Skip to main content
&
Search
&
Search
Grand Tour of Romania, Serbia & Bulgaria, a tour by Explore Worldwide

Tour · 15 nights · with Explore Worldwide

Grand Tour of Romania, Serbia & Bulgaria

Explore the highlights of Romania, Serbia and Bulgaria on this 15-night escorted tour by Explore Worldwide, from Bucharest’s urban mix to the Black Sea coast and historic Balkan cities.

Duration
15 nights
Departures
8 dates
Choose a month below
Countries
Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria
Operator
Explore Worldwide
From
£2,595
per person

Highlights

What makes this one worth it

  1. Romanian Atheneum and Palace of Parliament in Bucharest

  2. Bran Castle associatedWith Queen Marie of Romania

  3. Viminacium Roman city and military fort in Serbia

  4. UNESCO-listed Rila MonasteryWith colourful frescoes

  5. Black Sea coast visitsIncluding Kaliakra Fortress and Balchik Palace

About the trip

This small-group tour with Explore Worldwide begins in Bucharest, where communist-era structures jostle with Art Nouveau buildings and leafy parks. A visit to Bran Castle follows, known for its connections to Queen Marie rather than Dracula, before moving on to the Transylvanian towns of Brasov and Sibiu with their medieval streets and local beers served by the metre.

Crossing into Serbia, the route takes in the ancient Roman ruins of Viminacium and the charismatic capitals Belgrade and Novi Sad, where fortress tunnels hide tales of rebels and presidents. In Bulgaria, the itinerary stretches from Sofia’s Soviet monuments to the colourful mosaics of Rila Monastery and the rose-scented fields near Kazanlak. The tour rounds off with a relaxed couple of days on the Black Sea coast, walking cliffs and visiting a former queen’s summer palace.

There’s a pleasing mix of history, from Roman tombs and Ottoman relics to communist memorials, alongside moments for quiet contemplation in well-chosen towns. The pace allows time to absorb rather than rush through sights, although border crossings can be long. The trip ends back in Bucharest, where museums and Old Town lie in wait.

42°N44°N46°N
The route in outline: places are joined in the order visited, not by the roads or sea lanes taken.
  1. 1 Bucharest
  2. 2 Bran Castle
  3. 3 Belgrade
  4. 4 Novi Sad
  5. 5 Sofia
  6. 6 Rila Monastery
  7. 7 Plovdiv
  8. 8 Varna

Itinerary

The route

  1. Bucharest

  2. Bran Castle

  3. Belgrade

  4. Novi Sad

  5. Sofia

  6. Rila Monastery

  7. Plovdiv

  8. Varna

These are the places the trip visits, in order. Explore Worldwide publishes the day-by-day itinerary on its own site.

When to go

Departures and prices

Lowest price each month, per person.

Explore Worldwide confirms exact dates, availability and prices when you book.

Need to know

Before you book

Price based on
Per personThe operator confirms the exact basis when you book.
Travelling alone
Check with Explore Worldwide
Flights
Not included: you book your own to the start
What’s included
Check with Explore Worldwide
Accessibility
Check with Explore Worldwide

For full details of what’s included, check with Explore Worldwide. See the full details on their site

Questions people ask

How long is Grand Tour of Romania, Serbia & Bulgaria?
Grand Tour of Romania, Serbia & Bulgaria is a 15 nights tour holiday.
Who operates Grand Tour of Romania, Serbia & Bulgaria?
Grand Tour of Romania, Serbia & Bulgaria is operated by Explore Worldwide.
How much does Grand Tour of Romania, Serbia & Bulgaria cost?
Prices for Grand Tour of Romania, Serbia & Bulgaria start from £2,595, subject to availability.

The operator

Explore Worldwide

Small-group adventures, walking and wildlife

Small groups with local leaders, and a fondness for the places at the end of the road. Trips are graded so you know how active they are.

You book with Explore Worldwide directly. They confirm your place, take payment, and look after you from the moment you leave home; Atlas & Passage’s part ends when you click through.

Journeys

Reading for the trip

If this appeals, so might these

Search all holidays

Tour · 9 nights

Budapest to Sofia Adventure

Hungary & Romania and 1 more · G Adventures

6 departures · Dec 2026 – May 2027

from£1,161.75per person