Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Small-Group Tour from Sofia

Roman Plovdiv: the Theatre and the Stadium

Plovdiv, ancient Philippopolis, was one of the main Roman cities in the Balkans, and two of its monuments are the first stops of the day. The Roman Theatre, built in the early 2nd century AD, curves in white marble tiers between two hills and still hosts performances in summer. Under the pedestrian centre lies the Roman Stadium of the same century, whose northern end with its rows of stone seats has been uncovered beside Dzhumaya Square.

Your guide explains how the Romans planned the city, what kind of events filled the stadium and how the theatre was rediscovered after centuries underground. Entrance fees are included, so you can step inside the theatre and sit on the marble rows. The two sites are a few minutes' walk apart, and together they give a vivid picture of everyday life in a provincial Roman city. Allow about an hour for both on this Plovdiv tour from Sofia.

Plovdiv Old Town

Above the Roman ruins, the Old Town of Plovdiv spreads over rocky hills with cobbled lanes, stone walls and grand houses from the Bulgarian National Revival of the 19th century. Wealthy merchants built them with symmetrical painted facades, bay windows over the street and elegant reception rooms with carved wooden ceilings. Several are now museums and galleries, and the whole quarter is protected as an architectural reserve.

Walking here with your guide, you learn how the Revival period shaped Bulgarian identity and why Plovdiv was chosen as European Capital of Culture in 2019. After the walk there is time for a traditional Bulgarian lunch, at your own expense, in one of the restaurants of the centre. Try local dishes such as shopska salad, kavarma stew or banitsa pastry. The cobblestones are uneven, so comfortable shoes make the day much easier.

Asen's Fortress

About 25 minutes south of Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress clings to a high rock above the Asenitsa river gorge near the town of Asenovgrad. The site was fortified in antiquity and strengthened in the 13th century by the Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Asen II, who gave it his name. Its best-preserved building is the Church of the Holy Mother of God, a two-storey church with a striking bell tower that seems to grow out of the cliff.

Your guide tells the story of the fortress as you walk up the stone paths to the walls and the church. The views over the wooded Rhodope Mountains and down the valley are breathtaking, especially in autumn colours. Some sections are steep and rocky, so take your time and wear good shoes. It is one of the most photographed medieval sites in Bulgaria, and a perfect stop between Plovdiv and the monastery.

Bachkovo Monastery

Bachkovo Monastery, a short drive further into the Rhodope Mountains, was founded in 1083 by a Byzantine military commander of Georgian origin and is one of the oldest and largest Orthodox monasteries in Bulgaria. Its peaceful courtyard is framed by wooden galleries, and the main Church of the Holy Mother of God, rebuilt in 1604, keeps a revered icon of the Virgin that draws pilgrims from across the country.

The monastery is especially known for its murals: the refectory is covered in 17th-century frescoes, and the porches of the churches show colourful scenes of saints and everyday life painted in the 19th century. Your guide explains the meaning of the images and the history of the community, which is still active today. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, and keep your voice low inside the churches. Afterwards you return to Sofia and are dropped off at your accommodation.