Bulgaria · Heritage Walks

Small group tour to Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery

9 Hours Round trip from Sofia Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Full-day trip from Sofia to Plovdiv, Asen’s Fortress, and Bachkovo Monastery
  • 02 Explore Plovdiv, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe
  • 03 Visit the Roman Theatre and Roman Stadium of Philippopolis
  • 04 Walk through Plovdiv’s Old Town with its cobblestone streets and Revival-period houses
  • 05 Enjoy views from the medieval Asen’s Fortress
  • 06 Discover Bachkovo Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in Bulgaria
  • 07 Travel with a professional guide and private transport
  • 08 Hotel pickup and drop-off from a centrally located address included

Discover some of southern Bulgaria’s most rewarding cultural and historical landmarks on this full-day tour from Sofia. Travel to Plovdiv, one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, where Roman remains, Ottoman heritage, and beautifully preserved Revival-era architecture come together in a vibrant old quarter.

Along the way, visit the Roman Theatre, the Roman Stadium, and the cobbled streets of Plovdiv’s Old Town before continuing to Asen’s Fortress, dramatically set on a cliff in the Rhodope Mountains, and Bachkovo Monastery, one of the oldest and most important monasteries in Bulgaria.

Plovdiv is said to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 9 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Plovdiv, Sofia
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Plovdiv

The tour starts with pick up from your hotel/accommodation in Sofia. After approximately an hour and a half drive, we will reach Plovdiv. Plovdiv is said to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe. The city has cultural and economic significance both in the past and in the present due to its strategic location. Pieces of evidence of its millennial history can be found all over the place – from the Roman Theatre to the Ottoman mosques. This is the reason why Plovdiv is one of the most charming sights in Bulgaria- wherever you look, you will find history, a legend from a different period, traces of a glorious past, and at the same time, it’s a pleasure to see how vivid it still is and how it continues to develop and write its new history. There we will visit the highlights – the Roman Theatre, the Roman Stadium, and have a walk in the Old Town with typical for the Revival Period house museums, and narrow cobblestone streets. Afterward, we will have lunch. 

Asen's fortress

When we are done with our traditional Bulgarian lunch, we will head towards the final destination of the tour – Asenova Fortress (approx. 25 min drive from Plovdiv). Asen's Fortress is situated on the top of a cliff in Rodopi Mountain, at approx. 20 km distance from Plovdiv. It is a Medieval fortress with a rich history and breathtaking view.

Bachkovo monastery

After feasting our eyes on the beauties of nature, we will drive to the Bachkovo monastery. This is the second biggest monastery in Bulgaria and one of the oldest. It was established in the late XI century by a man from Georgia. The monastery later became part of the Bulgarian church. It suffered a lot from the turbulence of the time and has kept a lot of history and drama. 

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Sofia 2 cities · 9 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off from a centrally located address
  • Transport by private vehicle
  • Professional guide
  • All Fees and Taxes

What's Not Included

  • Food and drinks

Know before you go

  • PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEARBY
  • INFANT SEATS AVAILABLE
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Travelers with flu or cold symptoms will not be taken in the vehicle
  • We pick up from centrally located addresses.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Sofia, BG
Tour start
Sofia, BG
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 9 hours finish where they began, in Sofia.

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