Sofia

Communist Walking Tour of Sofia

Learn what life was like in communist‐era Bulgaria on a Sofia city walking tour. Meet your informative guide in central Sofia and check out the buildings and monuments that testify to its and Bulgaria’s 45 years on the eastern side of the Iron Curtain. See the Largo complex, former home of Bulgaria’s Communist Party; the Monument to the Soviet Army; the National Palace of Culture and more as your guide explains communist ideology and the everyday lives of Bulgarians during the controversial Cold War period.

Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Guided Day Trip

The Rila Monastery and Boyana Church are two of Bulgaria's most important UNESCO World Heritage sites. Experience them both in a single day on this convenient transfer service from central Sofia, with a driver/guide. First, check out the frescoes in the Boyana Church; next head to the Rila Monastery for a short guided tour followed by free time. Please note: entrance fees are at your own expense.

Rila Monastery Day Trip with Boyana Church Option from Sofia

Greet your guide at a central Sofia location and climb aboard your comfortable, air‐conditioned bus. Admire the verdant splendor of Bulgaria’s countryside as you travel towards the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO‐listed structure cradled by pine‐carpeted mountains. If you’ve booked the option with a guide or an audio guide, gain additional insights into the legend‐shrouded monastery, whose origin dates back to the 10th century. Pay your entrance fee and marvel at vivid, fresco‐coated colonnades and richly carved wooden icons. Admire the grand tomb of King Boris III, and venture within the monastery museum to peruse the exhibits. If you’ve booked an option that includes the UNESCO World Heritage‐listed Boyana Church, you’ll also enjoy a stop here (with entrance at your own expense). Famed for its impeccably preserved medieval frescoes, the church demands attention; spend a while admiring the depictions of angels, apostles, saints, and rulers, and listen to the historical context of their creation on your smartphone audio guide or from your live guide. Culturally enriched, return to your vehicle and relax during the journey back to central Sofia.

Museum of Illusions Sofia Admission Ticket

Enjoy a lighter side of Sofia when you prebook your ticket to the Museum of Illusions Sofia online, guaranteeing you entry even at busy weekends during the school vacation. You'll gain access to 4,300 square feet (400 square meters) of educational entertainment, packed with riveting illusions, fascinating feats of physics, mysterious artworks, and scientific inventions, many with interactive elements too.

Sofia Tutored Bulgarian Wine Tasting with Bread and Cheese

Bulgaria has been making wine for around 5,000 years and boasts a wealth of delicious varietals—many of them found nowhere else in the world and hardly ever exported. Savor the unique flavors of five Bulgarian grapes—misket, Melnik, mavrud, gamza, and rubin—on a tasting led by a local expert in one of Sofia's best boutique wine merchants. Pair their fine flavors with local cheese and artisan breads.

Communist walking tour in Sofia

Find out what it was like on the eastern side of the Iron Curtain by joining our Communist tour. A 45‐year‐long period compressed in about 3‐3.5 hours, including factors that led to it and its aftermath. The main goal is to present this controversial period of history in an objective and informative way.

From Sofia, Seven Rila Lakes Small‐Group Hiking Tour

Hike through rugged terrain to the Seven Rila Lakes on a full‐day tour from Sophia, and discover the remarkable scenery of the Rila Mountains. Take a chairlift to a high‐mountain hut and continue on foot along the jeweled string of lakes. Follow your guide through alpine passes into remote valleys, then rest in the shade of hikers’ shelters; take in sweeping views of the Bulgarian landscape and enjoy the crisp, clear air of the Balkans’ highest mountain range.

Plovdiv: Full‐Day Guided Tour from Sofia

Make your way to a central location by the Alexander Nevsky cathedral, then meet a guide and group for the two‐hour trip to Plovdiv, the second‐largest city in Bulgaria. Upon arrival in Plovdiv, get your bearings on a guided walking tour that explores the history and culture of the city, which was founded 8,000 years ago. See traces of the successive Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Bulgarian cultures, and learn about the distinctive architecture of the Old Town. Throughout the tour, the guide shares stories and insights about Bulgarian culture and history, while leading the way down the cobblestone streets that wind through the heart of the city. This tour includes admission to the Ethnographic Museum, which explores Bulgarian folk culture, costumes, and lifestyles. Following your time in Plovdiv begin the return trip to Sofia, where this tour concludes at the original departure point.

Sofia Pub Crawl Tour of The Hidden Unique Bars

Mingle with fellow travelers from all over the world on this action‐packed pub crawl. Discover Sofia’s hippest nightlife hotspots with an insider guide as you explore the Bulgarian capital with new friends. Tours include complimentary wine, beer, or liquor shots at each of five different locations, plus free dance club admission on weekends.

Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self‐Guided Shared Trip from Sofia

Reaching the Seven Rila Lakes by public transport typically involves two buses, a shuttle and most of your day. Take the pain out of transportation—while maintaining total independence—with this cost‐effective shared transfer. Visit both these beautiful glacial lakes and the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with ample time for hiking.