Private Plovdiv Day Trip from Sofia: Roman Theater & Old Town

Walk through one of Europe's oldest towns without booking each site separately

A private day trip from Sofia to Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second city and 2019 European Capital of Culture, includes the Roman Theater and Old Town as main stops, with entrance fees covered and your choice of a live English-speaking guide or self-guided exploration. The tour runs eight hours with flexible departure and hotel pickup available on the guided option.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Plovdiv Old Town1h · entry included
2. Plovdiv Roman Theater10m · entry included

Private Plovdiv Day Trip Highlights

• Start and end point in Sofia
• Explore main attractions in Plovdiv
• Visit Plovdiv Old Town
• See Plovdiv Roman Theater
• Visit additional main attractions
• Walk through various historic sites
• Discover key sights of Plovdiv

The experience

Plovdiv sits at the crossroads of ancient empires (Thracian, Greek, Roman, Ottoman), and the layers show in every street. The Roman Theater still hosts performances, and the Old Town's cobbled lanes wind past 19th-century mansions with painted ceilings and courtyards that open onto views of the Rhodope Mountains. On this private tour, entrance fees to two of the main attractions are already paid, so you move through without stopping at ticket windows.

You choose between a privately-guided experience with a driver and English-speaking guide who knows the history, or a self-guided version where you set the pace and decide how long to linger at each stop. Both options include flexible start times, so you can leave Sofia in the morning or early afternoon depending on what else is on your schedule. If you book the guided version, pickup and drop-off at your Sofia hotel are included.

The day spans eight hours total, which gives you time to walk the Old Town, stand in the Roman Theater, and explore several other significant sights without rushing through. Bring water and comfortable shoes. The Old Town is steep in places, and the streets are uneven stone.

What’s included

• Entrance fees to two major attractions (the Roman Theater and one other prominent site).
• private transportation with pickup and drop-off from your Sofia hotel (guided option only).
• a professional English-speaking driver and guide (guided option only).
• an e-guide with information about all sights (both options).
• flexible start time to suit your schedule.

Options for this experience

2 options

Self-guidedGuide in English · 08:00 and 09:00We handle the logistics, and you get the transport

Privately-guidedGuide in English · 08:00 and 09:00Transport, guide and logistics from us; pickup is included

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 09:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (16 to 70 years) · Child (5 to 15 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

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 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by VisitBulgariaOn Bespoke Experiences

Is this one for you?Book the privately-guided option if you want context and don't want to navigate on your own. Choose self-guided if you prefer to explore at your own pace and decide which stops matter most to you.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 15 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What's inside the Roman Theater, and can you actually go inside it?

The Plovdiv Roman Theater is one of the best-preserved in the world and still hosts live performances and concerts. On this tour it's one of the two main attractions with entrance included, so you walk inside and explore the seating, stage and underground chambers.

Is the Old Town walkable, or is it too steep and difficult?

The Old Town is built on a hillside with narrow, cobbled streets and some steep sections, but it's suitable for all fitness levels. The tour is self-paced on the self-guided option, and on the guided version your guide chooses the route and can adjust for your comfort.

What happens if I pick the self-guided option? Do I get a map or information about the sites?

The self-guided option includes an e-guide with information about all the sights, so you have details about what you're looking at as you walk. You're on your own schedule and can spend as much or as little time at each stop.

Does the tour include meals, or should I plan to eat in Plovdiv?

Food and drinks are not included in either option. Plovdiv's Old Town has cafes and restaurants throughout, so you can eat when and where you choose during the eight-hour day.