Cheap 5-Day Bulgaria Road Trip from Sofia to Plovdiv

Your exciting road trip through Bulgaria starts when you reach the incredible city of Sofia, where you'll stay for 3 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 "Staria Chinar". Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,717 customers, this famous restaurant is one of the city's most recommended places to eat.

Bar Friday is a great bar to relax after a busy day. About 3,410 customers have given this spot an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars, making it one of the most popular bars in the area.

Another bar in Sofia we recommend is The Cocktail Bar, an excellent place to meet new friends. This bar offers customers plenty of snack and drink options and is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,814 customers.

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 North Park. This attraction is a park that has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 10,772 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 St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is another stop you might want to add to your sightseeing plans. This church and popular travel destination is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 19,337 reviews.

If you’re interested in seeing something else, make your way to the amazing Ivan Vazov National Theater. More than 9,666 visitors have rated this top-tier point of interest and tourist destination an average of 4.8 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.

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.

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

On day 3 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 Sofia 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 Sofia is the amazing National Palace of Culture. This travel destination is a convention center that has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 14,244 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible South Park. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 30,616 travelers, a visit to this well-known park and sightseeing spot in Sofia is likely to make your vacation in Bulgaria even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Sofia is the outstanding Park "Geo Milev". This park has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 10,260 visitors.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Bulgaria, drop by the popular Druzhba Park. This attraction, an amazing park, has been rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 8,441 travelers.

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!

Day 4 of your road trip across Bulgaria offers you the chance to visit the wonderful Asenovgrad and the enchanting Plovdiv, two of the most popular cheap holiday destinations in the country. You'll begin sightseeing in Asenovgrad and end the day in Plovdiv, where you'll stay for 1 night.

Buckle up because day 4 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 Asenovgrad is the magnificent Asen's Fortress. Around 6,988 visitors have rated this excellent fortress and travel destination an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

We also recommend you explore the amazing Bachkovo Monastery "Uspenie Bogorodichno" on this leg of your self-drive tour in Bulgaria. This attraction is a well-known place of worship that has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from around 12,913 travelers.

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

Start your sightseeing in this cheap holiday destination with a visit to the unforgettable Singing Fountains. This popular site is a valued park in Plovdiv and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 12,192 visitors.

Another must-visit in Plovdiv is the spectacular “Tsar Simeon Garden” Park. This outstanding park and sightseeing destination has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from more than 15,208 travelers.

You can also stop at the popular Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis to make your cheap holiday experience in Plovdiv truly special. This top-tier point of interest and place of interest has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 17,478 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.

Taj Mahal Restaurant is a must try. This restaurant serves a mouthwatering selection of meals and has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1,423 diners.

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.

The Wrong Bar is an excellent example of a great bar in Sofia offering drinks at reasonable prices. This popular bar is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,293 customers.

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 5 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 Holy Trinity Park. This park and popular place of interest has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 7,720 visitors.

If you have an appetite for one last delicious meal in Sofia, consider a top-rated restaurant like Mamma Mia Ltd. This restaurant has a menu of appetizing and affordable meals and is rated at an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,252 customers.

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!