Day Trips

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.

On this full-day tour you will visit Plovdiv and the Bachkovo Monastery, located 170 kilometers from Sofia. You will start your journey from Sofia in the morning and first visit the old town of Plovdiv for a 2.5-hour walking tour through the Roman and medieval remains. You will then have some free time for a stroll along the main street in Plovdiv, enjoy an open-air café, or a quick kebab sandwich. Before returning to Sofia in the evening, stop at the Bachkovo Monastery (30 minute-drive from Plovdiv), where you can admire the churches and the dining room wall paintings from 1602. Plovdiv is one of the oldest European towns, contemporary to Troya and Mikena. It has existed as a settlement for about 8,000 years, and became a town 3,000 years ago during the Troyan war. In the historic quarter of the city you will see beautifully decorated Revival period houses, the ancient fortress-wall, the Roman forum and stadium, and magnificent churches. The old city of Plovdiv with its museums, historical sites, ancient houses, and paved streets is the perfect place for sightseeing.

Visit the Eastern Orthodox monastery of Bachkovo and admire its ancient frescos, valuable icons, and scenic courtyard. Afterward, head to Plovdiv and tour its old town. Meander through cobbled streets and be inspired by the city's architecture ranging from Antiquity to Bulgarian revivalism. Your day trip begins with a pickup from your hotel with a suggested departure time between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Depart for Bachkovo Monastery. The drive is around 2 hours and 15 minutes and takes you on a scenic drive through the Rhodope Mountains. Arrive at the monastery and spend time touring its grounds. Afterward, head to Plovdiv. The drive takes around 30 minutes. Stop for lunch in a traditional restaurant (subject to your decision) and then visit the old town of Plovdiv. Enjoy spending free time exploring Plovdiv and seeing its stunning architecture and stopping by its Roman theater. Conclude your day trip with a drive back to Sofia, taking approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.