Bulgaria is a relatively small country, making it easy to explore in a short time and create a simple one-week itinerary. You can travel from ancient cities and Orthodox monasteries to mountains and small villages without having to cover great distances.
In my case, I traveled in winter and without much time to be honest, so I could only dedicate those days to exploring two cities, Sofia and Plovdiv.
Therefore, in this post I not only tell you about the itinerary I followed, but I also add some stops that might be useful if you are traveling around the country with a little more time or at another time of year.
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Table of Contents
What did I like most about Bulgaria?
I usually include a section in my posts with what I liked most about the destination, but in this case, having only visited two cities, there isn't much to elaborate on.
Both Plovdiv and Sofia met my expectations, although they didn't exactly dazzle me.
I found Plovdiv interesting, especially the combination of ancient ruins, viewpoints, and its historic center, which is pleasant to explore on foot and take a few photos.
Sofia has some interesting areas, with a mix of buildings with striking architecture, squares and cultural points that give it a certain character, although it is not a city that has impressed me too much.
Overall, it was a positive week, but viewed more from a calm perspective and as the closing of a great trip that was coming to an end.
One week itinerary in Bulgaria
In my case, I arrived in Bulgaria by land from Istanbul, so I entered the country from the east, crossing the border by bus and going directly to Plovdiv as my first stop.
3 days in Plovdiv
Plovdiv is a small city with an attractive historic center. Ruins from various civilizations can be found naturally in the streets, including a lovely Roman theater. But realistically, the most important sights can easily be seen in one or two days.
Plovdiv, the small Bulgarian city with ruins from several civilizations
Even so, I decided to add another day to take it easy and walk without rushing.
4 days in Sofia
After that I continued on to Sofia by bus, on a linear and fairly common route between the two cities.
What to see in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria
It's a city I liked, but it didn't blow me away. Since Christmas was approaching, I came across some Christmas markets, illuminated trees, and festive decorations in the squares. It has some interesting places to visit, especially imposing churches like the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
Although winter played its part, as the cold kept me from venturing too far into the outskirts, where some of the region's most attractive mountain areas are located.
Other places you could include
If you have a little more time, or are traveling during a more pleasant time than winter, there are several destinations in Bulgaria that could complement this itinerary very well.
Rila Monastery
One of the country's most iconic landmarks is the Rila Monastery, nestled high in the mountains. It is famous for its architecture, frescoes, and the stunning natural surroundings.
It can be visited from Sofia in a day, and is probably the most classic excursion from the city.
The Black Sea coast
Another very different option is to head towards the Black Sea, where some of the country's main coastal cities are located, such as Varna or Burgas.
In summer it is a very popular area for its beaches, but it also has charming villages like Nessebar, with a picturesque old town.
Mountain areas
If you're interested in nature, Bulgaria has several mountainous areas worth visiting. Places like Rila National Park and Pirin National Park offer trekking, lakes, and stunning scenery during the warmer months. In winter, destinations like Bansko become very popular for skiing.
Even near Sofia you have Mount Vitosha, ideal for day trips, although in my case the weather wasn't good enough to take advantage of it.
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