Cheap 6-Day Bulgaria Road Trip from Sofia traveling east to Plovdiv and Bansko

Your exciting road trip through Bulgaria starts when you reach the incredible hamlet 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 hamlet, stop at some of the best places to visit in Reduta and get this road trip adventure rolling.

A trip to the amazing Park "Geo Milev" 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 10,324 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 hamlet.

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 hamlet's most recommended places to eat.

If you wish to dine at a restaurant locals love, go to the wonderful Art Club Museum. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 2,570 customers, and is an awesome place to satisfy your craving for good food and service.

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.

One More Bar is also one of the best places to go to unwind and chat with locals. Over 2,228 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 Borisova Gradina Park. This attraction is a park that has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 27,346 travelers.

Another of the best travel destinations you can explore in this fun and cheap holiday destination is the spectacular Eagles' Bridge. This popular place of interest is a stunning stone bridge that boasts an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 10,196 visitors.

To make your trip to Sofia more memorable, spend time at the fascinating Park "Zaimov". With an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars in 15,209 traveler reviews, it’s not surprising that the fantastic Park "Zaimov" 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 19,648 reviews.

If you’re interested in seeing something else, make your way to the amazing Ivan Vazov National Theater. More than 9,760 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 The Wrong Bar, one of the best restaurants in Sofia. This place is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 1,293 reviews.

You can also check out Taj Mahal Restaurant. 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 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,423 diners.

Another great restaurant we recommend you go to after your road trip activities is Luciano. With an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,291 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 Halbite Beer Hall and try some of its cocktails and snacks. This bar has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 2,280 customers.

Lime Cafe & Cocktails 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 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,223 customers.

If you want to have a drink or two with locals, you'll want to visit 5 Corners Pub. Rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,463 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!

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 North Park. This travel destination is a park that has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 10,850 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible National Palace of Culture. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 14,510 travelers, a visit to this well-known convention center and sightseeing spot in Sofia is likely to make your vacation in Bulgaria even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Sofia is the outstanding South Park. This park has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 30,763 visitors.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Bulgaria, drop by the popular Sofia Zoo. This attraction, an amazing zoo, has been rated 4.3 out of 5 stars by 14,962 travelers.

If you’re keen to explore more, you’ll enjoy the fantastic Druzhba Park. This park is a popular attraction rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 8,509 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 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 Torro Grande / Torro Grande. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Plovdiv enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 4,651 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 Rahat Tepe. Rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,984 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Club Fargo. This popular bar in Plovdiv has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 1,132 bar-goers.

You can also go to Kotka i Mishka, Cat and Mouse Beer Bar as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular Kotka i Mishka, Cat and Mouse Beer Bar is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 1,070 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 Plovdiv and the enchanting Bachkovo, two of the most popular cheap holiday destinations in the country. You'll begin sightseeing in Plovdiv and end the day in Bachkovo, 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 Plovdiv is the magnificent Singing Fountains. Around 12,362 visitors have rated this excellent park and travel destination an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

We also recommend you explore the amazing “Tsar Simeon Garden” Park on this leg of your self-drive tour in Bulgaria. This attraction is a well-known park that has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from around 15,346 travelers.

The remarkable Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis is known to be one of the best places to visit in this cheap vacation spot in Bulgaria. This attraction, an amazing must-see tourist destination, is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 17,603 travelers.

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

Start your sightseeing in this cheap holiday destination with a visit to the unforgettable Bachkovo Monastery "Uspenie Bogorodichno". This popular site is a valued place of worship in Bachkovo and is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 13,019 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.

Bansko 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 Bansko offer good food at even better prices, the perfect combination for travelers on affordable vacations in Bulgaria.

"Five M" Restaurant & Good Bar is a must try. This restaurant serves a mouthwatering selection of meals and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 657 diners.

Another popular eating spot in Bansko is Restaurant Victoria Bansko, a local favorite. Serving diners fresh, delicious, and affordable meals, this restaurant has been rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,271 customers.

Queen's Pub Bansko / Kuins p'b Bansko offers customers flavorful food and good ambiance, making it one of the best places to eat in Bansko. With an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1,646 customers, this restaurant can get packed very quickly. 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 Bansko’s best bars. There are plenty of bars in the city where you can order a few drinks without compromising your budget.

Amigo Pub is an excellent example of a great bar in Bansko offering drinks at reasonable prices. This popular bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,227 customers.

You can also hang out and have a drink at Pirin 75, another of locals’ go-to bars in Bansko. Pirin 75 is among the best city bars offering various beverages at different price points, with around 746 customers having rated it an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Cafe Eliz is for you if you’re curious about bars that give you a taste of the nightlife scene in Bansko. This bar has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from more than 663 bar-goers.

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

Day 5 of your self-drive vacation in Bulgaria gives you the opportunity to explore two popular cheap holiday destinations in one day. You’ll start your day in the city of Bansko and end your day in the city of Razlog.

Today's agenda features plenty of popular stops and allows you to stay in Sofia for 1 night. How much time you want to spend in each area or attraction is up to you. This way, you’ll have all the time you want to take in the unique atmosphere of each location and make the most of your affordable vacation in Bulgaria.

While you’re in Bansko, it’s a good idea to visit the amazing Holy Trinity Church. The fantastic Holy Trinity Church is a popular church and a sightseeing hotspot. This attraction boasts an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 1,346 travelers.

Once you’ve satisfied your wanderlust in Bansko, you’ll continue to your next road trip destination of the day, the city of Razlog.

Make Park "Razlog" your first stop. This popular park among locals and travelers alike has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 3,814 visitors.

Make the most of your time in the country by joining activities that let you discover more about Bulgaria. Check out all of the affordable tours you can join this day of your cheap holiday in Bulgaria and ensure the road trip experience of a lifetime.

You’ll also have your choice of the best budget accommodations in the city of Sofia. So when it's time for a break from your adventures in Sofia, relax and restore your energy at any of the following affordable places to stay.

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try Mamma Mia Ltd, one of the best restaurants in Sofia. This restaurant is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,252 customers.

Island Restaurant is yet another of the top places to eat in the city. Island Restaurant is known for serving a variety of delectable dishes and is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,035 diners.

Locals and travelers enjoy dining at Maraya Klasik / Maraia Classic, another well-loved restaurant in Sofia. Rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,002 guests, this restaurant is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a memorable dining experience in Bulgaria.

After dinner, visit one of the best bars in Sofia, K. E. B. A. This famous bar offers snacks and drinks at different price points and is a popular hangout spot among locals. In addition, this bar has been rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,055 bar goers.

By the Way is a great place for anyone who is into classic bar drinks. This bar is considered one of the best drinking spots in Sofia, with its average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 909 customers.

Alternatively, you can drop by Griyn bar, where you can have drinks, let loose, and socialize. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,037 customers.

Cherish every minute of your road trip vacation across Bulgaria. Celebrate this opportunity to enjoy a cheap holiday in Bulgaria!

It’s soon time to say goodbye to Bulgaria as your road trip vacation is about to end. Day 6 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 7,768 visitors.

If you have an appetite for one last delicious meal in Sofia, consider a top-rated restaurant like Esterhasi Restaurant. This restaurant has a menu of appetizing and affordable meals and is rated at an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 731 customers.

Restaurant "Panchetata" is an excellent alternative if you feel like eating something else. This restaurant serves a variety of savory and budget-friendly dishes and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 626 customers.

Another popular restaurant you could check out is Divaka. Rated an average of 4.1 out of 5 stars by 4,532 customers, this restaurant is a great place to enjoy meals that will remind you of Bulgaria and your fun memories in Sofia.

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!