UNESCO Heritage in Romania & Bulgaria

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.

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. 

See Sofia on a Private Walking Tour

Did you know Sofia is Europe’s second oldest city? Founded 7,000 years ago by a Thracian tribe, it was an important trading center for the Byzantines, Bulgarians, and Ottomans, and also bears traces of its time under communism. Get to know the city on foot with an expert local guide.

Dive into Plovdiv

Kazanlak, Rose Valley & Valley of the Thracian Kings Small Group Tour

This full-day tour is a great way to learn to appreciate both the unique history and the beautiful landscapes of this country. You'll set off with a local guide to Rose Valley to admire the natural wonders here, and along the way you'll also be visiting the ancient burial grounds of kings and royalty, and admiring a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There's no better way to take a break from the city and learn about a different element of Bulgaria's past and present.

Stroll and Dine in the Sea Garden

Built and decorated by French architects for an esteemed statesman, Villa Burov offers great views from its terraces, and makes a great place for a memorable meal after a stroll through the surrounding Sea Garden, the largest landscaped park in the Balkans and a carefully designed spectacle. Villa Burov is slightly out of the way (30 min walk from Sea Garden entrance) so if you don't have time for a walk you can try instead The Sea Terrace restaurant, with great sea views and excellent food.

Stone Forest, Mosaic Museum, and Madara Rider Private Day Trip

Just outside of Varna are natural and ancient wonders to explore, so let a local guide show you around. Half an hour outside of town is the Stone Forest, a desert area with limestone pillars and other rock formations (hence its other name, the Stone Desert). Ten minutes further, you can visit the Museum of Mosaics, a large collection of ancient Greek and Roman mosaics, a clear look at ancient lifestyles, and Greek mythology. The last stop on this tour is the Madara Rider, a massive 7th century cliffside carving of a knight and his dog vanquishing a lion, with inscriptions (in Greek) chronicling the lives of 8th century Bulgarian khans, before their conversion to Christianity.

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).

Traditions in Bucharest: Village Museum and Wine Tasting Private Tour

Discover Bucharest’s Village Museum – a medieval time capsule at the heart of an urban jungle. This outdoor park is the perfect reconstruction of the authentic Romanian village: water mills, churches, log cabins or wine presses brought here decades ago from all across the country and re-assembled on spot. After learning about traditions and folklore it’s time to actually experience them. Literally. End the tour in style with a wine tasting session at Bucharest’s first reopened wine bar since the fall of communism in 1989.

Danube Delta & Letea Forest Private Day Trip (UNESCO Heritage)

If you're a nature lover, then the Danube Delta certainly is one of the best places in Europe for you. A unique reservation of the biosphere, this is the largest Delta on the continent and the third largest biodiversity in the world. You’ll take a private boat tour and admire unique water channels, mangrove forests, water lilies, swans and many more natural wonders. You’ll have lunch in a traditional fishing village at a local guesthouse. In the second part of the day you’ll join a “safari-like” tour on Letea Island – a sandy oasis with wild horses, sand dunes but also an ancient oak forest.

Dine, Drink, and Watch

For your first night, walk up to the Sub Tâmpa restaurant, located between Brasov's walls and Mt. Tampa, which is only a few minutes walk from Council Square. Here, in addition to great food, you can enjoy a splendid panoramic view of Brasov's Old Town and the fortress overlooking the city from the opposite side. After dinner, you can walk back to Old Town for a quick wine-tasting session at Le Sommelier win bar or Terroirs Boutique du Vin, both located on Diaconu Coresi Street. You should definitely try wines from local Feteasca Neagra grapes and neighboring wine regions such as Dealu Mare and Tarnava.

Bran Castle and Fortified Churches Private Day Trip

Explore the most impressive fortifications surrounding Brasov on an unforgettable day trip. You'll start by visiting Bran Castle, the inspiration for Dracula's Castle, where you'll learn about Vlad the Impaler and the Dracula legend. You will continue with visits to the UNESCO-listed Saxon fortified churches at Prejmer and Harman, with their round walls, bastions, drawbridges, and multiple layers of defences.

Discover the Magic Land of Bucovina

Today, you will be seeing classic Bucovina, including the painted monasteries, black pottery, and an Egg Museum! You will visit the painted monasteries of Bucovina, a UNESCO heritage site and a national treasure of Romania. You will explore four monasteries, admiring original medieval mural paintings like "The Siege of Constantinople" and the "Last Judgment of Voronet." You will learn about Saint Stephen the Great, who built these monasteries after victories against the Ottomans. Finally, you will discover the ancient art of egg painting and black pottery at the Vama Egg Museum and Marginea Village.

Top Attractions in Maramures Private Day Trip

A Good Start

There's a lot to take in on your first night, so we suggest starting with a leisurely walk. Roam around Sighisoara's small streets and let its atmosphere soak in. At some point, you can have a quick stop at Medieval Café to try some of the best pies you've ever tasted and the famous local “smoked beer”. For dinner we recommend Casa Georgius Krauss, a gothic manor with a nice atmosphere and fantastic wines. If you'd rather focus on traditional cuisine, be sure to check out Gasthaus Altepost.

Sighisoara Medieval Private City Tour

There’s no place like Sighisoara if you want to step back in time to the Middle-Ages, when the Transylvanian Saxons settled central Romania and when legendary princes like Vlad the Impaler made history in the battles against the Ottoman Empire. With its dazzlingly well-preserved medieval architecture and fortifications, Sighisoara is one of the most beautiful and authentic small medieval towns in Europe and part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Visit the Clock Tower, the Church on the Hill, the Covered Stairway, the guild towers, the house where Vlad the Impaler (Dracula) was born and many more.

Authentic Transylvanian Gastronomy

Besides gorgeous landscapes and impressive historic architecture, Romania has a lot to offer. There is excellent wine to be sipped, and mouthwatering cuisine to enjoy. Today we recommend getting a taste of the real Romania with a gastronomic tour. This is Transylvanian food and drink at its finest.

Get to Know Sibiu on a Private Walking Tour

Sibiu has a rich history and strong cultural scene, so it wasn't much of a surprise when it spent a year as the European Capital of Culture. Founded over 800 years ago by German settlers, the Old Town is surrounded by well-preserved fortifications added during the 15th century. With a mix of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance architecture, the pedestrian-free Old Town is great for a stroll, and helped make the city make Forbes' list of the most idyllic places to live in Europe.

The First Night

Head to the Council Tower for a panoramic view of the Old Town. This area between Piata Mica ("The Little Square") and Piata Mare ("The Grand Square") is where some of the city's finest restaurants and bars can be found. Before dinner, we suggest a very short walk towards the Evangelical Cathedral and up to Café Wien, where you can taste something truly unique: “smoked beer” made by monks. If you prefer wine over beer, there is a super cozy place called Winekeller, just on the other side of the cathedral. As for dinner, there are at least two good traditional restaurants in the nearby Piata Mica: the Kulinarium or Crama Sibiana. Don’t forget to end the evening with some nice photos while standing on the Bridge of Lies, an iconic spot in Sibiu.