Europe · YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
From Athens to Sofia
Travel from Athens to Sofia on a six-day guided tour featuring Athens sightseeing, the monasteries of Meteora, Thessaloniki, the historic town of Melnik and Bulgaria's spectacular Rila Monastery.
Athens → SofiaAthens – Kamena Vourla – Thermopylae – Kastraki – Meteora – Kalambaka – Thessaloniki – Melnik – Sandanski – Rila Monastery – Sofia
A CLOSER LOOK
Your journey, at a glance.
Discover the cultural treasures of Greece and Bulgaria on a six-day escorted journey from Athens to Sofia. Begin in the historic Greek capital, where classical landmarks and lively traditional neighborhoods reveal the city’s remarkable heritage. Travel north through Kamena Vourla and historic Thermopylae before discovering the dramatic rock formations and centuries-old monasteries of Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Continue through Thessaloniki, Greece’s vibrant northern metropolis, and cross into Bulgaria to explore the picturesque town of Melnik, known for its traditional architecture and wine-producing heritage. Visit the magnificent Rila Monastery, surrounded by forested mountains, before arriving in Sofia for a guided introduction to Bulgaria’s capital, its impressive cathedral, historic churches, religious landmarks and grand city avenues.
This itinerary combines iconic cultural sights, scenic overland travel and free time to explore at your own pace.
DAY BY DAY
Moments along the way.
01DAY 1Arrival in Athens+
Welcome to Greece and the beginning of your Europamundo journey. After arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy free time to settle in or explore the surrounding area. Tour information will be provided in the afternoon, either directly or through the information board at reception.
02DAY 2Discover Athens+
Explore Athens on a panoramic sightseeing tour of the Greek capital. Discover the Panathenaic Stadium, associated with the first modern Olympic Games, the Royal Palace area, grand avenues and elegant neoclassical architecture. After free time, enjoy an evening transfer to Plaka, a historic neighborhood filled with traditional shops, lively streets and Greek tavernas.
03DAY 3Athens, Kamena Vourla, Thermopylae and Meteora+
Depart Athens early and travel north through Greece. Stop at Kamena Vourla, a scenic seaside destination, before continuing to Thermopylae, famous for its historic battle. In Kastraki, enjoy impressive views of the Meteora valley and free time for lunch. Later, explore Meteora, where extraordinary rock formations rise above the surrounding landscape and historic monasteries crown the cliffs. Admission to one monastery is included. Continue to Kalambaka for dinner and overnight accommodation.
04DAY 4Kalambaka, Thessaloniki, Melnik and Sandanski+
Travel through northern Greece toward Thessaloniki, the country's second-largest city. Enjoy time to explore and have lunch before continuing across the border into Bulgaria. Visit Melnik, a picturesque historic town known for its traditional architecture, dramatic surroundings and wine-producing heritage. Continue to Sandanski, a pleasant spa town associated with the ancient figure Spartacus. Dinner is included at the end of the day.
05DAY 5Sandanski, Rila Monastery and Sofia+
Depart Sandanski and visit Rila Monastery, one of Bulgaria's most celebrated religious and cultural landmarks, surrounded by forested mountains. Continue to Sofia, arriving around late morning. After lunch, discover Bulgaria's capital on a guided city tour featuring St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Russian Church, a mosque and the city's important squares and avenues. The remainder of the day is free to explore.
06DAY 6Departure from Sofia+
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before your six-day journey comes to an end. Depart with memories of Greece's historic capital, the dramatic monasteries of Meteora and Bulgaria's cultural treasures.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
The details that matter.
Included
- Five nights of hotel accommodation.
- Arrival transfer to the hotel in Athens, as described in the tour itinerary.
- Breakfast on the final morning, as stated in the departure-day program.
- Panoramic sightseeing tour of Athens.
- Evening transfer to the Plaka neighborhood in Athens.
- Tour transportation between the listed destinations.
- Visit to Meteora.
- Admission to one monastery in Meteora.
- Dinner in Kalambaka.
- Visit to Melnik.
- Dinner in Sandanski.
- Visit to Rila Monastery.
- Guided sightseeing tour of Sofia.
- Tour services and assistance according to the selected departure's confirmed program.
Not included
- International flights to Athens and from Sofia.
- Airport transfers not specified in the confirmed itinerary.
- Travel insurance.
- Lunches and dinners not expressly listed as included.
- Drinks with meals unless specified.
- Optional excursions and activities.
- Personal expenses, shopping and minibar charges.
- Tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff.
- Visa fees or entry documentation costs, where applicable.
- Hotel city taxes or local charges, if applicable.
- Any service not expressly listed in the confirmed package inclusions.
Good to know
This is a six-day, cross-border group tour from Greece to Bulgaria.
The tour begins in Athens and finishes in Sofia; return flights are not included in the base itinerary.
The itinerary includes several long road journeys and multiple sightseeing stops.
Some sightseeing involves walking on uneven surfaces and steps.
Visits to religious sites may require modest clothing.
The Meteora monastery visit is subject to the selected monastery's opening schedule.
Departure dates, room availability and prices are subject to confirmation.
The published starting price is not guaranteed for every date or room configuration.
Bring valid travel documents for international border crossings.
The official itinerary may be adjusted due to operational conditions.