Things To Do
Sofia
There is lots to do in Sofia, from galleries to churches, shopping, drinking and eating. Vitosha Boulevard is the main street in the centre, which is full of restaurants, bars, cafés, and shops. There are also many little streets around it, that are just as vibrant (Solunska, Graf Ignatiev Street, Angel Kunchev, Neofit Rilski, Slaveykov Square, Tsar Asen, Shishman Street). The centre is very walkable, and you can see all of these streets by foot. Ekzarkh Yosif is very funky, with lots of Berlin-style coffee places. If you want to party, you're in the right place. Many bars also turn into clubs, and are open pretty late (3-4am). Some clubs will play exclusively chalga (pop-folk music), but there are electronic music clubs, pop music clubs and live music venues. Check out Carrusel Club, Mixtape, Kupe, Club Dom, Laroc, Tell Me Bar, and Bedroom Club. For bars: Scene Rooftop Bar, Ozone Sky Bar, Hambara, The Cocktail Bar, 5L Speakeasy, Kick's, Bar Kolo and Sputnik. See list for more!
Bulgarian Seaside
The coast is about 400km away from Sofia, and there are plenty of Union Ivkoni buses in the summer. It's worth going as it's breezier than Sofia, even if it's a short trip for 2 days! Both the southern and northern coast are charming in their own way. On the Southern coast, check out Sozopol (historical city with an old town), Kiten, Pomorie, Tsarevets, Primorsko, Pomorie, Nessebar (historical city with an old town) and Burgas (3rd largest city in Bulgaria). For a wilder experience, with camping and beach bar-focused (bookable villas and bungalow), see Chernomorets. Camping Gradina and Kavatsi are also lovely. The Northern coast is a bit further away from Sofia, but is gorgeous. For a city/sea experience, check out Varna. For a smaller resort experience, see Balchik, Albena, Elenite, Konstantin and Elena. Cape Kaliakra is the Eastern most point and has an incredible view and often dolphins. If you want to party, Ibiza style, then Sunny Beach awaits.
Bulgarian Mountains
Not a beach person? Then the mountains await. 🏔️ Rila Mountains: 1) Seven Rila Lakes (Day Hike) - 2 h from Sofia. One of Bulgaria’s most famous hikes, looping past turquoise glacial lakes. 2) Skakavitsa Waterfall Trail. Classic trek to see one of the tallest waterfalls, surrounded by ancient fir forests. 🏞️ Pirin Mountains: 3) Vihren Peak (from Vihren Hut) 📍 Pirin National Park. A challenging summit at ~2914 m with panoramic views. 4) Bezbog to Tevno Lake. 🏙️ Day Hikes 5) Vitosha Mountain (near Sofia). Cherni Vrah (highest point) is a rewarding day hike with great views - reachable by foot or with cable lifts part of the way. Easier nature walks include Boyana Lake & Waterfall, or the Golden Bridges rock formations trail. 🌿 Rhodope Mountains: 6) Canyon of Waterfalls (Elenska River Trail). Around 40+ waterfalls connected by trails with bridges and forest pathways. 7) Orlovo Oko (Eagle’s Eye Lookout). A dramatic lookout point with breathtaking views over the Rhodopes.
Golf in Bulgaria
Best places to play golf are: Pirin Golf and Country Club ⛳ Stunning location with a hotel, spa, and golf courses. Set in the scenic Razlog Valley, at the foothills of the Pirin, Rila, and Rhodope Mountains in southwest Bulgaria, it's about 15 min from Bansko ski resort and roughly 2 h from Sofia. Designed by Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam, this is a parkland/mountain style course with scenic fairways, water hazards, and rolling terrain. Great in combination with a spa day, hikes in Pirin National Park and a visit to Rila Monastery by car. Thracian Cliffs ⛳ Incredibly beautiful golf course on the seaside. To be combined with a trip to the Northern seaside. Stunning location with direct sea views form every hole. An 18-hole, designed by legendary golf course architect Gary Player. The nearby Kaliakra Nature Reserve adds beaches, history, ruins, and coastal walking paths. Definitely visit Balchik Botanical Gardens if you're there.
HISTORY
Interested in history? Then you might want to do a historical trip. Bulgaria is widely considered the oldest country in Europe that has kept its original name and statehood continuously since its founding. You'll find Thracian and Neolithic remains, Roman, Byzantine architecture, Revival Architecture and Communist architecture. 🏛️ Plovdiv- MUST SEE! One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe. Roman amphitheatre, stadium, and forum. Gorgeous Old Town with 18–19th c. Bulgarian Revival houses. 🏰 Veliko Tarnovo Medieval capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire. Famous Tsarevets Fortress with dramatic hilltop views. Charming old streets and crafts quarter. 🏡 Koprivshtitsa and Panagyurishte Well-preserved Bulgarian Revival towns. Birthplaces of key figures in the 19th-century liberation movement. Colorful houses turned into museums. 🏞️ Melnik Bulgaria’s smallest town. Medieval ruins, wine history, dramatic sandstone cliffs. Close to Rozhen Monastery.
Wine Tour
If you're into wine, Bulgaria's got plenty: 🍷Villa Melnik The premier winery in the Melnik region, famous for local varieties like Shiroka Melnishka Loza as well as international grapes. Ranked among the top 50 wine destinations in the world. 🍷Dragomir / Dragoshinov Winery Well-known winery in the Plovdiv area producing a variety of reds and whites — great for tastings. 🍷Vila Yustina Boutique winery close to Plovdiv offering wine and food pairings with local produce. 🍷Chateau Copsa Complex Winery and hospitality destination with tastings and gourmet experiences. 🍷Midalidare Estate One of Bulgaria’s larger modern estates blending tradition with contemporary wine styles. 🍷Medi Valley Winery A popular choice near Sofia with wine tours and tastings. 🍷Orbelus Winery Another winery accessible from Sofia, known for local wine tastings.
Three day historical trip from Sofia
🗓️ Day 1: Sofia → Rila Monastery → Boyana Church 🚗~2 hrs total ⭐ Key things to see RILA MONASTERY(UNESCO): Bulgaria’s most famous landmark. Stunning frescoes, mountain setting, monastery museum. BOYANA CHURCH (UNESCO): 13th-century medieval frescoes (very important art-historically) 🍽️ Extra Traditional lunch near Rila (try trout or bean soup) Walk in Rila Mountains Nature Park 🗓️ Day 2: Sofia → Plovdiv 🚗 ~ 1.5 hrs one way ⭐ Key things to see PLOVDIV OLD TOWN: Colorful Bulgarian Revival houses, Roman Theatre (Still in use) and Roman stadium. KAPANA DISTRICT: Cafés, galleries, street art NEBET TEPE HILL 🍷 Optional Winery Vila Yustina near Plovdiv 🗓️ Day 3: Sofia → Veliko Tarnovo 🚗 ~3 hrs one way (early start recommended) ⭐ Key things to see TSAREVETS FORTRESS: Medieval capital of Bulgaria SAMOVODSKA CHARSHIYA: Traditional crafts street and Old Town views 🌙 Optional: Sound & Light show at Tsarevets (seasonal)
Three day nature and architecture trip from Sofia
🗓️ Day 1: Sofia → Seven Rila Lakes → Sapareva Banya 🚗 ~1.5–2 hrs ⭐ Key things to see SEVEN RILA LAKES: Bulgaria’s most famous hike. Chairlift + moderate walking. Panoramic views from the upper lakes ♨️ Afternoon / Evening SAPAREVA BANYA: Hottest geyser in continental Europe. Thermal pools & spa time. 🗓️ Day 2: Sapareva Banya → Melnik → Rozhen Monastery 🚗 ~2 hrs ⭐ Key things to see MELNIK: Smallest town in Bulgaria. Historic houses & wine cellars MELNIK SANDSTONE PYRAMIDS ROZHEN MONASTERY: Peaceful mountain monastery with great views. 🍷 Evening Wine tasting (Melnik region wines) 🗓️ Day 3: Melnik → Pirin Mountains → Sofia 🚗 ~3 hrs total ⭐ Key things to see PIRIN NATIONAL PARK (UNESCO): Short hike or viewpoints. BANSKO OLD TOWN: Stone houses, cobbled streets. Traditional tavern (mehana).
Four day seaside trip from Sofia
🗓️ 4-Day Seaside Trip: Sofia → Burgas → Sozopol → Nessebar Best with a car, but works by bus/train too 🗓️ Day 1: Sofia → Burgas 🚗 ~5 hrs ⭐ Key things to see BURGAS SEA GARDEN: Long seaside park, cafés, viewpoints CENTRAL BEACH CITY CENTER 🌙 Optional: night walk along the pier 🗓️ Day 2: Burgas → Sozopol 🚗 ~45 min ⭐ Key things to see SOZPOL OLD TOWN: Cobblestone streets, wooden houses ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM SOUTH FORTRESS WALL 🌊 Afternoon HARMANITE BEACH or CHERNOMORETS BEACH BOAT TRIP or BEACH CLUB 🗓️ Day 3: Sozopol → Ropotamo → Primorsko 🚗 ~30–40 min ⭐ Key things to see ROPOTAMO NATURE RESERVE: River boat ride, rare plants & birds BEGLIK TASH: Ancient Thracian stone sanctuary 🌴 Afternoon PRIMORSKO BEACHES: Long sandy beaches, warm water 🗓️ Day 4: Sozopol → Nessebar → Sofia 🚗 ~6 hrs total ⭐ Key things to see NESSEBAR(UNESCO): Ancient peninsula. Medieval churches ☕ Coffee stop by the harbor 🚗 Drive back to Sofia