Best Bulgaria Day Trips & Things to Do

Bulgaria is one of Europe’s oldest states, a crossroads of civilizations where Thracian gold, Roman ruins, and Ottoman influences merge. The capital, Sofia, is a unique city where you can see ancient ruins in the subway stations and the massive gold-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral dominating the skyline. In the heart of the country lies the Valley of the Roses, which produces much of the world’s rose oil, and Plovdiv, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, famous for its Roman amphitheater and creative "Kapana" district. The Rila Monastery, tucked into the mountains, remains a masterpiece of Orthodox art and architecture. Whether you are skiing in Bansko, sunbathing on the Black Sea’s Sunny Beach, or hiking the "Seven Rila Lakes," Bulgaria offers a diverse and affordable adventure through the rugged beauty of the Balkans.