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Day Tour to Plovdiv from Sofia

Visit the European Capital of Culture on a private day trip from Sofia: Guided walking tour, visits to Asen’s Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery

At a Glance

Total Distance: Form Sofia to Plovdiv: 300 km
Tour Duration: Full Day
Best period: All year
Price: 240 EUR (1-3 people) | 320 EUR (4-7 people)

Highlights

Visit Plovdiv on a full day tour (European capital of the culture for year 2019) and its most famous highlights – The Roman ruins and stadium, an enchanting Old Town of cobbled streets, The Mosque, and many others.
Get closer to the Bulgarian local life and history in Plovdiv Ethnographic Museum
See the revival architecture in the Old Town of Plovdiv
Visiting the medieval fortress – Asen’s fortress, located in Rhodope mountain near Plovdiv
Know more about the Eastern Orthodox traditions in Bachkovo monastery

The more, The funnier

The day trip to Plovdiv is available from Sofia. Check out the detailed program bellow for more information.

Plovdiv isn’t just the oldest city in Bulgaria… it’s one of the oldest cities in the world. Historians agree that this scenic valley in the south of Bulgaria has been inhabited for more than 5,000 years – but some will tell you that Plovdiv’s history goes back further still, for as much as 8,000 years of continuous habitation! So what can you expect on a Plovdiv day excursion or tour? The answer is, more culture than you could ever imagine.

During this day tour to Plovdiv we will visit the Bachkovo monastery, the Asen’s fortress and the must seen places in Plovdiv – the Old town from 19th century; the Ethnographic museum; Balabanov house; the Ancient theater of Philipopolis; the Ancient stadium of Philipopolis, The St St Constantin and Elena church, The Djumaya mosque and square, The building of the Regional Historical museum, the Main walking street, “The Trap” neighborhood; Nebet tepe and more

If you want to make a tour to Plovdiv with different schedule let us know. We will create the best custom trip to Plovdiv and the surrounding area for you and your group.

Detailed Program Sofia – Plovdiv

Pick up from any location in Sofia in the morning (09:00)
Transfer to Bachkovo area (1:30- 2:00 hours)
Explore Bachkovo monastery (the 2nd big monastery in Bulgaria)
Transfer to Asen’s fortress where you will enjoy the beautiful views to Rhodoe mountains
Transfer to Plovdiv (30-40 min)
Stop for lunch in a traditional restaurant (optional)
City tour of Plovdiv (2-3 hours walking tour)
Visit The Old town from the 19th century; the Ethnographic museum (outside); Balabanov house; the Ancient theater of Philippopolis; the Ancient stadium of Philippopolis, The St St Konstantin and Elena church, The Djumaya mosque and square, The building of the Regional Historical Museum, the Main walking street, “The Trap” neighborhood; Nebet tepe)
Free time in Plovdiv
Transfer back to Sofia (1:30- 2:00 hours)
Drop off in the hotel

Benefits

Pick-up/ Drop off from your hotel
Private tour, without strangers
Breaks, photo stops and route changes at your convenience.
Licensed private tour guide
No hidden charges. Pay only 20 % in advance and the rest at the end of the tour
Includes

Transfer with mini van

All transportation costs along the route, fuel, VAT and parking fees
Local tour guide and driver

Pickup and drop off from your hotel

Excludes

Entrance fees (The Ethnographic museum, the Ancient thater, Bachkovo Monastery and Asen’s fortress)
Food and drinks
Tips and gratuities
Personal expenses

Good to Know

Hat and sunglasses are recommended in the summer
Bring long sleeves or scarf to cover your arms in Bachkovo monastery
Wearing comfortable shoes is recommended, too
Don’t forget your camera

More About Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Plovdiv is among the worthwhile locations of Bulgaria to get acquainted with in first and subsequent visits. The city scenically lies on both banks on the Maritsa river. The terrain around offers the expanse of the Thracian Plain, and the rising hills of the Rhodope mountain to the south and the Balkan Range to the north. The name “A City under Seven Hills” is derived from the location of its districts amid seven hills.

The scenery is diverse, with plenty of conditions for hikes into the nearby mountains. The Maritsa passing through the city forms another part of its uniqueness. Visitors who arrive for the annual International Trade Fair which is internationally famous can tour the old city part with its old time architecture and peculiar charm. For fans of historical sights, the amphitheater in the center is a must visit place, and another ancient sight is the Roman stadium.

More about Bachkovo Monastery

Bachkovo monastery is near Asenovgrad. There, three cultures interacted: Byzantine, Old Georgian, and Bulgarian cultures. The monuments preserved within the monastery are precious. Founded by a Georgian army commander, it initially served as the center of Georgian monks. Literature and translation developed there. An icon from 1311, donated by Georgians, is preserved.

Ivan Aleksandar, Bulgarian ruler, acquired the area in 1344. There was a surge in cultural life in the monastery, with the ruler contributing ample donations. Ivan Aleksandar ordered the murals in the niches, his own portrait, and several saints’ portraits. On the lower floor, the

Details about Asen’s Fortress

Around Asenovgrad, the most renowned sight popular with tourists is Asen’s Fortress. It is near the town, rising on the local river’s rocky bank. Reaching it is convenient via a panoramic road. The rock massif on which to fortress rises spans 12 decares. The slopes are steep, almost vertical. The strategic location made the fortress inaccessible, still in its initial period, the Thracian period. Then the Roman times saw its renovation: the Roman emperor issued orders regarding that. Three periods of renovations, with massive building, in the 9^th, 11^th, and 13^th centuries followed.

The pass guarded by the solid fortress guarded was strategic, connecting Thrace with North Greece. The rich agricultural area around contributed to the forming of an individual economic center in the fortress, with its own administration and army. Another expansion was ordered by Ivan Asen II, Bulgarian tsar, in the 13^th century; hence the fortress’s present name.