I am going to be traveling solo to Bulgaria in May. I am wondering if i should just be based out of Plovdiv and Sofia. Then take day trips to the Rila monastery, the rose fields, etc. would that be smarter than renting a car and trying to do it all on my own. The tours provide you with guides and that interests me. I am primarily going for the culture and have not looked at the beach locations as i live near miami. I have approximately two weeks in country. I have already been to Romania and using wizz air to fly in and out of London. Any advice would be appreciated. Says the size of the country is like Tennessee which seems manageable. I think Velcro Tarnovo is about 3 hours from Plovdiv so maybe move there for a night or two. So maybe 3 bases. Has anyone done this before? Thanks in advance
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17927 posts
I wouldn't drive. Too much trouble in a place where guides are so cheap.
My 4 favorite places were Sofia, Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo and Nessebar. I would spend a few nights at each.
If you need a guide PM me.
Posted by
Washington DC
27122 posts
I just traveled around by public transportation (usually by bus; the trains are slow and scant). I don't like for someone else to decide how long I'll be at a particular sight, but my interests tend to be quite odd. I know day tours work for many people, and I had an excellent two-day tour in Romania myself.
I stayed in Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo, Burgas (for Nessebar and Sozopol) and Sofia. Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo and Sofia all need more than two nights as far as I'm concerned, but I like to wander around a lot, looking at the architecture.
Bulgaria isn't a high-crime area, but I was pickpocketed in Veliko Tarnovo of all places, so don't be as careless as I was.
Posted by
OP
ft lauderdale, florida, usa
34 posts
Great! I also like to take more time on certain things. I am a fan of art. I will look into the bus system and options that way. There are free walking tours in Sofia and Plovdiv but also a paid communism tour and something else. Sounds like a hidden gem. Thanks for the advice
Posted by
Philadelphia, USA
246 posts
If you have the means to rent a car, I would definitely recommend it. I rented a car just for two days so that I could make both Rila lakes and Rila Monestary fit into my schedule, but if I had the budget to rent it the whole time, I would have. Then you can make detours like the communist ufo monument, and easily get to day trip places like the vineyards around Varna or Nessebar near Burgas. Even without renting a car, you could easily do a loop around Bulgaria in two weeks with Sofia, Plovdiv, Burgas (or Varna), Veliko Tarnovo and then back to Sofia. There is an extensive bus network connecting the towns (except for Plovdiv to the Varna/Burgas is by train). And you can take day tours from the main cities. Take full advantage of the tourist information offices. They are so helpful!