5-Day Bulgaria Tour: Rhodope Mountains & Ancient Thracian Sites

Five days crossing mountain paths, ancient temples and Ottoman-era towns

This 5-day guided tour from Sofia explores Bulgaria's Rhodope Mountains, Thracian archaeological sites and the Roman city of Plovdiv, with four nights in 3-star hotels and a professional English-speaking guide. You hike the Devil's Path past waterfalls and natural formations, visit the Thracian sanctuary and the Oracle of Dionysus at Perperikon, walk through Plovdiv's 1st-century Roman Theatre and Stadium, and end in the preserved 19th-century town of Koprivshtitsa.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: The amazing Vucha gorge

• Depart from Sofia at 09:00
• Drive on Roman road-Via Militaries
• See Vucha dam and Rhodope Mountain
• Visit a beautiful cave
• Check in hotel
• Hike to Eagle’s eye viewpoint

Day 2: Exploring the Rhodope mountain

• Breakfast
• Hike on Devil’s path
• Visit Devil’s throat cave
• Enjoy traditional dinner

Day 3: The Devil's bridge and Zlatograd

• Breakfast
• Drive east through Rhodope mountain
• Short walk to stunning view
• Visit the Devil’s bridge
• Explore Zlatograd architect reserve
• Overnight in Zlatograd

Day 4: Plovdiv and Thracian civilization

• Breakfast
• Visit Thracian religious sanctuary
• Explore Perperikon archaeological site
• Drive to Plovdiv
• Walk historical part of Plovdiv
• Visit Roman Theatre and Stadium
• See oldest mosque on Balkans
• Evening in craft beer pubs
• Overnight in Plovdiv

Day 5: Koprivshtica and Thracian temple

• Breakfast
• Visit Thracian tomb from IV century BC
• Explore Koprivshtica architect reserve
• Traditional lunch in Koprivshtica
• Drive back to Sofia

The experience

The tour departs from your hotel or airport in Sofia at 09:00 on day one, heading south on a modern highway built over the ancient Roman road Via Militaris. After an hour you enter the Rhodope Mountains, passing the Vucha dam and stopping at a cave before reaching your first hotel. If you have time and comfortable shoes, a 30–40 minute hike up Eagle's Eye mountain rewards you with views of Trigrad gorge and the surrounding peaks.

Day two is built around the Devil's Path, a mountain trail that climbs 90% slopes using wooden stairs and parapets to reach waterfalls and natural rock formations. The afternoon takes you to Devil's Throat cave, where a river disappears underground: local legend ties it to Orpheus descending to the Underworld. You'll have a traditional dinner in the evening. On day three you drive east through the mountains to the Devil's Bridge, a 16th-century Ottoman structure with its own legend about a builder's wager with the Devil, then continue to Zlatograd, a preserved 18th–19th century town with craft shops and traditional architecture where you overnight.

Day four is the longest, moving through historical sites to Plovdiv. You begin at a Thracian religious sanctuary on a mountain peak, learning about this Bronze Age civilization that inhabited the region until the 4th century AD. Next is Perperikon, an archaeological site famous for the Oracle of Dionysus, once second only to Delphi in importance. Then you reach Plovdiv itself, Bulgaria's second-largest city and 2019 European Capital of Culture. You walk through the Old Town to see the 1st-century Roman Theatre, the 2nd-century Roman Stadium, and the oldest mosque on the Balkans. The evening is yours to explore the Trap district, known for craft beer pubs and restaurants. On day five you head north toward the Central Balkans, stopping at a 4th-century BC Thracian tomb to learn about burial traditions, then reach Koprivshtitsa, a national architectural reserve perfectly preserved from the 19th century Bulgarian Revival period. After lunch and rest there, you drive back to Sofia. Overnight accommodation in Sofia is not included but can be added on request.

What’s included

• Entrance fees to all archaeological sites and attractions.
• professional English-speaking guide for all five days.
• four nights in 3-star hotels with good locations.
• hotel pickup on day one from Sofia.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by BulTrips

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to combine mountain hiking with ancient history. The five-day span lets you spend a full day on the Devil's Path and visit multiple Thracian sites without rushing through either. The moderate physical fitness level required means you'll be climbing and walking daily, but the pacing allows rest time in the afternoons and evenings in each town.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Devil's Path hike like on day two?

The Devil's Path is a steep mountain trail where you climb using wooden stairs and parapets to overcome 90% slopes, passing waterfalls and natural rock formations. It is challenging but the views and geological formations make it the centerpiece of that day.

Will I see Roman ruins in Plovdiv?

Yes. Plovdiv's Old Town contains a 1st-century Roman Theatre and a 2nd-century Roman Stadium, both still standing and walkable. You'll also see the oldest mosque on the Balkans and have the evening free to explore the atmospheric Trap district.

What Thracian sites are included?

You visit a Thracian religious sanctuary built on a mountain peak on day four, where you learn about this Bronze Age civilization. On day five you explore a 4th-century BC Thracian tomb to understand their burial traditions, and you pass through Perperikon, an archaeological site famous for the Oracle of Dionysus.

How much hiking is involved each day?

Day one includes an optional 30–40 minute hike up Eagle's Eye mountain. Day two features the Devil's Path, a full-day mountain hike with steep sections. Days three, four and five involve walking through towns and archaeological sites but no extended hiking.

What kind of accommodation will I stay in?

You stay in 3-star hotels with good locations for four nights: one in the Rhodope Mountains, one in Zlatograd's architectural reserve, one in the heart of Plovdiv's Old Town, and one more in the mountains. The fifth night in Sofia is not included but can be added.

Is the guide included, and what language do they speak?

A professional, highly educated guide is included throughout the tour and speaks English. Hotel pickup from Sofia is also included on day one.