Cheap 10-Day Bulgaria Road Trip from Sofia to Kyustendil, Plovdiv, and Bansko and surrounding area

Your exciting road trip through Bulgaria starts when you reach the incredible city of Sofia, where you'll stay for 6 nights. You'll pick up your rental car in Sofia and begin your adventure in Bulgaria.

Sofia is a popular cheap holiday destination in Bulgaria with something to offer every traveler. When you're ready to explore the city, stop at some of the best places to visit in Sofia and get this road trip adventure rolling.

A trip to the amazing Park "Zaimov" will make your cheap holiday in Bulgaria truly special. This attraction is a fascinating park that has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 15,115 visitors.

When you're done sightseeing for the day, you'll check in at one of the best budget-friendly hotels or places to stay in the city.

When you're hungry and ready to take a break from your adventure, treat yourself to a delicious meal at one of the best restaurants in Sofia. An excellent example is the popular Hadjidraganov's Houses Restaurant. Serving a menu of mouthwatering dishes, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 4,010 customers.

Another restaurant you should check out during your cheap vacation in Bulgaria is Restaurant Vodenitzata. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 3,223 customers, this famous restaurant is one of the city's most recommended places to eat.

If you wish to dine at a restaurant locals love, go to the wonderful Restaurant "Staria Chinar". This restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 2,717 customers, and is an awesome place to satisfy your craving for good food and service.

The School is a great bar to relax after a busy day. About 2,988 customers have given this spot an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, making it one of the most popular bars in the area.

Another bar in Sofia we recommend is Bar Friday, an excellent place to meet new friends. This bar offers customers plenty of snack and drink options and is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 3,410 customers.

The Cocktail Bar is also one of the best places to go to unwind and chat with locals. Over 2,814 bar-goers have rated it an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Enjoy toasting the start of a terrific road trip vacation and cheap holiday experience in Bulgaria!

Day 2’s road trip itinerary introduces you to many popular attractions and activities in Sofia, proving that cheap holidays in Bulgaria can be extraordinary.

You'll begin sightseeing at the extraordinary South Park. This attraction is a park that has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 30,616 travelers.

Another of the best travel destinations you can explore in this fun and cheap holiday destination is the spectacular Borisova Gradina Park. This popular place of interest is a stunning park that boasts an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 27,212 visitors.

To make your trip to Sofia more memorable, spend time at the fascinating Eagles' Bridge. With an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars in 10,102 traveler reviews, it’s not surprising that the fantastic Eagles' Bridge is often mentioned in Bulgaria road trip itineraries.

The magnificent Knyazheska Garden is another stop you might want to add to your sightseeing plans. This park and popular travel destination is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars in 7,658 reviews.

If you’re interested in seeing something else, make your way to the amazing St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. More than 19,337 visitors have rated this church and tourist destination an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Your discovery of Sofia does not have to stop there. You can add a budget-friendly activity on your itinerary and get to know more about Sofia on a personal level. Check out the fantastic selection of affordable tours and tickets offered on this leg of your journey across this top cheap holiday destination in Europe, Bulgaria.

After exploring some of the most remarkable sights in Bulgaria, you also have the chance to experience the country’s food culture. Eat at Pod Lipite (Under the Linden Trees) Restaurant, one of the best restaurants in Sofia. This place is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 2,625 reviews.

You can also check out Art Club Museum. Offering appetizing foods and refreshing beverages at reasonable prices, this restaurant is an excellent choice for budget travelers in the city. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,570 diners.

Another great restaurant we recommend you go to after your road trip activities is Merak. With an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 2,328 customers, this restaurant is sure to provide you a memorable dining experience in Sofia.

When you’ve finished your meal, head to some of the most popular bars in Sofia for an after-dinner drink. Cap off your night in this cheap holiday destination at One More Bar and try some of its cocktails and snacks. This bar has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 2,228 customers.

Halbite Beer Hall is another great place to hang out in and relax after a busy day in the city. This bar offers various drinks at affordable prices and is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,280 customers.

If you want to have a drink or two with locals, you'll want to visit The Corner. Rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,874 customers, this bar is one of the best places to unwind and socialize in Sofia.

Savor the rest of the night and celebrate another incredible road trip adventure in the magical Sofia!

Day 3 means another chance to make the best memories in this cheap holiday destination in Bulgaria, Sofia. So buckle up and prepare to be blown away by the city of Sofia!

One of the best destinations you can travel to today is the stunning North Park. With an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars in over 10,772 reviews, it’s clear that this remarkable park is truly worth a spot in your road trip plans.

You can also spend some time at the spectacular Holy Trinity Park. This attraction is a park that is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 7,720 travelers.

Another place you’ll also want to make time for today is the incredible Russian Monument Square. This popular must-see tourist destination in Sofia has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 6,544 travelers.

You also have the opportunity to visit the fantastic National Palace of Culture. This convention center and travel hotspot is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 14,244 visitors.

Excited to see another tourist destination in Sofia? Then make your way to the outstanding zoo, Sofia Zoo. This local attraction enjoys an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 14,742 visitors.

Beyond the above-mentioned locations, today is the perfect opportunity to join a popular activity in Sofia. Plenty of budget-friendly tours in Sofia offer enriching experiences that will make your cheap holiday in Bulgaria worth remembering for a lifetime.

When it’s time to eat, treat yourself to a lovely meal without paying more than necessary. Sofia has restaurants and bars for all budgets, perfect for cheap holiday goers!

One of the best restaurants worth visiting in Sofia is Garden restaurant Yoli. This restaurant offers good food at reasonable prices and has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1,745 customers.

Hasienda Restaurant is an excellent alternative with an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars in 1,469 reviews. Hasienda Restaurant is known for its delicious meals that will surely satisfy your hunger.

Another of the best places to eat in Sofia is Taj Mahal Restaurant. This restaurant has an impressive average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1,423 customers because of their good food, service, and ambiance.

It’s natural to feel curious about what happens around Sofia as the night unfolds. To see what the nightlife looks like in Sofia, consider an after-dinner drink at one of the best bars in the area.

We recommend you visit Bar & Dinner Relax, an excellent place to enjoy a couple of drinks. This bar is one of locals’ favorite hangout spots and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,554 customers.

The Wrong Bar serves various snacks and drinks at affordable prices, making it another great bar option for budget travelers in Sofia. Customers have rated The Wrong Bar an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars in 1,293 reviews.

You could also relax and have drinks at Face bar & dinner. This bar is popular in Sofia for its great selection of drinks and unique atmosphere. Proof of this claim is clear in its average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,437 bar goers.

A road trip vacation in Sofia can’t get any better than this! Toast to another amazing day in this cheap holiday destination in Bulgaria!

Day 4 means another chance to make the best memories in this cheap holiday destination in Bulgaria, Sofia. So buckle up and prepare to be blown away by the city of Sofia!

One of the best destinations you can travel to today is the stunning Muzeiko. With an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars in over 5,583 reviews, it’s clear that this remarkable museum is truly worth a spot in your road trip plans.

You can also spend some time at the spectacular Druzhba Park. This attraction is a park that is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 8,441 travelers.

Another place you’ll also want to make time for today is the incredible Park "Geo Milev". This popular park in Sofia has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 10,260 travelers.

You also have the opportunity to visit the fantastic St. Nedelya Church. This church and travel hotspot is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 5,501 visitors.

Excited to see another tourist destination in Sofia? Then make your way to the outstanding must-see tourist destination, Ivan Vazov National Theater. This local attraction enjoys an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 9,666 visitors.

Beyond the above-mentioned locations, today is the perfect opportunity to join a popular activity in Sofia. Plenty of budget-friendly tours in Sofia offer enriching experiences that will make your cheap holiday in Bulgaria worth remembering for a lifetime.

When it’s time to eat, treat yourself to a lovely meal without paying more than necessary. Sofia has restaurants and bars for all budgets, perfect for cheap holiday goers!

One of the best restaurants worth visiting in Sofia is Mamma Mia Ltd. This restaurant offers good food at reasonable prices and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,252 customers.

It’s natural to feel curious about what happens around Sofia as the night unfolds. To see what the nightlife looks like in Sofia, consider an after-dinner drink at one of the best bars in the area.

We recommend you visit Lime Cafe & Cocktails, an excellent place to enjoy a couple of drinks. This bar is one of locals’ favorite hangout spots and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,223 customers.

5 Corners Pub serves various snacks and drinks at affordable prices, making it another great bar option for budget travelers in Sofia. Customers have rated 5 Corners Pub an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars in 1,463 reviews.

You could also relax and have drinks at Luciano. This bar is popular in Sofia for its great selection of drinks and unique atmosphere. Proof of this claim is clear in its average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,291 bar goers.

A road trip vacation in Sofia can’t get any better than this! Toast to another amazing day in this cheap holiday destination in Bulgaria!

Day 5 means another chance to make the best memories in this cheap holiday destination in Bulgaria, Tsvetkova Bara. So buckle up and prepare to be blown away by the city of Tsvetkova Bara!

One of the best destinations you can travel to today is the stunning Klisurski Monastery. With an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars in over 3,592 reviews, it’s clear that this remarkable convent is truly worth a spot in your road trip plans.

Excited to see another tourist destination in Tsvetkova Bara?

Beyond the above-mentioned locations, today is the perfect opportunity to join a popular activity in Tsvetkova Bara. Plenty of budget-friendly tours in Tsvetkova Bara offer enriching experiences that will make your cheap holiday in Bulgaria worth remembering for a lifetime.

When it’s time to eat, treat yourself to a lovely meal without paying more than necessary. Tsvetkova Bara has restaurants and bars for all budgets, perfect for cheap holiday goers!

It’s natural to feel curious about what happens around Tsvetkova Bara as the night unfolds. To see what the nightlife looks like in Tsvetkova Bara, consider an after-dinner drink at one of the best bars in the area.

We recommend you visit Caché Bar & Cafe, an excellent place to enjoy a couple of drinks. This bar is one of locals’ favorite hangout spots and has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1,296 customers.

K. E. B. A. Serves various snacks and drinks at affordable prices, making it another great bar option for budget travelers in Tsvetkova Bara. Customers have rated K. E. B. A. An average of 4.4 out of 5 stars in 1,055 reviews.

You could also relax and have drinks at By the Way. This bar is popular in Tsvetkova Bara for its great selection of drinks and unique atmosphere. Proof of this claim is clear in its average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 909 bar goers.

A road trip vacation in Tsvetkova Bara can’t get any better than this! Toast to another amazing day in this cheap holiday destination in Bulgaria!

On day 6 of your road trip through popular and cheap vacation spots across Bulgaria, you’ll experience two places in one day. You’ll start your day in Zemen and end your day in the city of Kyustendil, where you'll stay for 1 night. How much time you’ll spend in each location is up to you.

One of the best places to visit in Zemen is the amazing Zemen Monastery "St. John the Apostle". This travel destination is a place of worship that has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,598 visitors.

Cheap, budget vacations are nothing but incredible, especially when you’re in Bulgaria. To have the best affordable travel experience in Bulgaria, make time for some unique, challenging, or inspiring activities. Adding a tour to your travel plan promises a one-of-a kind adventure that will make your cheap vacation in Bulgaria unforgettable. Fortunately, you'll find plenty of budget-friendly tours and cheap holiday deals in Bulgaria.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Kyustendil. Kyustendil is another cheap travel destination in Bulgaria where you have access to hotels, restaurants, bars, and other conveniences.

After a long day of driving and exploring some of the best attractions a budget vacation in Bulgaria can afford, treat yourself to a hearty meal. You’ll find many great restaurants in Kyustendil that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Kyustendil is Pizza Royal Kyustendil. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 673 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Kyustendil, Hotel Ramira is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 593 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Dream's House. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Kyustendil enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars from 567 customers.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Kyustendil’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Bulgaria. For example, you can visit Restaurant Friends. Rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 3,791 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Passione. This popular bar in Kyustendil has an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars from 680 bar-goers.

You can also go to Vintage bar and dinner as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular Vintage bar and dinner is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 201 customers have given this city bar an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure and cheap holiday experience in Bulgaria!

On day 7 of your road trip through popular and cheap vacation spots across Bulgaria, you’ll experience two places in one day. You’ll start your day in Bogoyna and end your day in the city of Plovdiv, where you'll stay for 1 night. How much time you’ll spend in each location is up to you.

One of the best places to visit in Bogoyna is the amazing Erma River Gorge, Tran. This travel destination is a park that has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,041 visitors.

Cheap, budget vacations are nothing but incredible, especially when you’re in Bulgaria. To have the best affordable travel experience in Bulgaria, make time for some unique, challenging, or inspiring activities. Adding a tour to your travel plan promises a one-of-a kind adventure that will make your cheap vacation in Bulgaria unforgettable. Fortunately, you'll find plenty of budget-friendly tours and cheap holiday deals in Bulgaria.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Plovdiv. Plovdiv is another cheap travel destination in Bulgaria where you have access to hotels, restaurants, bars, and other conveniences.

After a long day of driving and exploring some of the best attractions a budget vacation in Bulgaria can afford, treat yourself to a hearty meal. You’ll find many great restaurants in Plovdiv that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Plovdiv is Aylyakriya / Aylyakria Restaurant. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 1,229 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Plovdiv, Happy Bar & Grill Novotel is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 4,350 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Pavaj. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Plovdiv enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 3,861 customers.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Plovdiv’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Bulgaria. For example, you can visit Torro Grande / Torro Grande. Rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 4,651 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Rahat Tepe. This popular bar in Plovdiv has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 2,984 bar-goers.

You can also go to Club Fargo as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular Club Fargo is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 1,132 customers have given this city bar an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure and cheap holiday experience in Bulgaria!

On day 8 of your road trip through popular and cheap vacation spots across Bulgaria, you’ll experience two places in one day. You’ll start your day in Plovdiv and end your day in the city of Bansko, where you'll stay for 1 night. How much time you’ll spend in each location is up to you.

One of the best places to visit in Plovdiv is the amazing Singing Fountains. This travel destination is a park that has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 12,192 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible “Tsar Simeon Garden” Park. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 15,208 travelers, a visit to this well-known park and sightseeing spot in Plovdiv is likely to make your vacation in Bulgaria even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Plovdiv is the outstanding Ancient Stadium of Philipopolis.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Bulgaria, drop by the popular Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis. This attraction, an amazing must-see tourist destination, has been rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 17,478 travelers.

If you’re keen to explore more, you’ll enjoy the fantastic Lauta Park. This park is a popular attraction rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 5,059 visitors from all over the globe.

Cheap, budget vacations are nothing but incredible, especially when you’re in Bulgaria. To have the best affordable travel experience in Bulgaria, make time for some unique, challenging, or inspiring activities. Adding a tour to your travel plan promises a one-of-a kind adventure that will make your cheap vacation in Bulgaria unforgettable. Fortunately, you'll find plenty of budget-friendly tours and cheap holiday deals in Bulgaria.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Bansko. Bansko is another cheap travel destination in Bulgaria where you have access to hotels, restaurants, bars, and other conveniences.

After a long day of driving and exploring some of the best attractions a budget vacation in Bulgaria can afford, treat yourself to a hearty meal. You’ll find many great restaurants in Bansko that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Bansko is "Five M" Restaurant & Good Bar. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 657 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Bansko, Restaurant Victoria Bansko is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 2,271 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Ribarnika. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Bansko enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 1,297 customers.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Bansko’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Bulgaria. For example, you can visit Amigo Pub. Rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,227 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Pirin 75. This popular bar in Bansko has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 746 bar-goers.

You can also go to Cafe Eliz as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular Cafe Eliz is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 663 customers have given this city bar an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure and cheap holiday experience in Bulgaria!

Day 9 of your road trip across Bulgaria offers you the chance to visit the wonderful Kyustendil and the enchanting Bistritsa, two of the most popular cheap holiday destinations in the country. You'll begin sightseeing in Kyustendil and end the day in Bistritsa, where you'll stay for 1 night.

Buckle up because day 9 of your affordable vacation in Bulgaria will take you to some of locals’ and travelers’ most recommended travel spots!

One place travelers keep coming back to in Kyustendil is the magnificent Sandanski Archaeological Museum. Around 550 visitors have rated this excellent church and travel destination an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

We also recommend you explore the amazing Episcopal Basilica on this leg of your self-drive tour in Bulgaria. This attraction is a well-known landmark that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from around 491 travelers.

The remarkable Park "St. Vrach" is known to be one of the best places to visit in this cheap vacation spot in Bulgaria. This attraction, an amazing park, is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 6,589 travelers.

After capturing the beauty and rich culture of Kyustendil, you’ll get back behind the wheels and continue your road trip to the fantastic city of Bistritsa.

Start your sightseeing in this cheap holiday destination with a visit to the unforgettable Rila. This popular site is a valued urban park in Bistritsa and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 3,847 visitors.

Exploring one unique site after another provides you the much-needed variety during your self-drive tour across Bulgaria. But to satisfy your curiosity or need for adventure, we recommend you add excursions in today’s agenda. You have a great selection of popular and low-cost activities to choose from in Bulgaria. Make your cheap holiday experience in Bulgaria more memorable by doing something new, bold, or inspiring.

Sofia offers many top-rated accommodations suitable for travelers on a budget vacation in Bulgaria. So anytime you need a break from your activities, you’re guaranteed a comfortable and affordable place to rest and stay in the city.

As this adventurous day progresses, satisfy your hunger at one of the best restaurants in the city. Many restaurants in Sofia offer good food at even better prices, the perfect combination for travelers on affordable vacations in Bulgaria.

Make sure you get to the restaurant early to save yourself a seat.

When night has fallen and you feel like enjoying a drink, head to some of Sofia’s best bars. There are plenty of bars in the city where you can order a few drinks without compromising your budget.

Celebrate another day of your adventure-filled road trip through Bulgaria with a toast. Cheers to a memorable cheap vacation experience in Bulgaria!

It’s soon time to say goodbye to Bulgaria as your road trip vacation is about to end. Day 10 is your departure day and your last chance to capture the beauty of Sofia.

Depending on how much time you have before your flight back home, we recommend doing some last-minute shopping or sightseeing to make the most of your cheap holiday experience in Bulgaria.

If you'd rather pass time visiting some attractions, this is your chance to go to places you may not have had the chance to explore yet.

One fantastic attraction you could visit on your last day in Sofia is the remarkable Lions' Bridge. This footbridge and popular place of interest has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 6,233 visitors.

You’ll then say farewell to Sofia and begin your journey home. You’ll leave filled with unforgettable memories from your terrific and affordable travel experiences in Bulgaria!