Bulgaria's largest city is one of Europe's most compact and walkable capitals - offering travelers a real cosmopolitan east-meets-west vibe. Explore Sofia's many beautiful churches, captivating museums and delicious local cuisine on a private Sofia tour. A local guide is eager to show you the very best of his city!

One of Bulgaria's most enduring symbols is the Aleksander Nevski Memorial Church, built to honour the 200,000 Russian soldiers who died fighting for Bulgaria's independence in 1878. After visiting this massive building, your guide may suggest taking a look at the magnificent sacred murals decorating the medieval Boyana Church. If you're up to an intellectual challenge at the end of the day, try your hand at a game of chess with a local in one of the city's lovely gardens.

Your guide will make sure you enjoy your private Sofia tour - and will also happily help you explore further afield of Bulgaria's capital region.

Sofia

The best tour featuring Sofia's history, archaeology and culture in Bulgarian and European context

As one of the oldest cities in the world, Sofia has a lot to offer in terms of cultural and historical heritage. One can easily get confused as to what is important to see during a short trip. This tour gives you the extract of thousands of years of history in an easy-to-digest form.

I'll show you the must see highlights and their place in European context. I'll also spare you some time-wasters with little importance, so that you have more time for what really matters.

I will also show you the Parliament building and will tell you of my personal involvement in the events that eventually led to EU membership.

The itinerary will depend on weather conditions, the amount of time and your preferences. I will customize the tour so that you get the most out of it.

The cultural and historical heritage along with the vibe of the center - day trip with a local guide

Full Day Tour of Sofia including the Boyana church and the National historical museum

Years ago when I visited Thailand for the first time I ordered a guide in French. The guy was extremely nice, but my friends and I did not get a word from his French. Nevertheless we spent a great day with him.

The second time I had the same scenario, but with a guide in English ;). Today I do not even remember what they tried to say, but I remember the great day with these local people that put so much color in our tour.

With me you do not have to worry about my English, I speak it good enough. But you will certainly remember your tour not only for the ancient buildings that you will admire and the great stories that you will hear.

You will spend the day with a local that will give you the taste of the place and the feeling to have discovered the capital the way it deserves!

The change of the guards in front of the Presidency

Experience the real mixture of tradition and modern culture

The Rila Monastery is the largest in Bulgaria, founded over 1000 years ago. It is about two hours from Sofia and its visit can be combined with other cultural / historical / religious sites, with wine-tasting, hiking, wildlife observations, photography and sightseeing depending on your interests, time and ability. The monastery has a very rich history and has witnessed the rise and fall of different empires through the centuries.

The surroundings offer unique vistas to the surrounding forested mountain slopes and peaks. They have been protected for centuries and together with the monastery one admires at unique cultural and natural heritage.

The hiking trail network can accommodate all types of weather and personal abilities. Having said that, the area can be enjoyed also by people who can't / don't want to walk much. If you can get in and out of the car and walk on uneven terrain for a couple of hundred yards (and perhaps climb a few steps) you will again be able to enjoy this tour.

The premier Bulgarian monastery and more

The magnificent Rila Monastery, the best full day tour

From Sofia To Boyana Church and Rila Monastery

There are 869 items of cultural monuments in the List of UNESCO for the World Heritage. 7 of them are in Bulgaria and 2 of them are in a day trip from Sofia. So, it is a good point to start.

By visiting the Boyana Church you will have the opportunity to judge with your own eyes where the Renaissance has started in Italy at the beginning of the 15th century or here, in Sofia, 150 years earlier. Some of the tourists, shared their impressions after visiting Boyana Church, that they felt as if they were in the Michelangelo Chapel in Vatican.

Visiting the Rila Monastery is a natural spiritual continuation of the trip after the Boyana Church. Needless to say that everybody can feel the holy spirit and the energy of this place. However apart from that, there are many things to be seen like the famous Rafaelo Cross, unique object from the 19th century, the monks kitchen and definitely to touch the holy relics of St John of Rila, the Patron of the Bulgarian people.

Discover UNESCO heritage gems - in Vitosha and Rila mountains, Full Day Tour

Complete tour of all seven UNESCO monuments in Bulgaria

This tour represents an exclusive trip taking you to all Bulgarian sites inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List:

- the must-see Rila monastery, the most gorgeous and famous among all, the most important Bulgarian cultural and historical site, the place that has preserved Bulgarian language and culture in the ages of Ottoman rule
- what to say for Boyana church and its famous frescoes painted by an anonymous artist a decade before the birth of Giotto
- hidden in the reliable and firm embrace of the rocks we will find Ivanovo rock monastery, which keeps the best examples of Palaeologus style frescoes, outstanding universal and everlasting values of art and religion

And this is not all, you will visit much much more, from Thracian's to Romans, from the rock relief carved figure of Madara Horseman through the charming Nesebar on the Black Sea coast to the beautiful Valley of Roses and Thracian Kings.

This tour as a whole or partially, can be customized to fit your preferences - please inquire!

Rila Monastery - Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monument

the unique frescoes of Ivanovo Rock Monastery

7 days private tour for the 7 Bulgarian cultural properties inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List

Rocks & Water: Dragoman Marsh and Chepan Ridge

Dragoman Marsh and Chepan Hill are two beautiful natural sites.
What makes them even more attractive is that they are literally adjacent to each other.

Both sites provide ample opportunities for walking, hiking, birding, or simply enjoying the scenery.

The sound of crickets in the summer is part of the country's charm

In addition to birds and unique plants, the Dragoman marsh is also home to many invertebrates

There is a tortoise rescue center near Dragoman

Donkeys are still a common site in the Bulgarian countryside

At the top of Chepan ridge in spring. Great vistas to Dragoman Marsh and numerous mountains in the region.

Neat the top of the Chepan ridge. Overlooking Dragoman marsh. Snow-capped mountains in the distance.

In the Dragoman vicinity during a tour in in May

A view from the top of Chepan ridge to the valley east of Dragoman marsh. A hike up the top or shorter is optional.

Near the marsh, there is a very different habitat.

Beautiful scenery and wildlife, great for photography, hiking, birding or simply sightseeing an hour from Sofia, Full day Tour

An exciting day tour to the beautiful Plovdiv

With no doubt this tour is a part of the list of the highlights of Bulgaria. Often people ask me what would be the best tour to do if they had a day only. Well, I never hesitated to answer that this was the tour to Plovdiv.

Not only that the drive is easy and pleasant, but the walk around the old area and the main pedestrian street will make you fall in love with this magnificent city. The fame of Plovdiv has been spread all over the Balkan Peninsula since ancient times. Not by chance, its slogan is "Ancient and Eternal". Plovdiv is a great combination of real historical and archaeological treasures with the liveliness of a modern city and great cultural and nightlife.

I never miss having a cup of cappuccino in one of the numerous cafes on the main street starting at the pedestrians. Besides, Plovdiv is known as the most beautiful woman of Bulgaria and I believe that is also valid for the Balkans. Briefly said, the tour to Plovdiv is a must do if you want to have a great time in Bulgaria.

The beautiful house of Georgiadi located in the Old town

The belfry to the St Constantine and St Helena church

Explore the treasures of Plovdiv with a local guide

Exclusive and complete 10 days tour of Bulgaria

On this private tour you will go through the rich history of Bulgaria, starting with the ancient Thracian's, going through the mighty Romans and the times of the Ottoman empire.

 You will enjoy our Balkan culture still preserving the old, traditional way of life and the typical Bulgarian rituals. You will go "off-the-beaten-track", meeting local families, visiting lost mountain villages and exploring ancient ruins.

You will relish home cooked fresh meals, as well as the superb Bulgarian wine.

Come join me on this ultimate Bulgarian experience

the Palace of the Romanian Queen Maria in Balchik

Veliko Turnovo - the medieval Bulgarian capital

the "circle of life" in Nativity church in Arbanassi

Etara - open-air museum of Bulgarian crafts

Ultimate Bulgaria experience going beyond your expectations. Personalized itinerary guided by your schedule and interests.

Dear travelers,
I am an experienced tour guide who speaks fluent English. As a part of my services I also drive, using my own vehicle or renting a minibus for up to eight passengers.
I use my own two cars - Nissan Almera Tino, suitable for up to 4 passengers, or Toyota Previa, suitable for up to 6 passnegers. Both cars fully airconditioned, in top mechanical condition!
NOTE: The price below is per day for the services mentioned! During round tours or a business requiring accomodation out of my town of residense the fuel and the accomodation cost are for the customer's expenses.
Please make your concrete enquiry before booking a tour - regular or tailor-made!

Veliko Turnovo,Tzarevetz, the Patriarch's church - March 2014

at Rila Monastery with some Japanese travelers, Feb 2014

"Me and my car" - Kaliakra cape, March 2014

Tour guide and driver services

Guide and/or driver

Boyana Church UNESCO site and Vitosha Mountain Nature Park

Vitosha is the 7000 ft high mountain that overlooks Sofia & the oldest Nature Park in the Balkans. Thanks to my Dad who took my on regular walks up to the top I considered myself a seasoned hiker by the age of. . . 3.

We'll visit some amazing viewpoints (I discovered some of them during my research on soaring bird flight) with magnificent views to the city, the Balkan range and other landmarks.

Interesting birds, such as Nutcrackers and Crossbills dwell under the treeline. The magnificent River of Rocks - "the Golden Bridges" - is a must-see phenomenon.

We can visit the UNESCO-listed Boyana church with its renaissance paintings, the National Historical Museum, or the Dragalevtsi Monastery in the foothills.

Meal options - restaurants with local and European food or packed lunch. The exact itinerary will depend on weather conditions, the amount of time and your interests. Contact me to customize the tour, based on your preferences and schedule.

The impressive River of Rocks is a must-see.

Kamendel is the most prominent Vitosha peak that shapes the southern Sofia skyline. This is a view from the top.

The higher sections of the mountain offer many options for easy and moderate hikes, but you need an experienced local guide.

This view can be enjoyed after about an hour's walk over mostly flat terrain. Other lookouts also offer great vistas.

Unique cultural heritage, phenomenal natural "river of rocks" and great views of Sofia

From Sofia to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church, Full Day Tour

Bulgaria has passed through turbulent periods of development and long years of different foreign domination. Nevertheless the Bulgarians preserved its alphabet, religion and language.

The Rila monastery is one of the nests of the Cyrillic alphabet, the Christian religion, the Bulgarian nationality and spirituality. It is a place that keeps books, manuscripts, objects, icons and many other evidences of its tragic and at the same time majestic past. It is the beating heart of Bulgaria and if you want the feel the real Bulgaria, it is definitely a must-see place.

The Boyana Church is admired for the unique frescoes dating back to 1259, masterpieces of European Medieval art of painting.

Both sites are very dear to my heart. Not only because they take the real Bulgarian out of me, but because they still amaze me with its serenity and majesty every time when I visit them. I am happy that today I have the unique chance to propagate this heritage to you - my dear customers.

the outside gallery of the main church of the Rila monastery

Mercedes Viano mini van 7 seater exterior

The domes of the main church of the Rila monastery

The residential parts of the Rila monastery

An inscription embedded in the wall of the Mediaeval tower in the Rila monastery

An exciting visit to 2 Unesco sites in one day

Wanna hear a story? A story about turbulent history and unique culture? Story about kings and empires and arts and crafts, legends and myths . . . . It begins in the medieval capital Veliko Tarnovo and climbs the imposing Tsarevets Hill, where the Bulgarian Kings raised their palaces surrounded by mighty walls overlooking the meanders of Yantra river.

It visits the shops of the local artisans still practicing the old crafts of making pottery and knives. Then the story goes through the village of Arbanassi and its famous churches covered with frescoes of amazing artistic value, along the labyrinth of cobbled streets shaded by charming overhanging buildings in the old town in Plovdiv, it strolls through the well preserved Roman theater and the great basilica with its fantastic "in situ" mosaics, until finally takes a seat in one of the charming trendy restaurants and cafes in "Kapana" area.

You wanna hear the story? Let me be your storyteller

The main gate of Tsrevets - the hill of the Bulgarian Kings

Exploring Tryavna with Colin from England

The bronze head of Seutus III, found in front of his tomb (Valley of Thracian Kings)

IV century B.C. ceiling frescoes in the UNESCO Kazanlak Thracian tomb

The high artistic value frescoes in the Archangel's church in Arbanassi

"In situ" floor mosaics in the great basilica in Plovdiv IV century B.C.

The Roman "Hisar Kapia" in Plovdiv's old town

A view of ethnographic complex "Etara" - open air museum of typical Bulgarian crafts

Sofia tours

Explore with 28 tours and 6 guides.

Kamen R.

$ 402 (USD)

Pavlina D.

$ 224 (USD)

Kamen R.

$ 448 (USD)

Kiril P.

$ 174 (USD)

Patrick P.

$ 2,667 (USD)

Kamen R.

$ 208 (USD)

Pavlina D.

$ 299 (USD)

Patrick P.

$ 3,947 (USD)

Philip S.

$ 295 (USD)

Kamen R.

$ 239 (USD)

Pavlina D.

$ 299 (USD)

Patrick P.

$ 907 (USD)

Meet your local guides in Sofia

Customize your tour

Sofia tours

Things to do in Sofia