Sofia to Plovdiv & Koprivshtitsa Day Trip: Roman Theater & Old Town

Walk through two centuries of Bulgarian history in a single day

A full-day guided tour from Sofia visits Koprivshtitsa, the birthplace of Bulgaria's 1878 April Uprising, and Plovdiv's Old Town, where you'll see the 2nd-century Roman Theater, the Roman Stadium, and 18th- and 19th-century merchant houses. Your English-speaking guide leads the route. Private transport with air conditioning and WiFi is included from pickup in Sofia.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Plovdiv Roman Theater30m · entry included
2. Plovdiv Old Town2h

Tour Koprivshtitsa and Plovdiv highlights

• Guided tour of Koprivshtitsa village
• Visit first historic house
• Visit second historic house
• Visit third historic house
• Visit fourth historic house
• Visit fifth historic house
• Visit Ancient Roman Theater in Plovdiv
• Guided tour of Plovdiv Old Town

The experience

The day starts in Koprivshtitsa, a village where Bulgarian revolutionaries, scholars and poets were born, and where the April Uprising broke out in 1878: the event that indirectly led to Bulgaria's liberation from Ottoman rule two years later. Your guide walks you through the village and into the old houses, explaining their unique architecture and the heroic history they hold. The houses themselves are the story: they carry the spirit of the era in their design and detail.

Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second-largest city, takes up the afternoon. You'll stand in the 2nd-century Roman Theater, still intact enough to imagine performances staged there two thousand years ago. The Old Town spreads across the hillside with merchant houses from the 18th and 19th centuries (the Ethnographic Museum, the house where French poet Lamartine stayed, the Armenian merchant Hindliyan's residence) each one a window into the lives of the people who built Plovdiv's wealth. From Nebet Tepe Hill, the Old Town spreads below you. You'll walk the Roman Stadium, also from the 2nd century, where the stones themselves are the artifact.

The tour runs 10 to 11 hours from Sofia. Your guide speaks English, and the vehicle is air-conditioned with WiFi on board. Entrance fees to the sites are separate. The houses-museums in Koprivshtitsa are not included in the tour price.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Sofia.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• WiFi on board.
• parking fees.
• English-speaking guide for the full day.
• hotel pickup in Sofia.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 12:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (15 to 70 years) · Senior (71 and older) · Youth (7 to 14 years) · Child (3 to 6 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 9.09

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Easy Bulgaria Travel Ltd

Is this one for you?The tour runs 10 to 11 hours with walking through hillside villages and Old Town streets, so a moderate level of fitness helps you keep pace with the guide and enjoy the sites without strain. Infants can sit on an adult's lap, and specialized infant seats are available if you need one.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 14 years); Child (3 to 6 years); Infant (1 to 2 years).

What is the April Uprising and why does it matter to Koprivshtitsa?

The April Uprising broke out in Koprivshtitsa in 1878, a major revolt against Ottoman rule that indirectly led to Bulgaria's liberation two years later. The village was the birthplace of many of the revolutionaries, scholars and writers who led it, and the uprising is central to Bulgarian history.

Can I actually walk inside the Roman Theater in Plovdiv?

Yes, the Roman Theater dates to the 2nd century and is still standing well enough to enter and explore. It's one of the main stops on the tour, and you'll have time to walk through it with your guide.

How much walking is involved in the Old Town of Plovdiv?

The Old Town is built on a hillside, so the tour includes walking through the streets and up to Nebet Tepe Hill for the view over the town. You'll also walk the Roman Stadium. Comfortable shoes are a good idea for the uneven terrain.

Are meals included in the day trip?

No, food and beverages are not included. You'll have time to eat during the day, and your guide can suggest places in both Koprivshtitsa and Plovdiv.

What's the pickup process from Sofia?

Your hotel or accommodation in Sofia is the pickup point. The tour includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi on board for the full day.