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Day Trip from Sofia to Plovdiv

Visit the European Capital of Culture

  • Available during the whole year
  • Private guide and transportation
  • Pickup from your hotel in Sofia

Price: 260 EUR (1-3 people) | 320 EUR (4-7 people)

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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 during a day tour to Plovdiv? The answer is more culture than you could ever imagine.

Tour Details

Total Distance: 300 km
Tour Duration: Full Day
Best Period: Available year-round (ideal for all seasons)
Price: 260 EUR (1-3 people) | 320 EUR (4-7 people)
Transportation: Private Transfer and Walking tour
Tour Type: Historical, cultural, and local insights tour

Highlights

Visit Plovdiv on a full-day tour (European capital of the culture for the 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 of architecture in the Old Town of Plovdiv

The tour can be combined with a visit of Bachkovo monastery ⛪️ or wine tasting 🍷
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Day tour from Sofia to Plovdiv
Day tour from Sofia to Plovdiv
Day tour from Sofia to Plovdiv
A group of tourists posing with women in traditional Bulgarian clothes
Day tour from Sofia to Plovdiv
Day tour from Sofia to Plovdiv
Day tour from Sofia to Plovdiv
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Day tour from Sofia to Plovdiv
Day tour from Sofia to Plovdiv
Day tour from Sofia to Plovdiv
A group of tourists posing with women in traditional Bulgarian clothes
Day tour from Sofia to Plovdiv
Day tour from Sofia to Plovdiv
Day tour from Sofia to Plovdiv
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Includes

Licensed tour guide/driver
Private Transportation
All transportation costs along the route, fuel, VAT, and parking fees
Pickup and drop off from your hotel in Sofia

Benefits

Flexible Departure: Departure time at your convenience, but not later than 11:00
Private Tour: Enjoy a personalized and intimate experience
Customizable Itinerary: Whether you’re interested in Plovdiv’s Roman history or prefer to explore its charming streets, the tour can be tailored to your preferences

Excludes

Food and Drinks: Not included in the tour price
Tips and Gratuities: While optional, tipping is customary and greatly appreciated. We recommend offering a gratuity as a gesture of thanks for your guide’s expertise and hospitality.
Entrance Fees: Admission to landmarks will depend on your group size and can be paid directly at each location.
Personal Expenses: Any additional personal costs are not covered.

Tour Itinerary

Transfer to Plovdiv (2 hours)
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 Main walking street,
  • “The Trap” neighborhood;
  • Nebet tepe

Free time in Plovdiv for lunch, relaxation, or shopping
Transfer back to Sofia (2:00 hours)
Drop off at your hotel

Good to Know

Duration of the Tour: The tour typically lasts a full day, including travel time from Sofia to Plovdiv. Expect around 8-9 hours in total, but the schedule is flexible to suit your preferences.
Comfortable Clothing & Footwear: Plovdiv’s streets and historical landmarks often involve walking, so wearing comfortable shoes and dressing for the weather is key to enjoying your tour.
Weather Considerations: The tour operates year-round. In the summer, don’t forget sunscreen and a hat. The weather in Plovdiv is very hot during the summer
Stay Hydrated: Especially during the warmer months, bring a water bottle to stay refreshed throughout the tour.
Choose Your Pace: The tour is flexible and can be adjusted to suit your preferred pace. Feel free to request breaks whenever needed—your guide will be happy to arrange stops for coffee, snacks, or rest.
Special Requests: Have a particular attraction you’d like to visit? Whether it’s a specific church, museum, or local market, simply let your guide know, and we’ll make sure it’s included in your personalized itinerary.
Family-Friendly: This tour is ideal for families. The itinerary can be adjusted for travelers of all ages, with plenty of opportunities for rest, snacks, and photo breaks.

More About Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Plovdiv is among the worthwhile locations in Bulgaria to get acquainted with on first and subsequent visits. The city scenically lies on both banks of 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.

Plovdiv’s peculiar atmosphere is felt as soon as visitors step into its pedestrian zone. Not only the many sights fascinate everyone, but also Plovdiv’s largest park founded in the middle of the nineteenth century, and the singing fountains, a unique attraction combining water fountains freshness and play of music and light. One of the city’s symbols is another fountain, interestingly called “The Buttons”, because of the seats arranged around it.

Fans of shopping will find opportunities galore, with diverse shops lining the main street and welcoming with abundance of souvenirs, essentials, and luxury goods. The main street is divided into two by the ancient Roman stadium, with a restored archeological complex. The old city area is another realm of interest, because of its old-fashioned charm and peculiar buildings showing the style of city houses in the recent past. 

Plovdiv is a center of art, with exhibitions of paintings and icons, painters’ studios, and exhibition halls where artists showcase their works. The inspirational settings, picturesque surroundings, and places like the ancient amphitheater or the ancient Roman stadium, invite artists to revive them in their works.  

Restaurants and bars welcome those who wish to sample Bulgarian dishes. Local cuisine is renowned for its delectability, the abundance of vegetables grown on fertile grounds, and the plenitude of spices. Visits to the old city, to the restaurants and all the small eateries there, are truly memorable. 

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