Things to do in

Plovdiv

Join this usually small group tour (most times the group size is up to 20 people), to discover the oldest existing town in Europe - Plovdiv - its capital of culture for 2019! The tour departs at 9:00. Please be at the meeting point - at the parking lot Behind Alexander Nevsky Cathedral at 8:45 and ask for the City Tour guide and van (our guides usually wear blue clothes). The traveling time to Plovdiv is abour 2-hours. There, if you have chosen the option with the guided tour, you will have a 2-hours guided tour in the old town, where you will be able to see the remarkable Revival houses, the views from the hill, the Roman theater and stadium, as well as the main walking street. After the guided tour, you will have 2 hours free time, during which you can have lunch, check the shops and visit some of the museums. If you have booked the self-guided option, you will have 4 hours free time after the arrival, during which you can explore the town on your own. The departute back to Sofia is at 15:00 and the approximate return between 17:00 and 17:30, depending on the trafic.

This full-day trip begins with a 2-hour drive from Sofia to Plovdiv, one of Europe’s oldest towns. On a guided walking tour, discover the history and culture of this 8,000-year old city that was settled by Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Bulgarian civilizations. See the sights of the old town, including museums, historical monuments and revival period houses lining the cobbled streets. Explore the Ethnographical Museum and the impressive Roman Theater. An English-speaking guide will accompany the group throughout the day and will point out the most interesting architectural and cultural treasures of the region and provide commentary on modern life in Bulgaria. The tour is offered as well with ONLINE, cloud-based audioguide in different languages (EN, ES, IT, FR, DE, RU). INTERNET required to download and use. The local tour operator, Traventuria, was awarded a “Business Which Supports Biodiversity” certification by the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation for its “Tours with a Cause” initiative.

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.

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. The tour is offered as well with ONLINE, cloud-based audio guide in different languages (EN, ES, IT, FR, DE, RU). INTERNET required to download and use. The local tour operator, Traventuria, was awarded a “Business Which Supports Biodiversity” certification by the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation for its “Tours with a Cause” initiative.

After you have been picked up from your 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.

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. In summer the longest zip line on the Balkan Peninsula (240 meters) stretching between the 2 bridges is available for the more adventurous travelers.

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.

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.

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!