Bulgaria by train: a colourful kaleidoscope of nature and traditions

Day in Sofia to explore and relax. 

In case the time did not pemit to have a walking tour of Sofia on the arival day, you will be meeting your private guide for a walking tour, coverning all major sites in the centre of the city – Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral, St. Sofia 6th c basilica, Parliament Square, National Theatre and the Old City Garden, the Presidency, St. George 4th C rotunda, the ruins of Ancient Serdica, etc. 

Dinner at a traditional restaurant walking distance from your hotel.

Private transfer by car and driver from Sofia to Bansko. En route – stop for a visit to Rila Monastery UNESCO site – the largest monastery in Bulgaria, picturesquely located at 1100 m above sea level in Rila Mountain National Park. 

Arrival in Bansko museum town, check in at your hotel. 

Time dedicated to Bansko and Pirin Mountain ( National Pak, UNESCO site ), explore the many nature and cultural sites. Fom Bansko you can walk, hike, trek in Pirin, rent a bike, join rafting, canyoning or horse riding. The stunningly beautiful mountain offers many marked eco trails, a perfect blend of dense pine and fir forests, peaks, century-old trees, glacial lakes, small rivers, flowers, views and scenery of unparalleled beauty as well as seat lifts, chalets and huts. The entire territory of the park is included in the European Union network of nature protection areas Natura 2000. 

The old town of Bansko has several small museums, church, which you can visit, as well as traditional restaurants, serving tasty local cuisine.  

Day in Bansko for sightseeing, relax and nature. 

Train travel on the narrow-gauge Bansko – Septemvri, change the train to Plovdiv. 

Enjoy a full day train ride from Bansko to Plovdiv. You will board the only existing narrow-gauge line in Bulgaria and travel to the town of Septemvri, where you will change on the train to Plovdiv. The journey takes some 4.5 hours, passing  through valleys and gorges, linking the western part of the Upper Thracian Plain with the Western Rhodopes, Rila and Pirin mountains. 

Arrival in Plovdiv, check in at your hotel, relax. 

A day in Plovdiv, the 2nd largest Bulgarian city, once capital city of Philip the 2nd of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great. Plovdiv is considered the oldest permanently inhibited city in Europe, 

Meet your private guide for a walking tour of the central part of Plovdiv, visit the Old Plovdiv architecture reserve with its picturesque national-revival houses, chuches, galleries, souvenir and art shops, ruins of Roman period. Free time to explore Kapana – the artistic neighbourhood of Plovdiv.

Departure by train to Koprivshtitsa, with change of trains at Karlovo small national – revival town.

Arrival at the train station of Koprivshtitsa and private transfer from the train station, located outside the town.  

Koprivshtitsa is one of the most famous museum-towns in Bulgaria, declared national historical and architectural reserve. Walk along the narrow cobbled streets, arch-like bridges, stone fountains, high-stone walls with big gates, leading to picturesque colourful houses create an inimitable romantic atmosphere.

Day in Koprivshtitsa for independent discoveries and visits.

Departure by train, parallel to the Balkan mountain range to Burgas. Arrive in the second largest seaside city in Bulgaria. you'll find a lively, well-kept city with a neat, pedestrianised centre, a long, uncrowded beach, a gorgeous seafront park, and some interesting museums. The Archaeological museum houses a diverse collection of local finds including Neolithic flint tools, a wooden canoe from the 5th century BC, Greek statuary and the remarkably well-preserved wooden coffin of a Thracian chieftain. The pride of Burgas is the Maritime garden, stretching along the Black Sea coast, filled with colourful flower beds, fountains, abstract sculptures and cafes. There are spectacular views over the sea from the terraces, and steps lead down from here toward the beach. 

Time to enjoy the southern part of the Black sea coast.

Possible independent daily trips to the neaby towns of Pomorie, Nessebur ( UNESCO town ), Sozopol, etc. 

Time to enjoy the southern part of the Black sea coast.

Possible independent daily trips to the neaby towns of Pomorie, Nessebur ( UNESCO town ), Sozopol, etc. 

Take the passenger train to Varna with a change at Karnobat. During the train ride, you will see beautiful nature sites – Chudnite skali rock formations, Kamchiya river valley, Tsonevo water reserve and the eastern slopes of Stara Planina mountain ( Balkan Range ). Varna railway station is one of the oldest in Bulgaria and was one of the stations where the Orient Express used to stop between 1883 and 1885.

Check in at your hotel. 

Day in Varna - "the gem" of the Bulgarian Black Sea, situated at the end of the big Varna Bay. Varna lies on the same latitude of the famous Atlantic resorts Bayonne and Biarritz. The sea is amazingly calm and free of dangerous tides.  

Landmaks not to miss: the Sea Gardens which are the largest in the Balkans, Euxinograd park – the former Royal Palace, the St. Constantine resort, the Regional museum with the Humankind`s oldest gold excavated ( 4th millennium BC ), The Thermae - the largest ancient public building, discovered in Bulgaria so far, is the biggest Roman bath complex on the Balkan Peninsula.

Take the train from Varna to Veliko Turnovo ( with change at Gorna Oriahovitsa train station ), or direct regular coach line Varna – Veliko Turnovo. 

Veliko Turnovo, the medieval capital city of Bulgaria is  picturesquely located on 4 hills above Yantra river. You will have an afternoon tour of Veliko Turnovo with local guide, who will show you the old part of the town. Wine tasting of some regional wines. Overnight. 

Free day in Veliko Turnovo for own discoveries. If interested - you can take a taxi to the neaby Arbanassi museum village or Transfiguration Monastery ( some 8 - 10 km drive from Veliko Turnovo ). 

Independent discovery day to Tryavna museum town. Take the picturesque train, climbing towards Stara Planina ( the Balkan mountains ), which will bring you to Tryavna for 1 hour. 

Spend the day in Tryavna – the main centre of icon painting and woodcarving in Bulgaria. You can visit the Old Tryavna architectural complex with the Clock tower, the Old school, St. Archangel Michail Church ( 1192 ), etc., Daskalov House ( museum of woodcarving ), the many small galleries and workshops. Afternoon return with a train to Veliko Turnovo. Free time for own discoveries. 

Free time in Veliko Turnovo and take the regular coach line to Sofia, crossing the Balkan mountains and joining Hemus hughway and its many viaducts. 

Several options exist, with a total tavel time of around 3.5 h.

Arrival in Sofia, check in at yout hotel. 

Free time in Sofia and departure.