14 Guided Tours in Bulgaria: What Each One Costs

1.Plovdiv Small Group Full Day Guided Tour from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 235 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $22Our pick

Travel by air-conditioned minibus from central Sofia to Plovdiv, then walk the Old Town with an English-speaking guide such as Hristo, Martin, Maria, or Todor. See the Ancient Theatre, Roman Stadium, and 19th-century homes, followed by about 90 minutes for lunch, shopping, museums, or Kapana. Airport pickups can add time.

“A lot of interesting historical information was shared, great sights. Very knowledgeable tour guide.”

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2.Guided Walking Tour of Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 143 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $48Top rated

Walk Sofia’s central streets with an English-speaking guide such as Diana, Jivko, or Peter. In about two hours, you’ll enter Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, St. Sofia Church, and the Rotunda, while connecting Roman, Orthodox, Ottoman, and communist-era stories. Groups are advertised at up to 10 people.

“The guide Peter was very friendly and informative and would definitely book again the next time I come to Sofia. Pity I didn't have more time to be able to try other tours you offer.”

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3.Plovdiv guided walking tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $22

Start at the Eastern Gate of Ancient Philippopolis and walk through Plovdiv’s Old Town with an English-speaking guide. Boris is praised for engaging commentary, while the small group size keeps the tour personal. The route ends near the Roman Stadium, giving you a useful base for exploring on your own.

“A great walking tour and highly recommended. Why do I have to write so much for this review to accepted?”

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4.Sofia on an Electric Scooter – Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $42

Ride an electric scooter through central Sofia and Borisova Gradina on a small-group evening tour led by Lubo or Lubomir. You will see Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Soviet Army Monument, Eagle’s Bridge, quiet park corners, and Shishman Street. Scooters, helmets, reflective vests, and a licensed English-speaking guide are included.

“Lubo is very friendly & speaks excellent English. He was fun to spend a couple of hours with & the tour was a good mix of riding & nuggets of knowledge about the city & its history.”

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5.Guided Visit to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 16 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.) · from $16Best value

Visit Sofia’s Alexander Nevsky Cathedral with either a private English-speaking guide or a self-guided PDF and audio option. Allow about two hours to study the Neo-Byzantine interior, learn how the cathedral serves Bulgaria’s Orthodox church, and avoid confusion by checking which format you booked.

“When we arrived there was not an English speaking person. Nobody was able to help us. We paid for a tour and did not receive one. I hope they will refund our money. We got the same experience as anyone who walked in. I would not recommend this tour.”

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6.The Seven Rila Lakes Self – Guided Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $36

Leave central Sofia at 7:00 am for the Seven Rila Lakes in Rila National Park. You’ll ride a chairlift, hike for about five hours with a map, and learn about local plants, wildlife, and mountain life. The route is moderately strenuous, with steep sections, changing weather, and lunch huts along the way.

“Great day tour from Sofia. Professional on-time driver. I would recommend this tour (self-guided option). Hike with beautiful views that is very moderate.”

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7.Private Sofia Guided Walking City Tour with Traditional Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Meet your English-speaking guide at Alexander Nevsky Cathedral for a three-hour walk through central Sofia. See the Rotunda, St. Sofia Church, Parliament, Royal Palace, mineral springs, and National Theater, then stop for banitsa, ayran, kozunak, and mekitsa before ending on Vitosha Boulevard.

“Our guide was fantastic, very knowledgeable and accommodating, we saw areas that we had not previously seen and were really pleased with this aspect of the tour. However we did not get a 3 hour tour as advertised, ours only lasted for two hours and we didn't get any 'breakfast, food tasting or beverages' which was really disappointing, we were glad we had something to eat before we started the tour. This was no fault of our guide's, he was unaware of this when we questioned him about it.”

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8.Seven Rila Lakes Guided Hike With chairlift ticket

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $143

Leave Sofia at 8:00 am for Panichishte Resort, ride the chairlift, then hike past all seven Rila Lakes with a professional guide. Meto has led the route with smart crowd-avoiding choices and good photo stops. The moderate hike lasts about five hours, with transport back to your Sofia accommodation.

“The hike was enjoyable, and the view was great. time management was good, we were back in Sofia earlier than expected.”

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9.The 10 Tastings of Sofia Private 3-Hour Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 6 reviews · from $57

Spend about three hours with a private Sofia guide sampling 10 Bulgarian foods and drinks, including banitsa and borovnica. You’ll also see City Garden, the 4th-century St. George Rotunda, and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Vegetarian alternatives are available, and guide Anna-Mariya has earned praise for her flexibility.

“The title said 10 tastings of Sofia. What we got was 1 glass of wine and 1 trip to a cafeteria (not restaurant) to have a taste of a few local dishes which were very mediocre. However the tour guide was well informed and ver nice.”

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10.Guided Nessebar Sightseeing Tour with Pick Up

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $114

Travel from Varna to Nessebar with pickup, then walk the old town with a local guide such as Hristo, Souren, or Suren. You’ll see Sunny Beach, the Church of Christ Pantokrator, St. Stephen’s Church, Saint Sophia, and St. John the Baptist, with time for photos and an electronic guide for three churches.

“Everything was perfect! Thank you for the smooth communication, a high quality transfer and a guided tour information.”

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11.5 Days Guided Motorcycle Tour Wine, Nature and Traditions

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $599

Ride from Sofia through Koprivshtitsa, Plovdiv, the Rhodope Mountains, Melnik, Bansko, and Rila Monastery. A professional biker guide leads a small group of up to eight riders on scenic roads, with local guesthouses, Bulgarian meals, wine tasting, and cultural visits along the way.

“Fantastic service provided by Adrian during our stay in Bulgaria. Extremely professional, super friendly, great advice. I definitely recommend his agency services, all the more so if you want to rent a motorcycle to visit this beautiful country.”

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12.Seven Rila lakes to Rila monastery guided Trek

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $335

Hike all seven Rila Lakes with a UIMLA-certified mountain guide, spend the night at 2,300-meter Ivan Vazov Hut, then descend through alpine valleys to Rila Monastery. Guides Pavel and Nikolay have led this trip, which suits fit hikers aged 16 and older. Pickup from Sofia is included.

“Beautiful 2 day hike with great guides Pavel and Nikolay! Overnight stay in the Ivan Vazov hut which is no frills but has everything you need. About 9.5mi hike each day, finishing at the beautiful Rila Monastery. Pavel and Nikolay were friendly, helpful, and called beforehand to go over what to pack and what to expect. Would definitely recommend them again!”

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13.The Oldest European City – Plovdiv with Audio guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $52

Leave Sofia at 9:00 am from Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and spend about five hours exploring Plovdiv Old Town. Round-trip transport, an air-conditioned vehicle, and an audio guide are included. Guide Maria is praised for her history knowledge and courteous service. Entrance fees are extra, and the group is capped at seven.

“we had a wonderful tour and full experience in Plovdive Bulgaria with our wonderful guide Maria,who I highly recommend.”

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14.Catacomb Tour in Sofia guided by a Local

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · from $79

Meet near the Tsar Samuil Monument and walk to St. Sophia Church for a one-hour tour of its underground necropolis. Expect tomb pits, stone sarcophagi, late-antiquity vaults, and the separate Honorius Tomb, with local stories about Sofia’s past. Groups are limited to eight people, and guide Nayden is praised for making history engaging.

“The guide was nice and tried to explain but the tour it self was quiet expensive for sth that more than 75% was in public areas and free to be visited. The archeological site didn't have almost any information on it. Not the best experience”

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