30 days in Bulgaria Itinerary

Though it is often seen as merely a stopover city, Plovdiv is actually a lively university town with bohemian cafes, a thriving art scene, and exciting nightlife.

Explore hidden gems such as Assen's Fortress and Old Plovdiv Retro Photo. Popular historic sites such as "St. st. Konstantin and Elena" Church and Ancient Stadium of Philippopolis are in your itinerary. When in Plovdiv, make a side trip to see Villa Yustina in Ustina, approximately Ustina away. And it doesn't end there: see the interesting displays at Ethnographic Museum, pause for some serene contemplation at Sveta Marina Church, pause for some photo ops at Alyosha, and test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms.

To find photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, you can read our Plovdiv online vacation planner.

Paphos, Cyprus to Plovdiv is an approximately 8.5-hour combination of flight and train. You can also do a combination of car and ferry. Traveling from Paphos in April, expect Plovdiv to be slightly colder, temps between 22°C and 7°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Smolyan.

Smolyan is a town and ski resort in the far south of Bulgaria near the border with Greece. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Diavolsko Garlo- The Devil's Throat and Pamporovo Ski Resort. Take a break from the city and head to Waterfalls Canyon and Fun Park Pamporovo.

For maps, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Smolyan trip planner.

Drive from Plovdiv to Smolyan in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and taxi; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Bansko.

Boasting the longest ski runs in the country, Bansko offers one of the best ski resort locations in Bulgaria.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Rozhen Monastery and Bezbog - peak in Pirin Mountains. Escape the urban bustle at BEAR SANCTUARY Belitsa and Vihren. Go for a jaunt from Bansko to Harsovo to see Villa Melnik Winery about 1h 30 min away.

To see where to stay, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Bansko trip itinerary planning app.

You can drive from Smolyan to Bansko in 3.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 26°C in May, and nighttime lows around 11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 4th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Nessebar.

Between the ruggedly beautiful Balkan Mountains and shores of the Black Sea lies the World Heritage Site, Nessebar.

Kick off your visit on the 5th (Fri): take in the architecture and atmosphere at Church of St. Blaise, see the interesting displays at Archaeological Museum, admire the striking features of Church of Christ Pantocrator, then admire the landmark architecture of St Stephens Church, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Church of the Assumption, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at Church of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 6th (Sat): enjoy the sand and surf at Irakli Beach.

To see photos, other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Nessebar trip itinerary maker website.

Getting from Bansko to Nessebar by car takes about 5 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and flight; or take a bus. In May in Nessebar, expect temperatures between 26°C during the day and 14°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 6th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Kavarna.

Kavarna is a Black Sea coastal town and seaside resort in the Dobruja region of northeastern Bulgaria. Start off your visit on the 7th (Sun): kick back and relax at Cape Kaliakra.

For traveler tips, more things to do, maps, and tourist information, go to the Kavarna visit planner.

Traveling by car from Nessebar to Kavarna takes 3 hours. In May, plan for daily highs up to 25°C, and evening lows to 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Sun) early enough to drive to Varna.

Combine historical exploration and seaside relaxation at Varna, Bulgaria's coastal Black Sea city.

Your inner history buff will appreciate Stone Forest and Pliska National Historical Archaeological Reserve. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin and The Retro Museum In Varna. Go for a jaunt from Varna to Shumen to see Madara Rider about 1h 20 min away. The adventure continues: take an in-depth tour of Varna Archaeological Museum, see the interesting displays at Museum of Natural History, don't miss a visit to Varna Eye, and brush up on your military savvy at National Maritime Museum.

To plan Varna vacation without wasting time, ask Inspirock to design an itinerary.

Traveling by car from Kavarna to Varna takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In May, daily temperatures in Varna can reach 25°C, while at night they dip to 13°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 13th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Veliko Tarnovo.

Veliko Tarnovo is a city in north central Bulgaria and the administrative centre of Veliko Tarnovo Province.Often referred to as the "City of the Tsars", Veliko Tarnovo is located on the Yantra River and is famously known as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, attracting many tourists with its unique architecture. Start off your visit on the 13th (Sat): examine the collection at Open Air Ethnographic Museum ETAR, take in the spiritual surroundings of Forty Martyrs Church, then pause for some serene contemplation at Chiesa della Nativita, and finally pause for some photo ops at Asen's Monument. Keep things going the next day: see the interesting displays at Konstantsalieva House, then explore the ancient world of Nicopolis ad Istrum, then don't miss a visit to Samovodska Charshiya Complex, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of God.

To see other places to visit, more things to do, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Veliko Tarnovo sightseeing planning website.

Getting from Varna to Veliko Tarnovo by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a shuttle. In May, daily temperatures in Veliko Tarnovo can reach 26°C, while at night they dip to 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Mon) early enough to drive to Belogradchik.

Belogradchik is a town in Vidin Province, Northwestern Bulgaria, the administrative centre of the homonymous Belogradchik Municipality. Kick off your visit on the 15th (Mon): appreciate the extensive heritage of Belogradchik Fortress.

Take the guesswork out of planning a Belogradchik vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

You can drive from Veliko Tarnovo to Belogradchik in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Veliko Tarnovo to Belogradchik. In May, plan for daily highs up to 26°C, and evening lows to 13°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Mon) early enough to go by car to Sofia.

Spend time in one of Europe's oldest cities, the vibrant Bulgarian capital of Sofia.

Get a sense of the local culture at Sveti Sedmochislenitsi Church and National Museum of History. Discover out-of-the-way places like Boyana Waterfall and Sofia University Saint Kliment Ohridski. Change things up with these side-trips from Sofia: Dimitar Peshev Museum (in Kyustendil), Krakra Fortress (in Pernik) and Vratsa (Ledenika & “Vrachanski Balkan” Nature Park). There's much more to do: learn about all things military at National Museum of Military History, get a new perspective on nature at National Museum of Natural History, Sofia, explore the world behind art at Museum of Socialist Art, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Church of St Petka of the Saddlers.

To find where to stay, more things to do, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Sofia day trip website.

Getting from Belogradchik to Sofia by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. Traveling from Belogradchik to Sofia, you'll lose 1 hour due to the time zone difference. In May in Sofia, expect temperatures between 26°C during the day and 11°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Tue) early enough to fly back home.