Bulgaria Tours & Trip Packages

Bulgaria Tours & Trips

65 Bulgaria trips. Tours from 18 tour companies. 277 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

65 Trips match your criteria (1 - 20 shown)

Balkan Adventure
By Trafalgar
preferred
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
Their travelers enjoy 24/7 travel expertise and dedicated service throughout the trips - everything is taken care of.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
  • 13 Breakfast (B)
  • 4 Dinner (D)
  • 1 Be My Guest (BMG)
  • 1 Farewell Dinner (FD)
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Education / Learning, Small Ship Cruise

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Bulgaria: Realm of the Brown Bear
4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
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.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Sofia

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
  • Spot other elusive mammals, birds, butterflies, reptiles and rare orchids
  • Explore remote landscapes in the Rodopi Mountains
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Themes

Birding, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"great activities perfectly planned, good support and guiding."

Trip dates & details
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Western Balkans Uncovered
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
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.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Dubrovnik, Kotor, Kruja, Skopje, Tirana

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.
  • Enjoy walking tours with local guides who have all the insider knowledge in Prizren, Berat and Tirana.
  • Venture out to Matka Canyon, a deep ravine cut into the Suva mountains by the Treska River and explore this beautiful natural area on foot and by boat.
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Themes

Cultural, High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"Completed 3 trips with Intrepid this year. A prior last year. The Leaders are well organized, informative and fun. Travelling inland in Greece and the Greek Islands (second time), Intrepid through their amazing leaders, introduce you and share history, way of life, amazing scenery and places to eat. Yes, they are busy days and you walk a lot, but the days are full and stimulating. You make life long friends in the group and leaders. Thank you Mia, Dina and Nasos. Your energy and knowledge is a future of memories."

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Bulgaria: Rodopi Mountains
4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
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.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Sofia

Highlights

  • Explore stunning mountain landscapes with deep gorges, ancient forests and flowering meadows
  • See unique flora, including many orchids and endemic species
  • Look out for brown bears, wallcreepers and a variety of rare butterflies
  • Experience daily life in a traditional Bulgarian village
  • Enjoy delicious home-produced local cuisine

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"great activities perfectly planned, good support and guiding."

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Eastern Europe Express
4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
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.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bucharest, Istanbul, Romania, Sofia

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.
  • Explore the amphitheatre and Plovdiv's other significant sights on a guided walking tour.
  • Breathe the crisp air on a hike and take in stunning view in the Pirin Mountain.
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Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"Completed 3 trips with Intrepid this year. A prior last year. The Leaders are well organized, informative and fun. Travelling inland in Greece and the Greek Islands (second time), Intrepid through their amazing leaders, introduce you and share history, way of life, amazing scenery and places to eat. Yes, they are busy days and you walk a lot, but the days are full and stimulating. You make life long friends in the group and leaders. Thank you Mia, Dina and Nasos. Your energy and knowledge is a future of memories."

Trip dates & details
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Balkan Explorer
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
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.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Skopje, Sofia

Highlights

  • Discover Skopje and Sofia, two of the most vibrant capitals in the Balkans
  • Visit the Unesco-listed Rila Monastery in Bulgaria
  • Discover the Tikvesh wine region and alluring Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia
  • Explore Prizren, the culture capital of Kosovo
  • Enjoy natural beauty, ancient sites and traditional Balkan cuisine

Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"great activities perfectly planned, good support and guiding."

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Premium Balkans
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
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.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

Belgrade, Croatia, Dubrovnik, Sarajevo

Highlights

  • Take a scenic steam train ride through Tara National Park’s forests and mountains on a historic railway that forms part of the famous Ciro trail connecting Belgrade and the Adriatic Sea – a Premium Exclusive Experience.
  • Discover the region known as the Golden Valley of Dubrovnik, filled with vineyards and fruit trees, and visit the town of Cavtat with its beautiful architecture, ancient history and pebble beaches.
  • Drop into Trebinje and tour the compact Old Town and its lively market square, followed by a stop at an Orthodox monastery to taste the famous Tvrdos wine made by its monks.
  • Tour one of the best-kept secrets in former Yugoslavia, Tito's nuclear bunker, which was built to protect Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito and his top military advisors.
  • Stay in an unspoiled corner of Serbia at your Feature Stay – a collection of chalets surrounded by nature and complete with swimming pools and views of the surrounding countryside.

Themes

High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"Completed 3 trips with Intrepid this year. A prior last year. The Leaders are well organized, informative and fun. Travelling inland in Greece and the Greek Islands (second time), Intrepid through their amazing leaders, introduce you and share history, way of life, amazing scenery and places to eat. Yes, they are busy days and you walk a lot, but the days are full and stimulating. You make life long friends in the group and leaders. Thank you Mia, Dina and Nasos. Your energy and knowledge is a future of memories."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
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Eastern Europe Explorer
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
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.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Brasov, Bucharest, Budapest, Istanbul, Romania, Sofia, Transylvania

Highlights

  • Rich in history, art, architecture, cuisine and nightlife, Budapest is a hot European destination. The Museum of Fine Arts offers free English tours that reveal the famous artwork of Monet, Manet and Goya, just to name a few
  • A homestay with a family in the Saxon village of Viscri in Romania offers insight into local life and the chance to sample some delicious home-cooked food
  • This trip takes you to a mix of exciting capital cities and quaint mountain villages through Eastern Europe all the way to the transcontinental Istanbul.
  • Transylvania is drenched in history and myth. Discover the medieval city of Sighisoara, the birthplace of one of Romania's most infamous figures, Vlad the Impaler - better known as the inspiration for Count Dracula
  • Journey deep into the forested valley of Rila to find the Monastery of Saint Ivan. Over 1,000 years old, this spectacular building is one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"Completed 3 trips with Intrepid this year. A prior last year. The Leaders are well organized, informative and fun. Travelling inland in Greece and the Greek Islands (second time), Intrepid through their amazing leaders, introduce you and share history, way of life, amazing scenery and places to eat. Yes, they are busy days and you walk a lot, but the days are full and stimulating. You make life long friends in the group and leaders. Thank you Mia, Dina and Nasos. Your energy and knowledge is a future of memories."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
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Bulgaria Reviews & Ratings

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

Trusted Customer

Sep 2024

Written on

Balkan Adventure

Overall, it was a great adventure. The food was super, except for the Rustic Romania dinner (overrated description/advertisement in your website, both food and "musi...

J

Juan Rodriguez

Sep 2024

Written on

Balkan Adventure

The experience was simply the best lots of history of the former Yugoslavia with their leader Tito .. highly recommended for those that are open to take the Balkan ...

T

Trusted Customer

Sep 2024

Written on

Balkan Adventure

In terms of itinerary, this one covers 7 countries so we visited many places but the motorcoach rides were long and breaks are short, often rushing because there is ...

T

Trusted Customer

Sep 2024

Written on

Balkan Adventure

Long bus times not properly informed beforehand. Hotels average, not very well located, one very good in Budva, and one very dirty in Bosnia. Some optionals, like Ea...

T

Trusted Customer

Sep 2024

Written on

Balkan Adventure

Our travel director Nicole Tanner was fantastic. Our drivers also were wonderful. I would suggest that in the description for this trip it be noted that there is a ...

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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.

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