From 200,00€
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Individual Road Trip: Bulgaria – Rhodope, Plovdiv & Sofia

Not Rated
Duration

5-day

Tour Type

Specific Tour

Group Size

Unlimited

Languages

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A few words

Bulgaria is perhaps the most convenient destination for a road trip from Northern Greece: good highways, short distances, and low costs. In a single day of driving, you can go from the Rhodope Mountains to mountain villages, to the oldest inhabited city in Europe, and to a capital with Roman ruins beneath its sidewalks.

The route by car

From Thessaloniki, the crossing point is Promachonas (towards Sofia) or Exochi from Drama (towards Rhodope and Plovdiv). The A1 highway (Trakia) connects Sofia–Plovdiv–Burgas. For Bulgarian highways, an electronic toll (vignette) is required, which can be purchased online or at the border. The mountain roads of the Rhodope region are scenic but slow — allow extra time.

History

Plovdiv has been continuously inhabited for over 6,000 years and is considered one of Europe’s oldest cities; it was Thracian Eumolpias, Macedonian Philippopolis, and Roman Trimontium. Sofia was built on top of Roman Serdica, whose ruins are visible in the city center. The Rila Monastery (10th century) is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the country’s most important spiritual center.

Sights

The Old Town of Plovdiv with its Revival-era mansions and the Roman theatre which is still in use; the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia; the Rila Monastery with its frescoes; the mountain villages of the Rhodope region, the Devil’s Bridge, and the caves near Asenovgrad; and Bansko for those traveling in winter.

Food

Bulgarian cuisine is close to Greek but has its own identity: shopska salad, banitsa (cheese pie), kavarma, yogurt, and grilled meats. The wines of Thrace and the Rose Valley have improved impressively. Restaurant prices are low, even in tourist spots.

Nightlife

Plovdiv features Kapana, a creative district filled with bars, galleries, and small shops — one of the liveliest spots in the Balkans. In Sofia, the nightlife spreads around Vitosha Boulevard and the city center. In the Rhodope region, the evenings are quiet, spent in taverns by the fireplace.

Useful information

Currency: Lev (BGN). Time: same as Greece. Borders: Promachonas (Serres) or Exochi (Drama) — both within Schengen from 2025, allowing for quick crossing. A vignette is required for the highways. Best time to visit: May–October for sightseeing, December–March for ski resorts.

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Price

From €200 per person

Price per person for 2 people sharing a double room, in low season.

This is a starting price. The final price depends on your dates, flights and hotel, and we confirm it in the personal offer we send you. No payment is needed when you send your request.

With this trip you earn about 200 Loyalty points per person (1 point per €1, worth about €2 off a future trip). Points double for bookings completed in January and February. About Lia's Loyalty Club

Build your package

Add whatever you need around this trip and send us one request. We reply with one final price for the whole trip.

Travellers

Adults
2
Children
0

When

Add to your trip

Nights
Trip · 2 × 200€
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The total is indicative. The final price comes with our quote.

Price and availability last updated: 20 September 2026

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Activities at your destination

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  • Accommodation in selected lodgings with breakfast
  • Suggested itinerary & sightseeing plan
  • Office support before and during your trip

Όλο το χρόνο

Tour's Location

What is the best time for this trip?

This is a tailor-made trip, so you choose the dates. We will gladly advise you on the best season for the destination and on how weather, prices and crowds change through the year — just tell us roughly when you are thinking of travelling.

What does the price include?

The main inclusions are:

  • Accommodation with breakfast
  • Suggested itinerary of routes & sights
  • Support from our office

Transport is not included — this is a self-drive trip in your own car. The full list of what is and is not included is in the “Included / Not included” section of this page.

Is the “From X€” price the final price I will pay?

Not necessarily. The “From X€” price is the lowest price available today, based on flight and hotel availability for those specific dates. As availability changes daily, the final price for your trip may differ. We will send you the final written quote before anything is charged, once you tell us the dates you are interested in.

Why does the price change depending on the date?

Air fares and hotel rates change daily depending on the season, demand, the day of the week and how early you book. For this reason the price you see is indicative; the sooner you tell us your dates, the easier it is for us to secure the best possible price.

How much does a single room cost?

The single-room supplement varies by hotel and destination and is shown in the price/quote you will receive for your own dates. If you are travelling alone, let us know from the start so that your quote includes the correct single-room price straight away.

When do I pay for my trip?

Payment is made at the time of booking. For certain properties with their own payment policy (e.g. a deposit or a specific deadline for the balance), we will inform you explicitly before you proceed, so that you know the exact terms.

If I book now, is the price locked in?

Yes — once your booking is complete, the price is binding and is not affected by any later rise or fall in flight or hotel prices. Availability and price change only until your booking is confirmed.

Is there a surcharge if I depart from another city?

As this is a trip in your own car, there is no departure surcharge — you set off from wherever suits you.

What travel documents do I need?

For your trip within Greece, a valid police ID card or passport is enough. If you are flying, you will need an official photo ID for the airport check. If minors are travelling, please check whether any additional documents are required.

Can I change dates or cancel?

Changes and cancellations follow the terms of the airlines, hotels and services booked for you, so the cost depends on how close to departure we are and on the rules of each fare. Let us know as early as possible and we will look for the least costly solution. The general terms of participation apply to every booking.

Is travel insurance included?

Travel insurance is not included in the price unless it is explicitly listed in the inclusions on this page. We strongly recommend it, especially for trips outside the European Union, so that medical care, cancellation and lost luggage are covered. We can arrange it for you — just ask when you book.

Can the trip be customised?

Yes — this is an individual trip, not a group departure. There is no fixed itinerary or coach schedule: you travel on your own, at your own pace. We can change the overnight stays or the hotel category, add or remove destinations, and arrange transfers, car rental or private guided tours.

How do I book?

Send us a request through the form on this page, give us a call or visit our office. We will come back to you with availability and a written quote before anything is charged.

Visa, flights and departure: what should I know?

Departure: By your own car, from wherever you are.

Visa (Greek citizens): No visa needed.

Earliest departure: At least 7 days after booking.

Best time to go: All year round; April–June and September–October are the most pleasant.

Our office helps you with all of the above, step by step.

From 200,00€

Owner

Lia's Travel

Member Since 2020

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Travel essentials

Departure
By your own car, from wherever you are
Visa (Greek citizens)
No visa needed
Travel documents
New-type ID card or a valid passport
Earliest departure
At least 7 days after booking
Best time to go
All year round; April–June and September–October are the most pleasant

Our office helps you with all of the above, step by step.

Website design & support: Tony Panopoulos