdiv trip includes pickup and drop-off at a central location in Sofia, a guided walking tour of Plovdiv, and admission to the museum and the Plovdiv Roman Theatre.

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. 

Travel with a small group to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church, two UNESCO World Heritage sites. An informative guide points out 19th-century paintings depicting the Bulgarian Renaissance at the country’s largest monastery, set against the beauty of the Rila mountains. In the afternoon, visit Boyana Church to view its medieval frescoes. You’ll travel round-trip by air-conditioned minivan from Sofia’s Alexander Nevski Square.

Enjoy a day away from the bustling capital on a small-group day tour to Niš in Serbia. Explore top attractions including Mediana, the Skull Tower, and Niš Fortress with your professional guide for intimate insight into the region’s history and culture, and benefit from round-trip transfer from your hotel to travel the distance with ease.

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.

Visit two notable World Heritage sites of Bulgaria — Rila Monastery and Boyana Church — recognized by UNESCO for their religious significance, historical attributes and Byzantine architecture. Travel to the outskirts of Sofia in the comfort of your own private vehicle and let a personal guide lead you on a tour of both landmarks. A light lunch is included in your full-day itinerary.

Knowing the best spots to experience Bulgaria’s rich and varied cultural heritage can be tricky for visitors on limited time in the capital. Tick off Plovdiv, Asen’s Fortress, and Bachkovo Monastery in just 1 day on a small-group tour from Sofia. Save time with seamless round-trip transfer between landmarks, and learn about their Roman, Ottoman, and modern history from your professional guide.

Visit the town of Belogradchik and its two notable attractions—Belogradchik Rocks and Belogradchik Fortress—on this day trip from Sofia that combines the natural scenery and history of northwestern Bulgaria. Be wowed by the natural formations of sandstone rocks in the Balkan Mountains, and admire the fortress, which dates back to Roman times.

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Sofia on a day tour to Lovech, Devetàshka cave, and Krushuna Falls, and explore with a professional guide for intimate insight into the rural region’s landscape, history, and culture. Take advantage of round-trip transfer from your hotel via air-conditioned vehicle for a hassle-free experience, and benefit from the more personalized service of a small-group tour.

Visit two of Bulgaria’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites on a full-day excursion from Sofia to Plovdiv and Bachkovo Monastery. Spend the morning exploring the Roman ruins in Plovdiv Old Town, then see the gorgeous icons in one of Europe’s oldest Eastern Orthodox monasteries. This 9-hour tour includes pickup and drop-off at Sofia hotels as well as entrance fees at the Plovdiv Roman Theater, and it’s the perfect introduction to Bulgaria’s rich history and culture.

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.

See two of Bulgaria’s religious treasures and another in Macedonia on this full-day tour from Sofia. Admire Sofia’s Boyana Church, a UNESCO-listed gem famed for its 13th-century frescoes, and then travel to the rural Zemen Monastery, a medieval complex graced with murals and portraits of Bulgarian nobles. Finally, cross into Macedonia to the mountainside Osogovo Monastery, considered one of the country’s most beautiful. Lunch, Boyana and Zemen admission, and Sofia hotel pickup and drop-off included.

Combine the flexibility you value in independent travel with the knowledge and efficiency of a professional guide on this private tour. Stop when and where you want as you explore two of Bulgaria’s most charming spots: scenic Plovdiv Old Town and the quaint little town of Koprivshtitsa. Your tour includes door-to-door transport with free Wi-Fi but excludes any entrance fees.

Get personalized attention on this 8-hour tour to Bulgaria's Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This tour includes a scenic drive through the country's pine-forested Rila Mountains and pickup and drop-off at Sofia accommodations.

Discover Plovdiv, the 2019 European Capital of Culture, and the mighty Asen’s Fortress on this full-day small-group tour from Sofia. Explore the atmospheric Old Town of Plovdiv on a guided walking tour; go back in time with a virtual reality experience; enjoy a typical Bulgarian lunch at a local restaurant (own expense), then marvel at the views from the mountaintop medieval castle.

Escape the city without the hassle and expense of self-driving with this convenient shared transfer to the Rila National Park. After a briefing from your driver, soak up the beauty of the seven glacial Rila Lakes and enjoy a full day’s hiking or lounging before you return to central Sofia. A chairlift runs to and from the lakes.

Explore two Bulgarian and Serbian medieval masterpieces on this 9-hour tour to Boyana Church and Poganovo Monastery from Sofia. First, visit the UNESCO-protected Boyana Church just outside Sofia, to admire its 13th-century frescoes, considered some of the best examples of medieval Bulgarian artistry. Then, cross into Serbia to the Poganovo Monastery to view its artworks and treasures, and absorb its deep spirituality. Tour includes a Serbian lunch, air-conditioned transport, and Sofia hotel pickup and drop-off.

Plovdiv is the 2019 European capital of Culture and home to one of Bulgaria’s most impressive archeological sites. This full-day tour from Sofia takes in all the highlights, including a walking tour of the atmospheric Old Town and visits to the Roman Stadium, Roman Forum, and Amphitheatre. Tour includes hotel pickup, lunch, and entrance fees.

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.