Bulgaria · 1-DAY TOURS

The 15 Best Full-Day Trips in Bulgaria

37 tours  ·  from $23

The good full-day trips here go early in the week and the great ones go first. Below: 15 to book ahead, what each includes and where they differ.

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

From Bucharest: Full-Day Trip to Bulgaria

1.From Bucharest: Full-Day Trip to Bulgaria

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

Cross from Bucharest into Bulgaria with an English-speaking guide, then explore Ruse or Basarabov Monastery, Arbanasi Village, Tsarevets Fortress, and Veliko Tarnovo. Expect a long but well-paced day in a small van, with free time for lunch and walking. Guides such as Narcis and Lucian are known for clear history, humor, and helpful local advice.

“I enjoyed tge guides knowledge of the area & learning the rich history of this area as well.”

Check availability →Read our full review

From Bucharest: Small Group Day Trip to Medieval Bulgaria - Ivanovo’s churches cut into the cliffs
1-Day Tours, Tour Reviews

From Bucharest: Small Group Day Trip to Medieval Bulgaria

2.From Bucharest: Small Group Day Trip to Medieval Bulgaria

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 382 reviews · 12 hours · from $87

Travel from Bucharest into Bulgaria with an English-speaking guide such as Pavel, Carmen, Tudor, or Marius. Visit Ivanovo’s UNESCO rock churches, Tsarevets Fortress, Veliko Tarnovo, Samovodene Artisans Street, and Arbanassi. The $87 price covers transport, hotel pickup, and a private licensed guide, but not meals or entry tickets.

“very sunny day , warm after morning, easy going driver and our guide”

Check availability →Read our full review

Plovdiv - Group Day Trip from Sofia - Meeting at Vasil Levski Monument at 8:40am
1-Day Tours, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews

Plovdiv – Group Day Trip from Sofia

3.Plovdiv – Group Day Trip from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 304 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $22Best value

Travel from Sofia to Plovdiv by shuttle bus for a guided walk through the Roman Theater, Roman Stadium, pedestrian center, and colorful Revival-era Old Town. You get about two hours with a guide, then roughly two hours to eat and explore alone. Past guides have included Tuni, Sonya, Maria, Diana, Raliza, and Dmitri.

“The tour was a joke. Why didn’t City Tour notify us in advance that they were not providing a guide for the tour. We could have cancelled and gone with another agent. Secondly, why were we crammed in a mini van with the rudest of drivers who made it clear from the word go that he didn’t want to be there. He was abrupt and ignored us completely. Thirdly, we were 8 passengers on the tour all of whom spoke English so why was the guide cancelled . This tour was the highlight of our entire trip. Before the tour, Three local guides indicated that the Provdiv tour was the…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa Full-Day Trip - Leaving Sofia at 8:00 a.m.
1-Day Tours, Full-Day, Koprivshtitsa Tours, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews

Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa Full-Day Trip

4.Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 177 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $24

Spend a long, well-packed day with an English-speaking driver-guide in Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa. See Roman remains, old-town streets, colorful houses, and sites tied to Bulgaria’s liberation movement. Guides such as Martin, Maria, and Lubomir are praised for clear storytelling, but expect limited free time and plenty of walking on uneven stone streets.

“Great day out, small number on tour, excellent guide Dafini, great resturant recommendations. Long day but worth it!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Day Trip to Bulgaria and Veliko Tarnovo from Bucharest - Basarbovo Monastery and its cliffside setting
1-Day Tours, Tour Reviews, Veliko Tarnovo Day Trips

Day Trip to Bulgaria and Veliko Tarnovo from Bucharest

5.Day Trip to Bulgaria and Veliko Tarnovo from Bucharest

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 122 reviews · 12 hours · from $66

Travel by van from central Bucharest into Bulgaria with an English-speaking guide such as Gabriel, Alex, or Bogdan. Visit Basarbovo Monastery, explore Veliko Tarnovo and Tsaravets Fortress, then see Arbanasi’s medieval churches and buildings. Expect a long day, plenty of walking, possible border delays, and about 10 EUR in cash for admission.

“Good value for money. The van was clean and comfy and our guide Bogdan was very friendly”

Check availability →Read our full review

Private Day Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery - The drive from Sofia to the monastery
1-Day Tours, Boyana Church Tours, Monastery Tours, Private, Rila Monastery Tours, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews

Private Day Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery

6.Private Day Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 108 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $193Top rated

Travel from Sofia to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church in a private, air-conditioned car with an English-speaking driver-guide. Explore medieval frescoes, a monk’s room, monastery treasures, and a UNESCO site. Guides such as Alexander, Maria, Julian, Nikola, and Iwan have led this trip, though assignments vary.

“Julian was our guide for the day. He was very informative and brought his own story to the places we visited. Beautiful day. Highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day - Plovdiv Old Town in about three hours
1-Day Tours, Monastery Tours, Rila Monastery Tours, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day

7.Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 87 reviews · 10 to 11 hours (approx.) · from $119

This 10 to 11-hour trip pairs Plovdiv’s Old Town with Rila Monastery from Sofia. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi, usually in a group capped at six, though the Plovdiv walk may join a much larger free tour. Guides such as Apostolos, Alexander, and Tony have led recent departures.

“We enjoyed Plovdiv and the Rila Monastry. Both are must sees when you are in Bulgaria. In retrospect we don't find the combination of these two tours in one day convenient because there is too little time to look around, no time for lunch, and you are in a van for a total of 8 hours. Tip not to join the hike in Plovdiv because you will not see everythingAuto-translated”

Check availability →Read our full review

From Sofia: Rila Monastery and Plovdiv Day Trip - Rila Monastery and the Rila Mountains
1-Day Tours, Monastery Tours, Rila Monastery Tours, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews

From Sofia: Rila Monastery and Plovdiv Day Trip

8.From Sofia: Rila Monastery and Plovdiv Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 52 reviews · 12 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $71

Leave central Sofia for UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery and historic Plovdiv on a 12.5-hour shared minibus trip. Host Philip handles timing, directions, maps, and useful tips while you explore independently. Expect about 6 to 7 hours on the road, early departure, free time at both stops, and a maximum group of 15.

“Tutti momenti molto belli. Organizzazione perfetta. Il monastero è magico e la cittadina di Plovdiv molto suggestiva”

Check availability →Read our full review

Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Self-Guided Day Trip from Sofia - The mountain road to Rila Monastery
1-Day Tours, Boyana Church Tours, Monastery Tours, Rila Monastery Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews

Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Self-Guided Day Trip from Sofia

9.Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Self-Guided Day Trip from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $36

Leave central Sofia at 9:00 for Boyana Church’s remarkable 13th-century frescoes, then continue to Rila Monastery in the mountains. You get air-conditioned minivan transport, parking, and an online audio guide, while the driver handles the road. Allow extra money for Boyana Church and the Monastery Museum.

“So worth taking this tour to see the Boyana Church with its fabulous frescoes, and then on to the amazing Rila Monastery. Although the tour was self-guided, our driver Lubo was happy to answer questions and pass on interesting information. A good day out, and I thoroughly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Day trip to Skopje and Matka Canyon from Sofia - Skopje Fortress and the Stone Bridge
1-Day Tours, North Macedonia Day Trips, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews

Day trip to Skopje and Matka Canyon from Sofia

10.Day trip to Skopje and Matka Canyon from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 35 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $173

Travel from Sofia to Skopje with a Bulgarian guide, meet a local Skopje guide, walk through the Old Bazaar and city center, then take a boat into Matka Canyon. Guides such as Lubo, Mike, Lence, and Katerina have led past departures. Expect about 12 to 13 hours, long border crossings, no sit-down lunch, and a small group of up to 15 people.

“If you can do this duel trip, go for it, a must not miss opportunity. A great day trip, and it is a day trip from just before 8am to around 9pm - 13 hrs, and around seven to eight hours of driving. Bring local currency, not many places take plastic whilst on this journey. We took our nine year old daughter who handled it very well. Guide very, very good. Good English, patient, well humored - a very good guide. We were 'gob smacked' with Skopje and even more 'gob smacked' with our canyon adventure which included a visit to a vast cave. Skopje guide was equally good. Cant…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Private Day Trip to Plovdiv from Sofia - The two-hour ride from Sofia
1-Day Tours, Private, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews

Private Day Trip to Plovdiv from Sofia

11.Private Day Trip to Plovdiv from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 22 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $198

Travel from Sofia to Plovdiv in a private air-conditioned car with an English-speaking driver-guide, hotel pickup, Wi-Fi, and time to explore on your own. See the Roman Theatre, old houses, early Christian mosaics, and the Three Hills. Guides including Simon, Poli, Jordan, and Dimitri have led this route.

“Plovdiv is a fascinating place and Poli is an excellent guide (and driver). The tour duration was just about perfect. Poli did a good job helping us manage the heat on the hills of Plovdiv.”

Check availability →Read our full review

From Bucharest: Bulgaria 1-Day Tour - Crossing the Danube into Bulgaria
1-Day Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Bucharest: Bulgaria 1-Day Tour

12.From Bucharest: Bulgaria 1-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 21 reviews · 12 hours · from $205

Leave Bucharest early for a private 12-hour trip across the Danube into Bulgaria. Visit Basarbovo Monastery, Arbanasi, and Veliko Tarnovo with an English- or Romanian-speaking guide such as Angelica, Andrei, or Pavel. Transport, tolls, parking, and hotel pickup are included, but meals and entrance fees are extra.

“The tour guide Pavel is amazing kind and very good and so helpful”

Check availability →Read our full review

The Ski and Snowboard Day Trip from Sofia to Borovets. We Provide All You Need! - Eight hours in Borovets with the essentials covered
1-Day Tours, Skiing, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews

The Ski and Snowboard Day Trip from Sofia to Borovets. We Provide All You Need!

13.The Ski and Snowboard Day Trip from Sofia to Borovets. We Provide All You Need!

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 20 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $298

Leave Sofia at 7:30 AM for Borovets, Bulgaria’s largest ski resort. Balkanity Travel provides skis or a snowboard, boots, clothing, helmet, goggles, gloves, lift pass, water, and local support. Nikolay has helped guests with gear and route advice, while a stop at Iskar Reservoir adds a scenic finish.

“Dear Waldorf DC Management - We want to commend the excellent service we received from everyone on the Waldorf staff as we celebrated the wedding of Joe and Amanda in May 2025. Everyone on the Waldorf staff was extremely professional and outstanding at their job. We obtained a few names to identify, but this list is not exclusive. Everyone who worked with us should be commended. Kalynne worked with us for months and provided insightful and experienced guidance throughout. The catering staff provided excellent service for the reception; we received many, many compliments on the excellent hors d’oeuvres and meal items and post-meal items. Then on Sunday morning in the…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Day trip to The Marvelous Bridges and the unique Rhodope cuisine - Bachkovo Monastery and the journey back
1-Day Tours, Food, Plovdiv Tours, Tour Reviews

Day trip to The Marvelous Bridges and the unique Rhodope cuisine

14.Day trip to The Marvelous Bridges and the unique Rhodope cuisine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $94

Travel from Plovdiv with guide Ivo to the Marvelous Bridges, a striking set of natural rock arches in the Rhodope Mountains. You’ll explore the bridges, visit the old village of Kosovo for Rhodope food, and stop at Bachkovo Monastery. The air-conditioned tour lasts about nine hours and carries no more than eight people.

“Ivo is supremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the history and culture of Bulgaria, giving us a great background to the trip. He drove us safely in the comfortable air conditioned vehicle. The ‘bridges’ are well worth the 2hr winding, scenic drive. Wear shoes with good grip as paths are steep & slippery in places. You won’t be walking far from the vehicle & can opt out of any paths you’re not happy about. Absolutely magical place! Next, to interesting old village then delicious food stop (ask Ivo for recommendations). Last stop at the ornate monastery- more great stories, facts and descriptions from Ivo! Wonderful, un-hurried, memorable day. Thank you from…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Bulgaria and Serbia in One Day from Sofia - Boyana Church: a short visit with serious importance
1-Day Tours, Serbia Day Trips, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews

Bulgaria and Serbia in One Day from Sofia

15.Bulgaria and Serbia in One Day from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $141

Travel from Sofia into Serbia with a local English-speaking guide and driver, visiting Poganovo Monastery and UNESCO-listed Boyana Church. Guides such as Peter, Maria, Todor, and Ivan have led the route, which may feel private when bookings are light. Bring your passport and allow time for the border.

“There really wasn't a lot to see in the tour. Our tour guide couldn't find our hotel and called and asked me for directions really, like a tourist would be able to give local directions....after picking us up, she stopped to gas up the car. not impressed with that However, the place she took us for local food in Serbia was amazing. I wouldn't recommend the tour unless a few things were added.”

Check availability →Read our full review

New in 1-Day Tours

★ 4.5Private Winter Day Trip to the Rila MountainFrom $573 reviews
★ 5.0Rila Monastery and hiking to the Stob Pyramids- Private Day Trip from SofiaFrom $1895 reviews
★ 5.0Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Day Trip in ItalianFrom $284 reviews
★ 5.0Private Day Trip to Sapareva Banya for SPAFrom $1196 reviews
★ 4.5Plovdiv and Perushtitsa Day Trip with Wine Tasting from SofiaFrom $1726 reviews
★ 5.0Private Day Trip to Plovdiv and Bachkovo MonasteryFrom $2075 reviews
★ 5.0One Day Tour from Sofia to Skopje, MacedoniaFrom $2047 reviews
★ 5.0Luxury Day Trip to Boyana Church and Rila MonasteryFrom $3087 reviews
★ 4.0One day Tour of Lovech and Krushunski Waterfalls from SofiaFrom $1567 reviews
★ 5.0Koprivshtitsa Private Day Trip From SofiaFrom $1834 reviews
★ 4.5Private Plovdiv Day Trip from SofiaFrom $936 reviews
★ 3.5Private 1-day Trip To Wonderful Bridges-Bachkovo-Asen’s Fortress from PlovdivFrom $456 reviews
★ 5.0Snowshoeing day trip to Mount Bezbog in Pirin MountainsFrom $5277 reviews
★ 4.8From Bucharest: Day Trip to Medieval Marvels of BulgariaFrom $1814 reviews
One Day Tour from Sofia to Koprivshtitsa and PlovdivFrom $2107 reviews

Keep browsing

Rila Monastery Tours33Walking Tours18Food & Drink26Wine Tours22Cave Tours14Skiing20
Scroll to Top

Explore Bulgaria

Pick a mountain, a monastery or a table.

Monasteries

Rila MonasteryBoyana ChurchBachkovoEvery Monastery DayHistory Tours

The mountains

Seven Rila LakesHiking DaysVitoshaWaterfallsCaves

On snow

SkiingSki HireLessonsSnowshoe DaysWinter Days Out

Table and water

Food and DrinkWine TastingsThermal BathsBoat TripsMuseum Tickets