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Full-Day Plovdiv and Asen’s Fortress Tour: Explore Bulgaria's Second Largest City
4.5
30 Ratings
Sofia
Embarking on a tour of Plovdiv and Asen’s fortress is a stellar opportunity to explore Bulgaria’s second biggest city and a Medieval stronghold all in one day. Having been recognized as one of the two European Capitals of Culture in 2019, Plovdiv’s allure is at its peak in its 5,000-year-old existence.
Duration:
9 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Plovdiv Old Town - Ancient Plovdiv Architectural Reserve is a well-preserved complex where on a relatively small area visitors can take walks through different historical ages, see ancient buildings adapted to the modern way of life and feel the spirit of the town from the Bulgarian Revival Period.
The Old Town, as the complex is known, lies on a natural elevation – the three hills (the closely situated Dzhambaz Hill, Nebet Hill, and Taksim Hill). Many peoples have inhabited this place through the centuries. And all of them have left traces of their cultures and also the different names they gave to the town. Plovdiv is one of the oldest towns in Europe – it dates back to 4000 years BC. During Antiquity the Thracians came to the hill and set up a fortified settlement that was conquered by Philip of Macedon in the 2nd century BC. He gave one of the many names of the town - Philipopolis, and surrounded it with thick fortification walls. Later the Thracians regained control over the town, but after a series of battles they lost it to the Romans in the 1st century. A fortress from Thracian times is preserved on the very summit of Nebet Hill.
- Plovdiv Roman Theatre - The Roman theatre of Plovdiv is one of the world’s best-preserved ancient theaters, located in the city center of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. It was constructed in the 90s of the 1st century AD, probably under the ruler ship of Emperor Domitian. The theater can host between 5000 and 7000 spectators and it is currently in use.
- Assenova krepost (Asen’s Fortress) - This beautiful medieval fortification will allow you to learn some history and take wonderful pictures from the top. At 16:00 your tour will be over and you will start your journey back to Sofia with an expected time of arrival at Alexander Nevski Square in Sofia around 18:00h.
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Driver/guide
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Lunch
- Hotel pickup
- Hotel drop-off
- Entrance fees in Plovdiv’s old town and Asen’s fortress
Additional Information
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
Location
Serdika Meeting Point - V Travel Day Tours
bulevard "Knyaginya Maria Luiza"
9:00 Departure from Serdika meeeting point (2, Maria Luiza boulevard across McDonalds on the main street). Please show up at least 5-10 minutes earlier and look for a V Travel branded vehicle (car, minivan, van, minibus).
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.5
(30 Ratings)
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1 star
Christopher_r
Sep 7, 2023
Great company and style, less the city - By my personal taste Plovdiv itself is not so worth to visit, maybe just to have a walk in it. I had to be really bored but the guide was amazing and put a lot of passion in it and the fellow travelers I met in the trip were amazing people. Great to have such a small group and transportation in a van, but, please, do something about shock absorbers, they almost don't exist.
Review provided by Viator
Lynsfrostee
Jun 14, 2022
Really worth doing - Our tour guide was great. He had a lot of knowledge and took us to some really niche parts of Plovdiv that I don’t think we’d have seen without a guide.
He also had an Italian couple to cater for so had to constantly switch from English to Italian to keep us all happy and he did this with impressive skill.
Plovdiv is definitely worth the daytrip. It’s very different to Sofia and has a slightly bohemian artistic vibe.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
213dirkg
Oct 21, 2019
Great tour experience - Nice tour guide and great overall tour. Plovdiv is a nice old city with lots of culture to offer. Worth the trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sueoldham6
Oct 19, 2019
Plovdiv - We had a great day out.
Well looked after by Michael. Plovdiv certainly worth a visit. Lots to see and enjoy.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ciarancummins2019
Jul 22, 2019
Plovdiv and Aden’s Fortress - Superb guide who handled both the driving and the commentary. Exceptionally friendly and highly educated. I enjoyed her take on all things Bulgarian.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Travellerdw66
May 27, 2019
Excellent Day Trip - time and money well spent! - Travelling on my own and only having a couple of days to sightsee in and around Sofia, I booked this trip hoping to make the most of my limited time. I am so glad that I did! The journey each way was about 2 hours, including a quick break, but went quickly. The itinerary was well planned (1.5 hours of guided tour of Plovdiv then 2 hours of free time, plus an hour at Asen Fortress on the way home.) Both the driver and tour guide were excellent, providing a friendly and relaxed atmosphere for the group (there were 7 of us - one pair, one threesome and two solo travellers). Would certainly recommend this trip, and would have done others with the same company if I had had longer.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ian_h
Dec 10, 2023
Very good trip to Plovdiv - This is an excellent reasonably priced trip to Plovdiv from Sofia.
It takes around 1hr 45mins to reach, and then you get a good overview walking tour with the guide (be aware that the walk is over uneven ground and includes a lot of steps) for about 2hrs. This is followed by 2hrs free time. Then you drive to the fortress, its worth noting that costs 4lev entrance which is not included and can only be paid in cash. Then you return to Sofia.
Plovdiv itself is very interesting, I loved the Roman history and the old town is quaint with wooden style buildings.
Review provided by Viator
Johannes_p
Oct 2, 2022
Guide - great guide, knew much, safe driver, very good English!; the old city center and the theatre of Plovdiv are really worth a visit!
Review provided by Viator
Karinwk_nl
Aug 31, 2019
Beautiful ancient Plovdiv and breathtaking Assen - This tour is really worth your time and money. After a 2 hr drive (with short sanitairy and coffee stop just before Plovdiv) we arrived with Sveto (guide) and Bobby (driver) in Plovdiv. Walking through town Sveto told interesting facts about the history of this beautiful city. After some time for ourselves we left for Assen's Fortress at 14.30 hrs. Just a short drive, and despite the temperature of 36 °C we really enjoyed the walk, the scenery and historical background stories. A tour worth taking!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Msd4983je
May 22, 2019
So so - Driver and guide were polite and caring.
The 7 passenger mini-van was not very comfortable.
We were disappointed because we expected more depth in the historic explanations from the guide.
We would have preferred to have more time in Plovdiv (only 2.5 hrs), instead of spending 2 hrs to drive to/and back to visit Asen’s Fortress/church.
Overall we felt that we were just paying for the ride there and back, there was some information given but it wasn’t what we had expected at all.
We recommend to find a day tour just for Plovdiv - there is plenty to see.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
