Bulgaria Tours & Trip Packages

Bulgaria Tours & Trips

66 Bulgaria trips. Tours from 11 tour companies. 228 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

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70 Trips match your criteria (1 - 20 shown)

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Bulgaria: Realm of the Brown Bear
By Exodus Travels
premier
Why we love them
With a wide range of trip styles, Exodus caters to every type of traveler out there- even those with specific interests from cycling to winter hiking.
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews

Health Safety +

Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

  • Engage in a vital brown bear conservation project
  • Join daily bear-tracking walks with a brown bear expert
  • Hunker down in a hide to observe wild brown bears
8 days$309 / day

Generous cancellation

Trip details
Small Group Tour
Quick view
Western Balkans Uncovered
By Intrepid Travel
premier
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews

Health Safety +

Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Highlights

  • Sail across the blue waters of Lake Ohrid – one of Europe's oldest lakes. No wonder North Macedonia and Albania share this beautiful attraction, who would want to let it go?
  • Admire the World Heritage-listed architecture of Dubrovnik (of Game of Thrones fame) and Montenegro’s Kotor as you walk along their ancient city walls.
  • Sit down for a fresh farm-to-table lunch experience in Fishte in the midday Albanian sun. Enjoy local produce, wild fish and organic meat, all prepared on-site with the freshest local ingredients.
12 days$221 / day
Trip details
Small Group Tour
Quick view
Along the river Danube, Budapest and the Balkan peninsula
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews

Health Safety

Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Highlights

  • CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS A comprehensive cruise along the Danube, taking in its history, fascinating culture and sublime landscapes
  • EXCURSIONSINCLUDED: Rich cultural and architectural heritage in the Serbian towns of Belgrade and Novi Sad
  • Authentic Bulgaria with Veliko Tarnovo and the charming town of Ruse
9 days$382 / day
Trip details
River Cruise
Quick view
Bulgaria: Rodopi Mountains
By Exodus Travels
premier
Why we love them
With a wide range of trip styles, Exodus caters to every type of traveler out there- even those with specific interests from cycling to winter hiking.
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews

Health Safety +

Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

  • Hike the Rodopi Mountains, a walker’s paradise of deep gorges, ancient forests and flowering meadows
  • Embark on day walks from our comfortable base in a traditional Bulgarian village
  • Look out for native flora and fauna, including brown bears, orchids and wildflowers
8 days$268 / day

Generous cancellation

Trip details
Small Group Tour
Quick view
Eastern Europe Express
By Intrepid Travel
premier
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews

Health Safety +

Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy

Highlights

  • Immerse yourself in the communist past and vibrant present of Bucharest, a city often underrated by travellers
  • Travel through the scenic Rila Mountains in Bulgaria, mingling with monks at the 10th-century Rila Monastery
  • Experience the romantic "time travel" back to the 20-th century by taking a trip on the last operational narrow gauge line in Bulgaria on route from Bansko to Plovdiv.
9 days$146 / day
Trip details
Small Group Tour
Quick view
Trans-European cruise from Strasbourg to Tulcea, 3 rivers, the Rhine, the Main and the Danube
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews

Health Safety

Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Highlights

  • CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS A unique cruise combining history, tradition and culture, a passionate encounter
  • EXCURSIONSINCLUDED: Frankfurt and its impressive Main Tower
  • Melk Abbey, a true wonder of Baroque architecture
21 days$354 / day
Trip details
River Cruise
Quick view

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Bulgaria Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
228  Reviews
See all Bulgaria tour reviews
Excellent
108
Great
28
Average
5
Disappointing
0
Terrible
0
A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

A great introduction to the wildlife and way of life in the Rodopi mountains

A brilliant and unusual combination of great walking and wildlife interest. On holidays these are usually separated but this worked so well, as you really came to ...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Unforgettable Trip!

This was the best trip I've been on in years. It's so rare to have a trip which includes both walking and wildlife, but Julian created the perfect combination of t...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Walking walking walking

This was my first walking holiday and must admit it was a title too much for me. But to put that into context I had a pacemaker fitted 5 weeks prior to the trip an...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Wonderful wildlife adventure

This was one of the best holidays I’ve ever had, combining walking in the mountains with the opportunity to see and learn about bears in the company of a true expe...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Bulgaria Bears. Excellent walks at a steady with informative breaks

Inspiring views with Julian who was very well informed and put the information across in any easily understood and entertaining way. Only saw one other group in t...

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Bulgaria Tour Selection Trips

  • Bulgaria sees all four seasons, and can have harsh winters. When planning an active itinerary, make sure you select the right time of year, as some areas may be affected by the weather. 
  • The high season for the seaside cities of Bulgaria are the summer months. If you visit during the off-season, you may encounter closed stores and restaurants. 
  • The main way to see Bulgaria is by bus. If you struggle with sitting for long periods, make sure to book a tour itinerary that includes plenty of stops to break up the driving.

Additional details

Where is Bulgaria?

Bulgaria is located in Southeastern Europe, more commonly called the Balkans. Neighboring countries are Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Greece, and Turkey. Bulgaria’s eastern bordern is shared with the Black Sea. 

Weather in Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s weather is what is called a “continental” climate. This means the winters are cold and the summers are warm. However, with Bulgaria’s eastern coastline dominated by the Black Sea, this part of the country can be slightly cooler than the rest of Bulgaria at certain times of the year. 

Winter in Bulgaria can be cold and windy. If you are skiing in the Balkan Mountains that run through Bulgaria during the winter be prepared for high amounts of snow. For those traveling in the lower lands of the country, there will be less snow and the temperatures will be slightly warmer. 

Spring and fall are both ideal times to visit Bulgaria. The temperatures are mild with very little rainfall. These times of the year do see some dramatic weather changes, especially in the spring. If you are traveling during the shoulder months, make sure to pack layers in case the weather suddenly takes a turn. 

The summer months in Bulgaria can be very warm and still. Temperatures can reach above 90 with some days even above 100 degrees. 

Is Bulgaria Safe?

Yes, it is! Bulgaria is a very safe country to visit. Solo travelers should feel comfortable walking around the major cities of Sofia and Plovdiv. However, it is always recommended to extend caution at night and in busy tourist areas as pickpocketing is known to occasionally occur. 

What is the Currency?

Bulgaria uses the Bulgarian lev. Like many countries, Bulgaria uses a combination of coins and banknotes.

Their coins are called stotika, or stotinki, and are valued at 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50. If it helps when visiting, you can think of stotinki as cents when asking for prices. Something to pay attention to is the Bulgarian notes start out at 5. The 1 and 2 leva are in coin form. This may be slightly confusing for those who come from a country where the smaller whole amounts are in bills. 

Bulgarian Language

The Bulgarian language is distinct in Southeastern Europe and can seem confusing to visitors. Bulgarian is a Slavic language, but their alphabet uses Latin letters, along with Cyrillic letters. However, if you’ve taken Latin in school you may find you don’t understand Bulgarian as the Latin letters used in Bulgarian are are pronounced differently. 

As Bulgarian can be difficult for some to learn and read, there are a few key phrases to remember when visiting: 

  • Hello = Zdravei (zdra-vey); also common is Dobar den (Doh-bra denh)
  • Thank you = Blagodarya (Blah-goh-da-rya)
  • Yes = Da (Dah)
  • No = Ne (Neh)
  • How much is it? = Kolko struva? (Kol-koh stroo-vah)
  • Please = Molya (mol-yah)
  • How are you? = Kak si (kak see)

Essential Tips to Traveling in Bulgaria 

With Bulgaria’s vast countryside, long history, and amazing architecture, there will be no issue filling up your day. Here are a few tips to help you navigate your vacation in Bulgaria and make your time there even more enjoyable: 

  • Learn some of the language: Take some of the key phrases from above and use them! You will find many older Bulgarians do not speak English and knowing some important phrases will go a long way. 
  • Signals for Yes and No are different: In Bulgaria, like in Greece, nodding does not mean yes, but actually means no. 
  • Carry cash with you: Most international stores and some cafes in Bulgaria will take cards, but in the small shops and restaurants, cash is the most common form of payment. This is especially true if you visit any of the local markets. 
  • Bus travel it is!: Like the rest of the Balkans, bus travel is the main form of transportation. The buses run frequently between the larger cities in Bulgaria and to the surrounding countries. 
  • Water in Bulgaria: Water in Bulgaria is safe to drink. If you are concerned, you can buy bottled water or use water cleansing tablets. 
  • Tipping: Tipping is standard in Bulgaria for restaurants and hotel staff. 
  • Converters: If you are visiting from the United States or Canada, make sure to bring a converter for your electronics. Bulgarian sockets are a Type F as where the U.S. and Canada are Type A and B. 

Who Will Enjoy Traveling in Bulgaria?

Firstly, travelers who are looking for an off-the-beaten path or a less visited destination. Bulgaria is growing in popularity amongst travelers as an affordable, but culturally rich destination with an interesting history, cuisine, and stunning landscapes. 

Bulgaria has a history that in some cities dates back to before Ancient Rome and Greece. History buffs will love the countless Greek, Roman, Thracian, Bulgarian, and Ottoman ruins that are scattered throughout the countryside. Along with the more modern churches and Cold War era buildings in Sofia and Plovdiv. 

Bulgaria is a nature lover’s dream, no matter if you are into winter or summer activities. With the Balkan Mountains running down the center of Bulgaria, you can hike the trails during the summer or go skiing down the slopes in the winter. You can also go paragliding outside of Sofia, kayak the Kamchia River, or laze around on the beaches in Varna.

Always Find the Best

On Travelstride you can find 66 trips to Bulgaria and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.