Top 4 Day Trips from Sofia

1.From Sofia: Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 866 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $24Our pick

Travel by air-conditioned minibus from central Sofia to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery. Expect English commentary from guides such as Lubo, Ludo, or Martin, free time at Rila, optional audio guides, and extra entrance fees for both sites.

“Visiting the Rila Monastery, the Cave and Boyana Church on a snowy day was just perfect. To me, it was very Christmassy which was the highlight of my visit to Bulgaria.”

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2.From Sofia: Rila Monastery and Plovdiv Town Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 382 reviews · 13 hours · from $78Top rated

Travel from central Sofia to Plovdiv and Rila Monastery on a self-guided small-group day trip. Your English-speaking host handles the route, timing, maps, and local advice, while you explore Plovdiv for over four hours and Rila Monastery for more than one hour.

“It was a very interesting trip, with the guide and driver Bobby willing to answer every question and give you every detail possible for the destination. Really enjoyed the trip to bells which is a really unique experience.”

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3.Plovdiv – Group Day Trip from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 304 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $22Best value

Travel from Sofia to Plovdiv for a guided walk through the Roman Theater, Roman Stadium, pedestrian center, and colorful Revival houses. You get about two hours with a guide, then roughly two hours to eat, shop, and explore alone. Guides may include Tuni, Sonya, Maria, or Raliza.

“The day of the trip was rainy, but despite everything, the guide was excellent and explained the history of the city to us well.”

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4.Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 177 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $24

Travel from Sofia to Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa with an English-speaking driver-guide such as Martin, Maria, or Lubomir. Explore Roman ruins, old houses, mountain streets, and Bulgaria’s liberation story, with free time for lunch and shopping.

“Great day out. Worth exploring beyond the city to learn & enjoy. Guide & driver were good. Easy location for the meeting point in the morning even though it was still dark based on October season. Recommend if time is short to explore beyond the city.”

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