5-Day Bulgaria Road Trip from Sofia traveling south to Plovdiv and Kyustendil

Your road trip adventure in Bulgaria begins as soon as you reach the incredible city of Sofia. You’ll stay in Sofia for 2 nights, experiencing all the best things to do and see in the city.

Sofia has many popular destinations you can explore. You could visit attractions like the incredible Borisova Gradina Park. This attraction is a park and has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 27,212 visitors.

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 Sofia, Hadjidraganov's Houses Restaurant. The restaurant is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 4,010 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Sofia is Restaurant Vodenitzata. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 3,223 customers.

Locals recommend Restaurant "Staria Chinar" as one of the best restaurants in the city of Sofia. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,717 customers.

Sofia also has several great bars that will fit all travel budgets. One of the best bars in the city of Sofia is The School. This bar has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,988 customers.

Another of the best bars in the city of Sofia is Bar Friday. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 3,410 customers.

Locals also enjoy The Cocktail Bar. This bar has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,814 customers.

Enjoy toasting the start of your 5-day vacation in Bulgaria!

As you rise to greet the dawn on day 2 of your epic road trip in Bulgaria, you'll awaken to the bustling city of Sofia. Today, you'll hit the road once again, setting off on a journey towards the stunning city of Plovdiv. You’ll stay in Plovdiv for 1 night. But before you begin your drive, we recommend taking the time to explore some of Sofia’s must-see attractions and local hotspots.

If you’re curious to see more of Sofia, start your day with a visit to the amazing North Park. This much-appreciated park and attraction is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 10,772 visitors.

You could also stop at another of the best local travel destinations in the area, the fascinating South Park. This park and spectacular attraction has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 30,616 visitors.

We also recommend you spend some time at the popular Sofia Zoo to make the most of your road trip across Bulgaria. The spectacular Sofia Zoo is a zoo that has been rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 14,742 visitors.

The lovely Park "Geo Milev" is yet another attraction you could pay a visit. Around 10,260 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 Druzhba Park. This attraction is a park rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars in 8,441 reviews.

After soaking up all the sights and sounds that Sofia has to offer, you'll be ready to hit the open road and continue your unforgettable road trip towards the city of Plovdiv. Plovdiv 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 Aylyakriya / Aylyakria Restaurant. This popular restaurant is one of the locals’ most recommended restaurants in the city, with ratings of 4.8 out of 5 stars in 1,229 reviews.

The remarkable Happy Bar & Grill Novotel is another top restaurant in Plovdiv we recommend. This restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience and is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 4,350 customers.

If you would rather go somewhere else, the famous Pavaj is also an excellent choice. This well-loved restaurant is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 3,861 customers.

After your meal, we recommend you drink at one of the best bars in Plovdiv, the fantastic Torro Grande / Torro Grande. This bar has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 4,651 customers.

To end your night the best way possible, we recommend going to the wonderful Rahat Tepe. This bar offers a great variety of drinks and has been rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,984 customers.

Another bar with a great atmosphere is Club Fargo. This bar is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,132 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 3 of your road trip in Bulgaria. Today, you'll wake up in Plovdiv and embark on a scenic drive to Kyustendil, where you'll stay at one of the best hotels for 1 night. Seize the opportunity to explore spectacular attractions in Plovdiv and Bistritsa 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 Plovdiv. When you’re eager to explore the city and nearby areas, we recommend visiting some local favorites, such as the wonderful Hisarlaka Fortress. This attraction is an architectural structure that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 3,904 visitors.

Wave goodbye to Kyustendil and continue your journey by car. If you want to break up today’s drive into two, take the opportunity to stop and discover what the city of Bistritsa has to offer.

One of the most popular attractions you can visit is the remarkable Rila. This attraction is an urban park that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 3,847 visitors.

When you're done with your sightseeing in Bistritsa, it's time to continue your drive to the city of Kyustendil. When you arrive in Kyustendil you’ll check in at one of the best hotels in the area.

We recommend you end the day with a dinner at a popular restaurant near your accommodation, like Pizza Royal Kyustendil. This restaurant offers various delicious and comforting meals and has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 673 customers.

Locals also recommend Hotel Ramira, another of the best restaurants in Kyustendil. Hotel Ramira is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 593 customers.

If you feel like having something else, check out the menu at Dream's House. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4 out of 5 stars by 567 customers and is a great place to enjoy a lovely meal.

After dinner, visit Restaurant Friends to enjoy a couple of drinks and relax. This bar is one of the best in Kyustendil, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 3,791 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like Passione. This bar is a great spot to meet new friends and celebrate your vacation. Passione has an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars by 680 customers.

Vintage bar and dinner is another bar locals often recommend. This bar offers a great variety of snacks and drinks and is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 201 customers.

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!

Day 4 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 Pernik and end it at a top-rated hotel in the city of Sofia. You will stay in Sofia for 1 night. Have a hearty breakfast and get excited for a wonderful day ahead!

One of the best places to visit today in Pernik is the amazing Alis Petting Zoo. This attraction is a must-see tourist destination that is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,054 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible must-see tourist destination, Tsentralen park. With an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,943 visitors, this attraction is one of the top sights in the area.

Another unforgettable travel destination in the Pernik is the outstanding Mining museum of Pernik. This popular mining museum and travel destination has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,237 visitors.

The spectacular Living Water Spring is another popular attraction you can visit today. This fascinating best-rated sightseeing destination and attraction has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 391 visitors.

If you’re keen to explore even more, then consider a visit to the fantastic Vitosha Nature Park. This attraction is a popular park that has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 9,410 visitors.

You can make the most of your new day in Pernik 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.

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try Pod Lipite (Under the Linden Trees) Restaurant, one of the best restaurants in the city of Sofia. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,625 customers.

Locals also recommend Art Club Museum as one of the best restaurants in the city of Sofia. Art Club Museum is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,570 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Sofia is Merak. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,328 customers.

After dinner, visit One More Bar, which is considered one of the best bars in the city of Sofia. This bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,228 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like Halbite Beer Hall. This bar has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,280 customers.

Alternatively, The Corner is one of the best bars that locals recommend in the city of Sofia. This bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,874 customers.

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

Day 5 of your road trip in Bulgaria is your departure day. This is your chance to catch one last glimpse of Sofia 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.

Park "Zaimov" is an extraordinary attraction you could visit to enjoy your last day in Sofia. This park and popular site of interest has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 15,115 visitors.

Take a stroll along the main shopping streets of Sofia and find some souvenirs to remind you of your road trip in Bulgaria.

You could then enjoy your last meal in the city of Sofia at Garden restaurant Yoli before you travel home. This popular restaurant is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,745 customers.

Alternatively, we also recommend Hasienda Restaurant for your last chance at a meal in the city of Sofia. The Hasienda Restaurant restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,469 customers.

If you'd prefer a popular restaurant that locals enjoy, try Taj Mahal Restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,423 customers.

You’ll then say farewell to Sofia. We wish you a pleasant journey home, with many wonderful memories of your unforgettable vacation in Bulgaria!