4 Balkan Capitals in 9 Days: Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and North Macedonia
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About This Experience in Sofia
Why Visit Sofia?
Sofia, Bulgaria offers a wealth of attractions, cultural experiences, and activities for visitors. From historic landmarks to modern attractions, Sofia provides an unforgettable travel experience with something to discover around every corner. Explore local cuisine, discover unique culture, and create lasting memories in this remarkable destination.
Getting to Sofia
You can reach Sofia, Bulgaria by air, train, or road depending on your starting location. The city offers various transportation options including taxis, public transit, and private transfers to help you reach your destination. Many hotels can arrange airport transfers, and local transportation options vary by location.
What's Included
- Professional local guides in Bucharest, Belgrade and Skopje
- Entrance fees in the scheduled sights
What's Not Included
- Lucnhes and dinners
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Additional Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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Meeting and Pickup
Pickup Information
Pickup Option: Pickup available for all travelers
Itinerary
The Medieval capital of Bulgaria
Our first day will start from the modern... 3 hours
Our first day will start from the modern capital of Bulgaria, Sofia, and will end in the medieval one –Veliko Tarnovo. The city is situated on the northern slopes of Stara Planina, amidst the meanders of Yantra River. Veliko Tarnovo is one of the oldest in Bulgaria and has been continuously inhabited since the 5th millennium BC, therefore many different cultures like the ancient Thracian, Roman, and Byzantine contributed to the historical and cultural heritage of the city. Without a doubt, however, the most noticeable marks have been left by the Medieval Bulgarians, as the city is former capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185-1396). From this period are most of the highlights of the city which you will have the chance to explore. We will visit the remains of the main medieval fortress of this magnificent city. Admiration is provoked as well by the typical for the city architecture from the National Revival period (XVIII-XIX) – houses from stone and wood, scattered along the slopes and narrow, cobblestone streets. We will visit the main commercial area, built during the Ottoman period, but still alive, keeping the traditions of different crafts. We will overnight in the city. During the evening you can enjoy the beautifully illuminated fortress of Tsarevets.
The Peal of the Danube river
After breakfast, we will head north to the Danube River 2 hours
After breakfast, we will head north to the Danube River. We will stop at one of the most beautiful cities in Bulgaria – Ruse. We will walk through its center and will admire the architecture, which gave the name of the city during the 19th century – The small Vienna.
After this relaxing walk, we will cross the river and will enter Romania 2 hours
After this relaxing walk, we will cross the river and will enter Romania. After an hour's drive, we will reach its capital Bucharest. We will overnight in the city center. During the evening you will have the chance to enjoy its intense nightlife.
Exploring Bucharest
This day will be dedicated to exploring Bucharest’s highlights 7 hours
This day will be dedicated to exploring Bucharest’s highlights. We will visit one of the biggest buildings in the world – Romanian parliament, a very ambitious project of Ceaușescu, their last communistic leader, related to the horrible events of 1989. Our next stop will be at a museum, called “Village museum”. There you will see copies of all architectural styles of Romania, including the famous wooden churches. Our next stop will be in the historical part of Bucharest, where you will see the remains of the structures from the time of Vlad the Impaler. We will walk through the main pedestrian street, full of shops, restaurants, beautiful buildings. We will overnight in the city.
Craiova
After breakfast, we will head west 5 hours
After breakfast, we will head west. Our final destination for the day is the city Craiova. It is a great example of the Austrian-Hungarian heritage in Romania. Craiova was also the capital of the Wallachia region. We will spend the afternoon enjoying the architecture and the beautiful center. Overnight in Craiova.
Reaching Serbia
After breakfast, we will start our trip to... 1 hour
After breakfast, we will start our trip to the next capital on our list – Belgrade. On the way, we will stop in a town situated on the Danube River. This is considered to be the place where Emperor Trajan built the famous bridge, presented on the column in Rome. By this bridge, he transported his legions and won the Dacian Wars in 106 AD.
After we see the remains of the bridge... 3 hours
After we see the remains of the bridge we will cross the river by a modern bridge and will enter Serbia. After an hour and a half drive, we will reach Belgrade. We will check in our hotel and have a relaxing evening.
Exploring Belgrade
This day will be dedicated to exploring Belgrade 7 hours
This day will be dedicated to exploring Belgrade. We will visit the fortress, which was guarding the two Rivers – Danube and Sava. In the fortress, we can visit the National Military museum where you will learn about many dramatic moments of the Balkan history, from the Serbian point of view, of course. Then our walking tour will continue through Belgrade main boulevards and shopping streets. In the evening we can go to the street, famous for its traditional Serbian restaurants. In some of them, there is life Balkan music. Overnight in Belgrade.
The birthplace of Constantin the Great
In the morning we will drive toward the 3rd biggest city of Serbia-Nis 3 hours
In the morning we will drive toward the 3rd biggest city of Serbia-Nis. You will have a guided tour of the historical part. You will see the Roman villa where Constantin the Great was born. After that, we will stop by a very sad for our history site – The Skull tower, built by the Ottomans after an uprising in 1809 with the idea just to send a message. Another point of interest is a Nazi concentration camp. Perfectly preserved with the amazingly rich museums. Our next stop will be the fortress of Nis and the main pedestrian street, where we will have our lunch.
After that, we will continue our journey toward... 1 hour
After that, we will continue our journey toward the next capital – Skopje, Northern Macedonia. Overnight in Skopje
Exploring Skopje
This day will be dedicated to one of... 7 hours
This day will be dedicated to one of the most controversial cities on the Balkans. Skopje is an amazing mixture between orient and modern, and also one of the few examples in nowadays how historical propaganda reflects on the appearance of a city. The two worlds are separated by a river. In the old there typical orient market place – Suk, surrounded by beautiful Ottoman buildings-mosques, hammams (Turkish bathhouse), and many more. The atmosphere is wonderful. On the other bank of the river is the modern center, full of statues and neoclassical buildings. Also, we will visit the house of Mother Teresa. In the afternoon we will enjoy one of the most spectacular gorges on the Balkans – Matka canyon. If you want to we can hire a boat and have a boat trip.
Getting back to Sofia
After breakfast, we will start our journey back to Bulgaria 2 hours
After breakfast, we will start our journey back to Bulgaria. On the way, we will visit the biggest monastery in Macedonia. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. Built-in the Middle Ages it is still an active one and keeps the atmosphere of those times.
In the afternoon we will reach Sofia 1 hour
In the afternoon we will reach Sofia. Our guide can show you the center of the city if you haven’t got the chance to do so and will drop you off at your hotel. Overnight in Sofia. If you depart the next day, also airport transfer is included.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cancellation policy?
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure…
How do I book this tour?
Click the "Book Now" button on this page to complete your reservation through Viator's secure booking platform. You'll receive instant confirmation via email.
Is this tour suitable for all ages?
Please check the age requirements and physical fitness level requirements listed in the tour details above. Some tours may have age restrictions or require a certain level of physical fitness.
