Bucharest · VELIKO TARNOVO AND BULGARIA DAY TRIPS FROM BUCHAREST

Over the Danube: The 15 Best Bulgaria Day Trips

22 tours  ·  from $72

The Danube border is an hour away, which puts Ruse, Veliko Tarnovo and its fortress inside a day. These 15 are priced and timed, with a reminder to carry the passport you would otherwise leave at the hotel.

Full Day Trip to Bulgaria from Bucharest - Starting in central Bucharest at 7:30 am
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Full Day Trip to Bulgaria from Bucharest

1.Full Day Trip to Bulgaria from Bucharest

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 343 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $95Our pick

Travel from central Bucharest into Bulgaria with an English-speaking guide such as Lucian, Narcis, Roberto, or Robert. See Ruse, climb to Tsarevets Fortress in Veliko Tarnovo, visit Arbanasi, and return by minibus. Expect about 12 hours, border delays, walking, and roughly EUR 15 in entrance fees.

“Loved the fortress and surrounding areas. The towns visited were lovely. The driver was knowledgeable and helpful. The suggested lunch venue was great.”

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Day Trip to Medieval Bulgaria- Small group tour - Ivanovo’s cliff churches and steep stone steps
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Day Trip to Medieval Bulgaria- Small group tour

2.Day Trip to Medieval Bulgaria- Small group tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 75 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $78

Travel from Bucharest into northern Bulgaria with a guide such as Pavel, Alexia, Gabriel, or Alin. Visit Ivanovo’s rock-hewn churches, Tsarevets Fortress, and traditional Arbanasi in about 12 hours. Pickup and transport are included, but lunch and entrance fees are extra.

“It was amazing trip!!! Very interesting, information.we sow so beautiful places. Our guide Pavel very educated, polite, very good driver and very good speaker. All information was easy to understand..”

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Bulgaria -Private Tour- Basarbovo, Arbanasi, Veliko Tarnovo - Basarbovo Monastery and the story of St. Dimitrii
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Bulgaria -Private Tour- Basarbovo, Arbanasi, Veliko Tarnovo

3.Bulgaria -Private Tour- Basarbovo, Arbanasi, Veliko Tarnovo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 72 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $170Top rated

Cross into Bulgaria from Bucharest with an English-speaking private guide and visit a rock-hewn monastery, the fortified village of Arbanasi, Tsarevets Fortress, and Veliko Tarnovo. The 11-hour trip includes hotel pickup, private air-conditioned transport, and time for Bulgarian food and crafts.

“This tour is an awesome introduction to Bulgaria and its history. If one is passionate about history, architecture, and/or religion, it is a great tour option. That being said, I must mention that it would not have been as good without my guide, Valerică. He was a wealth of knowledge, extremely helpful, and a perfect guide throughout.”

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Small-Group Day Trip to North Bulgaria - Ivanovo’s rock-hewn churches and the first taste of Bulgaria
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Small-Group Day Trip to North Bulgaria

4.Small-Group Day Trip to North Bulgaria

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 60 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $71Best value

Cross the Danube from Bucharest into Bulgaria on a 12-hour minivan trip with an English-speaking guide. Visit Ivanovo’s rock-hewn churches, Tsarevets Fortress in Veliko Tarnovo, and Arbanasi. Guides such as Serban, Valentin, and Narcisse are praised for clear commentary, practical help, and keeping the busy schedule moving.

“I was extremely satisfied with this all-day tour. We got to see Bulgaria in a confortable small bus in a group of only 5 people. The guide was very attentive and informative. He recommended a very good restaurant that was delicious and affordable plus, it had great views of a fort. I will definitely recommend this tour from Bucharest.”

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Visit Bulgaria - Veliko Tarnovo Medieval Fortress - Private tour from Bucharest - Tsarevets Fortress and the best views of Veliko Tarnovo
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Visit Bulgaria – Veliko Tarnovo Medieval Fortress – Private tour from Bucharest

5.Visit Bulgaria – Veliko Tarnovo Medieval Fortress – Private tour from Bucharest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $177

Travel privately from Bucharest to Veliko Tarnovo with a guide such as Alin, Octavian, or Victor. See Bulgaria’s cliff monastery, medieval Tsarevets Fortress, Arbanasi’s old houses, and Samovodska Charshiya. Expect a long but flexible day with driving, walking, separate entrance fees, and lunch at your own cost.

“Our trip was enhanced by a guide who was not only knowledgeable but also genuinely attentive to our needs. Communication was a standout, as we were consistently updated, keeping us in the loop. Even when faced with the unexpected closure of a scheduled house visit, our guide swiftly arranged a delightful alternative, taking us to a beautiful waterfall. The lunch experience was equally memorable, situated in an excellent restaurant nestled among quaint souvenir shops. The food was superb, and the added pleasure of a scenic view truly rounded off a perfect day.”

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Private Day Trip to Bulgaria and Veliko Tarnovo from Bucharest - Crossing the Danube into Bulgaria
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Private Day Trip to Bulgaria and Veliko Tarnovo from Bucharest

6.Private Day Trip to Bulgaria and Veliko Tarnovo from Bucharest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · 10 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $299

Leave Bucharest at 8:00 am in a private vehicle with an English-speaking guide such as Claudia, Florin, or Christi. Cross the Danube, explore Veliko Tarnovo and Tsarevets Fortress, then visit Arbanassi’s Nativity Church. Expect about four hours of driving each way, plus walking on cobbled streets and hills.

“Marcel was amazing - very knowledgeable and friendly. Great experience and a wonderful day. Arbanassi was in particular spectacular.”

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Private Daytrip to Buzludzha Monument and Veliko Tarnovo - Buzludzha, the concrete flying saucer
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Private Daytrip to Buzludzha Monument and Veliko Tarnovo

7.Private Daytrip to Buzludzha Monument and Veliko Tarnovo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $360

Travel from Bucharest into Bulgaria with a private English-speaking guide from OnAdventure. Visit Tsarevets Fortress in Veliko Tarnovo, Shipka Monument, and the striking Buzludzha Monument at 1,400 meters. The 12-hour trip includes pickup, snacks, drinks, and a return to Bucharest.

“If you're a fan of beautiful nature, abandoned buildings and good food thank this tour is a perfect choice.”

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Bulgaria -Private Tour - Caves, Waterfalls, Hiking, National Park - Krushuna Waterfalls and the short forest walk
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Bulgaria -Private Tour – Caves, Waterfalls, Hiking, National Park

8.Bulgaria -Private Tour – Caves, Waterfalls, Hiking, National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $179

Leave Bucharest with an English-speaking guide and private air-conditioned transport for a full day in Bulgaria. Visit Ivanovo’s cliff churches, walk to Krushuna’s pools and waterfalls, and explore Devetashka Cave. Guides such as Octavian, Sebastian, Roxana, Victor, and Leo have led this experience.

“My friend any I had a wonderful day on our trip with our guide Octavian. The Orlova Chuka cave was amazing, it felt like being on the moon! The Krushuna waterfalls were beautiful and the Devatashka cave at the end was the icing on the cake. The best part of our day though was spending it with our amazing guide, Octavian! He was very knowledgeable about the area, had a GREAT sense of humor, and he took the best pictures of us. When I come back to visit again I am definitely going to request that Octavian be our guide again. Thank you!”

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Bulgaria Day Trip: Private Tour from Bucharest - Ivanovo’s medieval churches and painted walls
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Bulgaria Day Trip: Private Tour from Bucharest

9.Bulgaria Day Trip: Private Tour from Bucharest

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 11 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $171

Cross into Bulgaria from Bucharest with a private English-speaking guide, stopping at Basarbovo Rock Monastery, Ivanovo’s medieval churches, and Veliko Tarnovo. The 10-hour outing includes hotel pickup, transport, and site assistance, but entrance fees and lunch cost extra. Claudiu Sorin has earned especially warm praise.

“Such an unpleasant experience that I’m not even sure where to begin. As we neared the Bulagarian border, our guide, Valerica, “needed to share something” and said he “is not our guide, only our driver and friend.” This seemed weird but the reasons became obvious through the the day. First, this was a lie he wanted us to all join in on so he didn’t have to pay entrance fees as the sites. Second, he had never been to 2 of the 3 sites we visited, which means he did not know where to park or where to enter/exit. This was most disturbing at Tsarnavets, where he became very frustrated…”

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Buzludzha Monument and Tsarevets Fortress in Bulgaria Private - A possible Arbanassi lunch stop
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Buzludzha Monument and Tsarevets Fortress in Bulgaria Private

10.Buzludzha Monument and Tsarevets Fortress in Bulgaria Private

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $227

Cross the Danube from Bucharest on a private 14-hour trip to Veliko Tarnovo and the abandoned Buzludzha Monument. Your English-speaking guide, including guides such as Bogdan, Octavian, or Sebastian, handles the driving, border crossing, history, and flexible pacing.

“Such a wonderful day in Bulgaria. Bogdan was prompt, had a comfy car, took care of any requests and tailored the day to show me more of what I wanted. He explained the history of the spots we visited, but we also just chatted away about other topics too (for a whole day that is so important!). Highly highly recommend.”

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Private Day Trip to Medieval Bulgaria from Bucharest - Crossing the border from Bucharest
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Private Day Trip to Medieval Bulgaria from Bucharest

11.Private Day Trip to Medieval Bulgaria from Bucharest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $272

Cross from Bucharest into Bulgaria with a private English-speaking guide. Visit the Ivanovo Rock Churches, medieval Veliko Tarnovo and Tsarevets Fortress, Samovodene’s workshops, Arbanassi, and Ruse. Guides such as Gabi and Cokco add historical stories, local detail, and careful driving.

“Excellent, our Guide Cokco was very knowledgeable and helpful. We loved his stories. Really safe driver. We had a beautiful sunny days so enjoyed all the planned activities.”

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Private Day Trip to Medieval Bulgaria from Bucharest - Crossing the border from Bucharest
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Private Day-Trip to Medieval Bulgaria from Bucharest

12.Private Day-Trip to Medieval Bulgaria from Bucharest

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews · from $205

Cross the border from Bucharest with a private guide and visit Ivanovo Rock Churches, Tsarevets fortress, Veliko Tarnovo, Arbanassi, and Ruse. Adrian, Niko, or Andreii may lead your day, with hotel pickup, entrance fees, Wi-Fi, and bottled water included.

“This is was a fabulous experience as a day trip from Bucharest. My tour company was Eastern European Experience. I am very fortunate because Adrian was my private guide and driver. He was very punctual and a very safe driver. I learned a lot about the history of Bulgaria Read more”

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Day Trip to Bulgaria and Veliko Tarnovo from Bucharest - Leaving Bucharest at 7:30 am
1-Day Tours, Tour Reviews, Veliko Tarnovo and Bulgaria Day Trips from Bucharest

Day Trip to Bulgaria and Veliko Tarnovo from Bucharest

13.Day Trip to Bulgaria and Veliko Tarnovo from Bucharest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 11 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $82

Travel from Bucharest to Bulgaria in a small group of up to 18 people, with stops at Basarbovo Monastery, historic Veliko Tarnovo, and Arbanasi. Expect a long day on the road, steep walks, free time, and guidance from a professional driver-guide such as Gabriel.

“We found ourselves with a day to spare in Bucharest and this was a very good option. Although the journey is quite long, the views into Veliko Tarnovo gorge are beautiful. For us, the real highlight was Arbanasi's Church of the Nativity with its simply stunning frescoes. We had to find our own way there, but it's only 10 minutes' walk and not to be missed.”

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Explore Northern Bulgaria Day Trip from Bucharest - Tsarevets Fortress and the medieval capital
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Explore Northern Bulgaria Day Trip from Bucharest

14.Explore Northern Bulgaria Day Trip from Bucharest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $220

Travel from Bucharest into northern Bulgaria by private vehicle with an English-speaking guide. Visit the cave monastery at Basarabovo, Tsarevets Fortress, artisan-lined Samovodene Street, and UNESCO-listed Arbanassi. Guides such as Angelica and Ian have led engaging, well-organized days.

“Great way to see Bulgaria from Bucharest. Our tour guide Angelica was very knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive. We stopped at a restaurant in Bulgaria recommended by Angelica - the food was delicious and the staff were friendly. Lots of photo opportunities - I would definately recommend this tour !”

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Bulgaria Day Trip - Private Tour from Bucharest - Veliko Tarnavo & Arbanasi - Basarbovo Monastery: a striking first stop
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Bulgaria Day Trip – Private Tour from Bucharest – Veliko Tarnavo & Arbanasi

15.Bulgaria Day Trip – Private Tour from Bucharest – Veliko Tarnavo & Arbanasi

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $347

Travel from Bucharest by private, air-conditioned vehicle with a guide such as Silvia, crossing into Bulgaria for Basarbovo Monastery, Veliko Tarnovo, and Arbanasi. Expect a long but rewarding day, with about two hours in Tsarevets and one and a half hours at Konstantsalieva House. Food and entry fees cost extra.

“Excelente tour realizado por Silvia nuestra guía turística y nuestro chofer realmente de primera categoría . Muy bueno todo , puntuales y muy profesionales, recomiendo un 100% .”

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New in Veliko Tarnovo and Bulgaria Day Trips from Bucharest

★ 3.5RiverCruise Exclusive – Private Transfer from or to Giurgiu Port/Bucharest HotelFrom $983 reviews

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