Best of Bulgaria & Romania in 11 Days

Stroll the Streets

Get a feel for Sofia's spirit and vibes by walking from the NDK subway station down Vitosha Boulevard towards the Palace of Justice and Saint Kyriaki Cathedral. On your way, have a quick stop on this pedestrian boulevard to enjoy a coffee or cocktail at one of its numerous bars and outdoor terraces. From St. Kyriaki, head down Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard towards Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, one of the world's largest and most impressive orthodox cathedrals in the world. On your way, you'll pass several landmarks, including the National Art Gallery, Sofia Synagogue, and Opera House. After taking some nice photos of the cathedral, you can head to the nearby Sense Hotel Rooftop Restaurant for dinner and a panoramic view over Sofia.

See Sofia on a Private Walking Tour

Admire the National Library, Sofia University, Parliament, the St. Alexander Nevsky Patriarchal Cathedral, the National Theater, St. Sofia Church, and Sofia's oldest building, the St. George Rotunda and other architectural gems. You will learn the history behind the sites but also some overall insights about Sofia’s rich culture. 

Rila and Boyana Private Day Tour (UNESCO Heritage)

In this private tour you will discover two of the most famous Bulgarian monasteries and understand their importance for local and world culture. Rila Monastery, founded in the 10th century, is the most-visited UNESCO site in Bulgaria and an absolute must see. The arched balconies, unique frescoes, and the fabulous mountain views make this place truly special. Next stop is Boyana Church, which frescoes brought epochal changes to the mural painting style and are considered predecessors of the European Renaissance. 

Dive into Plovdiv

Plovdiv has a very rich history, and the best way to see it is on a private walking tour. Let a guide take you through the Kapana historic quarter, where you'll see beautifully decorated 19th century Bulgarian Revival houses, an ancient fortress wall, Roman Amphitheater, forum, stadium, and magnificent churches and mosques. Your guide will regale you with stories from the past, and this vibrant city will come alive for you in a whole new way.

Walk Around Kapana Art District and Taste Some Traditional Bulgarian Dishes

For your first night in Plovdiv, you should definitely go for a short walk in the lower part of Old Town, specifically in the “Kapana” district, meaning “The Trap”. Originally a crafts district some centuries ago, it was nicknamed “the trap” due to its labyrinth-like streets. In recent years, the neighborhood was fully restored and turned into the art center of Plovdiv, dedicated to creative industries. Nowadays, “the trap” means that once you get in, you won’t wish to leave. Walking around, you can admire historical monuments like the ancient Roman Stadium or Dzhumaya Mosque and stop for drinks at one of the numerous cafes & bars. For dinner, we recommend “Pavaj”, the best restaurant in town when it comes to traditional Bulgarian cuisine. For a mix of traditional and modern fusion cuisine, go with Smokini, another excellent choice. 

Dine and Drink on Your First Night

For your first night, it’s best to start with a short walk in the Old Town area to see a glimpse of how Bucharest looked and felt at its zenith, specifically during the 19th century when it was nicknamed the “Paris of the East”. Seek out a traditional dinner at one of the city’s historical Old Town restaurants: Manuc Inn, Hanul Berarilor or Caru cu Bere. Make sure you don’t miss the bean soup in a bread bowl, cabbage rolls, or pork stew. Save some room for dessert: the best option is Papanasi, a pastry shaped like a doughnut with a small sphere on top, filled with soft cheese, and covered in sour cream and sour jam. After dinner, you should definitely enjoy a glass of Romanian wine at one of the many rooftop bars located in the Old Town: Linea Closer to the Moon, Nomad SkyBar, or Pura Vida SkyBar. You’re in a Latin country, so get out there and enjoy the cheerful and happy vibe!

The Little Paris

Bucharest is an eclectic city, a place of business, parties, arts, and contrasts. Nearly half a century of communist rule dramatically changed some aspects of the city, but traces of the old bohemian times can still be found. Discover the highlights of Bucharest on an amazing half-day guided tour, and marvel at the monuments of the historic city center. Some highlights of the tour include: the Romanian Athenaeum, Revolution Square, Old City with its beautiful 19th century buildings, and the Old Court from the times of Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Dracula. The tour will end with a visit inside the monumental Palace of Parliament, one of the world's largest buildings (and certainly the heaviest).

Taste Romania’s Food and Wine with an Expert

Discover Romania’s super-tasty cuisine with one of our expert tour guides. You can take a slow walk through central Bucharest's boulevards and charming side streets to enjoy traditional food, pastries, and desserts while learning the stories behind them. If you prefer a more leisurely tour, you can join the Traditions in Bucharest tour, where you’ll have the chance to taste several types of traditional wines along with a cheese platter after a tour at the outdoor Village Museum.

Brasov from Above

Every visit to Brasov should include a cable car ride to Mt. Tampa, where superb views are just waiting to impress you. From your first moments in Brasov, you’re likely to notice the Hollywood-like “BRASOV” sign high above the city on Tampa Mountain. You can take the cable car or enjoy an hour-long hike to the top. The walk is not challenging, but there are enough rocks underfoot along the way to warrant wearing comfortable shoes. Just next to the big letters, there’s a platform from where you can have the best panoramic view of the city. From here, you’ll fall in love with Brasov. 

Brasov and Bran Castle Private Walking Tour

Enjoy a guided walking tour in Brasov while learning some general facts about the town itself and the Transylvania region. Start from Council Square, visit the Black Church, the largest Lutheran church in Southeastern Europe and then continue down on the narrowest street in Europe, called Rope Street. Next, there’s just a 30 minute drive to the famous Bran Castle – a place where the legend of Vlad Impaler meets the fiction of count Dracula. 

Taste the Local Wines

Romania has a lot to offer in terms of gastronomy. We recommend a private trip to the winery in Azuga to taste some of the finest sparkling wines in Romania.

Sibiu Private Walking & Corvin Castle Tour

Take a walking tour in Sibiu, a multicultural gem of Romania and a place where for 800 hundred years Romanians, Hungarians and Saxons lived together. The highly preserved and restored Old Town looks like medieval Vienna but with unique Latin and Magyar influences. For the second part of the tour your guide will drive you to Corvin – the castle of the Ravens. This 16th century giant is the most beautiful medieval castle in Romania and was listed by the Germans in top 10 castles of Europe. 

Discover Sibiu's Top-Notch Museums

Sibiu is synonymous with culture. Lots of it. Founded over 800 years ago, Sibiu was an important medieval trade center, where Romanians, Hungarians, and Saxons lived together. This multicultural diversity amplified the city’s artistic and cultural movements and brought many achievements, including EU titles such as the "European Capital of Culture." With such a fabulous background, it’s no wonder Sibiu’s museums are a treat. 

For example, Brukenthal is the oldest museum in Southeastern Europe. Winner of numerous awards, it’s unique for telling the incredible story of the Transylvanian Saxons, Germans who settled in Transylvania during the Middle Ages, building the area's main cities, living alongside Romanians, and governed by Magyars (Hungarians). The museum also displays Romanian and European art, history and natural history. Another fantastic choice is the ASTRA National Museum: the perfect collection of everything Romanian, from language and folklore, to literature and architecture. Founded in 1907, its collections expanded and also included Saxon ethnography. Of its four branches, you must absolutely visit the Museum of Traditional Folk Civilization, one of Europe's largest open-air museums.