Bucharest to Skopje

Enhance your journey between Bucharest and Sofia with a personalized cultural route featuring some of the most unique and lesser-known heritage sites across southern Romania and northern Bulgaria. From ancient monasteries to surreal natural wonders, this transfer can easily become a memorable road trip.

Optional Sights to Visit on This Trip

Comana Monastery
Founded by Vlad the Impaler in 1461, Comana Monastery was originally built as a fortified religious refuge on an island surrounded by marshland. Accessed via a fire-ready wooden bridge, this location served both spiritual and strategic purposes. In the 1970s, archaeologists discovered a headless body believed by some historians to be that of Vlad Țepeș himself. The monastery remains a fascinating blend of legend and history.

Sveta Troitsa Church – Ruse
Built partially below ground in 1632 to comply with Ottoman restrictions on Christian structures, Sveta Troitsa Church houses an impressive iconostasis, original 17th-century murals, and a five-bell tower made of stones repurposed from a medieval fortress. Today, the church also serves as a museum, home to rare religious manuscripts and items of worship, including a 16th-century Gospel.

Basarbovo Monastery
Nestled in the cliffs near Ruse, Basarbovo Monastery is the only cave monastery still inhabited in Bulgaria. Dating back to the 17th century and carved into limestone rock above the Rusenski Lom River, it gained prominence through Saint Dimitar Basarbovski, a hermit-saint whose relics are now housed in Bucharest. The peaceful setting and unique architecture make it a tranquil spiritual stop.

Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo
These remarkable medieval sanctuaries, carved directly into cliffs by hermit monks beginning in the 13th century, are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Famous for their exceptionally well-preserved frescoes, the complex once contained as many as 40 churches and over 300 cells. The remaining sites offer a profound sense of Bulgaria’s religious and artistic history.

Prohodna Cave – “God’s Eyes”
Located in the Iskar Gorge, Prohodna Cave is known for its two massive ceiling openings that resemble a pair of divine eyes looking down from above. These natural "God’s Eyes" create a surreal atmosphere. The cave's vast chamber is popular for both sightseeing and adventure sports like rock climbing and bungee jumping.

Make the Most of Your Transfer

Rather than just traveling from city to city, elevate your experience by exploring the cultural gems between. Choose the sights that inspire you and create a customized day full of discovery, history, and natural beauty.

ZigoTravel – Travel. Explore. Remember.