How long is the Bulgaria Grand Loop: Rila, Plovdiv and the Black Sea route?

This route takes 14 days taking in 9 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Sofia to Sofia in Rila, Pirin, Thrace and the Black Sea coast, Bulgaria.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is May to October.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Hotels accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Classic road trip, Culture, Scenic, Coastal, Nature.

Bulgaria Grand Loop: Rila, Plovdiv and the Black Sea

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The route · 9 stops

8 overnight bases · 1 stop on the way

Sofia

2 nights

Two nights at the start, before you pick up the car. Bulgaria's capital is small enough to walk: Roman ruins under the metro station, the Alexander Nevsky cathedral, and Boyana Church with its 13th-century frescoes out at the foot of Vitosha. It is also where the food gets interesting before you head into the mountains.Two nights at the start, before you pick up the car. Bulgaria's capital is small enough to walk: Roman ruins under the metro station, the Alexander Nevsky cathedral, and Boyana Church with its 13th-century frescoes out at the foot of Vitosha. It is also where the food gets interesting before you head into the mountains.

Recommendations

On to Bansko

Bansko

2 nights

The mountain base of the trip, under the Pirin range. Two nights buys you the Rila Monastery day trip (about 100 km each way through the gorge) and a day in Pirin National Park via the gondola. The old quarter of stone houses and cellar taverns is a much better evening than the ski-resort strip suggests.The mountain base of the trip, under the Pirin range. Two nights buys you the Rila Monastery day trip (about 100 km each way through the gorge) and a day in Pirin National Park via the gondola. The old quarter of stone houses and cellar taverns is a much better evening than the ski-resort strip suggests.

Recommendations

On to Plovdiv

Plovdiv

2 nights

One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, and the best two nights of the trip for wandering. A Roman theatre still stages concerts, the Old Town climbs three hills in painted merchant houses, and Kapana below it is a dense grid of bars and small kitchens. Sunset from Nebet Tepe is the local ritual.One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, and the best two nights of the trip for wandering. A Roman theatre still stages concerts, the Old Town climbs three hills in painted merchant houses, and Kapana below it is a dense grid of bars and small kitchens. Sunset from Nebet Tepe is the local ritual.

Recommendations

On to Kazanlak

Kazanlak

1 night

One night in the Valley of the Roses, which is also the Valley of the Thracian Kings. The painted 4th-century BC tomb is UNESCO listed, the Shipka memorial church sits above the town in gold-domed red brick, and the Buzludzha monument crowns the ridge behind it. A short stop that carries more history than its size suggests.One night in the Valley of the Roses, which is also the Valley of the Thracian Kings. The painted 4th-century BC tomb is UNESCO listed, the Shipka memorial church sits above the town in gold-domed red brick, and the Buzludzha monument crowns the ridge behind it. A short stop that carries more history than its size suggests.

Recommendations

On to Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Tarnovo

2 nights

The medieval capital, stacked in tiers above a hairpin bend of the Yantra with Tsarevets fortress on the crag opposite. Two nights covers the fortress, the craft street of Samovodska Charshia, and the frescoed churches of Arbanasi on the plateau above. The best restaurant views on the route are here.The medieval capital, stacked in tiers above a hairpin bend of the Yantra with Tsarevets fortress on the crag opposite. Two nights covers the fortress, the craft street of Samovodska Charshia, and the frescoed churches of Arbanasi on the plateau above. The best restaurant views on the route are here.

Recommendations

On to Varna

Varna

1 night

A working port and the coast's biggest city, worth one night for a single extraordinary museum. The Varna necropolis produced the oldest worked gold ever found, buried around 4,500 BC, and it is all here. Add an evening walk through the Sea Garden and a swim off the city beach before the drive south.A working port and the coast's biggest city, worth one night for a single extraordinary museum. The Varna necropolis produced the oldest worked gold ever found, buried around 4,500 BC, and it is all here. Add an evening walk through the Sea Garden and a swim off the city beach before the drive south.

Recommendations

On to Sozopol

Sozopol

2 nights

The slow two nights of the trip. Bulgaria's oldest Black Sea town, founded as Apollonia around 610 BC, keeps a walled old quarter of wooden-storey houses on a small peninsula. Beaches sit on both sides, with the bigger sweep of Kavatsite just south. This is where you stop driving and swim.The slow two nights of the trip. Bulgaria's oldest Black Sea town, founded as Apollonia around 610 BC, keeps a walled old quarter of wooden-storey houses on a small peninsula. Beaches sit on both sides, with the bigger sweep of Kavatsite just south. This is where you stop driving and swim.

Recommendations

On to Koprivshtitsa

Koprivshtitsa

1 night

The long drive west off the coast ends in a valley of more than 380 restored National Revival houses, where the 1876 uprising against Ottoman rule began. One night is right: the day trippers leave by five and the village empties. It also sits 90 minutes from Sofia airport, which makes the last morning easy.The long drive west off the coast ends in a valley of more than 380 restored National Revival houses, where the 1876 uprising against Ottoman rule began. One night is right: the day trippers leave by five and the village empties. It also sits 90 minutes from Sofia airport, which makes the last morning easy.

Recommendations

On the way

Sofia
The loop closes where it started. Koprivshtitsa to Sofia airport is a straightforward 90 minutes on the A1, so a late afternoon flight is realistic without rushing the last morning in the village.The loop closes where it started. Koprivshtitsa to Sofia airport is a straightforward 90 minutes on the A1, so a late afternoon flight is realistic without rushing the last morning in the village.
Recommendations

Bulgaria Grand Loop: Rila, Plovdiv and the Black Sea