Discover Bulgaria by train

Sofia

Day 1: Welcome to Sofia

Upon arrival, you'll be welcomed at the airport for transfer to your hotel in the city. Dinner tonight will be served at a traditional restaurant just a short walk from your hotel. 

Sofia - Veliko Tarnovo

Day 2: Sofia Tour & Journey to the Medieval Capital

After breakfast, set out on a private guided walking tour of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Discover the city which Constantine the Great once called ‘My Rome’ strolling through Parliament Square and exploring the Old City Garden, St Sofia Basilica and the ruins of the Ancient Serdica. After your tour head back to the hotel to pick up your luggage and make your way to the train station for a scenic journey to Veliko Turnovo. This is the medieval capital of Bulgaria, picturesquely located on four hills above the Yantra River. Check-in at your hotel located right in the centre of the old town and overlooking the Tsarevets Fortress.

Veliko Tarnovo - Arbanasi - Veliko Tarnovo

Day 3: Ancient Village & Market Visit

In the morning, head out of the city with a local guide to visit Arbanassi Museum Village, located on a hill above Veliko Turnovo. The village is mentioned in documents dating back to 1538 and it is so scenic that Greeks from Mount Athos and Jerusalem travelled to spend their summers there. Later, return to Veliko Turnovo and visit Tsarevets Royal Hill with its fortress as well as the old marketplace. Here you’ll find stalls selling traditional crafts in pottery and copper as well as woven goods, artisan foods and paintings. This is a lively area that is great for people-watching with lots of cafes and workshops. Enjoy a wine tasting and then spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. 

Veliko Tarnovo - Tryavna - Veliko Tarnovo

Day 4: Train into the Balkan Mountains

Today, take a picturesque train journey climbing into the Stara Planina Balkan Mountains. This one-hour journey will bring you to Tryavna Museum Town. Spend the day exploring Tryavna – the main centre of icon painting and woodcarving in Bulgaria. You can visit the Old Tryavna architectural complex with its Clock tower, Old school and St. Archangel Michail Church dating back to 1192. You can also visit Daskalov House - the museum of woodcarving and many other small galleries and workshops dotted around the town. In the afternoon return by train to Veliko Turnovo.

Veliko Tarnovo

Day 5: Free Day in Veliko Tarnovo

Today is left free for you to relax in Tarnovo. Enjoy breakfast and then take a wander around the town soaking up the atmosphere and exploring independently. 

Veliko Tarnovo - Varna

Day 6: Journey to the Coast

Train departure from Veliko Turnovo to Varna, the marine capital of Bulgaria. This is the country’s largest port, as well as its third-largest city.

Varna Railway Station is one of the oldest in Bulgaria and was one of the stations where the Orient Express used to stop between 1883 and 1885. The city has a very long history and was inhabited even before the Greeks established the colony of Odessos there in around 580 B.C. Later, under the Romans and their successors, the Slavs, Varna became a major port trading with Constantinople, Venice and Dubrovnik. Check-in at your small hotel in the sea garden and relax.

Varna

Day 7: Varna City Tour

After breakfast, meet your private tour guide, who will show you the centre of the city. You will also visit the regional museum, which displays some of the oldest gold treasures in the world. Belonging to the Varna culture these artefacts were discovered in the Varna Necropolis and date back to 4200–4600 BC. The afternoon is left free for you to relax at the hotel or explore on your own

Varna

Day 8: Free Day in Varna

Enjoy a free day in Varna. Take a stroll around the town or head directly to the beach for a relaxing day in the sunshine. 

Varna - Plovdiv

Day 9: Journey to Ancient Plovdiv

Today, catch the train from Varna to Plovdiv, crossing the Eastern Balkan Range. During the journey, you will see the Chudnite Skali Rock Formations, the Kamchiya River Valley, Tsonevo Water Reserve and the eastern slopes of the Stara Planina Mountain Range. Upon arrival in Plovdiv, check in at your hotel on a quiet street in the centre of the city. Not far from your hotel is the longest pedestrian street in the world, with many small shops, restaurants and cafes, as well as ancient ruins from the Roman period. Plovdiv is considered the oldest permanently inhabited city in Europe, as well as among the eight oldest in the world. It is a contemporary of Troy and much older than Athens and Rome.

Plovdiv

Day 10: Plovdiv City Tour

After breakfast, set off on a half-day city tour with your local guide. They will show you the Old Plovdiv architecture reserve, which has been awarded a gold medal by UNESCO. Visit the Ethnographic Museum, St. Constantine and Helena Church, The Ancient Theatre, the Roman Stadium and Djumaya Mosque square. The afternoon is left free for you to explore on your own. You might like to take a stroll through Kapana – an artistic neighbourhood within walking distance of your hotel.

Plovdiv - Septemvri - Bansko

Day 11: The Balkan Alpine Railway

Enjoy a full-day train ride all the way from Plovdiv to Bansko. At Septemvri railway station, you will change trains onto the only narrow-gauge line in Bulgaria built between 1921-1945. The journey takes around four hours and passes through dramatic valleys and gorges, linking the western part of the Upper Thracian Plain with the Western Rhodopes, Rila and Pirin mountains. Due to its mountain route, the line is known as the Alpine Railway in the Balkans. Avramovo station, situated at 1267 meters above sea level, is the highest station in the Balkans. Along the route, there are 35 tunnels, 11 stations and 10 stops. You’ll arrive in Bansko in the foothills of Pirin Mountain National Park where you can check in at your hotel and enjoy a delicious dinner and a rest.

Bansko

Day 12: Bansko Town Tour

This morning take a short walking tour of Bansko with your local guide. They will show you the old part of this museum town, and one of its most important houses – Velyanov House. The rest of the day is left free for you to relax and explore the town. A delicious dinner will be served at your hotel.

Bansko - Melnik - Bansko

Day 13: Day Trip to the Greek Borderlands

Today you’ll set off on a private day tour into the southernmost area of Bulgaria close to the Greek border. Visit the 9th Century Rojen Monastery, as well as Melnik, the smallest Bulgarian town. This is a historic wine-growing region and the town sits amidst sandstone hills where wine cellars were once dug. In bygone days, the caravans departed from here along the wine routes to Venice, Vienna and Egypt and as far as Madrid. You’ll also visit Kordopulov House and its 200-meter-long wine cellar before having a few hours of free time to explore. In the afternoon return to Bansko and later enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Bansko - Rila Monastery - Sofia

Day 14: Mountain-top Monastery

After breakfast, you’ll have a private transfer by car to Sofia. En route, we will stop at the UNESCO-protected Rila Monastery – the largest monastery in Bulgaria. Located 1100 meters above sea level in the Rila Mountain National Park the monastery has a dramatic setting. A local guide will tell you its history and will show you around the museum with its precious exhibits. Admire wooden balconies, colourful murals and a fantastic panorama of mountain peaks. Afternoon arrival to Sofia and check in at your hotel.

Sofia

Day 15: Farewell

After breakfast, you’ll be met at your hotel in good time for your private transfer to Sofia Airport.