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The concept of free walking tours is getting more and more popular around the world. And why not – there are so many good sides:
- Everyone can join
- It’s affordable
- You can choose when to join and leave
- It’s a wonderful introduction to a place that will give any guest a good idea on how to spend their time there
In Bulgaria, free tours are also getting more and more popular. Here are the ones you can join while you travel around our country.
!!! Important: Due to the coronavirus crisis we advise you to always check the websites of the tours or contact them via phone to make sure when and if they are happening.
Free Walking Tours in Sofia
photo: Nikola Stoykov
Most tourists arrive in the capital since it’s where Bulgaria’s biggest airport is. Sofia can offer many beautiful sights and interesting history you should definitely explore. Therefore, you can find a wide variety of tours you can join for free.
- The Free Sofia Tour: As the Free Plovdiv Tour, it’s a part of the 365 Association. The tour is running every day since 2010 and is around two hours long. The professional guides are all locals who will give you an experience as if you are walking next to a friend. The gathering point is the Palace of Justice.
- Balkan Bites: That’s Sofia’s free food tour. This is the tour for you if you want to try some traditional Bulgarian dishes and find the best family-owned restaurants in town. The tour starts at Park Crystal in front of the statue of Stefan Stambolov.
- Sofia Graffiti Tour: You are interested in street art and graffiti? And you are in Sofia? There is a tour you can join. Sofia Graffiti Tour will introduce you to the street art scene in the city. The meeting point is the statue of St. Sofia.
- Sofia Jewish Tour: Another one by the 365 Association. By joining this tour you can explore the long and extraordinary history of the Bulgarian Jewish community. The duration of the tour is between 1,5 and 2 hours and it starts from the Palace of Justice.
Free Walking Tours in Plovdiv
photo: Dimitra Lefterova
The second biggest city in Bulgaria, rich in history and culture, Plovdiv is a place you must visit! Also, it’s in the central part of the country which makes it a perfect base for other travels around Bulgaria.
- Free Plovdiv Tour: That’s us! Plovdiv’s 365 Association tour. Guiding tourists for 8 years now. This 2-hour long tour is the perfect introduction to Plovdiv and it’s history. The professional guides will also give you useful personal ideas and recommendations for your stay in Plovdiv. Our gathering place is the Plovdiv City Hall.
- Plovdiv Graffiti Tour: This is not the usual graffiti tour. Yes, you will explore many murals and enjoy a lot of street art and graffiti. But also, the guide will bring you back in time – in the 60s Plovdiv was famous as the Town of the Painters. Did you know we have a form of street art from that period? This 365 tour also starts in front of the Plovdiv City Hall.
Free Walking Tours in Varna
photo: Ralitsa Racheva
By traveling to the seaside of Bulgaria you can visit many different big cities and small towns. Varna is the Sea Capital of Bulgaria and a place where alongside the golden beaches and the sea, you will be able to enjoy some history.
- Varna Highlights Walk: You can join this free tour in our Sea Capital to explore Varna and it’s main sights with the help of a professional guide. It starts in front of the Tourist Information Center, across the Cathedral, and is around an hour long.
Free Walking Tours in Burgas
photo: Nikolay Hristov
If you choose the southern part of Bulgaria’s seaside, Burgas will be the biggest city around. Cozy and beautiful, Burgas is the perfect mix of the benefits of the big inhabited area and the relaxed seaside atmosphere.
- Burgas Free Tour: The free tour in Burgas is operating in the summer giving visitors an opportunity to find more about the past and present of Burgas in the company of a local guide. The meeting point is at the Clock near the Tourist Information Center.
Free Walking Tours in Ruse
photo: Anton Angelov
Maybe your travels brought you to Northern Bulgaria and near the magnificent Danube river. If so you definitely need to visit the town of Ruse, famous as the Bulgarian Vienna.
- Ruse Summer Free Walking Tour: The tour is running from the beginning of May till the end of September and is the best way to learn more about the city from a local. The starting place is in front of the Statue of Liberty and the duration is around 1,5h.
Free Walking Tours in Veliko Turnovo
photo: Sharlota Ayzner
Veliko Turnovo used to be the capital of Bulgaria in the past. It’s a place definitely worth visiting because of its rich history, beauty, and amazing fortress and Old town.
- Free Veliko Tarnovo Walking Tours: The tour operates from April till November and its goal is to introduce every guest to the glory of the medieval Bulgarian capital, its historical sights, and interesting local facts. It starts in front of the Tourist Information Center.
Free Walking Tours in Bansko
photo: DarikNews
So, you ended up in the magnificent Bulgarian mountains. You probably like skiing, hiking or nature in general. Well, a resort which is a definite must is Bansko – an important historical center in Bulgaria, rich in culture, interesting places to see and delicious traditional cuisine.
- Bansko Free Tour: The thing every visitor must do if they want to learn more about the rich cultural and historical heritage of Bansko. The tour is running on weekends and starts in front of the Holy Trinity Church.
Now, aren’t free walking tours just the best? You can explore all around Bulgaria by joining them and meeting friendly locals and other visitors from all around the world. All that while finding out more about our lovely country and its past and present.
Author: Free Plovdiv Tour Guide – Adelina Kalapchieva
Also check:
10 Bulgarian seaside destinations for every taste
