10-Day Bulgaria-Istanbul Private Tour: Sofia, Plovdiv & Bosphorus
Overview
Explore Bulgaria’s historic cities and monasteries, then cross into Turkey to discover Istanbul’s Old City and Bosphorus—all on a 10-day private tour from Sofia to Istanbul.
In Sofia, see Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Serdica’s Roman ruins. Visit UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery and Plovdiv’s Old Town, then travel via Haskovo to Edirne’s Selimiye Mosque. In Istanbul, see Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. Explore the Bosphorus area and Asian side, with a free day to spend as you wish.
- Private 10-day Sofia-to-Istanbul tour for your group
- Rila Monastery and historic Plovdiv Old Town
- Istanbul Old City, Bosphorus and Asian-side sightseeing
- Private driver-guide, land transport and border assistance
- Nine nights in 4-star hotels and nine breakfasts
What's Included
- Breakfast
- Border assistance
- 9 nights accommodation in selected 4★ hotels
- Airport arrival & departure transfers
- All land transportation Bulgaria – Turkey
- Rent-a-car for the entire itinerary
- Tour planning and operational coordination
- Private guide/driver for 10 days
- Meals ✘ Lunches & dinners (except farewell dinner)
- Flights
- Entrance fees (sites, museums, palaces)
- Optional experiences (Bosphorus cruise, hammam, wine tastings)
- Tips and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees (if applicable)
- Local specialist guides where required
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup Information Pick-up is included from all centrally located hotels in Sofia. Please be ready in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled time. If your accommodation is outside the central area, we will confirm the nearest convenient meeting point. Sofia Airport pick-up on Day 1 and drop-off on Day 8 are also included. After booking, you will receive a confirmation email with your exact pickup time and details.
What To Expect
Arrival in Sofia
1 Stop
Sofia City Tour
1 Stop
Sofia – Rila Monastery – Plovdiv
1 Stop
Plovdiv Old Town Tour
1 Stop
Plovdiv – Haskovo – Edirne (Turkey)
1 Stop
Edirne – Istanbul
1 Stop
Istanbul Old City Tour
1 Stop
Bosphorus and Asian Side
1 Stop
Free Day in Istanbul
1 Stop
Departure
1 Stop
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the 10-Day Bulgaria-Istanbul Private Tour: Sofia, Plovdiv & Bosphorus?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-5552142P1
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 1 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EET).
- Breakfast.
- Border assistance.
- 9 nights accommodation in selected 4★ hotels.
- Airport arrival & departure transfers.
- All land transportation Bulgaria – Turkey.
- Rent-a-car for the entire itinerary.
- Tour planning and operational coordination.
- Private guide/driver for 10 days.
- Meals. ✘ Lunches & dinners (except farewell dinner).
- Flights.
- Entrance fees (sites, museums, palaces).
- Optional experiences (Bosphorus cruise, hammam, wine tastings).
- Tips and personal expenses.
- Travel insurance.
- Visa fees (if applicable).
- Local specialist guides where required.
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the 10-Day Bulgaria-Istanbul Private Tour: Sofia, Plovdiv & Bosphorus is as follows:
- Wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for 10-Day Bulgaria-Istanbul Private Tour: Sofia, Plovdiv & Bosphorus will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Breakfast
- Border assistance
- 9 nights accommodation in selected 4★ hotels
- Airport arrival & departure transfers
- All land transportation Bulgaria – Turkey
- Rent-a-car for the entire itinerary
- Tour planning and operational coordination
- Private guide/driver for 10 days
- Meals✘ Lunches & dinners (except farewell dinner)
- Flights
- Entrance fees (sites, museums, palaces)
- Optional experiences (Bosphorus cruise, hammam, wine tastings)
- Tips and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees (if applicable)
- Local specialist guides where required
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
