5-Day Bulgaria Road Trip from Sofia traveling east to Blagoevgrad and Plovdiv

Your road trip adventure in Bulgaria begins as soon as you reach Sofia and pick up your car. You’ll stay in Sofia 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.

Sofia 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 Sofia. 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 Sofia. 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.

Have a delightful culinary experience when you dine at Hadjidraganov's Houses Restaurant. Favored by many foreign travelers and locals, this restaurant in Sofia boasts a carefully curated and enticing menu. Its delectable dishes have earned it an impressive rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from around 4,010 visitors.

Another dining spot you shouldn’t miss while in Sofia is Restaurant "Staria Chinar". It has garnered a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 2,717 diners thanks to its impeccable menu options and flavors.

Experience a celebration of flavors when you dine in at Art Club Museum, in Sofia. Its delightful menu and flavorful dishes have earned it a stellar rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 2,570 satisfied customers.

If you’re looking for a bar to end the evening at, many locals recommend Bar Friday, claiming it’s one of the best in the city. This bar has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 3,410 customers.

Another popular place to go for a drink is The Cocktail Bar. This bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,814 customers.

One More Bar is another top-rated bar where you can spend an hour or two. This bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,228 customers.

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

On day 2 of your exciting self-drive vacation in Bulgaria, you’ll soak in the magnificence of 2 destinations, Sofia and Blagoevgrad. When you’re not sightseeing, take time to relax at your selected hotel in Blagoevgrad, where you’ll be staying for 1 night.

Start your sightseeing with a visit to National Palace of Culture. This convention center is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 14,510 visitors.

South Park is another popular attraction you could visit today. This park has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 30,763 visitors.

Sofia Zoo is also highly recommended by travelers. This zoo has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 14,962 visitors.

Druzhba Park is an attraction you won’t want to miss. This park is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars in 8,509 reviews.

Another attraction you have the opportunity to visit today is Holy Trinity Park. This park has received an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 7,768 travelers.

After soaking in Sofia’s unique atmosphere, jump into the car with a full heart and drive in the direction of your next destination: Blagoevgrad. Expect your car journey to take a minimum of 1 hour 9 min. When you arrive in Blagoevgrad, it's time to take a break from the road.

When you’re done exploring for the day, you’ll drive to Blagoevgrad, 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 Blagoevgrad's best restaurants.

Reserve your spot at Trezor, a popular local restaurant in Blagoevgrad. This culinary hotspot and its flavorful dishes have left a lasting impression on guests. Its dedication to culinary mastery is reflected by its 4.5 out of 5-star rating from 563 satisfied guests.

Make it a priority to experience Царски клуб Вароша during your stay in Blagoevgrad. This popular local restaurant offers an unparalleled menu, with a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars by 764 discerning guests.

Explore the culinary wonders of Verde, a popular local gem in Blagoevgrad. Its enticing menu promises a journey through flavors that will leave a lasting impression. Renowned for its impeccable service, it boasts a 4.1 out of 5-star rating from 717 satisfied guests.

BeFree is one of the best bars in Blagoevgrad and the perfect place for an after-dinner drink. This bar has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 851 customers.

You may also want to check out Найс плейс. Equally popular, this bar offers a great drink list and a nice atmosphere for your celebrations. Найс плейс is rated an average of 4 out of 5 stars by 657 customers.

Alternatively, head out to Swing. Swing has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 144 customers and is a top choice among travelers as well as locals.

Get a good night's sleep and look forward to another great day on the road in Bulgaria!

Dive into day 3 of your remarkable road trip in Bulgaria. Today you will jump into the car and make your way to Sofia and Plovdiv, 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 Plovdiv. You’ll stay here for 1 night.

Continue your road trip and head to your next destination, Sofia. This car ride takes around 1 hour 10 min.

Make North Park one of your first sightseeing stops in Sofia. Rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 10,850 travelers, a visit to this local attraction makes for a great introduction to the area.

Borisova Gradina Park is a worthwhile attraction you can visit next. This park is a valued place of interest in the area, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 27,346 reviews.

Today is also the perfect opportunity to drop by Eagles' Bridge. This stone bridge has been rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 10,196 visitors.

If you’re keen to explore more, head to St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. A trip to this popular church is also your opportunity to see if it lives up to the reputable 4.7 out of 5-star rating as given by 19,648 previous visitors.

Another top place to visit is Ivan Vazov National Theater. This sightseeing destination enjoys an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 9,760 local and international travelers.

Fasten your seatbelt and make your way to your next stop. Plovdiv, 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 Sofia to Plovdiv may take around 1 hour 40 min without traffic disruptions. Upon arrival, we highly recommend checking out some of the top attractions.

After soaking up all the sights of today's itinerary, you'll be ready to hit the road in the direction of Plovdiv. Plovdiv 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.

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

Treat yourself to a delightful dining experience at Айлякрия / Aylyakria Restaurant while you’re in Plovdiv. Famous for its lovely menu and mouthwatering dishes, it has captivated around 1,229 diners, earning it an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Another favorite dining locale in Plovdiv is Happy Bar & Grill Novotel. Have a satisfying meal from the menu that has charmed its way to the hearts of around 4,350 happy customers, who gave it an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

While in Plovdiv, enjoy Torro Grande / Торро Гранде’s appetizing dishes. This dining establishment has earned a positive reputation and a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars, thanks to the endorsements and reviews of around 4,651 satisfied guests.

If you’re up for getting a drink, consider going to Rahat Tepe. Around 2,984 customers have given this incredible bar an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars.

Locals of Sofia also enjoy the drinks at Club Fargo. This place is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,132 customers and is one of the best you can experience in the city.

Another top-rated alternative for a celebratory drink is Котка и Мишка, Cat and Mouse Beer Bar. This bar has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,070 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.

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 2 vibrant destinations - Plovdiv and Sofia. After a day filled with exploration and new experiences, you will retreat to the hotel of your choice in Sofia. You will spend 1 night here for some well-deserved relaxation.

Kick off the day at Singing Fountains, a top pick for today’s sightseeing. This park is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 12,362 reviews.

Today is also your chance to visit “Tsar Simeon Garden” Park. “Tsar Simeon Garden” Park is a park with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 15,346 reviews.

Ancient Stadium of Philipopolis is another top attraction we highly recommend you visit today. This sightseeing destination is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 7,705 visitors.

Beyond the attractions mentioned above, you also have the opportunity to visit Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis. This point of interest is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 17,603 visitors.

Lastly, don’t miss out on Youth Hill, a famous park in Plovdiv. This attraction is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 5,014 travelers.

Fasten your seatbelt and make your way to your next stop. Sofia, 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 Plovdiv to Sofia may take around 1 hour 45 min without traffic disruptions. Upon arrival, we highly recommend checking out some of the top attractions.

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

As dinnertime approaches, it's time to head out for a bite to eat in Sofia. 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.

Make sure to reserve a table at The Wrong Bar, an iconic dining spot in Sofia. This culinary treasure and its outstanding menu have enchanted food enthusiasts from around the world. Its dedication to culinary innovation is evident in its 4.6 out of 5-star rating from 1,293 satisfied guests.

Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy culinary excellence at Taj Mahal Restaurant while in Sofia. This renowned dining destination showcases an exquisite menu, distinguished with an exceptional rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars, treasured by 1,423 previous guests.

Delight in the culinary creations of Luciano, a favorite in Sofia. Its innovative menu offers a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. With a reputation for excellence, it has earned a 4.4 out of 5-star rating from 1,291 discerning guests.

If you feel like having a drink or two after your meal, a popular bar you can go to is Halbite Beer Hall. This place has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,280 customers.

To enjoy a great atmosphere, continue your evening at Lime Cafe & Cocktails. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,223 customers.

5 Corners Pub is another great place where you can celebrate after a long, fun day in the city. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,463 customers.

Celebrate another amazing day of your road trip adventure in Bulgaria!

Day 5 of your road trip in Bulgaria is your departure day. This is your chance to catch a last glimpse of Sofia 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 Sofia’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 Sofia.

You’ll then say farewell to Sofia. 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!