Plovdiv & Bachkovo Monastery Day Trip: Private or Self-Guided

Three major Bulgarian landmarks in one day, with entry fees covered

A full-day tour from Sofia covering Plovdiv's Old Town, Roman Theater, Bachkovo Monastery and Assen's Fortress, with all entrance fees included. You choose between a private guide who speaks English or Russian, or a self-guided option with an e-guide to each site. Pickup and drop-off are included with the private guide. The self-guided version lets you set your own pace through the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Plovdiv Old Town1h · entry included
2. Plovdiv Roman Theater10m · entry included
3. Asen's Fortress45m · entry included
4. Bachkovo Monastery45m · entry included

Visit Plovdiv, Bachkovo Monastery, and Asen's Fortress

• Drive from Sofia to Plovdiv
• Explore Plovdiv Old Town
• Visit Plovdiv Roman Theater
• See other main sights in Plovdiv
• Travel to Asen's Fortress
• Tour Asen's Fortress
• Visit Bachkovo Monastery
• Return to Sofia

The experience

The drive from Sofia takes about an hour and a half on the motorway, landing you in Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second-largest city and the 2019 European Capital of Culture. The Old Town spreads across hillsides with narrow streets, period houses and views that frame the Rhodope Mountains. The Roman Theater sits at the heart of it: a second-century amphitheater still used for performances, and one of the best-preserved in the world. Both are stops on the day's route, and entry to each is covered.

From Plovdiv, the tour moves south to Bachkovo Monastery, a working Orthodox monastery founded in the 11th century and set in a river valley. The complex includes a main church, a bell tower and a smaller chapel across a stone bridge. Assen's Fortress comes next, a medieval stronghold perched on a hilltop with views across the Rhodope range. All four sites (Old Town, Roman Theater, Bachkovo and Assen's) have their entry fees paid upfront, so there's no stopping at ticket windows.

If you book the private guide option, pickup happens from your Sofia hotel at a time you choose, and the guide handles the route and the stops. The guide speaks English or Russian. If you prefer to move at your own pace, the self-guided option gives you an e-guide with information on each attraction, and you arrange your own transport or rent a car for the day. Both versions fit into eight hours total.

What’s included

• All entrance fees to Plovdiv Old Town, the Roman Theater, Bachkovo Monastery and Assen's Fortress.
• a professional local guide in English or Russian (private option only).
• an e-guide with detailed information on each site (self-guided option only).
• flexible start time.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Sofia (private option only).

Options for this experience

2 options

Self-guidedGuide in English or Russian · 09:00Our logistics, your transport

Privately guidedGuide in English or Russian · 09:00Pickup is included, with our transport, guide and logistics

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Youth (7 to 17 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by VisitBulgariaOn Bespoke Experiences

Is this one for you?Book the private guide if you want someone to navigate the route and explain the history at each stop. Choose self-guided if you prefer to move through the day at your own pace and explore with the e-guide as your reference.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 17 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

How far is Plovdiv from Sofia, and how long does the drive take?

Plovdiv sits about an hour and a half from Sofia along the motorway, covering roughly 150 kilometers south.

What's included in the entrance fees?

Entry to Plovdiv's Old Town and Roman Theater, Bachkovo Monastery and Assen's Fortress are all covered. You don't pay at each site.

Can I choose what time to start the day?

Yes, with the private guide option you pick a flexible starting time and the guide meets you at your Sofia hotel. The self-guided version lets you set your own schedule throughout the day.

What's the difference between the private guide and self-guided options?

The private guide option includes a professional local guide who speaks English or Russian, plus hotel pickup and drop-off. The self-guided option provides an e-guide with information on each attraction and you arrange your own transport.