Bulgaria is a small country in Southeast Europe, just south of Romania and with Turkey to the south. It’s known for its beautiful landscapes and medieval cities, including Veliko Tarnovo (also called Tsarevets), which was once the capital of medieval Bulgaria. You’ll also find ancient monasteries like Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. If you want to see the best of what this country has to offer in two days, we’ve put together a 2-day itinerary that will take you through Sofia, Bansko and Plovdiv before ending with an overnight stay at Veliko Turnovo!
Sofia:
Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria and the largest city in the country. It sits on the Balkan Peninsula in south-central Europe, with a population of over 1 million people.
The city was named after its founder, Emperor Roman I “the Great” (born 811 AD). It became an important trade centre during Ottoman rule from 1396 to 1878 and later became part of modern Bulgaria following its independence from Ottoman rule in 1878.
In Sofia, you can start your day with a visit to the Historical Museum of Bulgaria. It’s one of the most visited museums in Sofia and it houses an impressive collection of artifacts from prehistoric times to modern history. The highlights include gold jewelry from Thracian tombs, medieval paintings on wood and stone carvings from early Christian churches.
Afterwards you can take part in one of the many excursions offered by your hotel or go shopping at Central Mall – one of Europe’s largest shopping centers with over 200 stores! If you’re looking for something more active then head over to Vitosha Mountain where you can hike through forests, ride horses or ski down its slopes during winter months (March-May).
It also has the Alexander Nevski cathedral. which has been described as one of the most beautiful religious buildings in Bulgaria because of its elaborate interior and exterior decorations that include mosaics and marble carvings. The Sveta Nedelya church was built between 1881-1884 by Russian architect Antoni Gavrilov who used Neo-Byzantine architecture with elements of Bulgarian Renaissance style. Today it has been transformed into an art gallery but still retains much of its original character as well as some stunning stained glass windows inside which are worth checking out when visiting. Many people are in awe of the museum of the future Dubai, which is no doubt beautiful but people should check this place as well, which also holds immense history!Â
Veliko Turnovo:
Veliko Turnovo is a historic city and the administrative center of Veliko Turnovo Province in southern Bulgaria, located in the fertile plain of Plovdiv between the Rhodope Mountains and Sredna Gora.
The city has been known since the Middle Ages as “Tsarevgrad Tarnovgrad” (i.e., Tsar’s City/Town), or simply “Tarnovgrad”. The name Veliko Tarnovo means Great Tarnovgrad) from Slavic “velik” (big) + “tarnov” (fortress).
Veliko Turnovo was one of the capitals of medieval Bulgarian Empire under Tsars Samuil and Ivan Asen II; it was also an important cultural centre during 13th-14th century, when it became a capital again during Second Byzantine rule over Bulgaria under Emperor John V Palaiologos (ruled 1371-1391). Today it is one of Bulgaria’s most important historical tourist attractions…
Exploring the city of Veliko Tarnovo is very interesting. One of the best places to visit in this city is Double Headed Eagle Castle. It was built by Tsar Ivan Alexander (1331-1371 AD) who was one of Bulgaria’s most important rulers during medieval times and he also built many other monuments across the country. The Folklore Museum displays old Bulgarian traditions and costumes which will help you understand why they wear what they do today!
Rila Monastery, Rila Mountain:
Rila Monastery is one of the most important landmarks in Bulgaria. It’s located on top of Rila Mountain, which is one of the highest peaks in Europe at 2,466 meters (8,077 ft). The monastery was founded in 927 and has been continuously occupied since then with its current structure dating from 1769-1770. The architecture is unique because it combines Byzantine elements with Bulgarian ones: domes painted with gold leaf contrast against white walls decorated with frescoes depicting scenes from Jesus’ life; there are also large windows made up of colored glass panes that let light into the interior but also keep out heat during summer months.
Rila Monastery holds many treasures including icons dating back hundreds of years as well as relics belonging to saints who lived there including Saint John Gualbert (also known as Saint John Rilski), who died in 1481 while traveling through Bulgaria preaching Christianity throughout Eastern Europe.
After hiking through Rila, you can go to Bansko for lunch!
Bansko:
Bulgaria is a country that offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and winter sports. The Bansko region is one of the most popular places in Bulgaria for skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports. It’s also an excellent base for exploring nearby mountains such as Pirin or Rila.
Bansko ski resort has many different slopes to choose from. There are many beginner slopes as well as some challenging ones for experienced skiers/snowboarders. There are also some great restaurants where you can enjoy delicious food while taking in the spectacular views!
Vrata:
The town of Vrata is home to a historic monastery and an impressive ancient Roman bridge. Both are worth a visit, but if you’re pressed for time and want to see them both in one day then consider taking the bus from Sofia (the capital city) out there in the morning and returning at night when it gets dark enough for some great night photography!
Plovdiv:
Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It’s famous for its ancient Roman amphitheatre, which seats 25,000 people and was built in 70 CE. It was also once home to philosopher Georgi Sava Rakovski (1821-1867), who led Bulgaria’s struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1876.
In Plovdiv you can visit many museums including the Regional Ethnographic Museum, an old Turkish bathhouse called Hamam Baba Tepeler and a synagogue that dates back to 15th century BC.
Plovdiv has some great museums that show off its history as an important trading post and cultural center (like the Archaeological Museum), but we recommend spending most of your time walking around town taking in all of its charm: cobblestone streets lined with beautiful buildings from centuries past; charming cafes where you can sit outside sipping coffee and people watching; bazaars where you’ll find everything from spices and clothes to antiques and jewelry…it’s truly an amazing place!
RAKITSKA VODA:
Rakitka Voda is a lake located in Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountains. The lake is known for its healing powers, and it’s believed that drinking the water from this mountain spring can cure many diseases. People have been coming here for centuries to drink from this natural spa, which has led to its nickname as “the Bulgarian Lourdes.”
There are no hotels or restaurants around Rakitka Voda–just a few private cabins where visitors can stay overnight if they want some peace and quiet while they relax in their own private hot tubs overlooking the lake below.
Yantra River Hotel:
The Yantra River Hotel is a family-run hotel in the heart of Veliko Tarnovo, located right on the banks of the Yantra River. The hotel has been renovated over the years and now offers rooms with air conditioning, cable TV and free Wi-Fi.
The restaurant serves traditional Bulgarian cuisine prepared by chef Gancho Topalov from fresh local ingredients such as meatballs, pork chops served with baked potatoes and salads. There is also an outdoor terrace where guests can enjoy their meals looking out at the river valley below them (the hotel overlooks a small park).
Belogradchik:
Bulgaria is not just about the Black Sea Coast and the mountains. The country offers a wide variety of landscapes, from lush forests to rocky canyons and impressive caves. One such place is Belogradchik, a small town in western Bulgaria that’s famous for its unique rock formations.
The best time to visit this area is during the summer months when it’s warm enough for climbing but still cool enough to explore without sweating too much (the temperature ranges between 15-25 degrees Celsius). There are several hiking trails that go through narrow gorges and past waterfalls, but it’s also possible to just sit back and enjoy nature from afar as well–there are plenty of lookout points where you can take photos without having to climb anything yourself!
Golden Sands:
Golden Sands is a beach resort town in Bulgaria. It’s known for its long sandy beach and clear waters that are ideal for swimming. There are plenty of places to stay in the area, including hotels, private houses and apartments available through Airbnb; you can also rent out your own home if you have one there!
Bulgaria is famous for its gorgeous nature — it has some of Europe’s oldest mountains and rivers– so take some time to explore them while you’re there!
Boyana Church:
The Boyana Church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located about 15 minutes from downtown Sofia. It’s well worth the trip to see this beautiful Byzantine-style church and its frescoes–though you’ll have to pay an entrance fee (about $5 USD).
The frescoes inside were painted between 1259 and 1264 by one of Bulgaria’s most famous icon painters, Ivan Rilski. They depict scenes from both the Old Testament and New Testament, with Jesus Christ being featured prominently in many of them.
Koprivshtitsa:
Koprivshtitsa is a town located in southern Bulgaria, close to the border with Greece. The town has been inhabited since ancient times and was first mentioned in written sources as early as 14th century. Koprivshtitsa offers unique architecture, which makes it stand out from other Bulgarian towns. The main attraction here is its cobblestone streets lined with colorful houses and churches built in Byzantine style.
In addition to its beautiful architecture, Koprivshtitsa also offers plenty of activities for travelers looking for some fun during their stay.
Troyan Monastery:
Troyan Monastery is a spiritual and architectural gem that was founded in 1686 by monks from Troyan Monastery. The complex is located on top of an isolated hill, overlooking the city of Troyan and its surrounding countryside. The buildings include several churches, including one dedicated to St George (the patron saint of soldiers), as well as a bell tower and an underground crypt where relics from various saints are kept.
The monastery is open daily from 9am until 7pm; admission costs 1 lev (about 50p).
Boyana Gorge:
Boyana Gorge is a canyon located in Southern Bulgaria. It’s an impressive sight, as it offers tourists the opportunity to see some of the country’s most beautiful nature.
The gorge was formed by a river that cut through sandstone rock over thousands of years. The rocks were then covered with vegetation, which made them look like they were painted by artists.
Nessebar:
Nessebar is a town located on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) east of Burgas and 15 kilometers (9 miles) west of Sozopol. The town’s name comes from Greek word nesos meaning “island”. It was referred to as Odessos in Ancient Greek by Herodotus (1st century BC). Nesebar has been continuously inhabited since the 6th century BC by various civilizations who left their mark on the town with their architectures and cultures merging together over time.
It’s a great country to visit for a weekend:
Bulgaria is a great country to visit for a weekend. In fact, it’s one of the most underrated countries in Europe and has so much to offer tourists who want to explore beyond the usual destinations like Paris or London.
Bulgaria offers beaches, mountains and historical sites as well as delicious food and wine at affordable prices.
Conclusion
I hope these 2 days in Bulgaria itinerary has helped you plan your trip. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below!
I hope these 2 days in Bulgaria itinerary has helped you plan your trip. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below! Enjoy the beauty of Bulgaria, and recommend your friends and family to visit this place too!
