The whole world is watching Bulgaria

Hi travel enthusiasts 👋

Something big happened in Bulgaria over the past few days, and it put the country on screens around the world.

For the first time in history, Bulgaria hosted the Grande Partenza (the grand opening) of the Giro d'Italia: one of the most prestigious cycling races on the planet. The 109th edition of the Corsa Rosa kicked off right here, making Bulgaria one of the 16th countries ever to host the start of this iconic race.

Three stages. Three days. Hundreds of the world's best cyclists raced across some of Bulgaria's most beautiful places.

And what a showcase it is. 🌊🏔️

🗺️ The race itinerary

Stage 1: Nessebar to Burgas (May 8)

The race opened on the Black Sea coast, starting from Nessebar: a magical ancient town built on a tiny peninsula. Riders passed through Sozopol (another beautiful old seaside town) before finishing in Burgas, Bulgaria's fourth-largest city.

Stage 2: Burgas to Veliko Tarnovo (May 9)

From the coast, the peloton headed inland across the Thracian valley to Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria's medieval capital, dramatically perched on rocky cliffs above the Yantra River. The finish was especially spectacular: riders tackled steep cobbled streets through the old Tsarevets fortress area.

Stage 3: Plovdiv to Sofia (May 10)

The final Bulgarian stage connected two of the country's most beloved cities. Plovdiv, named European Wine Capital for 2025 and one of Europe's oldest continuously inhabited cities, to Sofia, the vibrant capital. The route climbed through the Borovets mountain area before sweeping down into the capital.

🇧🇬 Want to follow in the riders' footsteps?

Every city and landmark on this route is somewhere we take our guests regularly. And seeing these places on a private tour is a completely different story from watching them on TV.

We can build a custom Bulgaria itinerary around the Giro route, whether you want to visit all cities, focus on one region, or combine this with the rest of Bulgaria's highlights.

Or just reply to this email and tell us where you'd like to start. We'll take it from there.

Discover the Balkans beyond the guidebooks.

Adriana from Private Guide Bulgaria