One-Week Bulgaria Road Trip from Varna to Burgas and Plovdiv and surrounding area

Your exciting road trip through Bulgaria starts when you reach the incredible city of Varna, where you'll stay for 5 nights. You'll pick up your rental car in Varna and begin your adventure in Bulgaria.

Varna 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 Varna and get this road trip adventure rolling.

A trip to the amazing Sea Garden will make your cheap holiday in Bulgaria truly special. This attraction is a fascinating urban park that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 32,289 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 Varna. An excellent example is the popular Sweet Parmy. Serving a menu of mouthwatering dishes, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 645 customers.

Another restaurant you should check out during your cheap vacation in Bulgaria is Happy Bar & Grill Center (Varna). Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 8,318 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 Happy Bar & Grill. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 7,456 customers, and is an awesome place to satisfy your craving for good food and service.

Cubo is a great bar to relax after a busy day. About 5,527 customers have given this spot an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, making it one of the most popular bars in the area.

Another bar in Varna we recommend is Beach Bar Menthol, an excellent place to meet new friends. This bar offers customers plenty of snack and drink options and is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,430 customers.

The Garden Bar is also one of the best places to go to unwind and chat with locals. Over 2,562 bar-goers have rated it an average of 4.3 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 Varna, proving that cheap holidays in Bulgaria can be extraordinary.

You'll begin sightseeing at the extraordinary Asparuhov park. This attraction is a top-tier point of interest that has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 4,183 travelers.

Another of the best travel destinations you can explore in this fun and cheap holiday destination is the spectacular Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral. This popular place of interest is a stunning eastern orthodox cathedral that boasts an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 7,003 visitors.

To make your trip to Varna more memorable, spend time at the fascinating Retro Museum. With an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 6,851 traveler reviews, it’s not surprising that the fantastic Retro Museum is often mentioned in Bulgaria road trip itineraries.

The magnificent Dolphinarium Varna is another stop you might want to add to your sightseeing plans. This aquarium and popular travel destination is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars in 8,557 reviews.

Your discovery of Varna does not have to stop there. You can add a budget-friendly activity on your itinerary and get to know more about Varna 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 Staria Chinar - Port Varna, one of the best restaurants in Varna. This place is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 4,810 reviews.

You can also check out Godzila Sevastopol. 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 4,248 diners.

Another great restaurant we recommend you go to after your road trip activities is Staria Chinar Restaurant. With an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 3,178 customers, this restaurant is sure to provide you a memorable dining experience in Varna.

When you’ve finished your meal, head to some of the most popular bars in Varna for an after-dinner drink. Cap off your night in this cheap holiday destination at Muffin bar & coffee and try some of its cocktails and snacks. This bar has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,718 customers.

The BRICK bar 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 1,387 customers.

If you want to have a drink or two with locals, you'll want to visit Bar PUNTA CANA. Rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,540 customers, this bar is one of the best places to unwind and socialize in Varna.

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

On day 3 of your road trip adventures in Bulgaria, you’ll go deep into Balchik, where you'll stay for 3 nights, and see some of the city’s unforgettable attractions. To learn more of the city's culture, you'll also dine at the most popular restaurants in Balchik, and meet locals along the way!

Balchik offers an incredible variety of budget hotels and places to stay you can choose from and spend the night in.

We recommend you stay at the charming Grand Hotel London to ensure a pleasant and affordable vacation in Balchik. This 5-star hotel offers guests comfort and convenience and is rated an average of 4.1 out of 5 stars in 1,054 guest reviews.

Another budget-friendly stay option you can check into is the cozy 4-star Cherno More. This cheap hotel provides a ton of handy amenities perfect for travelers in Balchik. Cherno More has an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars from 3,554 former guests.

Travelers looking forward to enjoying a cheap vacation in Balchik should also consider Palitra. This 3-star hotel offers great value-for-money and is one of the best budget accommodations in the city. Palitra has been rated by 506 guests with an average of 4 out of 5 stars.

Popular hotels and places to stay in Balchik offering low-cost accommodations get fully-booked fast. If any of these stay options are not available during your visit in the city, our flexible booking system will automatically provide you with the best budget alternatives.

One thing that makes Balchik the perfect cheap holiday destination is that the city offers easy access to many popular attractions. For example, the outstanding palace, Balchik Palace. This attraction has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 19,545 visitors.

The famous Balchik Botanic Garden is another remarkable sightseeing hotspot in the area. This incredible park and travel destination has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 15,424 visitors.

This fascinating attraction is a must-visit.

Come to Balchik prepared by adding a tour to your budget vacation package to Bulgaria. If you’re up for a challenging, fun, or inspiring activity, check out the fantastic selection of tours and cheap holiday deals in Balchik.

After a day of exploring, reward yourself by dining at one of the best restaurants in Balchik, Morska terasa. Locals enjoy eating at Morska terasa for its good food and ambiance. This excellent restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 3,104 diners.

El Kapan serves various affordable and delicious dishes perfect for cheap holiday goers. On top of that, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 3,370 food lovers.

If you want more options, Happy Bar & Grill is another great spot. Browse through its exciting menu and you'll see why Happy Bar & Grill has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars in 2,955 reviews.

Curious about the nightlife in Balchik? Consider visiting some of the best bars in Balchik after dinner. Locals recommend Cuba Beach Bar, and it's a great spot to enjoy a refreshing drink after an active day. This bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,018 customers.

Cafe Bar Soho is another excellent place to relax and have a drink or two after a busy road trip in Bulgaria. Cafe Bar Soho has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 136 bar-goers, proving it's one of the most popular bars in Balchik.

You might also want to cap the night off at Makalali Beach, a fascinating bar that 2,461 customers have rated 4.2 out of 5 stars in their reviews.

Raise a toast and enjoy celebrating this terrific day of your affordable vacation in Bulgaria!

On day 4 of your road trip adventures in Bulgaria, you’ll go deep into Kariya, where you'll stay for 2 nights, and see some of the hamlet’s unforgettable attractions. To learn more of the hamlet's culture, you'll also dine at the most popular restaurants in Kariya, and meet locals along the way!

Kariya offers an incredible variety of budget hotels and places to stay you can choose from and spend the night in.

We recommend you stay at the charming Grand Hotel London to ensure a pleasant and affordable vacation in Kariya. This 5-star hotel offers guests comfort and convenience and is rated an average of 4.1 out of 5 stars in 1,054 guest reviews.

Another budget-friendly stay option you can check into is the cozy 4-star Cherno More. This cheap hotel provides a ton of handy amenities perfect for travelers in Kariya. Cherno More has an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars from 3,554 former guests.

Travelers looking forward to enjoying a cheap vacation in Kariya should also consider Palitra. This 3-star hotel offers great value-for-money and is one of the best budget accommodations in the hamlet. Palitra has been rated by 506 guests with an average of 4 out of 5 stars.

Popular hotels and places to stay in Kariya offering low-cost accommodations get fully-booked fast. If any of these stay options are not available during your visit in the hamlet, our flexible booking system will automatically provide you with the best budget alternatives.

One thing that makes Kariya the perfect cheap holiday destination is that the hamlet offers easy access to many popular attractions. For example, the outstanding lighthouse, Shabla Lighthouse. This attraction has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 2,828 visitors.

This fascinating attraction is a must-visit.

Come to Kariya prepared by adding a tour to your budget vacation package to Bulgaria. If you’re up for a challenging, fun, or inspiring activity, check out the fantastic selection of tours and cheap holiday deals in Kariya.

After a day of exploring, reward yourself by dining at one of the best restaurants in Kariya, Stariyat chinar Preslav. Locals enjoy eating at Stariyat chinar Preslav for its good food and ambiance. This excellent restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 2,788 diners.

Mr Baba serves various affordable and delicious dishes perfect for cheap holiday goers. On top of that, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,420 food lovers.

If you want more options, Captain Cook Varna is another great spot. Browse through its exciting menu and you'll see why Captain Cook Varna has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars in 2,043 reviews.

Curious about the nightlife in Kariya? Consider visiting some of the best bars in Kariya after dinner. Locals recommend Gossip Bar Max, and it's a great spot to enjoy a refreshing drink after an active day. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 452 customers.

Cafe-Bar Vogue is another excellent place to relax and have a drink or two after a busy road trip in Bulgaria. Cafe-Bar Vogue has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 339 bar-goers, proving it's one of the most popular bars in Kariya.

You might also want to cap the night off at Deja Vu, a fascinating bar that 361 customers have rated 4.3 out of 5 stars in their reviews.

Raise a toast and enjoy celebrating this terrific day of your affordable vacation in Bulgaria!

On day 5 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 Dobrich and end your day in the city of Burgas, 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 Dobrich is the amazing Dom-Pametnik Yordan Yovkov. This travel destination is a museum that has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 273 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Museum Old Dobrich. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 692 travelers, a visit to this well-known museum and sightseeing spot in Dobrich is likely to make your vacation in Bulgaria even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Dobrich is the outstanding Gradski park "Sv. Georgi" Dobrich. This top-tier point of interest has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 428 visitors.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Bulgaria, drop by the popular Park "Sveti Georgi". This attraction, an amazing park, has been rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 6,314 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 Burgas. Burgas 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 Burgas that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Burgas is Happy Bar & Grill. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 6,335 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Burgas, Happy Bar & Grill 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 5,139 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Romance Pub & Pizza. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Burgas enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 2,070 customers.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Burgas’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Bulgaria. For example, you can visit Papa Beer - Craft Beer Bar. Rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 981 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Caribe. This popular bar in Burgas has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,358 bar-goers.

You can also go to Ti Bar & Kitchen - restorant i bar v Burgas as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular Ti Bar & Kitchen - restorant i bar v Burgas is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 835 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!

Day 6 of your road trip across Bulgaria offers you the chance to visit the wonderful Burgas and the enchanting Ravadinovo, two of the most popular cheap holiday destinations in the country. You'll begin sightseeing in Burgas and end the day in Ravadinovo, where you'll stay for 1 night.

Buckle up because day 6 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 Burgas is the magnificent The Sea Garden. Around 34,703 visitors have rated this excellent park and travel destination an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

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

Start your sightseeing in this cheap holiday destination with a visit to the unforgettable Castle of Ravadinovo. This popular site is a valued best-rated sightseeing destination in Ravadinovo and is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 8,079 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.

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

Aylyakriya / Aylyakria Restaurant is a must try. This restaurant serves a mouthwatering selection of meals and has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 1,229 diners.

Another popular eating spot in Plovdiv is Happy Bar & Grill Novotel, a local favorite. Serving diners fresh, delicious, and affordable meals, this restaurant has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 4,350 customers.

Torro Grande / Torro Grande offers customers flavorful food and good ambiance, making it one of the best places to eat in Plovdiv. With an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 4,651 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 Plovdiv’s best bars. There are plenty of bars in the city where you can order a few drinks without compromising your budget.

Rahat Tepe is an excellent example of a great bar in Plovdiv offering drinks at reasonable prices. This popular bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,984 customers.

You can also hang out and have a drink at Club Fargo, another of locals’ go-to bars in Plovdiv. Club Fargo is among the best city bars offering various beverages at different price points, with around 1,132 customers having rated it an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Kotka i Mishka, Cat and Mouse Beer Bar is for you if you’re curious about bars that give you a taste of the nightlife scene in Plovdiv. This bar has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from more than 1,070 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!

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 Nessebar and end your day in the city of Varna, 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 Nessebar is the amazing Church of Saint Sophia. This travel destination is a church that has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 9,853 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Nesebar Archaeological Museum. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 3,715 travelers, a visit to this well-known museum and sightseeing spot in Nessebar is likely to make your vacation in Bulgaria even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Nessebar is the outstanding Sunny Beach. This town has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 6,830 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 Varna. Varna 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 Varna that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Varna is "Halbata" Restaurant. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1,580 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Varna, Kramer pastry 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 1,428 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Marché Restaurant. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Varna enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,301 customers.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Varna’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Bulgaria. For example, you can visit Vogue cafe bar. Rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 259 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is THE VAULT BAR. This popular bar in Varna has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 175 bar-goers.

You can also go to Bar HEY as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular Bar HEY is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 166 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!

It’s soon time to say goodbye to Bulgaria as your road trip vacation is about to end. Day 8 is your departure day and your last chance to capture the beauty of Varna.

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 Varna is the remarkable Monument of the Bulgarian-Soviet Friendship. This park and popular place of interest has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 2,448 visitors.

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