1 Week In Bulgaria Itinerary

Whereas the Black Sea seashores draw most vacationers to Bulgaria, this streamlined one-week itinerary will deal with the tradition, historical past, and nature of Bulgaria. It contains two fantastic cities, visits to the beautiful Rila Monastery and seven lakes, and extra.

I traveled via Bulgaria for two weeks, however have boiled my expertise all the way down to my advisable route for a 1-week journey. As a result of I traveled a bit longer, I’ll point out a number of different choices and additions alongside the best way.

I liked my time in Bulgaria and contemplate it an genuine and diamond-in-the-rough vacation spot. It could be completely underhyped, nevertheless it’s removed from the standard vacationer crowds in Europe and is certain to shock you at each flip!

Bulgaria in 1 Week

With one week out there, I counsel protecting issues streamlined and planning a two-base journey round Sofia and Plovdiv, two cities which can be simply three hours aside however very completely different from one another. They each make for best springboards to different sights within the area.

This itinerary assumes you’ll be touring by bus, prepare, or native tour.

DAY 1 + 2: SOFIA

Bulgaria’s capital positively stunned me. I ought to say that it’s a giant and trendy metropolis and a few elements is usually a little ugly, nevertheless it additionally has some fascinating sights and also you positively shouldn’t rush via it!

I had learn some lukewarm on-line feedback on Sofia and got here throughout a number of guides on easy methods to spend simply 24 hours there. Nonetheless, I feel it will possibly simply be value staying a number of nights.

My suggestion is to remain for three days in Sofia: spend two days seeing town and one for a day journey into the area.

Thoughts you, Sofia is not any Paris or Rome. It isn’t a really ‘Instagrammy’ metropolis and it’s largely trendy with a good bit of communist-era structure. What it does supply is loads of road life, road artwork, historical past, a number of good museums, a small inventive scene, and sure — some very lovely historic structure too.

There are different Balkan capitals I preferred a bit extra (similar to Sarajevo or Tirana), however Sofia rapidly grew on me as I acquired to comprehend it higher. It’s arguably the most effective place to find out about Bulgaria. It’s additionally very inexperienced, with a number of large parks and the Vitosha Mountains shut by.

I liked my time in Sofia, although judging by the opinions of different vacationers it could be a bit love-or-hate-it. I’m simply making an attempt to color an image right here so you already know what to anticipate, although I feel it’s the proper start line on your Bulgaria itinerary.

Necessities in Sofia

• Take a strolling tour. Understanding the tales behind the monuments and facades will carry every little thing to life. You’ll see Sofia with completely different eyes assured. That is the form of metropolis the place a strolling tour is just about important!
• Discover the Artwork District. I didn’t see this talked about in any Sofia guides however this was most likely my favourite a part of town! Go right here for road artwork, cute cafes, and boutique retailers. You may as well take this Sofia road artwork tour.
• Expertise the Pink Flat. This unimaginable immersive expertise offers you an actual sense of every day life in Nineteen Eighties socialist Bulgaria.
• Go to the Archeological Museum. Housed in a former mosque, this small museum exhibits off spectacular items from Thracian, Roman, and Ottoman occasions.
• See the Alexander Nevsky Church. That is Sofia’s iconic constructing, a neo-Byzantine Orthodox cathedral that’s spectacular on the in- and out of doors.

However there are extra issues to do in Sofia that I’ve coated in its personal information. Whilst you can tick the necessities off the listing in a day for those who rush, I counsel spending two days so you possibly can take it simple and discover a bit by yourself time.

In Sofia, I personally stayed in two inns that I like to recommend:

• Arte Sofia Lodge is an excellent possibility that simply couldn’t be extra central — you’re simply steps away from the important thing sights! Whereas it lacks a public foyer, the rooms are clear and comfy and I actually preferred the buffet breakfast.
• Generaator Sofia is extra of a price range possibility that’s a 15-minute stroll north of the central sq. close to the Artwork District. No breakfast is obtainable right here however the services have been good and the rooms are good worth as nicely.

DAY 3: DAY TRIP FROM SOFIA

A very good cause to remain not less than three nights in Sofia is that its central location makes it simple to e book a day journey.

You’ll find loads of day journey choices on GetYourGuide or Viator.

You’ll get picked up out of your resort in Sofia (or a central pickup level), after which all you must do is get pleasure from your day. It’s the easiest way to get out of the cities in Bulgaria while you don’t need to waste time coping with sophisticated native transportation. On a one-week journey, taking an area tour or two will allow you to see extra with restricted time.

I’ve 4 recommendations for day journeys. I’ve truly executed all 4 of those, so let me spill the beans for you right here.

Day Journey: Rila Monastery & 7 Lakes Hike

This tour, which mixes the UNESCO Heritage-listed Rila Monastery with a hike across the 7 Lakes of Rila, is my greatest suggestion for a incredible time out.

I feel most individuals will love this journey! It doesn’t contain fairly as a lot driving as different excursions, and it contains two superb locations.

What I preferred about this tour is that it’s self-guided. A shuttle minibus will take you to the sights, however then you are able to do every little thing at your personal tempo.

You’ll nonetheless get a full briefing within the morning with a printed map and background data. There’s additionally a WhatsApp group via which you’ll obtain detailed and useful directions. I assumed this tour was tremendous nicely organized, and it’s the easiest way to see these considerably distant sights, that are a few 90-minute drive outdoors Sofia.

Rila Monastery is beautiful, however be mindful it can take not more than an hour or so to see, so it’s value getting a tour that mixes it with one thing else.

The 7 Lakes mountain hike is beautiful and contains spectacular views and alpine landscapes. A ski carry will take you to an elevation of two,196 m the place you possibly can select from a number of routes relying in your stage of health and/or motivation. The total circuit will take about 5 hours, however you possibly can minimize it all the way down to about 2 hours by taking a shorter loop. There’s a chalet the place you possibly can seize a drink or meal.

Though it’s a mountain hike, I’d contemplate it broadly accessible based mostly on the varied routes you possibly can take. So even for those who’re not a mountain goat, you’ll certainly benefit from the 7 lakes.

However for those who’re actually not into mountain climbing, the choice is the Rila Monastery & Boyana Church tour.

Boyana is a small Tenth-century UNESCO-listed church on the outskirts of Sofia with some spectacular frescoes inside. I do suppose it’s loads of driving for simply Rila Monastery and Boyana, so I’d go together with the 7 Lakes possibility for those who can.

Different Day Journeys

Need to be a bit extra unique? Or possibly don’t one however two day journeys from Sofia? Then there are two different day journeys I extremely advocate.

Full-Day Tour to Belogradchik

Belogradchik was most likely the most effective factor I did in Bulgaria. This distinctive historic fortress is constructed inside pure rock pillars, wanting like one thing straight out of Sport of Thrones or Lord of the Rings. The views from the highest are completely jaw-dropping.

Getting there takes 3 hours a technique, so not everybody could also be prepared to do that as a day journey. On the plus aspect, the highway follows the Iskar Gorge via the Balkan Mountains, providing lovely views of rugged crags and limestone towers for a lot of the best way. The tour additionally features a go to to the Venetsa Cave.

I took a prepare to Belogradchik and stayed in a single day, however you too can do it as a day journey from Sofia. Not many individuals go to Belogradchik, so that you’ll possible be capable of get pleasure from a surprising location with out crowds. If you wish to go off-path in Bulgaria, right here’s your probability! I’ve included extra detailed directions on easy methods to get there in my information to Belgradchik.

Lovech, Devetaki Cave, and Krushuna Waterfalls Tour

Lovech is a cute historic city about two hours northeast of Sofia. It’s primarily recognized for its wood coated bridge.

Nonetheless, the true spotlight of this journey is the Devetashka Cave—a completely monumental cavern with a number of gaps within the ceiling via which mild beams enter the area. This cathedral-like cave is certain to go away you in awe!

The cave is just not accessible by public transport, so until you’ve gotten your personal automobile, an organized tour is the easiest way to see it.

A go to to Krushuna Waterfalls will allow you to cool off on a scorching day and can spherical out at the present time journey with a different itinerary.

Contemplate reserving this tour for a guided expertise.

DAY 4 – 6: PLOVDIV

Plovdiv (inhabitants: ~350,000) is an extremely easy-to-recommend vacationer vacation spot. It has a number of historic sights, a number of allure, and a vibrant inventive scene. In case you thought Sofia was a bit too busy or trendy, you’re certainly going to like the vibe in Plovdiv.

Not solely was Plovdiv a European Capital of Tradition in 2019, however it’s also believed by some archaeologists to be the oldest metropolis in Europe. It has some splendidly intact Roman ruins in a number of places, in addition to many remnants from the Byzantine and Ottoman eras.

I wouldn’t hesitate to direct anybody all in favour of tradition or historical past straight to Plovdiv, however the nice meals and ambiance are equally nice causes to go to.

The primary factor to find out about Plovdiv

The structure of Plovdiv is a bit uncommon in that it’s a bit separated between two areas:

• The Outdated City (Staria Grad). Right here you possibly can get pleasure from cobbled streets lined with conventional Ottoman-style homes with timber-covered balconies, in addition to a dozen or so small museums. It’s very charming, although there isn’t as a lot road life and native exercise as elsewhere. This hilltop quarter is a bit separated from the remainder of town — on the west aspect, there’s only one pedestrian bridge throughout a busy avenue that permits you to entry it.
• The Central District. That is the buzzing heart with buying streets and historic (although more moderen) structure. The perfect place to be for eating places, bars, and cafes is the vigorous and tremendous cozy Kapana artwork district. In some ways, this space feels just like the ‘actual heart.’

Whereas there’s a lot vacationer lodging within the Outdated City, I loved staying within the Central District far more, since right here you will be surrounded by native life and plenty of meals and leisure choices. Though picturesque, the Outdated City can really feel a bit useless, notably at evening.

For some good lodging choices within the Central District, near each the Outdated City and the Kapana Inventive District, take a look at these picks:

Necessities in Plovdiv

There are loads of issues to do in Plovdiv, however I’d fee these as crucial ones:

• Wander via the Outdated City. There are numerous small museums, similar to historic service provider homes and an outdated apothecary. You’ll be able to decide up a mix ticket at any of those to get entry to all of the small sights.
• Benefit from the nightlife in Kapana. This space is critically cozy with a great deal of bars and eating places with out of doors terraces adorned with fairy lights and candles.
• Historical Theatre of Philippopolis. One of many world’s best-preserved Roman theatres and a must-see in Plovdiv.
• Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis. A formidable museum showcasing the unique mosaic-tiled flooring of the ruined mid-4th century Basilica.
• Tsar Simeon Backyard Park. A fantastic park that includes an uncommon singing (musical) fountain on the lake.
• See Plovdiv from its 7 hills. My appreciation of Plovdiv reached new heights as soon as I noticed it from considered one of its many viewpoints. I like to recommend mountain climbing as much as the Monument of the Pink Military Alyosha — a Soviet propaganda statue the place you possibly can get pleasure from a relaxed ambiance with panoramic views.
• Dig into the Bulgarian delicacies. With many conventional eating places peppering the outdated city, right here’s your probability to attempt Bulgarian specialities similar to Tarator and Kavarma.

For an impression of Plovdiv, you too can view my journey vlog under, the place I take you on a visible tour of Europe’s oldest metropolis:

Day Journeys from Plovdiv

I assumed that Sofia has probably the most choices for day journeys or native excursions, nonetheless, there are a selection of choices leaving from Plovdiv as nicely.

Contemplate taking a visit to the Bachkovo Monastery, the Fantastic Bridges (epic stone bridges forming cave-like areas), and the Asen’s Fortress. There’s a nice group tour for this on GetYourGuide in addition to on Viator.

One other standard tour that I didn’t get to do resulting from time constraints is the Valley of the Thracian Kings which focuses on the traditional historical past of the area.

Bulgaria in 2 Weeks

Whereas I’ve put collectively my recommendations right here for a 1-week journey, you possibly can simply lengthen it to 10 days or 2 weeks.

My first suggestion is to add Veliko Tarnovo. This isn’t solely a pleasing vacationer city positioned inside a scenic gorge, nevertheless it’s additionally the situation of the beautiful Tsarevets Fortress, which was as soon as the guts of the Second Bulgarian Empire.

I stayed 3 nights in Veliko Tarnovo and loved my time right here loads, although largely as a result of Hostel Mostel makes for such a stunning base right here.

Tarnovo may be very scenic and has eating places with spectacular views of the gorge just about in all places. There are some busy roads across the city although so it’s not all the time 100% freed from background noise.

If you wish to add the coast, contemplate Varna, which has the nicest structure and has many cultural and historic sights along with the close by seashores.

Whereas it’s usually a day journey vacation spot, I preferred spending the evening in Lovech. It gave me the prospect to see some sights like Devetaki Cave with out having to take an organized tour and there are various tavern-style eating places within the outdated city the place you possibly can get pleasure from genuine Bulgarian meals.

I didn’t get the prospect to go this time, however south of Sofia there’s additionally the city of Bansko, a quaint ski resort city that rose to worldwide renown by changing into a ‘digital nomad village’. It offers glorious entry to the Pirin Nationwide Park and is value including to your itinerary for some extra out of doors actions.

By taking the core Sofia + Plovdiv itinerary however padding it out a bit with secondary locations, you possibly can have a superb 2-week journey that follows a largely round route — beginning and ending within the capital.