Straddling the Balkans between the Danube and the Black Sea, Bulgaria layers Thracian tombs, Roman theaters, medieval fortresses, Ottoman markets, and contemporary cafes into a compact country that rewards slow travel. In a week, you can breathe alpine air in the Rila Mountains, wander cobbled lanes in millennia-old towns, and finish with salty breezes on the coast.

Food is the quiet star: tomatoes that taste like summer, grilled meats sizzling over charcoal, mellow sheep cheeses, and clay-pot stews. Order a shopska salad, a banitsa pastry at breakfast, and a flight of rakia at night; pair it all with Bulgarian wines from Thracian Lowlands vineyards. You’ll find prices friendly—great news for a mid-range budget.

Practical notes: the currency is the Bulgarian lev (BGN), cards are widely accepted in cities, and tap water is generally safe. Dress modestly for monasteries (shoulders and knees covered). Sofia’s metro links the airport to downtown; intercity travel is easy by bus or train. This itinerary stays unhurried, with photography, biking, beach time, and a couple of curated day tours.

Sofia

Bulgaria’s capital is a city of layers—Roman ruins underfoot, onion-domed churches, Socialist-era boulevards, and young creative energy in cafes and galleries. It’s also one of Europe’s greenest capitals, with Mount Vitosha looming temptingly on the skyline.

• Top sights: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Saint Sofia Basilica, the Largo and Roman Serdica ruins, the National Palace of Culture (NDK), and leafy Borisova and South Park.
• Food highlights: cozy taverns (mehanas) serving grill and stews, third-wave coffee, bakeries turning out flaky banitsa, and modern Bulgarian bistros.
• Fun fact: Sofia sits atop natural mineral springs—locals have filled bottles here for centuries.

Stay in Sofia (mid-range and value picks): Contemporary comfort at Novotel Sofia (great for easy airport access), design-forward Sense Hotel Sofia with a panoramic rooftop, or social-budget favorite Hostel Mostel. Browse apartments on VRBO Sofia or more hotels via Hotels.com Sofia.

Getting to Sofia: From elsewhere in Europe, compare flights with Omio (flights in Europe). From outside Europe, check fares on Kiwi.com. Trains and buses within Europe are easiest to search on Omio Trains and Omio Buses. Sofia Airport to center: Metro Line M4 to Serdika (about 25 minutes, ~$1.50).

Day 1: Arrive in Sofia, shake off the travel, and eat well

Afternoon: Arrive and drop bags. Stretch your legs around the Largo: peek at the exposed Roman city of Serdica by Serdika station, then walk to the golden-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral for your first photos. Pop into the small-but-lovely Saint Sofia Basilica next door.

Evening: Dinner at Moma Bulgarian Food & Wine for elevated classics like kavarma (clay-pot pork) and yogurt-marinated grilled chicken; or Raketa Rakia Bar for retro décor, rakia tastings, and hearty shopska salads. If you’re a sports fan, check if CSKA or Levski are playing at Vasil Levski National Stadium; otherwise, sip a nightcap at Sense Rooftop (sparkling city views) and turn in early.

Day 2: UNESCO day—Rila Monastery and Boyana Church (full day)

Join this relaxed, photography-friendly excursion to Bulgaria’s most important spiritual site and a jewel-box medieval church with remarkable frescoes:

Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour

• Expect 8.5–10 hours with transport from Sofia (about 2 hours each way), guided time, and ample free wandering.
• Pack modest clothing (shoulders and knees covered) and a light layer; mountain weather can change quickly.
• Fuel up beforehand at Fabrika Daga (excellent coffee, eggs, and pastries). After returning, enjoy late dinner at Shtastliveca Vitosha for modern comfort dishes and local wine.

Day 3: Europe’s oldest living city—Plovdiv day trip (full day)

See Roman, Revival, and creative quarters in one sweep with a guided visit to Plovdiv:

Plovdiv Full Day Tour from Sofia

• Travel is typically 1.5–2 hours each way. Highlights include the Roman Theater, Nebet Tepe viewpoints, and the 19th‑century Old Town.
• Lunch suggestions during free time: Pavaj (seasonal, farm-to-table plates) or Hemingway (Bulgarian‑Mediterranean, great midday menus).
• Back in Sofia, unwind with a gentle stroll down Vitosha Boulevard and gelato at Confetti.

Travel to the Black Sea Coast

Sofia → Nessebar/Sunny Beach (morning travel on Day 4): Trains from Sofia to Burgas take ~5.5–6.5 hours (~$15–25), then a local bus/taxi 35–45 minutes to Nessebar/Sunny Beach. Buses run Sofia–Nessebar in ~6 hours (~$18–25). Compare schedules and fares on Omio Trains and Omio Buses. In summer, seasonal flights Sofia–Burgas are ~50 minutes (often $35–90) via Omio Flights.

Nessebar & Sunny Beach (Black Sea Coast)

UNESCO-listed Nessebar is a time capsule of wooden houses, medieval churches, and sea walls perched on a rocky peninsula. Across the isthmus, Sunny Beach unfurls a long arc of sand with calm, swimmable water, boat trips, and breezy promenades that are perfect for biking.

• Top sights: Nessebar Old Town churches (Christ Pantokrator, St. John the Baptist), the iconic windmill, sunset viewpoints along the sea wall, and the wide sands of Sunny Beach.
• Food highlights: grilled Black Sea fish, mussels saganaki, shopska salads, and seaside bakeries for morning banitsa.
• Vibe: slow mornings, golden-hour photography, and easy boat days—ideal for a relaxing finale.

Stay by the sea: Search seaside apartments on VRBO Nessebar or browse hotels on Hotels.com Nessebar and Hotels.com Sunny Beach. Look for places within walking distance of the Old Town or the beach promenade for a no-car stay.

Day 4: Transfer, check-in, and golden-hour Old Town

Morning: Depart Sofia by train or bus (see options above). Bring snacks from Daro Bakery or 100 Grama Sladki for the ride.

Afternoon: Check in and head straight to the sand for an easy swim. Rent a lounger, nap, and reset.

Evening: Explore Nessebar’s cobbled lanes as the day-trippers leave. Photography stops: the windmill at the causeway, Christ Pantokrator Church’s brickwork, and sea-wall viewpoints. Dinner at White Rose (Bulgarian dishes, good value) or Plakamoto (seafood and Black Sea mussels). Gelato on the square to finish.

Day 5: Catamaran day and beach time

Morning: Light breakfast—fresh banitsa and yogurt with honey at a local bakery. Pack sunscreen and a hat.

Afternoon: Sail the bay on a spacious catamaran with snorkel stops and a sun deck:

VIP Catamaran 4 hour Activity with Snorkeling in Bulgaria

• Expect ~4 hours on the water with drinks, music, and swim time—great for relaxing and photography.
• After docking, laze on the beach or enjoy a seaside massage kiosk.

Evening: Casual dinner at Djanny (simple Bulgarian grills, salads, fast service) or try a show dinner at Khan’s Tent (panoramic views and live performances; book ahead in peak season). Night stroll on the promenade.

Day 6: Coastal biking and a boat trip with lunch

Morning: Rent bikes from a beachside kiosk and pedal the flat promenade toward Sveti Vlas and Marina Dinevi (call in for an espresso and yacht-spotting). It’s an easy, scenic ride with sea views the whole way—ideal for a relaxing spin.

Afternoon: Take a leisurely cruise with fishing, a swim stop, and lunch included:

4-hour Boat Trip with Fishing, Lunch and Unlimited Drinks in Nessebar

• Plan on ~4 hours; gear and lunch are provided. It’s mellow, social, and fun for photos.

Evening: Final seaside dinner—The Old Sailor (grilled fish and cold beer) or Bistro Kristal (outdoor tables, Black Sea classics). Catch sunset from the Old Town sea wall.

Day 7: Easy morning and departure

Morning: Last dip in the sea or a coffee-and-baklava stop in the Old Town. Pick up rose-oil cosmetics and painted-ceramic souvenirs.

Afternoon: Depart from Burgas Airport (30–40 minutes by taxi; compare options on Omio Flights) or bus/train back to Sofia for onward travel via Omio Buses or Omio Trains.

Food and coffee picks (by city)

Sofia: Breakfasts at Fabrika Daga (specialty coffee, shakshuka), Daro Bakery (laminated pastries), and Rainbow Factory (sandwiches on house bread). Lunch: SkaraBar (grill), Sun Moon (veg-friendly), Made in Blue (seasonal Bulgarian plates in a blue townhouse). Dinner: Raketa Rakia Bar (rakia flights), Moma (regional classics), Hadjidraganov’s Houses (folk interiors, live music some nights). Late: Sense Rooftop for views.

Nessebar & Sunny Beach: Morning banitsa and espresso at a promenade bakery; smoothies and cappuccinos at beach kiosks. Lunch: White Rose (set menus), Plakamoto (mussels and salads), or a lazy seafood plate right on the sand. Dinner: Djanny (budget-friendly Bulgarian staples), The Old Sailor (grilled catch), Bistro Kristal (casual, crowd-pleaser).

Optional extras if you want to tweak the pace

• Sofia mineral springs: half-day escape to Bankya’s modern thermal complex for pools and saunas (30–40 minutes by taxi) on Day 1 evening if you skip sports.
• Vitosha foothills e-biking: rent near South Park for an easy roll to Boyana neighborhood and coffee with mountain views.
• Beach day swap: trade Day 6’s boat trip for an all-beach day if you’re craving maximum relaxation.

Why this itinerary works for a mid‑range, relaxing vibe

Two bases minimize packing and transit, with one city hub (Sofia) and one beach hub (Nessebar/Sunny Beach). Day tours handle logistics to far-flung highlights (Rila, Plovdiv) while you travel light. On the coast, you’ll have ample downtime, gentle biking, and boat days that feel special without being strenuous.

At‑a‑glance daily plan

• Day 1: Arrive Sofia, city stroll, dinner, optional match night.
• Day 2: Rila Monastery + Boyana Church (Viator full day).
• Day 3: Plovdiv day trip (Viator full day).
• Day 4: Morning travel to Black Sea; beach and Old Town.
• Day 5: VIP Catamaran (Viator); beach evening.
• Day 6: Coastal biking; Nessebar boat trip with lunch (Viator).
• Day 7: Easy morning; depart.

Handy booking links (affiliate)

• Flights in Europe: Omio Flights; from outside Europe: Kiwi.com
• Trains and buses in Europe: Omio Trains | Omio Buses
• Stays: VRBO Sofia | Hotels.com Sofia | Novotel Sofia | Sense Hotel Sofia | Hostel Mostel Sofia | VRBO Nessebar | Hotels.com Sunny Beach
• Activities used above: Rila Monastery & Boyana | Plovdiv Day Trip | VIP Catamaran | Nessebar Boat + Lunch

Budget watch: With a 55/100 budget, mix mid-range hotels or apartments with two full-day tours (~$40–65 each) and two boat days (~$60–80 each). Meals average $6–12 for lunch, $12–20 for dinner without drinks. Beaches and walking the Old Towns are delightfully free.

In one easy week you’ll have traced Bulgaria from cathedral domes to sea horizons, savored its honest, seasonal cooking, and stocked your camera roll with mountain monasteries and sunset coasts. It’s the sort of itinerary that feels both restorative and rich with memory-making moments—exactly what Bulgaria does best.