Sofia's golden-domed cathedral, the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, Plovdiv's Roman theatre and Veliko Tarnovo's hilltop fortress — flights, hotels and private transfers, all in one price.
A Bulgaria tour package from Dubai typically bundles return flights (around 6 hours direct with flydubai), 4★ hotels in Sofia and along the route with daily breakfast, private airport transfers and guided sightseeing, plus Schengen visa guidance — from AED 2,799 per person for a short Sofia & Rila Monastery getaway, or AED 4,999 for the full 7-day classic loop. Highlights include Sofia's Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, Plovdiv's ancient Roman theatre and colourful old town, Veliko Tarnovo's hilltop Tsarevets Fortress, and the Black Sea resorts of Nessebar and Sunny Beach. Most UAE residents need to apply for a Schengen visa before flying, since Bulgaria became a full Schengen member in January 2025.
One affordable Balkan gem, four very different journeys — from a quick Sofia & Rila Monastery getaway, to a heritage trail through Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo, a relaxed escape on the Black Sea coast, or the full classic loop covering it all. Every package includes flights, hotels, transfers and guided touring, or we'll build a custom itinerary.
City Break
5.0
Heritage Trail
5.0
Best Seller
5.0
Beach Escape
5.0
*Prices are indicative per person on twin-sharing and change with season, airline fares & hotel availability. Request a live quote for your dates.
| Package | Duration | Route | Best for | Highlights | From (per person) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sofia & Rila Monastery Getaway | 3N / 4D | Sofia · Rila Monastery | Short breaks | Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Rila Monastery | AED 2,799 |
| Plovdiv & Veliko Tarnovo Heritage Trail | 4N / 5D | Sofia · Plovdiv · Veliko Tarnovo | History lovers | Roman theatre, Tsarevets Fortress | AED 3,499 |
| Black Sea Coast Escape | 5N / 6D | Sofia · Nessebar · Sunny Beach | Families & beach lovers | UNESCO old town, golden-sand beaches | AED 4,299 |
| Bulgaria Classic | 6N / 7D | Sofia · Rila · Plovdiv · Veliko Tarnovo | First-timers | Rila Monastery, Plovdiv, Tsarevets Fortress | AED 4,999 |
Here's how your 6-night Bulgaria trip flows. Flights, your 4★ hotels, daily breakfast, private transfers and guided sightseeing are included throughout.
Land at Sofia Airport, where our representative meets you and transfers you privately to your hotel. Check in and spend the evening strolling around Vitosha Boulevard, the city's main pedestrian street lined with cafés and shops. Overnight in Sofia.
A guided walk through one of Europe's oldest capitals:
Evening at leisure. Overnight in Sofia.
Drive into the Rila Mountains to visit Bulgaria's most important pilgrimage site:
Overnight in Sofia.
Drive to Plovdiv, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe:
Overnight in Plovdiv.
Continue to Bulgaria's former medieval capital, dramatically set on the banks of the Yantra River:
Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo.
Optional: stay for the evening Sound and Light Show over Tsarevets Fortress.Visit the hilltop village of Arbanasi, known for its fortress-like houses and the Church of the Nativity, before driving back to Sofia. Spend your final evening at leisure in the capital. Overnight in Sofia.
After breakfast, transfer privately to Sofia Airport for your flight home, with time for last-minute souvenirs — Bulgarian rose oil, honey and wine are local favourites.
Bulgaria rewards a late-spring or early-autumn visit for the classic route — mild temperatures for touring Sofia, Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo — while the Black Sea coast is best enjoyed in the warmer summer months.
| Season | Months | Weather | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Apr – Jun | Mild 12–23°C, occasional rain | Best overall — comfortable sightseeing across Sofia, Plovdiv & Veliko Tarnovo |
| Summer | Jul – Aug | Warm 25–32°C, sunny coast | Best for the Black Sea resorts of Nessebar & Sunny Beach; inland cities are warm and busy |
| Autumn | Sep – Oct | Mild 14–22°C, golden light | Fewer crowds, comfortable touring weather, wine-harvest season near Melnik |
| Winter | Nov – Mar | Cold -1–8°C, snow in the mountains | Lowest prices; ski season in Bansko, Borovets & Pamporovo |
The sweet spot for the classic route: comfortable temperatures for Sofia's landmarks, the Rila Monastery excursion, and Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo's old towns.
If the Black Sea coast is the priority, this is when Nessebar and Sunny Beach are at their liveliest — book coastal hotels well ahead.
Many travellers rate early autumn as Bulgaria's best-kept secret — mild days, quieter sites, and the countryside at its most scenic.
Bulgaria became a full member of the Schengen Area on 1 January 2025, and most nationalities living in the UAE need a Schengen visa before flying. UAE nationals generally enjoy visa-free access for short stays, while other UAE residents typically apply in advance — we guide you through the exact steps for your passport.
Most UAE residents need to apply for a Schengen visa in advance through the Bulgarian consulate or VFS Global centre in Dubai. UAE nationals typically enjoy visa-free entry for short tourist stays.
flydubai operates direct flights from Dubai to Sofia taking around 6 hours. Bulgaria is 2 hours behind UAE time (1 hour during European daylight saving).
Bulgaria uses the Bulgarian Lev (BGN), not the Euro. Cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops, but carry some cash for smaller cafés and markets.
Bulgaria is one of Europe's most affordable destinations — meals, transport and shopping typically cost less than in Western Europe, making it a budget-friendly choice.
Visa rules differ by nationality and can change. Entry is at the sole discretion of Bulgarian immigration. We confirm current requirements for your passport before you travel.
Mix and match these experiences into any package — just tell your consultant what you'd love to do.
.JPG?width=600)
A DED & DTCM-licensed agency in Deira & Abu Dhabi with thousands of happy travellers.
Flights, hotels, tours, transfers and Schengen visa guidance handled by one team — no juggling suppliers.
Split your trip into easy payments with Tabby & Tamara — book now, travel now, pay later.
Real people on WhatsApp before, during and after your trip — in English, Hindi, Tagalog & Arabic.
.JPG?width=1000)
Real, verified Google reviews from travellers who booked with Gulliver. Join our growing community of happy holidaymakers from across the UAE.
Our Bulgaria packages include return international economy airfare, 4★ hotel stays with daily breakfast, private airport transfers, guided tours of Sofia, Rila Monastery, Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo, and an English-speaking driver-guide throughout. Lunches, dinners and Schengen visa fees are extra, though we guide you through the visa application.
A Sofia & Rila Monastery Getaway starts from AED 2,799 per person for 3 nights. The Plovdiv & Veliko Tarnovo Heritage Trail starts from AED 3,499. The Black Sea Coast Escape starts from AED 4,299, and our Bulgaria Classic package — Sofia, Rila, Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo — starts from AED 4,999 for 6 nights.
Yes, most nationalities living in the UAE need a Schengen visa before flying to Bulgaria, since Bulgaria became a full Schengen member on 1 January 2025. UAE nationals generally enjoy visa-free access for short tourist stays. We guide you through the exact application steps before you travel.
Yes, flydubai operates direct flights from Dubai to Sofia, taking around 6 hours, making Bulgaria one of the more convenient and affordable European destinations to reach from the UAE.
April to June and September to October offer the most pleasant weather for sightseeing across Sofia, Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo. July and August are warmest and busiest on the Black Sea coast, while November to March brings colder weather and ski season in the mountains.
A 3-night Sofia & Rila Monastery getaway covers the essential highlights comfortably. Allow 6 to 7 nights for the classic loop including Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo, or extend further to add the Black Sea coast.
Yes to all three. Couples enjoy the romantic old towns of Plovdiv and Nessebar, families love the golden-sand beaches of Sunny Beach and short driving distances between destinations, and history lovers can spend days exploring Rila Monastery, Plovdiv's Roman theatre and Veliko Tarnovo's medieval fortress.
Every package is a starting point. Add the Black Sea coast, extend your stay in Plovdiv, include a ski trip to Bansko, or combine Bulgaria with a short extension to Romania or Greece — just tell us what you have in mind and we'll build it around you.
Bulgaria uses the Bulgarian Lev (BGN), not the Euro. Cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops, and Bulgaria is consistently one of Europe's most affordable destinations for meals, transport and shopping.
Top highlights include Sofia's Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Boyana Church, the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, Plovdiv's ancient Roman theatre and Old Town, Veliko Tarnovo's Tsarevets Fortress, and the Black Sea resorts of Nessebar and Sunny Beach.
Travelling to Bulgaria? These destinations pair beautifully for a second European escape or a longer trip. Hotels, tours and visa help in one price. Tap any destination to see its packages.
Tell us your dates and group and we'll send a tailored quote — flights, hotels, private touring and full Schengen visa guidance, all in one price. Free, fast, no obligation.
Please note: Prices are indicative, per person on twin-sharing, and subject to availability. They may change due to airline fares, hotel availability, seasonal demand, exchange rates and supplier updates. Entry requirements are at the sole discretion of Bulgarian and Schengen immigration authorities. Inclusions and exclusions vary by package and travel date. Please confirm the final itinerary, pricing and terms with our travel consultant before booking.
