Plovdiv, Starosel & Staro Zhelezare from Plovdiv
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
Start in Plovdiv’s Old Town to admire 19th-century mansions like Hindliyan House. Visit the 1st-century Roman Theatre for views of the Rhodope Mountains, then climb to Nebet Tepe's 6,000-year-old Thracian ruins. Next, dive into the Kapana art district for lunch among trendy cafes and craft beer bars.
Leave the city for the Starosel Cult Complex to step inside a 5th-century BC Thracian stone tomb. Finish in Staro Zhelezare, a quirky village where murals feature local grandmas alongside world icons.
Admission fees are not included
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Not recommended for children under the age of 6 years.
Not recommended for people with impaired mobility
What To Expect
Departure for the Old Town Walking tour at 10:30 in front of the Ancient Eastern Gate of Philippopolis.
Plovdiv Old Town
Plovdiv is a beautiful town with a cheerful vibe. Walk along its cobbled streets and admire the striking architecture. As a vibrant crossroads of many civilizations, the city tells a unique story. Choose a guided walk or a self-guided audio tour to see how Thracians, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans shaped the city over thousands of years. The tour lasts 2 hours and covers all the major sights in the Old Town and Plovdiv's center.
Options
Spanish : Plovdiv only tour
Starosel + Staro Zhelezare: will not be visited on this itinerary Starting point: Ancient Eastern Gate of Philippopolis, East Gate - Ancient Philippopolis, Hadzhi Hasan MahalaPlovdiv Center, ul. "Stoycho Moshanov", 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Italian : Plovdiv only tour
Starosel + Staro Zhelezare: will not be visited on this itinerary Starting point: Ancient Eastern Gate of Philippopolis, East Gate - Ancient Philippopolis, Hadzhi Hasan MahalaPlovdiv Center, ul. "Stoycho Moshanov", 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Spanish : Plovdiv+Starosel
Starting point: Ancient Eastern Gate of Philippopolis, East Gate - Ancient Philippopolis, Hadzhi Hasan MahalaPlovdiv Center, ul. "Stoycho Moshanov", 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Italian : Starosel + Zhelezare
PLOVDIV walking tour excluded Starting point: Ramada by Wyndham Plovdiv Trimontium, 2 Kapitan, Raicho, St Център, ЦентърРайон Централен, улица „Капитан Райчо“ 2, 4000 Пловдив, Bulgaria
ENG : Starosel+Staro Zhelezare
PLOVDIV walking tour excluded Starting point: Ramada by Wyndham Plovdiv Trimontium, 2 Kapitan, Raicho, St Център, ЦентърРайон Централен, улица „Капитан Райчо“ 2, 4000 Пловдив, Bulgaria
Audio App : Plovdiv+Starosel
Starting point: Ancient Eastern Gate of Philippopolis, East Gate - Ancient Philippopolis, Hadzhi Hasan MahalaPlovdiv Center, ul. "Stoycho Moshanov", 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Audio App : Plovdiv only tour
Starosel & Staro Zhelezare : will not be visited on this itinerary. Starting point: Ancient Eastern Gate of Philippopolis, East Gate - Ancient Philippopolis, Hadzhi Hasan MahalaPlovdiv Center, ul. "Stoycho Moshanov", 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Spanish : Starosel + Zhelezare
PLOVDIV walking tour excluded Starting point: Ramada by Wyndham Plovdiv Trimontium, 2 Kapitan, Raicho, St Център, ЦентърРайон Централен, улица „Капитан Райчо“ 2, 4000 Пловдив, Bulgaria
English : Plovdiv+Starosel
Starting point: Ancient Eastern Gate of Philippopolis, East Gate - Ancient Philippopolis, Hadzhi Hasan MahalaPlovdiv Center, ul. "Stoycho Moshanov", 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Audio: Starosel+Zhelezare
PLOVDIV walking tour excluded Starting point: Ramada by Wyndham Plovdiv Trimontium, 2 Kapitan, Raicho, St Център, ЦентърРайон Централен, улица „Капитан Райчо“ 2, 4000 Пловдив, Bulgaria
English : Plovdiv tour only
Starosel + Staro Zhelezare: will not be visited on this itinerary Starting point: Ancient Eastern Gate of Philippopolis, East Gate - Ancient Philippopolis, Hadzhi Hasan MahalaPlovdiv Center, ul. "Stoycho Moshanov", 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Italian : Plovdiv+Starosel
Starting point: Ancient Eastern Gate of Philippopolis, East Gate - Ancient Philippopolis, Hadzhi Hasan MahalaPlovdiv Center, ul. "Stoycho Moshanov", 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
What‘s Included
Professional guide
Driver
Round-trip transport by air-conditioned coach or minibus.
Fuel surcharge
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Tickets to Plovdiv Roman Theatre, Starosel Temple (Approx. €4.00 per person for each site, payable locally).
Smartphones and headphones (Required for Audio App options).
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
16 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Exhorbitant price transfer Rila-Blagoevgrad
MiCarte,Aug 15, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Beware of the exorbitant price of a transfer, complementary to the otherwise satisfactory visit to the Rila Monastery from Sofia (17 euros, price at the end of July 2023). Indeed, Traventuria charges 20 euros (price at the end of July 2023) for the connection of around 30 minutes between the Rila monastery and the nearby town of Blagoevgrad, while a local bus costs around only 3 leva with Rila Express, i.e. 7 times less!).
Hiking in the steps of St John of Rila
N4132MZgeorgew,Jun 30, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My favourite part is the tour guide Martin's introduction of sacred sites near the Rila Monastery, where St John of Rila prayed, and the church where he was buried. Martin went out of his way to show us this extra aspect of the founder of the Rila Monastery, which is off the beaten track.
A wonderful taste of Bulgaria
mariabL852SU,Jun 2, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The trip was well organised. The church at Boyana was beautiful and the Rila Monastery was also very impressive.Our guide Lubonir (as well as the other lady guide) was very knowledgeable and helpful. The drive was also very pleasant.I would recommend this trip to all tourists in Bulgaria.
A great tour & tour guide!
G1114TBpamelaf,Apr 21, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband & I were in Sofia for a week April 2023. We took the day trip to Rila Monastery & Boyana Church with Traventuria. Boyana Church was small but very interesting, & the the Rila Monastery was beautiful. These are both things that are definitely worth seeing if you are visiting Sofia. Our guide, Martin, was excellent; he was funny & entertaining & also very knowledgeable about both sites. At the monastery he gave us the ground rules & a lot of information & then we had plenty of time to explore & take photos.
Beautiful Rila and Exquisite Boyana Church
TonyWestenbroek,Sep 5, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip to the Rila Monastery and the Boyana Church. Ludomir, our guide, and driver got us everywhere on time. Ludomir was extremely knowledgeable and gave us plenty of free time at the monastery. We had time to enjoy a bowl of bean soup at the little local restaurant and take loads of pictures. The additional quiet time in the church was appreciated. The Boyana Church is a tiny gem. Ludomir gave a thorough explanation of the history of the church and the beautiful frescoes. He also talked about the gardens and the neighborhood, Boyana, where the church is situated. Great tour. Thanks.
Rila
NathalieF1779,Apr 26, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Everything was amazing, the guide Martin made the tour very dinamic and full of good experiencies.The ride was smooth and nice! Thanks guys.
Unforgettable experience
G4682NGdanielep,Mar 29, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00During our trip to Sophia we relied on the Traventuria agency to visit the surroundings and in two different days we were accompanied to the historic city of Plovdiv and to the Rila Monastery. It was an unforgettable experience and the competence, availability and professionalism of our guide Lubomir made everything more interesting and enjoyable!
Recommended day trip from Sofia with great guides
405augustom,Mar 21, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour is really worth it. The locations are impressive, especially the Rila Monastery. The guides Todor and Irina were very good as well, very knowledgeable, polite and shared a lot of interesting details about the places. This made the whole experience ever richer. I certainly recommend it.
Enchanting places...and Martin,the guide, made the experience special!
sa chiara,Oct 2, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour to Rila Monastry and Boyana Church is very well organised, the price is fair and Martin is the best guide you can imagine: kind, professional, lively and also good looking 🌸 I had a great time 😊
Excellent day out and excellent guide / driver
jaychudasama782,Sep 2, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An excellent trip. Our driver and guide, I think his name was Mette, was excellent. I am actually writing this review because I was so impressed with him - excellent personality and thorough with his knowledge of Bulgarian history and so passionate about his country. All of us enjoyed this trip and I would highly recommend it
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Operated by Traventuria