Plovdiv

Tours

The phrase “You must see Plovdiv to see Bulgaria!” truly describes this experience, and there is so much to explore in the country’s second-biggest city. Plovdiv (160 m a.s.l.), a 2-hour drive from Sofia, is situated in the western part of the fertile Thracian Valley. It is one of the oldest European towns contemporary to Troy and Mycenae. With about a 2-hour walking tour, you will learn about its intriguing history while exploring the charming historic quarter of the city – a fabulous architectural ensemble of beautifully decorated 19th-century houses, the ancient fortress walls, magnificent churches, and Roman structures like the 7000 seater theatre and 30,000 seater stadium. Take a guided tour of the Old Town of Plovdiv, where art, culture, and history collide to create an unforgettable experience. An English-speaking guide will accompany you throughout the day. The guide will point out the region's most interesting architectural and cultural treasures and provide commentary on modern life in Bulgaria. The tour is offered as well with an ONLINE, cloud-based audioguide in different languages (English, Spanish, Italian, French, German, and Russian). Interenet connection is required to use it.

Explore Bulgaria's most famous sites in 1 day from Sofia: the UNESCO Rila Monastery and the city of Plovdiv on a small group, self-guided trip. Walk the sites at your own comfortable pace without the need of following others. Get expert local advice from your friendly English-speaking host and benefit from reliable comfortable transfers. Depart from Sofia city center at 7:30 AM and travel by shuttle bus with a friendly English-speaking host. (For the period October to April, departure from Sofia is at 07:00 AM and the bus goes to first to Rila monastery and then to Plovdiv. Return to Sofia is around 20:00h). After your 2-hour transfer in an air-conditioned minibus, you will reach the city of Plovdiv and get more than 4 hours to explore Bulgaria's second largest city, famous for its Old Town, Roman remains and Kapana artistic district. Your driver will provide you with a free copy of a tourist city map and local tips. Meet your host again at 14:00h and ontinue with a 3.5-hour transfer (a short break half-way is included) through scenic mountain roads to the medieval Rila Monastery in the spectacular Rila Mountains. Once there, you have more than 1-hour to explore the monastic complex at your own pace - more than enough time to see all the major parts of the complex. The monastery was founded by the hermit monk Ivan Rilski in 927 AD. Marvel at the frescoes of the main church and visit the museum and medieval tower independently. Board the shuttle bus at 18:30h at the agreed meeting point and return to Sofia in the evening to be dropped off at the meeting point around 20:30 at knyaz Alexander I square in downtown Sofia.

After a 2-hour drive, begin this full-day tour in one of Europe's oldest towns, Plovdiv. Walk along cobblestone streets and visit a 19th-century house to learn about life during the Ottoman Empire period. Explore the Roman Theater, Roman Stadium and church before enjoying 2 hours of free time to walk around and have lunch and coffee along the main pedestrian street. After exploring Plovdiv, meet your van and guide to make the 30-minute drive to Asen's Fortress. Admire this beautiful, medieval structure and learn about the history of the place before taking photos from the top. Start your journey back to Sofia with an expected arrival time of approximately 6:00-6:30 PM.

After you have been picked up from your centrally located hotel or accommodation in Sofia, enjoy an hour and a half scenic drive to Plovdiv.  Visit sights of historic importance such as the Roman Theatre and the Roman Stadium. Walk around the Old Town and admire the architecture of the houses, museums and cobbled streets typical of the Revival Period. After a traditional Bulgarian lunch, take a 25-minute drive to Asenova Fortress situated on the top of a cliff in Rodopi Mountain. Admire this medieval building and breathtaking views across the valley.  Visit Bachkovo Monastery, founded in 1083 and see the beautiful mural paintings which are still preserved today. End your tour with a drive back to Sofia where you will be dropped off at your accommodation.

A 2-hour drive from Sofia will take you to the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second largest city and one of its oldest towns. Within 2-3 hours of walking along the city, you will discover the history and culture behind a 7000-year old settlement, written by the Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Bulgarian civilizations. You can enjoy sightseeing in the Old Town with its museums, historical monuments, revival period houses, lined with souvenir shops cobbled streets or get impressed by the rich Ethnographical Museum and the ancient Roman Theater. Feel the atmosphere of this artistic and trades center and enjoy a lunch at the local restaurants. The next stop on your way back is the charming town of Koprivshtitsa with its fascinating history and authentic 19th-century architecture. Spend the rest of the day in the leisure of this small and picturesque city situated in central Bulgaria, spread amongst the slopes of the Sredna Gora Mountains, which carry a specific spirit of tranquillity and eternity. Once a scene of battles for the liberation of Bulgaria, now the city is turned into a museum of the Revival Period of Bulgaria. Here you can visit the homes of some of the most eminent Bulgarians, writers, and rebels, and admire the vast collections of ethnographical treasures, including ancient weapons, intricate national costumes, and stunning jewelry.

At 08:00 your guide will pick you up from your hotel and your journey will start. You will have around 2 hours drive until you reach the Valley of the Thracian kings. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to numerous Thracian tombs and burial mounds dating back to the 5th century BC. As you travel to the site, imagine the grandeur and splendor of the Thracian civilization that flourished in this region over 2,000 years ago. Envision the powerful kings and queens who were buried in these tombs, surrounded by their wealth and treasures. Upon arrival, your highly educated guide will lead you on a tour of the site, bringing the history of the Thracians to life. You'll see the impressive 5 tombs, and learn about the customs and beliefs of this ancient civilization. As you explore the Valley of the Thracian Kings, you'll be struck by the beauty of the natural surroundings. The valley is surrounded by lush green forests, offering a peaceful and serene setting for your visit. After exploring the Kazanlak region, we will continue our journey toward Stara Zagora where we will observe the layers of human history between the Stone age and modern times. But first, we will walk in the beautiful city center where we will have lunch. When we regain our strength we will start our exploration. Augusta Trayana was founded in the 2nd century AD and was an important center for trade and culture. The city was named after the Roman emperor Trajan and was a thriving metropolis during the Roman Empire. You will walk on the original streets from those days and will see where the city council has gathered for its meetings. We will visit the remains of a Roman house where you will see amazing mosaics in perfect condition, and will get the feeling of the way of living in the city in the days of the Roman empire. During your walk in Stara Zagora, your guide will show you a unique place- the Museum of Religions. It is situated in one of the oldest Mosques in the Balkans- Eski Mosque from the early XV century. Our last stop of the day is the furthest that we will get back in time- to the Neolithic age. You will visit the ruins of 2 houses from those times. They were part of a big Neolithic settlement. These houses are one of the best-preserved prehistorical buildings in Europe. The exposition will bring you back to the VII Millennium BC and your guide will do his best to explain who those people were and how they lived. In addition to the houses, you will also see, an archaeological collection of objects, related to the culture and the religion of the Stone age people, discovered in the Stone age settlements. After this incredible visit, we will start our journey back to Plovdiv.

Begin the tour at the impressive Asen’s fortress, nearby the charming town of Asenovgrad. Explore the remarkable remains of King Ivan Asen's fortress and discover the nearby ancient 12th-century church painted with authentic pieces of iconography as well as the stone-made inscription carved by King Ivan Asen himself. Continue the tour with a drive to the picturesque Bachkovo monastery, the second largest in Bulgaria and over a thousand years old. Admire the sacred icon of the Virgin Mary dating back to the 14th century that rests inside, as well as the striking frescoed murals of the monastery's walls Conclude the trip with a visit to the "Wonderful Bridges". Situated high in the stunning Rhodope Mountains, 1,450 meters above sea level, admire these unique marble bridges formed by the erosive activity of what was once a high-water river. Before exploring the exceptional nature phenomenon have lunch at a small local restaurant in the nearby chalet amid wonderful conifer tree forests.

Every traveler in Bulgaria wants to visit the most interesting places and take away the most vivid impressions. Your collection of memories will be complete if you visit the sights of Plovdiv, the capital of culture, in the company of an audio guide. You will explore the old town of Plovdiv on your own at your own pace, with the help of an audio guide and a map of the excursion route. Approaching the desired object, you dial its number and start playback. After paying for the tour, a link with access to audio files will be sent to your email. On the day of the excursion you have chosen, the link will become active and will be valid for 24 hours. You will listen to audio recordings through your phone. You will need internet and headphones to listen to recordings in temples. Attention: internet consumption is minimal! The first point is the Roman Stadium  later you will have the opportunity to visit the ancient theater, Klianty and Lamartine’s house. You can continue the trail through Saborna street and enter the unique Armenian church museum, where you can see the nail and a piece of the wooden board with the abbreviation in Latin INRI (Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews) which was nailed over the head of Jesus on the Crucifix. What is more, according to specialists, the museum possesses some of the richest collections worldwide, of artefacts related to the history of the Armenians. Then you can continue to Nebet Tepe, where you will enjoy a beautiful view over the city standing between century-old remains. Passing through the Artisans Street, you will be lead to the East Gate of Philippopolis and the Small Basilica, where you will discover a beautiful roman mosaic. Following the road you will appreciate the Great Basilica, and of course the Trakart museum. The tour finishes with the new city center and a part of the Roman Stadium. The itinerary that is proposed is circular and seems to be the most convenient in order to see all the sights, but you can feel free to remodel it to your tastes because you decide when and to which audio recordings to listen. The duration of the trip may differ, according to you, from 2,5 hours to 4 hours.

The Wonderful Bridges are a stunning set of natural wonders that have been carved from solid rock over millions of years. With breathtaking views of the rushing river below and unique rock formations, this is a destination unlike any other. The village of Kosovo is a peaceful and authentic corner of Bulgaria, with traditional homes, cobbled streets, and a strong sense of community. Here, visitors can experience the charm of rural life and admire the well-preserved historical and cultural heritage of the village, and also enjoy the amazing Rhodope cuisine. At 08:00 your guide will pick you up from your hotel and you will start a beautiful and scenic trip toward the highlight of the day- Wonderful Bridges. The Wonderful Bridges are a set of unique natural bridges formed over millions of years through the process of erosion. These bridges are located in the Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria and are considered to be some of the most stunning and unusual geological formations in Europe. Each bridge is carved from solid rock and is a result of the relentless action of water over time. The bridges vary in size, shape, and height, but all have a natural beauty that is truly breathtaking. Some of the bridges are over 100 meters in height and span up to 50 meters across. The tallest and most famous bridge, known as the Eye Bridge, is a popular spot for tourists and is considered one of the most beautiful and impressive natural wonders in Bulgaria. After we admire the mighty of Nature we will start our drive deeper into the mountain and our goal is to reach an amazingly beautiful small village where you will taste the culture and the unique cuisine of the Rhodope region. The village is known for its well-preserved historical and cultural heritage, with many of the traditional homes and buildings dating back several hundred years. Visitors to Kosovo can admire the architecture and intricate details of the old homes, which are characterized by their wooden balconies and intricate carvings. After Kosovo, we will start our journey back to Plovdiv. On the way, we can make a stop and visit the second biggest monastery in Bulgaria- Bachkovo monastery. Its story started in the XI century but is mostly famous for the burial sites of two Bulgarian heroes, responsible for saving the Jews during the Second World War in Bulgaria. Despite the historical value of the place, the monastery is also very beautiful and it is surrounded by picturesque landscapes. Together, these destinations offer a unique and unforgettable experience that will leave you inspired and motivated. So join us on this day tour and discover the beauty and wonder of Bulgaria!

Leave Sofia and enjoy a full-day tour to Plovdiv, Asen's fortress, and Bachkovo Monastery with a licensed guide. See some of the most interesting historic sites in the area, like Nebet Tepe, the Roman theater of Phillippolis, and the Church of the Holy Mother of God on this tour. Leave Sofia and set out for a full-day tour to Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress, and Bachkovo Monastery. Start the day with hotel pickup in Sofia and relax on the 90-minute drive to Plovdiv. Visit the site of Nebet Tepe, an ancient settlement founded around 4000 BC, and see some historical buildings. Travel to the Roman theater of Phillippolis, one of the world's best-preserved ancient theaters. Marvel at the intricate wooden architecture of Hindliyan's house before moving on to the modern Kapana district to explore the shops and wander one of the longest pedestrian streets in Europe. Relax on the approximately 30-minute drive from Plovdiv to Asen's Fortress, perched on top of a hill in the beautiful Rhodope Mountains. Learn how the fortress that defended the route from the Aegean Sea to Thrace, and see the ruins of the fort itself and the Church of the Holy Mother of God. Admire some of the fragments of fourteenth-century murals in the church, and see its rectangular tower, believed the be the earliest preserved tower of its kind in the Balkans—Marvel at breathtaking views from the top of the fortress before departing for the next stop. Leave the fortress behind and stop at Bachkovo Monastery, the second-largest monastery in Bulgaria. Explore the main church with one of the oldest iconostasis in Bulgaria and the miraculous Icon of the Virgin Mary, the biggest fresco from the nineteenth century. Wander the Monastery and see the old dining room and original marble table, where monks ate for over three centuries, and gazer at the well-preserved murals in the St. Archangels and St. Nicolas churches. Sit in the courtyard and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and impressive trees. Buy handicrafts, honey, homemade jam, yogurt, herbs, and other gifts on the walk back by the monastery alley before returning back to Sofia on an approximately 2 hour and 20-minute drive.