8-Day Bulgaria Road Trip from Plovdiv traveling west to Samokov and Bankya

Your road trip adventure in Bulgaria begins as soon as you reach the incredible city of Plovdiv. You’ll stay in Plovdiv for 3 nights, experiencing all the best things to do and see in the city.

Plovdiv has many popular destinations you can explore.

When you're done sightseeing for the day, you'll check in at one of the best hotels or places to stay in the city. Your stay promises to be a delightful continuation of your exploration, providing comfort and tranquility to recharge for the adventures that lie ahead.

When you’re ready for dinner, we recommend you try one of the best restaurants in the city of Plovdiv, Aylyakriya / Aylyakria Restaurant. The restaurant is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 1,229 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Plovdiv is Pavaj. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 3,861 customers.

Locals recommend Rahat Tepe as one of the best restaurants in the city of Plovdiv. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,984 customers.

Plovdiv also has several great bars that will fit all travel budgets. One of the best bars in the city of Plovdiv is Club Fargo. This bar has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,132 customers.

Another of the best bars in the city of Plovdiv is Kotka i Mishka, Cat and Mouse Beer Bar. This bar is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,070 customers.

Enjoy toasting the start of your 8-day vacation in Bulgaria!

Day 2 of your road trip will take you to the best attractions Plovdiv has to offer. Cherish the 2 nights you have left in Plovdiv by discovering the best things there are to see and do in the city.

There are plenty of attractions, markets, and restaurants for you to experience today in the city of Plovdiv. Your accommodation will be conveniently located close to several of the best attractions you won't want to miss.

You'll be able to visit more of the best travel destinations in the city of Plovdiv, like the extraordinary Alyosha Monument. This attraction is a monument and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 4,259 visitors.

Another of the best travel destinations in Plovdiv is the spectacular Ancient Stadium of Philipopolis. This attraction is a top-tier point of interest and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 7,228 visitors.

You could then travel to the amazing Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis. This best-rated sightseeing destination has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 17,047 visitors.

Singing Fountains is another stop you might want to add to your itinerary. This park is a popular destination among visitors in Plovdiv. Rated at an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 11,815 visitors, it’s one many travelers find worthy a visit.

If you’re interested in seeing something outstanding today, then consider Lauta Park. Lauta Park is a park and popular attraction in Plovdiv. More than 5,257 visitors have rated this place an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Your discovery of Plovdiv does not have to stop there. Check out the fantastic selection of tours and tickets offered in Plovdiv on this day of your trip.

After a long day of exploring some of the most popular attractions in Bulgaria, be sure to eat at Hemingway Restaurant, which is considered one of the best restaurants in the city of Plovdiv. This restaurant is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,363 customers.

Alternatively, another of the top restaurants in the city of Plovdiv is the popular r-nt , Mal'k Bunardzhik". This restaurant is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,166 customers.

Another great restaurant we recommend in the city of Plovdiv is PASA Restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,284 customers.

When you’ve finished your meal, Rock Bar Download is one of the best bars in the city of Plovdiv for an after-dinner drink. This bar has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 845 customers.

Bar The Post is another of the most popular bars in the city of Plovdiv. This bar is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 425 customers.

Stopping at one of these popular bars is the perfect way to celebrate another incredible day in the magical city of Plovdiv!

Rise and shine on day 3 of your road trip in Bulgaria. Today, you'll wake up in Plovdiv and embark on a scenic drive to Samokov, where you'll stay at one of the best hotels for 1 night. Seize the opportunity to explore spectacular attractions in Plovdiv before you reach your end destination for the day.

It’s hard not to feel excited about visiting attractions in a destination as lovely as Plovdiv. This attraction is a fortress that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 6,777 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible Bachkovo Monastery "Uspenie Bogorodichno". This attraction, a beloved place of worship, has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 12,464 visitors.

One of the most popular attractions you can visit is the remarkable "Svoboda" Park Island. This attraction is a park that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 8,268 visitors.

If you want to explore more, visit the incredible Cave Snejanka. This top-tier point of interest and attraction has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 3,001 reviews.

We recommend you end the day with a dinner at a popular restaurant near your accommodation, like The Old House Restaurant. This restaurant offers various delicious and comforting meals and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 2,207 customers.

Locals also recommend Kaymakanova house, another of the best restaurants in Samokov. Kaymakanova house is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 829 customers.

If you feel like having something else, check out the menu at Pri Sote Traditional Restaurant. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,699 customers and is a great place to enjoy a lovely meal.

After dinner, visit Delight bar & dinner to enjoy a couple of drinks and relax. This bar is one of the best in Samokov, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 382 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like Defected Bar & Café. This bar is a great spot to meet new friends and celebrate your vacation. Defected Bar & Café has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 146 customers.

End your day by raising your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure in Bulgaria, and look forward to more great days to come!

You’ll stay in Sofia for 3 nights.

One of the best places to explore in the city of Plovdiv today is Tsari Mali Grad. This excellent attraction is a fortress that has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 6,546 visitors.

To experience the local culture, see more of Bulgaria, and meet new people at the same time, we highly recommend you go on a tour. You’ll find many top-rated and popular tours in the city, offering unique experiences that will inspire you. On this tour, you can go on an epic adventure to some of the best places to visit in Bulgaria. You also get to admire popular places of interest.

You could then travel to Rila for some unforgettable sightseeing experience. This popular attraction is an urban park and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,931 visitors.

This outstanding monastery has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 17,257 travelers.

You’ll have your choice of the best hotels and places to stay in the city of Sofia.

Be sure to celebrate another day of your incredible road trip adventure through Bulgaria with a toast!

On day 5 of your road trip across Bulgaria, you’ll have the perfect day exploring the wonderful city of Plovdiv. You’ll stay in Plovdiv for 2 nights, meaning you have plenty of time to discover the best things to see and do in the area.

We recommend you stay at the Best Western Terminus Hotel, one of the best 4-star hotels in the city of Plovdiv. This hotel has an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars by 2,583 guests.

The best luxury hotel option in the city of Plovdiv is the 5-star Casa Boyana Boutique. The hotel is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 249 guests.

One of the best hotels we recommend in the city of Plovdiv is the 3-star Hotel 007. This 3-star hotel has an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars by 534 guests.

Our flexible booking system will automatically provide you with the best alternatives if these hotels are not available.

You'll have easy access to popular travel destinations in the town of Plovdiv, like the outstanding Knyazheska Garden. This attraction has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 7,458 visitors.

Eagles' Bridge is another popular attraction you could visit in the town of Plovdiv. This incredible attraction is a stone bridge and has been rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 9,677 visitors.

One of the best attractions you could visit in the town of Plovdiv is the extraordinary Borisova Gradina Park. This park is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars in 26,952 reviews.

As the day moves along, one attraction you’ll probably want to visit is the incredible South Park. Around 30,055 visitors have given this park an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Come to Plovdiv prepared by adding some tours and tickets to your vacation package. Book a popular and budget-friendly activity you can do on this day in Plovdiv.

After a day of exploring, try one of the best restaurants in the city of Plovdiv.

It's a perfect place to relax and enjoy another amazing evening in Bulgaria.

Day 6 of your road trip will take you to the best attractions Plovdiv has to offer. Cherish the 1 night you have left in Plovdiv by discovering the best things there are to see and do in the city.

There are plenty of attractions, markets, and restaurants for you to experience today in the city of Plovdiv. Your accommodation will be conveniently located close to several of the best attractions you won't want to miss.

You'll be able to visit more of the best travel destinations in the town of Plovdiv, like the extraordinary Park "Geo Milev". This attraction is a park and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 9,902 visitors.

Another of the best travel destinations in Plovdiv is the spectacular National Museum of Military History. This attraction is a military museum and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 4,165 visitors.

You could then travel to the amazing St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. This church has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 18,076 visitors.

National Palace of Culture is another stop you might want to add to your itinerary. This convention center is a popular destination among visitors in Plovdiv. Rated at an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 13,776 visitors, it’s one many travelers find worthy a visit.

If you’re interested in seeing something outstanding today, then consider Golden Bridges. Golden Bridges is a park and popular attraction in Plovdiv. More than 4,985 visitors have rated this place an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Your discovery of Plovdiv does not have to stop there. Check out the fantastic selection of tours and tickets offered in Plovdiv on this day of your trip.

Stopping at one of these popular bars is the perfect way to celebrate another incredible day in the magical city of Sofia!

As you rise to greet the dawn on day 7 of your epic road trip in Bulgaria, you'll awaken to the bustling city of Plovdiv. Today, you'll hit the road once again, setting off on a journey towards the stunning city of Plovdiv. You’ll stay in Plovdiv for 1 night. But before you begin your drive, we recommend taking the time to explore some of Plovdiv’s must-see attractions and local hotspots.

If you’re curious to see more of Plovdiv, start your day with a visit to the amazing Holy Trinity Park. This much-appreciated park and attraction is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 7,629 visitors.

You could also stop at another of the best local travel destinations in the area, the fascinating Russian Monument Square. This top-tier point of interest and spectacular attraction has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 6,387 visitors.

We also recommend you spend some time at the popular St. Nedelya Church to make the most of your road trip across Bulgaria. The spectacular St. Nedelya Church is a church that has been rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 5,189 visitors.

The lovely Church of St. Nicholas the Miracle-Maker is yet another attraction you could pay a visit. Around 4,714 visitors have left this church average ratings of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

If you feel like visiting another type of sight or don’t want to jump into the car quite yet, spend some time at the spectacular Druzhba Park. This attraction is a park rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars in 8,323 reviews.

After soaking up all the sights and sounds that Plovdiv has to offer, you'll be ready to hit the open road and continue your unforgettable road trip towards the city of Plovdiv. Plovdiv offers plenty of options for top-rated hotels and other places to stay that fit all travel budgets.

After you’ve settled into your accommodation, we recommend a dinner at the popular Kotka i Mishka, Cat and Mouse Beer Bar. This popular restaurant is one of the locals’ most recommended restaurants in the city, with ratings of 4.6 out of 5 stars in 1,070 reviews.

The remarkable RESTAURANT Raia is another top restaurant in Plovdiv we recommend. This restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience and is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 936 customers.

If you would rather go somewhere else, the famous Kitchen of Raya / Kukhnyata na Raya is also an excellent choice. This well-loved restaurant is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 895 customers.

After your meal, we recommend you drink at one of the best bars in Plovdiv, the fantastic Piano Bar Sinatra. This bar has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 568 customers.

To end your night the best way possible, we recommend going to the wonderful Wunderbaer - Hills Beer Bar & Shop. This bar offers a great variety of drinks and has been rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 180 customers.

Another bar with a great atmosphere is bar Fabrik. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 698 customers, so don’t forget to check this one out as well!

Celebrate another amazing vacation day filled with adventure in Bulgaria!

Day 8 of your road trip in Bulgaria is your departure day. This is your chance to catch one last glimpse of Plovdiv before saying goodbye to this wonderful destination. When you have time to explore the area before you make your way home, we recommend visiting some of the following attractions.

Take a stroll along the main shopping streets of Plovdiv and find some souvenirs to remind you of your road trip in Bulgaria.

You could then enjoy your last meal in the city of Plovdiv at Sofra before you travel home. This popular restaurant is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 807 customers.

Alternatively, we also recommend Restaurant - Garden "Philippopolis" for your last chance at a meal in the city of Plovdiv. The Restaurant - Garden "Philippopolis" restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 767 customers.

If you'd prefer a popular restaurant that locals enjoy, try Tams House. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 522 customers.

You’ll then say farewell to Plovdiv. We wish you a pleasant journey home, with many wonderful memories of your unforgettable vacation in Bulgaria!