Easy Bulgaria Road Trip Itinerary for 10 Days of Travel

With stunning national parks, historic cities and sweet villages, and an incredibly diverse landscape of mountains, lakes and rock formations, Bulgaria is a crowd-pleaser when it comes to Balkans travel.

This country has something for everyone – and because it’s so compact and easy to get around, it’s also one of the best places in the region for a road trip.

Whether you’re travelling in peak summer season for hiking or you’re planning to visit Bulgaria in winter to take advantage of the country’s skiing opportunities, there are an infinite number of ways you can design a Bulgaria road trip.

The following itinerary, suitable for summer or winter travel, is tailored to 10 days in Bulgaria but can easily be edited to be shorter or longer. It covers all the highlights, including several national parks, the Black Sea coast and several UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

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Where to start your Bulgaria road trip

I recommend starting your itinerary in Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital city. Flights from Western and Eastern Europe service the city’s international airport, and rail and bus connections from neighbouring countries are plentiful.

You should budget at least 1-2 full days for Sofia in order to see the highlights. If you’re short on time, I highly recommend joining a walking tour of the city centre – this small group tour covers the main tourist spots while this alternative itinerary focuses on Sofia’s communist past.

Check out this list of 101 things to do in Sofia for more inspiration.

Bulgaria road trip map

Click here to open the map via Google Drive.

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Bulgaria road trip itinerary for 10 days of travel

Day 1: Depart Sofia to Start your Bulgaria road trip itinerary in the mountains of Rila & Pirin

The highest mountain range in Bulgaria, the Rila Mountains are an experience you don’t want to miss. If you visit in winter, you can play winter sports and ski the slopes. In warmer weather, you’ll want to take advantage of the many hiking trails. 

Having your own car will allow you to access more remote mountain huts which are truly some of the country’s loveliest accommodations. Samovilla in Govedartsi is one of many darling chalets on the fringe of Rila National Park.

Rila Monastery

Leaving Sofia, Rila Monastery should be your first stop. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was founded in the 10th century and is by far Bulgaria’s most iconic Eastern Orthodox monastery.

Rila sits at a high elevation and takes several hours to reach by car. The way the roads wind up the mountain, you’ll feel like you’re entering another world – especially in winter when the hills are snow capped and sparkling.

Spend a good hour or so wandering the grounds of the monastery and the interior, admiring the stunning frescoes, architectural flourishes and well-kept grounds. There’s a dress code, so make sure you have your knees and shoulders covered to show respect before you enter.

If you can adjust your timeline, consider spending a night inside the monastery. Monks still live there and the gates close early, but it’s definitely a unique experience.

Rila National Park & the Seven Rila Lakes

The most popular hiking trail in these mountains is the Seven Rila Lakes. You’ll see, of course, seven lakes: The Tear, The Eye, The Kidney, The Gemini, The Triplets, The Fish Lake, and The Lower Lake.

Each lake is different, with the Tear being the highest, the Lower Lake being the lowest, the Eye being the deepest, and the Fish Lake being the shallowest. Bring a picnic to enjoy at the Kidney for beautiful views.

The cable car up to the lakes still runs in winter, but you might find that the whole landscape is white-washed with snow, making it difficult to discern the different lakes. Consider spending a day at Bansko or Borovets for skiing and snowboarding instead.

Day 2: Continue to historic Melnik

A few hours’ drive further south towards the border with Greece, Melnik enjoys a prime location in the heart of Bulgaria’s wine region. There’s a wine museum where you can learn about the practice of winemaking and try the local drop. You can also stop by wine stores and vineyards for walk-in tastings.

In addition to sipping local wines, take time to visit the Melnik Earth Pyramids, huge sandstone rocks that have been shaped over the centuries by rain and erosion.

If the weather is suitable, a short day hike up to Rozhen Monastery is a must-do. Built in the 15th century, it was ravaged by fire in the 1600s but has since been restored to its original glory.

Historic Chavkova House, with its sprawling gardens, is the ideal place to stay in Melnik if you want to explore the centre by foot and get some R&R ahead of a busy day 3.

Day 3: Follow the Rhodope Mountains to Trigrad Gorge & Smolyan

The Rhodope Mountains stretch across southern Bulgaria and into Greece. For more amazing day hikes, follow the popular trails since they’re well-marked. If you’re a more experienced hiker, you’ll love the freedom of getting out on the mountains away from the beaten path.

For an unforgettable experience, treat yourself to a night at Petko Takov’s House in Smolyan, a traditional country house with decadent rooms and a taverna.

Trigrad Gorge

East of Melnik, Trigrad Gorge is the third largest gorge in Bulgaria, with walls ranging from 100 to 300 metres high. The ravine was formed by the Trigrad River, which courses through the rocks.

While exploring Trigrad Gorge, make sure you venture to the bottom of the highest cliffs to experience Devil’s Throat Cave – it contains an underground waterfall that merges with the Trigrad River.

Smolyan

After spending time in the rugged Rhodope Mountains, you’ll be glad to see Smolyan, a resort town close to the Greek border. It sits in the valley of the Cherna and Byala Rivers.

The perfect winter escape, it has plenty of indoor activities on offer including museums, art galleries and restaurants that serve national food and regional specialties.

Days 4 & 5: Relax in Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s most charming city

Heading north back into central Bulgaria, Plovdiv is the second-largest city in the country and one of the oldest in the world. There are Roman ruins to explore, including the Roman Forum of Philippopolis and the Ancient Stadium.

While you’re in the Old Town area, visit Dzhumaya Mosque, one of the oldest and largest mosques around. Most modern mosques have one dome, but Dzhumaya Mosque has nine.

Plovdiv is a delightful mix of old and new. As well as gorgeous examples of Bulgarian Revival Architecture you’ll find many hidden treasures, including the Kapana district, with its enticing assortment of street art, craft beer bars and restaurants. Spend an afternoon walking the pedestrian streets and browsing the many independent shops and cafes.

Time your visit just right so you can be atop one of Plovdiv’s seven hills at sunset. You won’t believe the astonishing views. Plovdiv City Center Hotel is a great base for your stay and just a short walk from some of the best sunset spots. Spending two days in Plovdiv gives you a chance to really explore the history – I spent a full week here and never ran out of things to do.

Days 6 & 7: Soak up Black Sea coast vibes in Varna & Nesebar

Bulgaria’s Black Sea offers a different experience depending on the time of year  you go. Outside of summer peak season you can experience the historic cities without the crowds. Nesebar and Varna are both must-sees.

Nesebar

Often called the ‘Pearl of the Black Sea’, Nesebar is a historical fishing town that was once part of the Ottoman Empire. You can easily spend a couple of days here seeing the ancient fortress and ruins.

History is well-balanced with modern conveniences, so you can enjoy the touristy side of town as well. Nestled within the old town but still walking distance from the sea, Kirios Hotel offers guests the best of both worlds.

Varna

Further north along the coast, Varna is Bulgaria’s third-largest city. Make time for sights of historical interest including the Archaeological Museum, which has ancient gold artefacts that date back 6,500 years. The Battle of Varna Park Museum has tombs from 4,000 BC with a unique Stone Forest just beyond the battlefield.

If you’d rather stay close to nature, you can enjoy the University Botanical Garden. It spans 360 hectares and is a great place to have a picnic. When you’re ready to relax by the Black Sea, the Sea Garden is a landscaped park that runs along the waterfront.

Guest Rooms Boutique Varna offers simple but comfortable rooms within walking distance of the Roman baths, the port, and other major attractions.

Day 8: Head inland to Veliko Tarnovo, Arbanasi & Nicopolis ad Istrum

After a few days by the sea it’s back to the mountains of Bulgaria’s interior. Veliko Tarnovo is a walkable city with a charming old town and the most impressive fortress in the country, Tsarevets, at its highest point. This city used to be Bulgaria’s capital but is now known for its amazing views and history.

It’s also home to one of the largest universities outside of Sofia. Because the population skews young, you’ll find a lively bar scene and lots of events in Veliko Tarnovo. Hostel Mostel, one of Bulgaria’s best hostels, is a great place to meet people. If you prefer your privacy, Guest House Diabora is set inside a stunning heritage home.

After exploring the fortress grounds, walk or take a taxi up the hill to the nearby village of Arbanasi for magical views looking down onto Tsarevets. The Roman-Byzantine ruins at Nicopolis ad Istrum, 20 kilometres north of Veliko Tarnovo, are also worth a look-in if you’re a fan of archaeology.

Day 9: Drive to Koprivshtitsa via Kazanlak, Shipka & the Buzludzha

By now you should be ready to start winding up your Bulgaria road trip and heading back towards Sofia. But first, there’s still ample time for a mini road trip within a road trip to Koprivshtitsa, making several incredible stops along the way. 

The Kazanlak area has a wealth of natural and historical sights, all worthy of a stopover. Consider visiting:

• The Tomb of Seuthes III
• The Megalith Rock Sanctuary
• The Museum of Roses
• The Museum of Photography

In Shipka, don’t miss the Buzludzha, the famous UFO-shaped Memorial House built by the Bulgarian Communist Party. The drive up Buzludzha Peak is rough and winding, but it’s worth it for the views. The monument is currently closed off for some much-needed restorations, but you can still admire its otherworldly form from afar.

Finally, the last leg of your road trip will take you to delightful Koprivshtitsa, a historical village where you can see landmarks from the Bulgarian uprising against the Turks.

Many of the houses have been preserved with their unique architecture on full display. Some have been transformed into cultural museums while others have been reborn as guest lodgings.

For a chance to sleep inside one of these stunning heritage monuments, stay at Family Hotel Panorama.

Day 10: Return to Sofia

Spend the morning in Koprivshtitsa before returning to Sofia.

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Quick tips for driving in Bulgaria

• In Bulgaria you drive on the right-hand side of the road.
• Seat belts are mandatory for both front and back-seat passengers.
• Bulgaria has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to drink driving – keep this in mind if you plan on visiting the country’s wineries.
• Bring a hands-free mount with you as it’s illegal to use your mobile phone when driving.
• During the winter months (November-March) you must have your headlights on at all times.
• Winter tyres with 4mm of tread are required in winter (enforceable by law). Snow chains are compulsory in some areas when conditions are harsh – be sure to research your route well in advance and add on chains if you need them.

→ Find more great tips for driving in Bulgaria here.

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