Rhodope Mountains

Rhodope Mountains: Our most recommended tours and activities

Plovdiv: Bachkovo Monastery, Asen Fortress, & Wonder Bridges

Plovdiv: Bachkovo Monastery, Asen Fortress, & Wonder Bridges

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.

From Plovdiv: Wonderful Bridges and Rhodope Cuisine Day Trip

From Plovdiv: Wonderful Bridges and Rhodope Cuisine Day Trip

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!

From Plovdiv: Bachkovo Monastery & Asen’s Fortress Tour

From Plovdiv: Bachkovo Monastery & Asen’s Fortress Tour

Drive to the dramatic Rhodope Mountains for this half-day tour from Plovdiv, passing the pretty town of Asenovgrad to see the remarkable fortress remains of King Ivan Asen, a wise ruler of the 2nd Bulgarian Kingdom. Visit the 13th-century Church of the Holy Mother of God to admire the historic iconography and ferscoes. Enjoy panoramic views of the mountain scenery, and learn why the fortress gained importance in the Middle Ages, and how it was conquered by the armies of the Third Crusade. Next, head to picturesque Bachkovo Monastery deeper in the mountains. Founded in 1083, and one of the most sacred places in Bulgarian history, the monastery’s main church contains a valuable icon of the Virgin Mary from 11-th century that, according to legend, can work miracles. Admire the exterior of the 12th-century bysantine style Church of the Archangels. Admire the stunning mural on the outside wall of the refectory, representing a bird’s eye view of the monastery and the surrounding buildings. This is the largest panoramic mural of Bulgaria, painted in the middle of the 19-th sentury. The monastery complex tour ends at the Church of Saint Nikola, built between 1834 and 1837. There enjoy the impressive Doomsday frescoe in the narthex of the church.

Pamporovo Perelik Peak: Superb Snowmobile Safari

Pamporovo Perelik Peak: Superb Snowmobile Safari

Mountain tour with snowmobile from Prevala around the area of the highest peak of the Rhodopes - Perelik! Panoramic tour through the forests with a short break for photos at the gorgeous views! Unique nature, snowmobile route and sights. Lots of fun and adrenaline though keeping everybody safe behind an instructor and another one closing the group. Your preferred starting time should be arranged with us prior. With this booking you are paying a deposit to set a date and time. The outstanding amount to be paid on the spot is 61 EUR for a single snowmobile and 82 EUR for a double snowmobile. Total price of a single snowmobile is 90 EUR and 130 EUR for double snowmobile (that's total deposit + the outstanding payment on the spot).

3 Days Best of Plovdiv and the magic of the Rhodope mountain

3 Days Best of Plovdiv and the magic of the Rhodope mountain

Day 1: Explore Plovdiv At 09:00 your guide will pick you up from your address in Sofia and your adventure will start. After an hour and a half drive, you will reach the amazing city of Plovdiv. We will park at the hotel and the expiration will start. The first stage of the tour will be a walking tour of the ancient ruins of Plovdiv. We will visit most of the main highlights – the IV century Bishop Basilica, wealthy merchants' houses from the XIX century, the Roman theatre, the Roman stadium, the 14th-century mosque, which gave the architect fashion in the whole Ottoman Empire, an old pharmacy, and many more. Our guide will share all his knowledge about Plovdiv and Bulgaria with you. The evening you can spend in “The Trap” area, full of small restaurants and bars, serving good craft beers and wines. Day 2: Hike the Eagle's eye and enter the Devil's throat At 08:30 your guide will pick you up from your hotel The driving time will be around 2 hours and a half, filled with stunning views and scenery. You will drive on one of the most beautiful roads in Bulgaria next to Vacha reservoir and Devin. The road will lead you into the mystical and impressive Trigrad Gorge. Our first adventure will be to hike the Eagle's Eye Mount and admire the stunning 360 view. The hike to the top is around an hour and it can be classified as moderate hiking. After the hike, we will continue our drive deeper into the Trigrad Gorge. We will reach the town Trigrad where you will have the chance to enjoy one of the best and most authentic cuisines in Bulgaria - the traditional Rhodope cuisine. After regaining strength with the excellent lunch we will head toward our final adventure - a visit to the Devil's throat cave. It is one of the most mystical, full of legends, and impressive natural sites- The Devil's Throat Cave. After this visit, we will head back to Plovdiv. Day 3: The Marvelous Bridges and the Village of Kosovo 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- Marvelous Bridges. The Marvelous Bridges are a set of unique natural bridges formed over millions of years through the process of erosion. 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 Sofia. On the way, we can make a stop and visit the second biggest monastery in Bulgaria- Bachkovo monastery.

From Smolyan: Waterfalls Canyon Horseback Riding Tour

From Smolyan: Waterfalls Canyon Horseback Riding Tour

You are going to love this magnificent horse riding with perfectly prepared and looked after horses. Choose among the options for horse riding and see the most of the Waterfalls Canyon or even reach the Perelik peak. It's good for complete beginners and intermediate riders. The whole area is just breathtaking. Truly wonderful experience with an expert local guide. You would be totally enchanted and would love to come back. Are you ready for some off-the-beaten track horse riding? The, you are at the right spot and we cannot wait to show you more.

From Plovdiv: Musala Peak Full-Day Trekking Tour

From Plovdiv: Musala Peak Full-Day Trekking Tour

Enjoy a full-day hike of the Rila National Park and conquer the summit of Musala, the highest mountain on the Balkan peninsula Boasting more than 180 glacial lakes, the name of the mountain is of Thracian origin and means “Plenty of Water.” Coniferous trees grow up to 170-200 feet (50-60 meters) tall, concealing diverse wildlife that includes bears, wolves, wild goats, and imperial eagles. Following a pick-up in Plovdiv, head towards Borovets, Bulgaria's oldest ski resort. The 19th-century resort is surrounded by old pine forests, and boasts one of the healthiest climates in Bulgaria. Board the gondola lift to the peak of Yastrebet (7,936 feet/2,369 meters) for the start of your trek. Your guide will lead you along the trail to the Musala Mountain Hut, and on to a stunning lake, before hiking to Icy Lake (9,078 feet/2,710 meters), the coldest and highest lake in the Rila Mountains. A short but steep ascent follows all the way to Musala’s summit (9,799 feet/2,925 meters), with spectacular vistas along the way. Gaze across at the alpine Pirin Mountains, Vitosha Mountain, Sredna Gora Mountains, and the green carpets of the Rhodope Mountains. After a break at the summit, hike back down, retracing your steps to the gondola lift and on to Borovets for the transfer back to Plovdiv.

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What people are saying about Rhodope Mountains

Overall rating

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8
4.8 out of 5 stars
(28 reviews)
5 out of 5 stars

We spent an amazing day with our guide Adrian,the landscapes make you feel you are living in a fairytale specially at kosovo village,he took us to a local restaurant where we were the only tourists ,bachkovo monastery was another interesting stop and quite enjoyable ,we had a laugh with him and it felt like we are visiting with an old friend ,I absolutely recommend this tour and this guide ,easy going and funny ,a truly remarkable tour !

5 out of 5 stars

I had a really nice day with Evo. He studied history at university so is very knowledgeable about Bulgaria and the Balkans! He was willing to talk in depth about any subject I asked about and answered all my questions patiently. Also there were only three of us on the tour so he was very flexible about tweaking the itinerary to our liking and even added in a stop to see the fortress.

5 out of 5 stars

We wenr to Asen's fortress and after that Bachkovo monestry. Then we went to Kosoho village in Rhodope mountains, which was like travelling into past. Also ee enjoyed Rhodope cuisine! The restraurant was nice. And of course, the guide was excellent! He explained a lot about history and culture of Bulgaria.

5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely amazing! Stoyan is such a warm and knowledgable person. I learnt so much about Bulgarian history and culture. He even helped me gather juniper berries for a friend. A wonderful tour, highly recommended. Thank you Stoyan!

5 out of 5 stars

Very friendly and knowledgeable guide, I would recommend this to everyone