30 days in Bulgaria Itinerary

Spend time in one of Europe's oldest cities, the vibrant Bulgarian capital of Sofia.

Sofia is known for sightseeing, fun & games, and nightlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: get the lay of the land with Walking tours, admire the landmark architecture of Temple Sveti Nikolay, contemplate the long history of Boyana Church, and take in the spiritual surroundings of St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral.

For other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Sofia travel planner.

Iasi, Romania to Sofia is an approximately 8-hour flight. You can also drive. Expect a daytime high around 84°F in July, and nighttime lows around 58°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Bansko.

Boasting the longest ski runs in the country, Bansko offers one of the best ski resort locations in Bulgaria.

Venture out of the city with trips to Villa Melnik Winery (in Harsovo), Pirin National Park (in Pirin) and Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Church (in Blagoevgrad). There's more to do: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Vihren and take an exotic tour of Bansko Safari.

For ratings, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Bansko trip planner.

Getting from Sofia to Bansko by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. In July, plan for daily highs up to 85°F, and evening lows to 59°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 31st (Mon) so you can go by car to Rila.

Rila is a town in southwestern Bulgaria, in Rila Municipality, part of Kyustendil Province. Start off your visit on the 1st (Tue): contemplate the long history of Rila Monastery and then take in the awesome beauty at Rila. On the next day, explore the striking landscape of Rila National Park.

To find reviews, maps, photos, and other tourist information, refer to the Rila trip itinerary builder website.

You can take a bus from Bansko to Rila in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of train and taxi. July in Rila sees daily highs of 85°F and lows of 59°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 2nd (Wed) early enough to go by car to Plovdiv.

Though it is often seen as merely a stopover city, Plovdiv is actually a lively university town with bohemian cafes, a thriving art scene, and exciting nightlife.

Go for a jaunt from Plovdiv to Bachkovo to see Bachkovo Monastery about 36 minutes away. Next up on the itinerary: don't miss a visit to Plovdiv Old Town, squeeze the most out of the city with Your Plovdiv Trips, examine the collection at Art Gallery Philippopolis, and delve into the distant past at Plovdiv Roman Theatre.

To find more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Plovdiv trip planner.

Getting from Rila to Plovdiv by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of taxi and train; or do a combination of taxi and bus. August in Plovdiv sees daily highs of 88°F and lows of 64°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Veliko Tarnovo.

Veliko Tarnovo is a city in north central Bulgaria and the administrative centre of Veliko Tarnovo Province.Often referred to as the "City of the Tsars", Veliko Tarnovo is located on the Yantra River and is famously known as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, attracting many tourists with its unique architecture. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Veliko Tarnovo: Rozhdestvo Hristovo Temple (in Shipka), Gabrovo (Interactive Museum of Industry & Open Air Ethnographic Museum ETAR) and Troyan Monastery (in Troyan). There's lots more to do: step into the grandiose world of Tsarevets, Head underground at Devetashka Cave, look for all kinds of wild species at Valley of Roses, and get the lay of the land with Walking tours.

To see photos, where to stay, reviews, and more tourist information, read Veliko Tarnovo road trip planner.

Traveling by car from Plovdiv to Veliko Tarnovo takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Plan for slightly colder nights when traveling from Plovdiv in August since evenings lows in Veliko Tarnovo dip to 59°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Thu) to allow time to drive to Sozopol.

The romantic atmosphere that lives on in this old city, located along the stunning Black Sea coast, makes Sozopol a popular seaside getaway.

Step out of Sozopol with an excursion to Sea Garden in Burgas--about 36 minutes away. And it doesn't end there: make a trip to Sozopol Old Town, step off the mainland to explore St. Anastasia Island, kick back and relax at Kavatsite Beach, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Church of St. George.

For reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Sozopol trip itinerary maker tool.

Traveling by car from Veliko Tarnovo to Sozopol takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. Expect a bit warmer evenings in Sozopol when traveling from Veliko Tarnovo in August, with lows around 66°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 13th (Sun) so you can go by car to Nessebar.

Between the ruggedly beautiful Balkan Mountains and shores of the Black Sea lies the World Heritage Site, Nessebar.

Plan for a day of cool, family-friendly fun on the 16th (Wed) at Aqua Paradise Ltd. Next up on the itinerary: explore the ancient world of Nessebar, make a splash at Action Aquapark, learn about winemaking at Wine tasting Messembria, and see the interesting displays at Archaeological Museum.

To see other places to visit, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Nessebar online day trip planner.

You can drive from Sozopol to Nessebar in 1.5 hours. Other options are to ride a ferry; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 85°F in August, and nighttime lows around 66°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Fri) so you can catch the shuttle to Varna.

Combine historical exploration and seaside relaxation at Varna, Bulgaria's coastal Black Sea city.

Change things up with these side-trips from Varna: Palace and Botanical Gardens of Balchik (in Balchik), Cape Kaliakra (in Dobrich) and Aquapark Aquamania (in Albena). The adventure continues: admire the natural beauty at ''Primorski'' park, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Aladzha Monastery, get engrossed in the history at Varna Archaeological Museum, and take in the dramatic natural features at Pobiti Kamani.

For other places to visit, maps, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Varna trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by shuttle from Nessebar to Varna takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In August, daily temperatures in Varna can reach 85°F, while at night they dip to 65°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 22nd (Tue) to allow enough time to drive back home.