5-Day Bulgaria Road Trip from Burgas traveling north to Veliko Tarnovo and Varna

Your road trip adventure in Bulgaria begins as soon as you reach Burgas and pick up your car. You’ll stay in Burgas for 1 night and explore the best things to see and do, sample the local cuisine, and choose from a curated selection of the best hotels and places to stay in the city.

Burgas is a beautiful city with plenty to discover. Soak in the lovely atmosphere and sit down for a bit to eat or drink.

Make your way to your chosen hotel. Check-in typically starts between 2 and 4 PM in Burgas. Make yourself at home and enjoy some downtime before heading out again.

As dinnertime approaches, it's time to head out for a bite to eat in Burgas. If you are looking to dine at a popular restaurant in the city, it's often a good idea to reserve a table in advance.

Don't forget to book a table at Happy Bar & Grill, a well-known eatery in Burgas. This popular restaurant and its sumptuous cuisine have won the hearts of food lovers. Its commitment to a delicious menu is evident in its 4.5 out of 5-star rating from 6,335 satisfied guests.

Ensure you visit Happy Bar & Grill while exploring Burgas. This popular restaurant offers a delicious menu, distinguished with a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, celebrated by 5,139 discerning guests.

Immerse yourself in the culinary delights of Romance Pub & Pizza, a popular restaurant in Burgas. With a menu designed to delight, it ensures a dining experience that transcends the ordinary. Its reputation is reflected in its 4.6 out of 5-star rating from 2,070 discerning diners.

After your meal, we recommend you get a drink at a bar. Papa Beer - Craft Beer Bar is a great place to continue your night. This bar has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 981 customers.

If you want to know where locals go, check out Caribe. This bar has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,358 customers.

Another popular bar in the city is Ti Bar & Kitchen - ресторант и бар в Бургас. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 835 customers.

Raise a toast to the start of your 5-day road trip in Bulgaria!

Dive into day 2 of your remarkable road trip in Bulgaria. Today you will jump into the car and make your way to Burgas and Veliko Tarnovo, where you will have the opportunity to experience all the top things to see and do. At the end of the day, you’ll unwind at one of the finest accommodations in Veliko Tarnovo. You’ll stay here for 1 night.

Seize the day by visiting some of the best attractions in the area, like The Sea Garden. This extraordinary park has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 34,703 visitors.

Next, make your way to Museum of Aviation. This aviation museum is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 1,213 reviews.

While in Burgas, we also recommend a visit to Парк "Минерални бани". This park has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 1,653 reviews.

As you’ve unraveled the marvels of Burgas, it’s time to gear up for the next part of your road trip adventure. Under favorable conditions, your drive to Veliko Tarnovo may take around 2 hours 25 min. Upon your arrival in Veliko Tarnovo, you’ll be greeted with the opportunity to do some sightseeing and exploring.

When you’re done exploring for the day, you’ll drive to Veliko Tarnovo, where you'll have a hotel waiting for you. Check in and spend some time relaxing before you head out to explore the city.

After a day of adventure, treat yourself to an exquisite dinner at one of Veliko Tarnovo's best restaurants.

Reserve a table at Restaurant Asenevtsi, a renowned restaurant in Veliko Tarnovo. This culinary gem and its flavorful dishes have captured the hearts of food enthusiasts. Its reputation is reflected in its 4.7 out of 5-star rating from 1,457 guests.

Ensure you experience culinary excellence at VkusoteriA while in Veliko Tarnovo. This dining establishment presents an exquisite menu that has received a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, acclaimed by 993 discerning diners.

Experience a taste of Veliko Tarnovo at Shtastliveca ("The Lucky One"), a popular local restaurant. With a menu designed to impress, it promises a journey of flavors that will leave you captivated. Its reputation is reflected in its 4.6 out of 5-star rating from 8,818 customers.

When you’ve finished your meal, Bianko is one of the best bars in Veliko Tarnovo for an after-dinner drink. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,466 customers.

Lino Bar is another of the most popular bars in the city. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,358 customers.

Alternatively, check out Tequila Bar Funky Monkey. This popular place has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, as rated by 493 customers.

As the day draws to a close, take a moment to unwind and prepare for the next exciting chapter of your road trip in in Bulgaria.

On day 3 of your road trip in Bulgaria, you will get a true taste of the freedom a self-drive vacation in Europe entails. Today’s travel plans include stops at the most scenic, wondrous, and interesting places in Veliko Tarnovo, Balchik, and Varna. In the evening, you’ll end up in Varna, where you will stay for 1 night.

Your sightseeing of the day begins at Tsarevets Fortress, a remarkable point of interest where it’s easy to get lost in exploration. This top attraction is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 11,802 reviews.

Next, satisfy your wanderlust at Park "Sveta Gora". This park has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 4,790 travelers.

When you’re ready to jump back into the car and say goodbye to Veliko Tarnovo, you’ll hit the road in the direction of Balchik. This drive usually takes around 3 hours 4 min. When you arrive, enjoy some sightseeing.

Begin your sightseeing with a visit to Balchik Palace. This palace is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars in 19,545 reviews.

Next up, make your way to Balchik Botanic Garden. This park has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 15,424 reviews.

When you’ve had your share of Balchik, prepare for your next destination. Admire the views and listen to some good music as you drive in the direction of Varna. Your travel time is around 40 min.

After soaking up all the sights of today's itinerary, you'll be ready to hit the road in the direction of Varna. Varna offers plenty of top-rated hotels and other places to stay on any travel budget. Check in at the hotel of your choice and take some time to relax before you head out to explore.

After a long day of exploring, sit down for a delicious dinner at a top-rated restaurant in Varna.

Reserve your spot at Sweet Parmy, a popular local restaurant in Varna. This culinary hotspot and its flavorful dishes have left a lasting impression on guests. Its dedication to culinary mastery is reflected by its 4.7 out of 5-star rating from 645 satisfied guests.

Make it a priority to experience Happy Bar & Grill Center (Varna) during your stay in Varna. This popular local restaurant offers an unparalleled menu, with a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 8,318 discerning guests.

Explore the culinary wonders of Happy Bar & Grill, a popular local gem in Varna. Its enticing menu promises a journey through flavors that will leave a lasting impression. Renowned for its impeccable service, it boasts a 4.6 out of 5-star rating from 7,456 satisfied guests.

After dinner, visit Cubo and experience the nightlife in the city of Varna. This bar is one of the best places to cap off the night and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 5,527 customers.

You can also hang out at Beach Bar Menthol. This bar serves a variety of snacks and drinks and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,430 customers.

Locals recommend The Garden Bar, so definitely check it out too. The Garden Bar is a place to enjoy friendly chats with locals and fellow travelers and is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,562 bar-goers.

Raise your glass to another unforgettable day in Bulgaria!

Experience an unparalleled adventure on day 4 of your road trip in Bulgaria. This exciting part of your journey invites you to discover the renowned landmarks in 3 vibrant destinations - Varna, Nessebar, and Burgas. After a day filled with exploration and new experiences, you will retreat to the hotel of your choice in Burgas. You will spend 1 night here for some well-deserved relaxation.

Journey into the unknown at Sea Garden, a unique attraction awaiting your visit. This remarkable urban park has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 32,289 reviews.

When you’re ready to continue your sightseeing, Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral is a recommended place to visit. This eastern orthodox cathedral is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 7,003 reviews.

Another must-see attraction in Varna is Asparuhov park. Rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 4,183 travelers, this popular tourist destination in Varna offers an experience you will remember.

Fasten your seatbelt and make your way to your next stop. Nessebar, home to many well-known sights in the region, is a lovely destination on today’s itinerary. Keep in mind that your travel time from Varna to Nessebar may take around 1 hour 33 min without traffic disruptions. Upon arrival, we highly recommend checking out some of the top attractions.

Make Sunny Beach one of your first sightseeing stops in Nessebar. Rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 6,830 travelers, a visit to this local attraction makes for a great introduction to the area.

Church of Saint Sophia is a worthwhile attraction you can visit next. This church is a valued place of interest in the area, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 9,853 reviews.

Embrace the thrill of the open road as you wave goodbye to Nessebar and set your GPS to Burgas. While on the road, immerse yourself in your favorite road trip tunes or sample the sounds from a local radio station. This car ride usually takes around 44 min. Upon reaching Burgas, unwind, observe, and explore. The best things to do, see, and eat are waiting for you.

At the end of the day, you will drive to Burgas, where you'll have a room waiting for you at the perfect place to stay. Check in and enjoy some downtime.

Indulge in a memorable dining experience at one of Burgas's most popular restaurants, and connect with friendly locals for an authentic adventure.

Don't miss out on experiencing Neptune, a renowned dining spot in Burgas. This restaurant's rich flavors have left a lasting impression on diners. Its dedication to culinary perfection is evident in its 4.4 out of 5-star rating from 2,122 satisfied guests.

Make a reservation at Flora Bar & Grill Burgas while immersing yourself in Burgas. This distinguished restaurant offers imaginative dishes, with a remarkable rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,536 guests.

Discover the culinary treasures of Incanto restaurant, a beloved dining establishment within Burgas. Its exquisite menu promises to tantalize your taste buds and transport you to culinary bliss. Renowned for its exceptional service, it has earned a 4.4 out of 5-star rating from 1,786 satisfied customers.

When you’ve finished dinner and you’re in the mood for a drink, we recommend visiting one of the best bars in Burgas. Malibu offers plenty of drink options for every taste and budget. Around 909 customers have given this bar an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Alternatively, go to a bar that locals recommend, like Cardamon Soul Food & Drinks 🌿. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 716 customers.

If you're looking for something else, check out Bar Bossa. This bar is one of the best places to enjoy a drink and has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 596 customers.

Savor another day of unforgettable experiences in Bulgaria!

Day 5 of your road trip in Bulgaria is your departure day. This is your chance to catch a last glimpse of Burgas before saying goodbye to this wonderful destination. If you've still got time left, we recommend doing some last-minute shopping or sightseeing.

Make the most of your final day in Bulgaria by visiting Burgas’s iconic markets and shopping establishments. Your stay’s proximity to the city’s retail haven invites an unhurried and unforgettable exploration of its variety of stores and establishments.

Secure the perfect souvenirs for your family and friends back home or buy yourself a remembrance of your amazing experience in Bulgaria.

Before you conclude your road trip in Bulgaria, drop by another restaurant for a last chance at a memorable dining experience in Burgas.

You’ll then say farewell to Burgas. Drive to the airport, return your car, and take the opportunity to get some last-minute souvenirs before you board your flight home. We wish you a pleasant journey and hope you leave with many wonderful memories of your road trip in Bulgaria!