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Asen's Fortress

Asen's Fortress: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Sofia: Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery

1. From Sofia: Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery

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.

Plovdiv: Bachkovo Monastery, Fortress Asen, & Wonder Bridges

2. Plovdiv: Bachkovo Monastery, Fortress Asen, & 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. In summer the longest zip line on the Balkan Peninsula (240 meters) stretching between the 2 bridges is available for the more adventurous travelers.

From Sofia: Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery

3. From Sofia: Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery

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.

From Sofia: Full-Day Tour to Plovdiv and Asen's Fortress

4. From Sofia: Full-Day Tour to Plovdiv and Asen's Fortress

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 the local production of alcoholic drinks and rose oil products. Explore the Roman Theater, Roman Stadium and church with virtual reality glasses 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 PM.

Plovdiv and Asen's Fortress Private Day Trip

5. Plovdiv and Asen's Fortress Private Day Trip

Plovdiv is one of the oldest settlements in the world, growing across three adjacent hills, and its incredible history dates back to 4,000 B.C. A must-see in Bulgaria, the town has preserved Thracian, Roman and Bulgarian heritage from different epochs. On a 1.5-hour walking tour into the heart of town, you will learn historical facts and legends while exploring its most fascinating sites. You will see the Roman Theater and parts of the Roman Stadium. Walk through the longest pedestrian street in Europe. Explore the magnificent revival old town with its unique colorful houses from the 19th century. See the recently uncovered early Christian mosaics dating back to the 4th century. After exploring Plovdiv, you will head to the mountains and visit the remains of the old medieval Asen's Fortress (named after the famous Bulgarian king Ivan Asen II) and its church from high above the valley. From here you can see amazing panoramic views and take breathtaking photos. At the end of your tour you will be dropped off back at your hotel.

From Sofia: Plovdiv & Bachkovo Monastery 3-Day Guided Trip

6. From Sofia: Plovdiv & Bachkovo Monastery 3-Day Guided Trip

This tour is perfect for travelers who are doing city trip vacation to the Cultural Capital of Europe. Plovdiv is considered to be one of the oldest cities and it is keeping its heritage from all periods of human history. Itinerary Day 1: Explore Plovdiv Old city You will be picked from your accommodation in Sofia and transferred to the historical part of Plovdiv. Our guide will give you an introduction to the cultural capital of Europe. You will check in your hotel in the historical part of Plovdiv and visit some of the main highlights – wealthy merchants' houses from the XIX century, the Roman theatre, the Roman stadium, 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: Vucha reservoir, Devin path, and wine tasting After breakfast, you will visit one very interesting church, dated Late Antiquity, It is situated 20 kilometers from Plovdiv. After that, we will get in direction of the Rhodope Mountain. We pass a very beautiful and scenic road around some of the biggest water reserves in Bulgaria. You will enjoy the amazing nature by walking an eco path which will lead you to a beautiful waterfall. If your appetite has grown from the fresh air we will go to a restaurant to have lunch and enjoy the view from its terrace. In the afternoon we visit one of the best wine cellars in the South part of Bulgaria. Despite the good wines the place has very interesting owners and history. You will have a wine tasting and a guided tour inside the chateau. At the end of the day, we will get back to Plovdiv and enjoy the evening there. Day 3: Asen’s Fortress, Bachkovo monastery, and the Wonder Bridges This is the final day of your tour. After breakfast, we will check out our hotel and head to Asenovgrad, where we will visit a medieval fortress with a perfectly preserved church from the 13th century. The top of its fortifications will provide you with a spectacular view of the area. Duration: 1 hour Our next objective is the second biggest monastery in Bulgaria – Bachkovo monastery. It is beautifully painted and exists since the 11th century. It is still an active place of worship. It is also the place where the heroes who saved the Jewish community in Bulgaria during the Second World War from being sent to the Nazi camps. The rest of the day depends on your flight details. If you have to spend 1-2 hours more before catching a flight your guide will drive you to the museum of the Bulgarian Airforce. There you can see the evolution of military aircrafts, helicopters, etc. If time allows more you can reach a huge natural formation famous with the name “The Wonder Bridges” and admire the force of nature and time. The transfer to the airport is included.

Other Sightseeing Options in Asen's Fortress

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What people are saying about Asen's Fortress

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 187 reviews

Georgi (sorry if I’m misspelling) was the best guide I’ve had yet on any GYG affiliated tour. Incredibly knowledgeable (basically an historian) yet very easy going and not overbearing. Tour was well worth the money, although now I’m keen to spend much more time in Plovdiv!

Our guide Ivan was excellent. made us feel comfortable, knew about the history and made the whole trip an enjoyable one. Plovdiv old town was lovely and the fortress was great too. its worth it for a day trip

Evo was a great tour guide. Gave us lots of information about Plovdiv, the fortress and the monastery. We had plenty of time for lunch and to explore Plovdiv on our own … a brilliant day out.

Fabulous. The guide was a fountain of information and we had a great day together.

Great day out, Plovdiv is lovely and our guide Plamin was great, very helpful