What to see in Bulgaria: itinerary for 3 days, attractions, photo, description, map
If you are familiar only with the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, then believe me, you have not seen everything! We offer an itinerary in Bulgaria for three days. What to expect from such a trip? Yes, everything that the soul of a person who is tired of the urban race, confusion and haste can only wish for: breathtaking mountains, villages lost in time and space, wine that will put the best brands from France or Italy into the belt, delicious cheese melting in your mouth, majestic rock monasteries where it seems that time has stopped.
Route selection
For a trip, we suggest a direction to the east from Sofia: Veliko Tarnovo โ Gabrovo โ Kazanlak โ Sofia. In three days you will see both the modern capital of the country and the ancient one, visit the city of humor Gabrovo, have time to visit several museums and even conquer Shipka. In order not to depend on the schedule of public transport, it is better to rent a car. In addition, there will be sections in the route where you can't get there by bus.
How to get there
Bulgaria lies at a crossroads, so you can get here by any means of transport. Considering that we have only three days left, we choose the most comfortable and fastest way to travel โ by plane. The cheapest flights to Sofia are with Aeroflot. Regular flights of the S7 airline also fly from Moscow and St. Petersburg. In the summer season (from May to October), several charters are added, which start both from Moscow and from the northern capital, Yekaterinburg, Samara, Perm, Surgut, Ufa and Novosibirsk.
How to get from the airport to the city
Sofia Airport is quite far from the city. Bus number 84 runs between the airport and the city center, which takes passengers to Gurko Street. If you have a lot of luggage, it is better to take a taxi. Do not go on about the local taxi drivers barkers. The fact is that there are two taxi ranks near the Sofia airport: the one near the main entrance, and near the side one. On the latter, by the way, taxi drivers โhang outโ who will not โlift upโ prices. In any case, each car (on the windshield and on the side) must have a price tag.
There are three more important things ahead: staying at a hotel, renting a car and exchanging currency.
Where to stay
There are many hotels โ for every taste and budget. A large selection of hostels and inexpensive hotels with three stars โon shoulder strapsโ. Most are located near the most famous sights. For those who crave five-star comfort, it makes sense to book hotels in the Vitosha area.
Rent a Car
Anyone over the age of 21 and who has an international driving license can rent a car. Renting a car for three days will cost 70-100 euros, but this will immediately solve the issue of moving around the country. Rental points are located throughout the capital: at the airport, many in the city center, there are rental points tied to large hotels. In any case, you can discuss all the details in advance by contacting a company representative on the official websites.
Day 1. Sofia โ the heart of Bulgaria
When all organizational issues are resolved, the suitcases are safely left in the hotel room, the car is waiting at the doorstep, and finally, a certain amount of leva is on hand, it's time to get acquainted. Let me introduce you, Sofia is the capital city of Bulgaria, one of the oldest cities in Europe. People settled here in the Neolithic era. There were many things that attracted me: the Sofia basin is located in the most comfortable neighborhood with high mountains. The fauna and flora are the richest, the climate is mild, and there are hot mineral springs nearby. A kind of European paradise. The city is beautiful, and all the sights can be bypassed in three hours.
Temple of Alexander Nevsky
It is best to start a sightseeing tour from the central square. Alexander Nevsky. It is here that the temple of Alexander Nevsky is located โ the pride and symbol of Sofia. The temple-monument is simply huge, the occupied area is over 3 thousand square meters. m. 5 thousand people can bow at the same time!
The entrance to the temple is paid โ the price is 50 leva. For a tour, it is better to take a guide who will tell you a lot of interesting things about the history of the cathedral. Right there, on the square, there is another cult object โ the Hagia Sophia. In her honor, by the way, the capital was named.
The temple, like many others in Bulgaria, served as a mosque for a long time. Therefore, ancient icons and wall paintings have not been preserved. But the age of the building is impressive โ more than 14 centuries!
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
On the square you can also take pictures near the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, near the tomb of the Bulgarian poet Ivan Vazov.
Synodal Chamber
On the other side of the square, the unusual architecture of the Synodal Chamber attracts attention: a kind of mix of Byzantine and Ottoman styles. Nearby is a monument to the Bulgarian militias.
Tourist bus
It is better to travel further from the square by tourist bus. The trip costs 6 levs, for children โ 3 levs. In an hour and a half, he will have time to see all the most interesting: the Jami Mosque, the rotunda of St. George (by the way, the oldest building in the city), the National Art Gallery, located in the former Royal Palace, the Boyana Church with its amazing frescoes, the Archaeological Museum, the Church of St. Petka, the Monument Soviet Army and a number of other sights and museums. Buses run every hour from 10.00 to 16.00.
Vitosha Boulevard
Evening in Sofia can be spent on Vitosha Boulevard โ the largest pedestrian street, somewhat reminiscent of Moscow's Arbat. There are practically no cars here, but what is in abundance is cafes, bars, restaurants and boutiques. A real paradise for shopaholics because the prices are ridiculous.
Route 1 day on the map
Day 2. Veliko Tarnovo โ the ancient Bulgarian capital
How to get there
From Sofia we set off along the E79 highway. We start from the boulevard โBotevgradsko shosseโ, past the airport we go to the highway โHemusโ. Veliko Tarnovo is 221 km away, which will take about three hours.
Veliko Tarnovo is an unusual, unique city, the city of kings and the city of poets, small enough to be cozy and spacious enough to become a tourist mecca. In terms of the cultural component and the abundance of interesting sights, the city, perhaps, even surpasses Sofia.
People come to Veliko Tarnovo for its historical monuments and nightclubs. This is a city that never sleeps, but at the same time retains a truly patriarchal way of life and a peculiar charm of the Middle Ages.
Where to stay
Arriving in Veliko Tarnovo, we go to the hotel, where we will spend the night. Experienced tourists advise the hotel Lucky (or Lucky). It stands on the bank of a cliff, from where a wonderful panorama of the main attraction of the city, the Tsarevets fortress, opens up. But its most important advantage is that from the room you can watch the show โLight and Soundโ. Prices are low, service is decent, rooms with shower, refrigerator, free Wi-Fi. Most importantly, there is free parking. If you do not want to risk, rooms can be booked in advance on the hotel website.
Light lunch at the hotel โ and forward, get acquainted with the ancient capital of Bulgaria.
Fortress Tsarevets
Pride and symbol of Veliko Tarnovo. It is located on the hill of the same name. Entrance โ 6 leva. The fortress is open for visiting from 8.00 to 19.00.
Church of Saints Peter and Paul
Then we go down to the foot of the hill. There are two churches here โ one more beautiful than the other: the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, in which ancient decoration has been preserved, and the Church of the Forty Martyrs, built back in the 13th century.
Nearby is a new tourist site Multimedia Center โTsarevgrad Tyrnovโ. To visit the center, the Church of Peter and Paul and the Church of Ivan Rilski, it is more profitable to purchase a combined ticket, which will cost 12 leva for 1 adult. Children under 7 years old โ free of charge.
House-Museum of the Sarafins
From here we go to General Gurko Street. Here is the house-museum of the Sarafins, a charming ethnographic museum where you can learn a lot of interesting things about the life of the Bulgarians of the century before last. Entrance โ 6 leva.
Mehana Gurko Hotel
Here, on Gurko Street, there is the Mehana Gurko Hotel, where you can have lunch. Firstly, the dishes are delicious, and the prices are quite affordable. Secondly, there is a stunning view of the gorge, the monument and the houses on the other side.
Archaeological Museum
From Gurko Street it is convenient to move to Ivanka Botev Street and visit the Archaeological Museum. The museum itself is located in a picturesque building, and among the exhibits there are many art objects and archaeological finds dating back to the Neolithic era. You have to pay 6 leva for the entrance. Guide services and photography permission are paid separately.
Bazaar Samovodska
You can end the tour at the Samovodsk bazaar. This is a kind of street with paved paths, snow-white houses and a bunch of souvenir shops.
Inn of Hodja Nikoli
Another street that attracts attention is Rakovski, a real craft center of the old town. Surrounded by numerous workshops, there is the inn of Khoja Nikoli, which gives an idea of โโthe decoration of eastern caravanserais. Nearby is the famous โhouse with a monkeyโ, which the locals called so for a funny figure on the facade.
Show on Tsarevets hill
Having saturated with impressions, we return to the hotel. A visit to Veliko Tarnovo is best planned for the weekend, as these days a grandiose laser show is held on Tsarevets Hill. If you stay at the Lucky Hotel, you can see everything directly from your room, or you can buy tickets and watch the play of light, color and sound up close.
Route 2 days on the map
Day 3. The Capital of Humor, Shipka and Rose Valley
We leave Veliko Tarnovo along the E85 highway. There are several objects along the way: Dryanovo Monastery, Bacho Kiro Cave, Gabrovo, the city of artisans Etyr, Shipka and Kazanlak with its famous Rose Museum. To the end point of the journey, Kazanlak โ 91 km. Considering that part of the way will pass along a winding mountain serpentine, we count the time on the road with a margin.
Stop 1. Dryanovo Monastery
The monastery was built in 1187. Throughout history, it has been rebuilt several times, but much has been preserved from time immemorial. The octagonal bell tower, a lovely garden and a park around the main buildings attract attention. After passing the park, through the gate we go out to the river and Bacho Kiro cave โ one of the main attractions of the place.
There are two options here: an independent walk through the cave (a short way in 20 minutes) or a long-term guided tour with all the necessary bonuses. The second option is 50-60 minutes.
The cave is one of a kind. Even on a short route, underground halls with bizarre stalactites and stalagmites, stone streaks, echoes, passages leading somewhere into the darkness are more impressive. The names of the halls are interesting: Concert, Purgatory.
Stop 2. Etir โ an open-air museum of artisans
It was created specifically for tourists. About 50 objects are located on a vast territory: these are reconstructed houses, recreating the way of artisans to the smallest detail, water mills, unique craft workshops. Here you can buy unique silver items. The architectural complex is open daily from 9.00 to 18.00 (in winter โ until 16.00). Entrance โ 4 leva. For a family with children, you can purchase a general family ticket for 8 leva.
Stop 3. Gabrovo โ the capital of Bulgarian humor
You should definitely visit the House of Humor and Satire (as many as six floors of delight and laughter), take pictures near the sculpture of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza and buy a book with jokes. From April to October the museum is open seven days a week. Entrance โ 3 leva.
Stop 4. Shipka
The defense of the Shipka Pass is the most important event in the Russian-Turkish war. In memory of the heroic deed of the soldiers of the Russian army, who helped the Bulgarians in the fight against the Turks, a whole park-museum has now been opened on Shipka. In the center stands the Monument of Freedom, with a huge figure of a stone lion near the entrance.
The memorial itself resembles a truncated pyramid. Numerous expositions of the museum are located on the upper floors, and a stunning panorama of the surroundings opens from the upper platform. Entrance fee: for adults โ 2 leva. There are excursions in Russian. Nearby are interesting historical objects: restored dugouts, fortifications, batteries and positions of the liberators.
You can also look into the Church of the Nativity, built in the spirit of Russian architecture of the 17th century. The walls of the temple are decorated with marble slabs on which the names of the heroes who defended the Shipka Pass are carved. After enjoying the beauty of the surroundings, you can go down to the track and have lunch at a local cafe. The food is delicious, the portions are huge, and the prices are reasonable.
Stop 5. Kazanlak โ the city of roses and kings
From Shipka to the city of Kazanlak โ about 14 km. If we talk about this Bulgarian city, it is enough to mention two names: the Valley of Roses and the Valley of the Thracian Kings. The first is attractive at the end of May, beginning of June, when the nearby surroundings are literally drowning in the intoxicating aroma of blossoming rose buds. At the same time, the Rose Festival is held โ one of the most incredible beauty and entertainment events in Europe.
If you arrive at another time, do not rush to despair. You can visit the Museum of the Rose, where you will be told in detail about the production of rose oil and will be told amazing details about the โqueen of flowersโ. Finally, rose petals and buds will be presented.
The museum is open to visitors from April 20 to October 31. From November to March you can visit by appointment. Entrance โ 3 leva, tour 15 leva. If you have time, be sure to visit Tulbeto Park, which is in the northeastern part of the city. The famous Thracian tomb is located here โ the only monument of painting of the early Hellenic era in the country. The tomb is included in the UNESCO list as a monument of world importance.
From Kazanlak to Sofia, if you drive along the E-871 highway through Karlovo and Sopot, it is only 194 km. The road is almost straight. Within 3 hours you will be back in the capital of Bulgaria.
Route 3 days on the map
I also recommend reading interesting information and an overview โ Ski resorts in Bulgaria, ย Holidays in Bulgaria with children.