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6 Day Jewish Tour of Sofia, Plovdiv & Ruse – Bulgaria

Suitable for Family, Group, Senior

OVERVIEW

This trip offers an immersive exploration into the rich history and cultural tapestry of Jewish life in Bulgaria, interwoven with the broader historical narratives of the country. Beginning with the Jewish heritage in Sofia, the journey unveils the grandeur of the Sofia Synagogue and the poignant exhibits of its museum, alongside the remarkable religious coexistence evident in the city center. Travelers will then venture to the Jewish community of Plovdiv, one of Europe’s oldest cities, to discover the beautifully restored Zion Synagogue and the vibrant Kapana district, once a hub of Jewish artisans. The itinerary includes a significant choice between Pazardzhik, home to a remarkably preserved Sephardic synagogue, and Kyustendil, where the inspiring story of Dimitar Peshev’s resistance during the Holocaust is brought to life.

Continuing the exploration, the trip leads to Ruse on the Danube River, where the exterior of the currently renovating synagogue hints at the city’s once-thriving Jewish community. The journey culminates back in Sofia with a visit to the Jewish section of the Central Cemetery, offering a tangible connection to past generations, and an opportunity to engage with the present-day Jewish community. This thoughtfully curated itinerary promises a profound understanding of Bulgaria’s Jewish heritage, resilience, and the spirit of coexistence that has shaped the nation’s identity, leaving travelers with lasting stories of courage and community.

Highlights*

Exploring Sofia’s Religious Harmony: Witnessing the close proximity and historical coexistence of major religious sites in Sofia, including the impressive Sofia Synagogue, St. Nedelya Church, and Banya Bashi Mosque, provides a powerful insight into Bulgaria’s cultural mosaic.
Discovering Plovdiv’s Layers of History: Wandering through the ancient cobblestone streets of Plovdiv, particularly the beautifully restored Zion Synagogue in the Old Town and the vibrant, historically Jewish-influenced Kapana district, offers a unique connection to centuries of intertwined cultures.
Reflecting on Courage and Rescue: The opportunity to visit either the well-preserved Pazardzhik Synagogue, offering a glimpse into Sephardic life, or the House-Museum of Dimitar Peshev in Kyustendil, honoring the pivotal figure who saved thousands of Bulgarian Jews during the Holocaust, provides a deeply moving and historically significant experience.
Tracing Sephardic Heritage in Ruse: Visiting Ruse, the “Little Vienna” on the Danube, and learning about its once-thriving Jewish community while seeing the grand exterior of the Ruse Synagogue connects travelers to the broader Sephardic diaspora and its impact on Bulgarian urban life.
Connecting with Jewish History and Community in Sofia: Visiting the Jewish section of Sofia’s Central Cemetery offers a tangible link to the generations who shaped Jewish life in Bulgaria, and the potential to engage with the contemporary Jewish community provides a nuanced understanding of its past and present.

*Some experiences are subject to minimum group size

Day by Day Suggested Program

Day 1: Welcome to Sofia – Where History Whispers in Every Stone

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Arrival & Check-in at your hotel in the heart of Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital — a city where ancient Roman ruins, Ottoman-era mosques, and grand 19th-century boulevards come together in a tapestry of cultures and history.
Step into the grandeur of Sofia Synagogue, the largest in Southeastern Europe. With its Moorish-style arches, polished Venetian mosaics, and dazzling brass chandeliers, it feels like a sacred palace. Built in 1909 for the Sephardic community, the synagogue tells a proud story of identity and resilience.
Nestled within the synagogue complex, this quiet museum is a gem. Its exhibits weave the tale of Bulgaria’s Jewish community — from their expulsion from Spain and warm welcome in the Balkans to their miraculous rescue during the Holocaust.
Stroll past St. Nedelya Church, Banya Bashi Mosque, and the Synagogue — three major houses of worship within a few blocks. Here, religious coexistence isn’t just a slogan; it’s a way of life.
Dinner Suggestion: Enjoy Sephardic-inspired dishes with a Bulgarian twist — think roasted eggplant, herbed meatballs, and sweet leek pastries.
Overnight: Sofia

Day 2: Plovdiv – City of Layers and Legacy

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Drive to Plovdiv (2 hours), one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities — with cobbled lanes that echo with Roman, Ottoman, and Jewish footsteps.
Tucked inside Plovdiv’s romantic Old Town, the Zion Synagogue is an exquisite jewel box. Restored in pastel colors and gold accents, its Star of David ceiling glimmers as sunlight filters through stained glass windows. It stands as a quiet testament to Sephardic life along the Balkans.
Once a bustling artisan quarter with Jewish merchants and craftsmen, Kapana (“The Trap”) is now a colorful creative hub. Cafés, galleries, and murals flourish — many in old Jewish-owned buildings with carved Hebrew above the doors.
Housed in a stunning 19th-century mansion, this museum offers insight into the mingling of Bulgaria’s cultural identities — Jewish, Armenian, Turkish, and Roma.
Before heading back to your hotel, gaze over the perfectly preserved Roman Theater, where timeless performances still echo across the marbled seats.
Overnight: Plovdiv

Day 3: Unsung Heroes – Pazardzhik or Kyustendil

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Option A: Pazardzhik – A Quiet Synagogue with a Loud Legacy
This charming town hides one of Bulgaria’s best-preserved Sephardic synagogues. The Pazardzhik Synagogue, recently restored, feels almost like a time capsule — its wooden pews and bright murals whispering prayers from another era. You’ll also visit the local museum to learn how Jewish life intertwined with the town’s development.
Option B: Kyustendil – The Town That Stood Up
Visit the House-Museum of Dimitar Peshev, the courageous Bulgarian politician who defied Nazi orders and helped stop the deportation of 48,000 Jews. The museum paints
an intimate portrait of resistance, with letters, photographs, and even Peshev’s desk. It’s not just history — it’s a moral compass.
Return to Sofia
Overnight: Sofia

Day 4: Ruse – Danube Echoes and Sephardic Memories

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Travel to Ruse, the elegant “Little Vienna” of Bulgaria on the banks of the Danube River.
Though currently under renovation, the exterior of the Ruse Synagogue still radiates grandeur. You’ll hear stories of the thriving pre-war Jewish community — traders, tailors, rabbis, and poets — whose homes and businesses lined the leafy boulevards.
Walk along the breezy Danube promenade, imagining the boats that once carried Jewish merchants and mystics from Istanbul to Vienna.
Stop to explore Jewish artifacts among ancient Roman and Thracian collections.
Overnight: Sofia

Day 5: The Heartbeat of Jewish Bulgaria

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Visit the Jewish section of Sofia’s Central Cemetery, where generations lie beneath Hebrew-inscribed tombstones — including community leaders and WWII rescue figures.
With advance planning, engage with today’s Jewish community — small but vibrant, with youth programs, religious life, and cultural celebrations.
Explore stories of survival, silence, and adaptation under the Iron Curtain.
Stroll through Sofia’s Book Market and then to the Central Mineral Baths area.
Overnight: Sofia

Day 6: Departure

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Enjoy a leisurely Bulgarian breakfast: banitsa pastry, strong coffee, and local yogurt.
Depart with your heart full of untold stories — of courage, community, and coexistence.

Accommodation

Grand Hotel Sofia - Bulgaria

Dominating the heart of the city, Grand Hotel Sofia is a deluxe five-star hotel that has been home for international business travelers, high-profile events and cosmopolitan society since 2004.

*Star rating standards vary from country to country.

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6 Day Jewish Tour of Sofia, Plovdiv & Ruse – Bulgaria

Day by Day Suggested Program

Grand Hotel Sofia – Bulgaria

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