5 Shows in Bulgaria Worth a Whole Day

1.Discover Bulgaria with Dance in Sofia, Bulgaria

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 52 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $27Our pick

Meet in central Sofia for a private Bulgarian folklore lesson led by an instructor such as Dessy or Desi. You’ll hear about the Shopluka region, learn several choro steps, dress in traditional costume, take photos, and finish with a light dance competition. The activity is in English and suits beginners.

“super nice experience, costume and the teacher was amazing!! I really recommend it with friends 😍😍😍”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Sofia by Night Panoramic Tour with Dinner and Folklore Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 41 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $161

Start at 7 pm with a minivan tour of Sofia’s illuminated landmarks, including Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Russian Church, and Borisova Garden. Then enjoy a Bulgarian meal and folklore show at a traditional restaurant. Pickup is available from any Sofia address, with vegetarian food offered and groups capped at 15.

“We thoroughly enjoyed this evening....the show itself was very impressive and nothing was too much trouble for our guide, who stayed with us throughout the evening. He really did go the extra mile to ensure that we could take the best photographs possible, even stopping on the way back to the hotel after the show for us to photograph floodlit buildings. He was polite and friendly throughout, explaining the meanings/symbolism behind the dancing and costumes. Our advice would be to have a light lunch beforehand....the meal is delicious, but consists of four rather large courses and we were struggling by the end of it! Highly recommended way to spend an…”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Magic Shows in English at Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 35 to 40 minutes (approx.) · from $17Best value

At Sofia’s Magic Bar, you’ll watch skilled Bulgarian magicians perform close-up and parlor magic in English at 8 pm. The show lasts about 35 to 40 minutes, though one performance ran closer to an hour. Admission costs $17.18 per person, while cocktails, soft drinks, and water cost extra.

“Lovely people, great atmosphere, you won't even have to drink to be entertained. Go on Friday for magic shows, or any evening to just chat and even learn from the magicians.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Private Sofia Night Tour with Bulgarian Folklore & Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 12 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $110

Spend about four hours exploring central Sofia after dark, with stops at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Russian Church, Serdica ruins, and more. Choose carefully between the self-guided format and the private option, which includes hotel pickup, transport, and a guide. The evening ends with a four-course Bulgarian meal, music, and dancing.

“This “Sofia Night Scenic Tour with Dinner and Folklore Show” was the worst experience ever booked. A real tourist trap. First of all, no guide present: for hundreds of euros they only give you a PDF, without any real accompaniment. The description on the site is ambiguous and designed to mislead: if you do not understand the mechanism for “choosing the guide”, you find yourself screwed. The restaurant is a classic tourist-catcher: poor food, very low quality, no Service. The “folk show” is nothing more than a cheap staging, far from the promised authenticity. The level of professionalism is zero: rude staff, uncooperative and, most seriously, they left us alone…”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Bulgarian Dinner with Show from Nessebar and Sunny Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 11 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $118

Head from Nessebar or Sunny Beach to Orizare for a five-hour Bulgarian dinner and folklore show. You’ll eat salad, a traditional main dish, and dessert while an orchestra and dancers perform. Wine comes self-service from barrels, children have their own show and donkey-cart ride, and private transport includes hotel pickup and return.

“Absolutely fantastic experience! Private pick up, great show and food, totally recommend. We are all extremely happy! Great activity!”

Check availability →Read our full review