Plovdiv, Bachkovo Monastery and Asen`s Fortress
Enjoy a great day trip from Sofia to Plovdiv - the oldest existing town in Europe and European capital of culture. Learn about its rich history and see its amazing sites. Then, continue to the Rhodope Mountain, where you will visit the old Bachkovo monastery and the Asen`s fortress - remarkable for its panoramic views.
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Plovdiv, Bachkovo Monastery and Asen`s Fortress
Pickup included
What's included in Plovdiv, Bachkovo Monastery and Asen`s Fortress
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Plovdiv
The trip starts with a pick-up from your hotel/ address at 9:00 by a private car. The traveling time to Plovdiv is about 2 hours. It is the second largest city in Bulgaria and also considered the oldest existing populated in Europe, which has preserved heritage from Romans, Ottomans and Bulgarians. There, you will have 2 hours guided tour, during which you will learn about its history and you will see the old town, the Roman theater, stadium and forum, the main street, and the panoramic views from the hill.
Bachkovo Monastery
Next, you will continue to the nearby Rhodopi Mountain (about 45 minutes drive from Plovdiv). There, first you will stop at the charming village of Bachkovo, where you will have time for a lunch brake. After that, you will visit its monastery - it was founded in the 11th century and it is the 2nd biggest in Bulgaria. In the monastery is preserved a medieval icon of the virgin Marry, considered to be miraculous.
Assenova krepost (Asen's Fortress)
Your final stop will be the Asen`s fortress - home to the fortified church of the Holy Virgin of Petrich. This stronghold has stood since Thracian times, later reconstructed by the Byzantines in the 9th century to safeguard the route to the Aegean Sea. It was once claimed by the Crusaders during the Fourth Crusade and remained until 1410, when it fell to the might of Ottoman forces. Named in honor of the Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Asen II, who undertook significant repairs in 1231 to fortify its defenses, the fortress bears witness to the past through an inscription etched into the rock. At about 16:00 you should depart back to Sofia and arrive there at 19:00.
Inclusions
- Transportation by a private A/C car
- Private guide
- Hotel pick-up and drop off
- Asen`s fortress entrance ticket
- Gratuities (optional)
- Food, personal expenses
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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Pickup and Dropoff
Choose to be picked up from a list of locations
Additional Information
Hotel/ address pick-up at 9:00 - please indicate it.
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
This is a day trip, so the total duration in the description (10 hours) also includes the traveling time. We do not have baby/ child seats in our cars, so we cannot accommodate children under 5 yeas old on this trip.
