Bulgaria holiday packages reveal a country where Thracian tombs, Roman ruins, and Ottoman bridges sit quietly across the same hillsides. Explore our small-group Bulgaria tours to experience its ancient cities, mountain monasteries, and timeless landscapes up close.
Bulgaria sits at a crossroads of civilisations in the south-eastern corner of the Balkans, and the evidence is everywhere. Thracian burial tombs, Roman amphitheatres, medieval Orthodox monasteries and Ottoman quarters share the same compact landscape — from the capital Sofia and the ancient city of Plovdiv to the mountain villages of the Rhodopes and Pirin, the fragrant Rose Valley and the Balkan Mountains running east to west across the country's heart.
Our small group Bulgaria tours explore this layered country at a measured pace, travelling with a maximum of 12 people and a dedicated English-speaking tour leader who knows the Thracian, Ottoman and Orthodox history first-hand. From the Rila and Rozhen monasteries to the sandstone pyramids of Melnik and the Thracian Tomb at Kazanlak, each itinerary is built around the places that make Bulgaria unlike anywhere else in Europe. For those wanting more, our Bulgaria trips combine naturally with Romania for a longer Balkan odyssey.
Bulgaria
Small-group departures led by local experts, plus private tailor-made itineraries shaped around your interests, pace and dates.
Few countries pack Thracian, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Bulgarian Orthodox heritage into such a small area. Sofia, Plovdiv, Kazanlak and the monastery circuit can all be reached within a 12-day loop without ever feeling rushed.
Our Bulgaria tours run with a maximum of 12 travellers and a dedicated tour leader throughout. This isn't a coaches-and-headsets operation — it's a pace that allows the itinerary to breathe and the group to connect.
Bulgaria is often reduced to a footnote on a wider Balkan itinerary. Our Bulgaria tour packages treat it as the main event, spending proper time in Plovdiv, the monasteries and the mountain regions rather than skimming the surface.
For travellers who want more, our combined Bulgaria and Romania tour continues north from Sofia into Transylvania and beyond — making Bulgaria the strong first half of one of Europe's best-value long-haul overland journeys.
See itinerariesBulgaria rewards travellers who slow down — the best stories are found off the tour-bus route.
From the field
Bulgaria has four distinct seasons, each offering a different experience. Spring (April–May) brings mild temperatures, wildflowers and lush green landscapes, while autumn (September–October) offers warm, dry days, harvest season and colourful mountain scenery. Summer can be hot in the lowlands, and winter brings snow to the mountains with some road access restrictions. Our Bulgaria tours depart in April and September, allowing you to experience the country during its most rewarding seasons.
Looking to travel outside the typical windows? Our Bulgaria tailor-made team can advise on the best time for you.
Dispatches, field notes and practical advice from our specialists.
Reviews from across our small-group programme. Independently rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ travellers.
“An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!”
Anna
“This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!”
Grete
“My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.”
Frank
“Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.”
Cathy
“Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.”
Lynn
“We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.”
Andy
“We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.”
Jennie
“Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.”
Debbie
“Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.”
Alexis
“Fabulous, unusual destination, and great people. A private tour of somewhere little-visited, with great service from start to finish and excellent knowledge and advice from Undiscovered Destinations throughout.”
Steve
“An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!”
Anna
“This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!”
Grete
“My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.”
Frank
“Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.”
Cathy
“Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.”
Lynn
“We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.”
Andy
“We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.”
Jennie
“Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.”
Debbie
“Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.”
Alexis
“Fabulous, unusual destination, and great people. A private tour of somewhere little-visited, with great service from start to finish and excellent knowledge and advice from Undiscovered Destinations throughout.”
Steve
Every one of our Bulgaria journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.
We’ll build one around you.
Bulgaria's geography lends itself naturally to a tailor-made itinerary. A private holiday allows you to spend more time in places such as the Rhodopes, Trigrad Gorge, Melnik and Rozhen, exploring at a more relaxed pace than a fixed group schedule. You can also time your visit to coincide with the Rose Valley harvest in late May or extend your journey into Romania. Talk to the Undiscovered Destinations team and we'll create an itinerary tailored to the places and experiences that interest you most.
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Our Bulgaria tour packages start from £3,095 per person for the 12-day Essence of Bulgaria, including accommodation, most meals, private transport, guiding and entrance fees throughout. The 25-day Best of Bulgaria and Romania starts from £6,315. International flights are not included and can be arranged separately — speak to the team for current options.
Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.
We constantly monitor official travel advice, including the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Bulgaria Travel Advice, and will always advise clients of any warnings before departure. At the time of writing, there are no specific warnings against travel to the parts of Bulgaria that we visit on our tours.
Please contact us if you have any specific concerns or would like to understand what measures are in place to ensure your trip remains safe and trouble-free.
Join a small-group departure, or let our Bulgaria specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.
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