Bulgaria at a glance: Sofia City Break

Bulgaria at a glance: Sofia City Break

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4 Days From

$459

Bulgaria at a glance: Sofia City Break

4 Days Starting and ending in Sofia

Visiting: Sofia

Tour code:

634440

Group Type:

Private

Guide Type:

Partially Guided

Group size:

2 - 8

Physical rating:

VERY_EASY

Age range:

2-99

Special diets catered:

Please advise request

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

From: $459

NB: Prices correct on 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Breathe the aromas of the colourful bouquet, called Bulgaria, only for 4 days. Take part in this city break, centred in Sofia and learn more about its culture and traditions. Explore the capital of Bulgaria, a modern and buzzing city which keeps impressive history from Antiquity to nowadays. Take a drive to the imposing Rila Monastery and learn more about the medieval Boyana Church, both part of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. Have your free time to reveal the secrets of unknown Bulgaria.    

Highlights

  • Sofia: the capital and largest city of Bulgaria will offer you a great variety of attractions: from ancient remains, rich museums and typical architecture to a pedestrian zone with numerous cafes, restaurants and fashion boutiques

  • Rila Monastery: hidden deep in the mountain, the monastery and its premises keep stories and legends tightly connected with Bulgarian history and the Revival period

  • Boyana Church: one of the most remarkable medieval monuments in the world with especially fine wall paintings in the interior - from the 11th, 13th, 15-17th and 19th centuries

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrival Sofia (10Km – 30Min)

Location: Sofia

Accommodation: Hotel


Welcome to Bulgaria! After arrival at Sofia International Airport, our representative will meet and greet you before guiding you to the transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure enjoying the highlights of Sofia. You may stroll around the city centre and visit the biggest Orthodox Cathedral in Bulgaria - St.Alexander Nevski, impressing by its gold-plated cupola and rich interior. Your walk may continue with the most significant sights in the centre – St. George Rotonda, the Russian church St. Nikolay, and the National Theatre Ivan Vazov. Do not miss having a cup of coffee on the pedestrian street Vitoshka and feel the atmosphere of this vibrant city. Alternatively, you can choose to end the day with the following Optional Tour (not included):


Dinner with Folklore and Nestinari Dances (shared basis):


Celebrate the start of the trip by being part of a typical Bulgarian night with a delicious welcome dinner and folklore program. Songs, dances… what a magical night full of unforgettable moments. The Nestinari dances, a barefoot dance on smouldering embers, part of the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage will leave you speechless. This ritual will lead you back to the mystery of the Eastern Orthodox beliefs together with the older pagan traditions from the Strandza Mountains.


Notes: Included: Dinner in a typical restaurant four-course menu, including a glass of wine; folklore program, and Nestinari Dance* (*performed only if the weather conditions allow). Dinner starts at 20:00h and ends at 23:00h. Not included: guide, transfers.


Overnight in Sofia.





Day 2 : Rila Monastery And Boyana Church Excursion (260Km – 4Hrs)

Location: Sofia

Accommodation: Hotel


Start your day with a nice breakfast at the hotel and head to the meeting point for your “Rila Monastery& Boyana Church” sightseeing tour (included). Starts at 09:00h from the parking behind Alexander Nevski Cathedral. Please be sure to organize your travel to the meeting point and be there at least 15 minutes in advance. Rila Monastery is definitely a must-see sight if you are in Bulgaria. The arcaded balconies, the unique frescoes – a work of one of the most famous Bulgarian Revival Period painters, the gilded iconostasis, the fabulous mountain views… and the unique combination of them all, makes the visit to the monastery extraordinary and memorable one. You will have around an hour of free time at the Rila Monastery to explore the most visited UNESCO site in Bulgaria, enter the main church and the narthex’s gallery, admire the exhibits in the History Museum of the Monastery, try the tasty "mekitsi" (Bulgarian doughnuts) with delicious buffalo’s yoghurt (a local speciality) or even have a short walk in the area. Then, drive back to Sofia, where the next UNESCO Monument is awaiting you. The Boyana Church's frescoes bring epochal change in the mural painting and are considered predecessors of the European Renaissance. The majority of more than 240 figures depicted there have individuality, vitality, and psychological depth. 


Overnight in Sofia.




Day 3 : Sofia

Location: Sofia

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast


After your delightful breakfast at the hotel, you can continue exploring the capital of Bulgaria at your own pace. Sofia offers a great variety of museums that could meet almost every taste. We recommend you to visit the National History Museum, the largest one in Bulgaria that hosts more than 650,000 artefacts. Other important museums, worth visiting, are the National Museum of the Bulgarian Fine Art and the National Ethnographic Museum, both found in the building of the former Royal Palace on Alexander I Square, the National Museum of Natural History, the Earth and Man National Museum with its collection of precious stones and minerals, and many more. If you wish to travel within the country, you can book our shared Optional trip to the European City of Culture for 2019, Plovdiv (not included) 


Plovdiv tour:


Take this tour and explore the cultural capital of Bulgaria. Plovdiv is the second biggest city in the country and the oldest European continuously inhabited town with a history that goes back for more than 6 000 years. Have a walk on the cobbled-stone streets of the Old town and stop by the awe-inspiring Roman Theater, the old-style houses, the Nebet Tepe fortifications, the Ancient Stadium, street art, galleries, old churches, ornamented mosques, exotic cafés, and chic bars. Enjoy and really get to know the city with our expert guide on your side. On this unforgettable tour, you will learn a lot of intriguing stories, funny urban legends, and striking historical facts.


Notes: Included: English speaking guide, modern A/C equipped vehicle and all transportation costs along the way. Not include any entrance fees, personal expenses, food, beverages, and gratuities.


Overnight in Sofia.



Day 4 : Departure Sofia (10Km – 30Min)

Location: Sofia

Meals Included: Breakfast


Enjoy a tasty breakfast before you check out from the hotel. A private transfer will lead you to the airport to catch your return flight home.


What's Included

TOUR GUIDE:

  • Operated with English-speaking local guide during the shared activity on Day 2 

ACCOMMODATION:

  • 3 night’s accommodation

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Day 1-3 Sofia

Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Budapest or similar 3*

OPTIONAL EXTRA

Pre/ Post-night Sofia

Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Budapest or similar 3*

MEALS:

  • 3 Breakfasts  

TRANSPORT:

  • Private arrival transfer from Sofia International Airport (Day 1)
  • Shared transportation sightseeing tour (Day 2)
  • Private departure transfer to Sofia International Airport (Day 4)

ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES:

  • All activities mentioned as included: Rila Monastery and Boyana church sightseeing tour, excluding entrance fees (Day 2)

OTHER:

  • Hotel city tax 
  • Meet & Greet 

What's Not Included

  • Any entrance or optional tour fees. Please note that the entrance fees for Boyana church and the museum in Rila Monastery are not included in the price
  • Domestic/International flights 
  • Any meals 
  • Drinks during meals (unless specified otherwise) 
  • Optional tours 
  • Porterage and gratuities  
  • Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals or items not stated explicitly in the program
  • Any alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, mineral water, camera/video camera fee (if any)
  • Travel Insurance or any loss or extra cost arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as flight delays, accidents, etc.

Requirements

Comfortable and warm clothing for the mountains and comfortable summer clothes (including also swimsuit, hat) for the beach stay. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.


Please Note

  • The included on Day 2 trip “Rila Monastery and Boyana church” starts at 09:00h from the parking behind Alexander Nevski Cathedral. Please be sure to organize your travel to the meeting point and be there at least 15 minutes in advance
  • The optional trip “Plovdiv” starts at 09:00h from the parking behind Alexander Nevski Cathedral. Please be sure to organize your travel to the meeting point and be there at least 15 minutes in advance 
  • Check-in time for the hotels, in general, is after 2:00 pm, check out until 12:00 pm. Because of the new COVID-19 restrictions, these requirements may differ
  • We reserve the right to change itineraries and activities due to weather conditions, technical problems or security reasons
  • Early check-in, late check-out, connecting or adjoining rooms in the hotel are subject to availability and not guaranteed
  • No refund for unused services. Splitting of the package is not allowed  
  • Please consider that the driving times and distances are estimated and that they can vary because of many circumstances, such as the specific route is taken, hotel location, traffic, weather, road conditions, etc.

3096

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Day 1-3 Sofia

  • Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Budapest or similar 3*

OPTIONAL EXTRA

Pre/ Post-night Sofia

  • Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Budapest or similar 3*

3096

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Day 1-3 Sofia

  • Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Budapest or similar 3*

OPTIONAL EXTRA

Pre/ Post-night Sofia

  • Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Budapest or similar 3*

Check out our Q&As

  • Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

    Yes

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Yes

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • What does the price include?

    What is included is stated specifically on the product Description. Gratuities are at your discretion. Prices do not include (unless stated otherwise) - gratuities to the guide, driver or tour manager.

  • Are flights included in the tour?

    No, they are not included

  • Do you offer any travel insurance?

    We do not offer Travel Insurance but would strongly recommend that you purchase a comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy prior to departure.

  • Is there any option for solo traveller?

    Yes of course. Please note that the default selection shows the price per person per double room. For solo travellers, you will have to select a single room when available.

  • Are Visa fees included in the price?

    No, visa fees are not included

  • When are there specific hotel names confirmed?

    Confirmed hotel names are informed latest 10 days prior to client´s arrival

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    You can change it by logging into your profile and click on Bookings. Please check your cancellation policy.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Booking confirmation with Itinerary and confirmation vouchers

1 Select your preferred date

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May 10, 2025 - May 13, 2025
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Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Destination Services Bulgaria requires a minimum deposit of 30% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of destination services bulgaria charges.

    Up to 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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