9-Day Bulgaria Road Trip from Plovdiv traveling east to Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo, Kavarna, and Sveti Vlas

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 9-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 Singing Fountains. This attraction is a park and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 11,815 visitors.

Another of the best travel destinations in Plovdiv is the spectacular Ancient Stadium of Philipopolis. This attraction is a must-see tourist destination 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 must-see tourist destination has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 17,047 visitors.

Lauta Park 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 4.6 out of 5 stars by 5,257 visitors, it’s one many travelers find worthy a visit.

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!

Day 3 of your road trip through Bulgaria gives you the opportunity to experience two places in one day. You'll start your day with some exploring in the city of Plovdiv and end it at a top-rated hotel in the city of Sofia. You will stay in Sofia for 2 nights. Have a hearty breakfast and get excited for a wonderful day ahead!

One of the best places to visit today in Plovdiv is the amazing City Park by the river Iskar. This attraction is a park that is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,123 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible park, Rila National Park. With an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars by 9,075 visitors, this attraction is one of the top sights in the area.

Another unforgettable travel destination in the Plovdiv is the outstanding Tsari Mali Grad. This popular fortress and travel destination has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 6,546 visitors.

You can make the most of your new day in Plovdiv by joining activities and tours that let you discover what else the city has in store for you. There are many top-rated experiences you can include in your travel plan to add flavor to your road trip in Bulgaria. Browse all of your options and reserve your slot before it's too late.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Sofia, where you will access the best hotels and places to stay.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure through Bulgaria!

On day 4 of your road trip across Bulgaria, you’ll have the perfect day exploring the wonderful city of Plovdiv. You’ll stay in Plovdiv for 1 night, 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 St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. This attraction has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 18,076 visitors.

Park "Geo Milev" is another popular attraction you could visit in the town of Plovdiv. This incredible attraction is a park and has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 9,902 visitors.

One of the best attractions you could visit in the town of Plovdiv is the extraordinary South Park. This park is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars in 30,055 reviews.

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.

We recommend you eat at a delicious restaurant that locals enjoy, like Restaurant "Staria Chinar", after your day of exploring the city of Plovdiv. This excellent restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,717 customers.

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

As you rise to greet the dawn on day 5 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 Veliko Tarnovo. You’ll stay in Veliko Tarnovo 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 National Palace of Culture. This much-appreciated convention center and attraction is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 13,776 visitors.

You could also stop at another of the best local travel destinations in the area, the fascinating Borisova Gradina Park. This park and spectacular attraction has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 26,952 visitors.

We also recommend you spend some time at the popular Eagles' Bridge to make the most of your road trip across Bulgaria. The spectacular Eagles' Bridge is a stone bridge that has been rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 9,677 visitors.

The lovely Knyazheska Garden is yet another attraction you could pay a visit. Around 7,458 visitors have left this park average ratings of 4.5 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 Ivan Vazov National Theater. This attraction is a best-rated sightseeing destination rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars in 9,201 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 Veliko Tarnovo. Veliko Tarnovo 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 VkusoteriA. This popular restaurant is one of the locals’ most recommended restaurants in the city, with ratings of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 993 reviews.

The remarkable Shtastliveca ("The Lucky One") is another top restaurant in Veliko Tarnovo we recommend. This restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 8,818 customers.

If you would rather go somewhere else, the famous Restaurant Ego 1 is also an excellent choice. This well-loved restaurant is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 3,561 customers.

After your meal, we recommend you drink at one of the best bars in Veliko Tarnovo, the fantastic Bianko. This bar has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,466 customers.

To end your night the best way possible, we recommend going to the wonderful Lino Bar. This bar offers a great variety of drinks and has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,358 customers.

Another bar with a great atmosphere is Tequila Bar Funky Monkey. This bar is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 493 customers, so don’t forget to check this one out as well!

Celebrate another amazing vacation day filled with adventure in Bulgaria!

Rise and shine on day 6 of your road trip in Bulgaria. Today, you'll wake up in Veliko Tarnovo and embark on a scenic drive to Kavarna, where you'll stay at one of the best hotels for 1 night. Seize the opportunity to explore spectacular attractions in Veliko Tarnovo 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 Veliko Tarnovo. When you’re eager to explore the city and nearby areas, we recommend visiting some local favorites, such as the wonderful Park "Sveta Gora". This attraction is a park that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 4,681 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible Tsarevets Fortress. This attraction, a beloved top-tier point of interest, has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 11,511 visitors.

One of the most popular attractions you can visit is the remarkable Balchik Palace. This attraction is a palace that has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 19,217 visitors.

If you want to explore more, visit the incredible Balchik Botanic Garden. This park and attraction has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 15,288 reviews.

We recommend you end the day with a dinner at a popular restaurant near your accommodation, like Laguna Terrace. This restaurant offers various delicious and comforting meals and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 175 customers.

This bar is a great spot to meet new friends and celebrate your vacation.

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!

Get ready to experience some of the most famous attractions in the area!

One of the best places to visit is the amazing Kaliakra. This attraction is a nature reserve and is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 10,175 visitors.

Joining a top-rated tour in Plovdiv is another excellent way to spend your new day in Bulgaria. The best tours in this travel destination will take you on an exploration to some of Bulgaria’s most well-known attractions and best-kept secrets.

With this tour, you’ll set out on a journey to Bulgaria’s most interesting sights. As you go along this remarkable tour, you’ll also have the unique opportunity to catch a glimpse of Bulgaria’s scenic spots.

You could then travel to the amazing Retro Museum in the city of Varna for some sightseeing. This popular attraction is a museum and has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 6,327 visitors.

Another unforgettable travel destination in the city of Varna is the outstanding Sea Garden. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 31,686 visitors, this urban park deserves a spot on travelers' bucket lists.

We also recommend a visit to the popular Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral. This attraction, a stunning eastern orthodox cathedral, has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 6,705 travelers.

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

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure through Bulgaria!

Day 8 of your road trip will take you to the city of Plovdiv and the city of Burgas. You’ll stay in Plovdiv for 1 night.

One of the best places to explore in the city of Plovdiv today is Sunny Beach. This excellent attraction is a town that has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 6,756 visitors.

We also recommend you visit the amazing Nesebar Archaeological Museum, an outstanding museum, in the city of Plovdiv. Around 3,660 travelers rated this attraction with 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Another of the best travel destinations you can visit in the city of Plovdiv is Church of Saint Sophia. This amazing attraction is a church and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 9,769 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 The Sea Garden for some unforgettable sightseeing experience in the city of Burgas. This popular attraction is a park and is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 34,044 visitors.

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

After a long day of traveling and sightseeing, we recommend you try one of the best restaurants in the city of Plovdiv, Kotka i Mishka, Cat and Mouse Beer Bar. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,070 customers.

Locals recommend RESTAURANT Raia as one of the best restaurants in the city of Plovdiv. RESTAURANT Raia is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 936 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Plovdiv is Kitchen of Raya / Kukhnyata na Raya. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 895 customers.

After dinner, visit one of the top bars in the city of Plovdiv, Piano Bar Sinatra. This popular bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 568 customers.

You could also relax with a drink at a popular bar like Wunderbaer - Hills Beer Bar & Shop. This bar has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 180 customers.

Bar Fabrik is a popular bar that locals recommend in the city of Plovdiv. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 698 customers.

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

Day 9 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.

Alyosha Monument is an extraordinary attraction you could visit to enjoy your last day in Plovdiv. This monument and popular site of interest has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 4,259 visitors.

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!