Top Sofia Half-day Tours

Learn what life was like in communist-era Bulgaria on a Sofia city walking tour. Meet your informative guide in central Sofia and check out the buildings and monuments that testify to its and Bulgaria’s 45 years on the eastern side of the Iron Curtain. See the Largo complex, former home of Bulgaria’s Communist Party; the Monument to the Soviet Army; the National Palace of Culture and more as your guide explains communist ideology and the everyday lives of Bulgarians during the controversial Cold War period.

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.

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.

The Rila Monastery and Boyana Church are two of Bulgaria’s most impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites and this full-day tour from Sofia visits both in one day. Tour the medieval Boyana Church, famous for its magnificent 13th-century frescoes; admire the natural landscapes of the Rila Mountain Nature Park; then explore the churches and caves of the Rila Monastery complex.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

If conventional tours are not for you but you’d like to learn more about Sofia, embark on this unique adventure that’s half escape room, half treasure hunt. Meet at the office, pick up the starter pack, and get off the beaten path as you puzzle your way through clues around Sofia. Finally, meet your guide, complete the final challenge, and get a rundown on your personal experience.

Just outside Sofia, Vitosha Mountain delivers sweeping city views and fairytale forest rich in wildlife—but it’s off the metro map and navigation can be hard. Join your guide and no more than seven other travelers for this fun half-day adventure, with transfers from downtown. Expect to reach heights of 4,700 feet (1,435 meters), see a “stone river” formed during the Ice Age, and explore an eerie abandoned hut.

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.

There’s a whole world of nature within minutes of Sofia—but accessing it by public transport or taxi can be hard. Combine the freedom of independent travel with the personal service of a private driver/guide on this private tour. Visit scenic Pancharevo Lake, with its restaurants and woodland, and Vitosha Mountain, with mineral springs and sweeping views across the city.

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.

Check off Sofia’s key landmarks in minimum time on this comprehensive private chauffeured city tour. Exploring with your private guide, see Cathedral Saint Alexander Nevski, Saint Sofia Church, the Banya Bashi Mosque, Borisova Gradina gardens, the National Art Gallery, and so much more. Tour includes door-to-door transport but excludes any entrance fees.

The Sofia Communist Tour will take you back to the communist period of Bulgaria when the country was called "iron curtain". You will hear real stories of people and learn about the way of life of the Bulgarians at that time. You will get acquainted with the historical events and facts of Bulgaria and the countries of Eastern Europe to fall under the communist regime. You will hear stories never heard before and you will find another world - the world of communism. Surely afterwards you will be happy living in the free world of today and will appreciate the liberty of Europe.

Start the day in true Bulgarian style on this 3-hour breakfast and walking tour of Sofia. Stroll through Sofia’s historical heart to see highlights like the Alexander Nevski Cathedral and King Liberator statue, and stop for a local breakfast of ‘banitsa’ (savory pastry) and ‘ayryan’ yogurt drink. Then, continue through Slaveikov Square book market to a pastry shop and finish with ‘baklava’ (sweet, nut-filled filo pastry) and Bulgaria’s traditional ‘boza’ malt drink. Breakfast and tastings included.

Enjoy a half- day private tour with which you will have the chance not only to see the central part of Sofia, but also the Boyana Church- UNESCO heritage site- and the National History Museum, situated at the foot of Vitosha Mountain.

Be with your guide on a 3-4 hour private tour of Sofia showing you all for the fraction of the cost. Get an e-guide in your preferred language. The best quality/price ratio tour in Sofia showing you all privately

During the tour you will have the pleasure to explore our very unique parks in the downtown and enjoys lots of nature and beautiful sceneries! This will make your time memorable and you will experience Sofia in a different way :)!

This is not just a tour walking around. It is a discussion about events in the past and how they have influenced what we see today.

Discover the sights of Sofia and savor the flavors of Bulgaria on a 3-hour small-group food tour. The afternoon walking excursion is perfect for first time visitors with empty stomachs. Culinary highlights include ayran (a salty yoghurt drink), banitsa (white cheese pastry), local salami, and baklava. In between bites, learn about popular attractions such as Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Presidency, and Roman ruins.