Sofia & Plovdiv, Bulgaria
From
£1245.00
£1245.00
City Breaks
3 nights in Bulgaria | Full Board
What to expect
Guided Tour of Sofia
Basilica St. Sofia, Royal Palace & more
Rila Monastery Visit
UNESCO-listed pilgrimage site
Plovdiv Guided Tour
Explore 'The Trap', Old Town & beyond
Culinary Experiences
Traditional lunch with local family
About this trip...
Discover two of Bulgaria’s most compelling cities on this relaxed cultural escape. From Sofia’s grand boulevards and onion-domed churches to Plovdiv’s ancient theatre and colourful Old Town, this short break blends history, architecture and authentic local flavour. With an accompanying Tour Leader, guided city walks and a visit to the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, this guided group city break is a perfect blend of heritage, insight and easy-going discovery.
Activity Level:
What's this?What's included?
Return flights & transfers-
Airport taxes & charges
Twin/double room for sole use
Full Board: Daily breakfast at the hotel, three dinners & two lunches
Welcome drink
Guided city walking tours of Sofia and Plovdiv-
Visit to Rila Monastery
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
Fully Financially Protected
What's extra:
- Insurance click here
Itinerary
- Arrive in Sofia & City Tour
- Rila Monastery
- Sightseeing in Plovdiv
- Departure Day
What you’ll be doing
Day One: Arrive in Sofia & City Tour
After landing at Sofia Airport, we meet our Solos Tour Leader and local guide before transferring to our centrally located hotel. After a short break and a welcome drink, we set out on a guided walking tour of Sofia's historical centre with our fellow solo travellers. Highlights include the majestic Alexander Nevski Cathedral, Basilica St. Sofia, Parliament Square, National Theatre, Royal Palace, Rotunda St. George, Banya Bashi Mosque, Sofia Synagogue and more. This evening, we'll enjoy dinner at a modern local restaurant, offering a fresh take on traditional Bulgarian cuisine.
- Dinner included
Day Two: Rila Monastery
After breakfast, we'll set off for our visit to Rila Monastery - Bulgaria's largest and most celebrated Eastern Orthodox monastery, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For over a thousand years, it has stood as the spiritual heart of the nation. Enclosed within its fortress-like walls, covering 8,800 square metres, lies a spectacular display of vibrant architecture and sacred art. The monastery’s graceful colonnades, black-red-and-white striped arches, and the golden domes of its main church—adorned with vivid, apocalyptic frescoes—create a truly awe-inspiring sight. Framed by misty mountain peaks, Rila’s setting is as breathtaking as its artistry, attracting pilgrims and travellers alike.
After a light lunch, we'll return to Sofia where the remainder of the day is ours to explore the city at our own pace. In the evening, we’ll gather again to enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Day Three: Sightseeing in Plovdiv
After breakfast at our hotel, we'll transfer to Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second largest city, renowned for its remarkable ancient heritage. Before beginning our city tour, we’ll visit a local family at their charming restaurant to enjoy a traditional home-cooked lunch. Then it's time to explore Plovdiv, often celebrated as Europe's oldest continuously inhabited city. We’ll discover its impressive cultural and historical landmarks, including the Ancient Roman Theatre, Stadium, and Odeon, followed by a stroll through the Old Town (a UNESCO-listed site). We’ll also wander through “The Trap” (Kapana) – a lively creative district filled with cozy cafés, art studios, and boutique shops.
Late afternoon, we'll return to Sofia and our hotel. In the evening, we'll gather one last time to share a farewell dinner and celebrate the memories of our trip.
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Day Four: Departure day
After breakfast, we’ll have some more free time to explore Sofia further before transferring to the airport for our return flight home.
- Breakfast included
Accommodation
COOP Hotel
Located in the heart of Sofia, COOP Hotel offers modern elegance and easy access to the city's historic landmarks and vibrant shopping areas. Combining stylish design with exceptional service, it’s the ideal choice for your stay in Sofia. Facilities include a restaurant & bar and wellness center featuring sauna and fitness center. Rooms are comfortable and stylish, equipped with air conditioning, TV and minibar.
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
Transfer Time
The transfer time from Sofia Airport to our hotel takes approximately 25 min, depending on weather and traffic.
Currency
Bulgarian lev
Gratuities
We suggest a Group Collection to cover guides, transfer drivers, and hotel staff of minimum £15.00 per person. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate % to add on.
Important Information
A reasonable level of fitness/mobility is required
The order of the itinerary and events may be subject to change
Dress Code
Dressing in layers with casual evening wear is recommended with comfortable footwear and sunglasses.
Passports and visas
A full 10-year passport is required, valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. A visa is not required by holders of passports endorsed “British Citizen” for stays of upto 90 days in any 180-day period. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct visa, a valid passport and any other travel documents for your holiday.
All information provided relates to British citizens who hold or are entitled to apply for a British passport. For the most up-to-date visa information please visit; Bulgaria Foreign Advice
If you are not a British citizen and do not hold a British passport, you must make your own enquiries as to the applicable requirements.
From the 12th October 2025 the EU is introducing a new European Entry System (EES) that will be phased in and fully operational by the 10th April 2026. Non-EU nationals including British passport holders will now be required to complete biometric checks on arrival and exit to Schengen countries, which will include facial recognition and fingerprints. There is no cost for this, and no action needs to be taken prior to departure.
Health requirements
Compulsory vaccinations: None All clients are responsible for acquainting themselves with up to date health information of the countries being visited and where necessary take the required precautions. We recommend that you check with your doctor prior to departure as this information can change.
You can also visit the travel health website for more information; Travel Health Bulgaria
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