Bachkovo Monastery & Asen's Fortress - day tour from Plovdiv
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Visit the remarkable remains of King Asen's Fortress and church from 13-th century, located on a picturesque hill in the Rhodope Mountains. Explore the Bachkovo Monastery, the second largest in Bulgaria, founded in 1083. Enjoy the wonderful Christian orthodox frescoes from 1643.
Note: Often this trip is actually delivered as a private one as there are no other travellers to join the experience.
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Assenova krepost (Asen's Fortress)
The remarkable Asen’s Fortress from 13-th century is located on a panoramic hill in the Rhodope Mountains som 30 min south of Plovdiv. Our guide will tell you the history and interesting facts about this impressive structure. There you’ll also find very well preserved Christian Orthodox church dating from the 13-th century painted with some authentic pieces of iconography. At the top of the fortress you’ll enjoy an awesome 360 degrees panorama all over the Rhodope Mountains, Asenovgrad town, The Thracian Valley and the imposing Balkan Range with its highest Botev Peak in the far distance.
Bachkovo Monastery
Founded in 1083 Bachkovo Monastery is the second largest in Bulgaria. Inside the monastery you’ll visit the main church of Virgin Mary built in 1604 where a valuable miracle working icon of Saint Mary from 11-12th century AD is being kept together with some very well preserved original frescoes. The monastery refectory is another jewel in the complex which has preserved colorful murals from 1643. The refectory’s visit is optional at an extra charge for a small entrance fee. Inside together with the Doomsday fresco, you’ll witness the images of many prophets, saint-monks, ancient philosophers and writers such as Socrates, Aristotle, Plato etc. In the second monastery yard you’ll finally visit the Saint Nikola church built between 1834 and 1837. Optionally, for the nature enthusiasts you may continue the tour with a short and easy walk in the Red wall nature reserve nearby Bachkovo Monastery where you’ll discover a beautiful waterfall, green meadows and lush forests.
What‘s Included
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Professional guide
Driver/guide
Live commentary on board
Fuel surcharge
Entrance fees: Assen's Fortress (4 EUR)
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Bachkovo Monastery
Pickup included
Reviews
30 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great day trip to Bachkovo Monastery and Aden’s Fortress by Stoyan of Plovdiv Trips
EsteveJF,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing tour by the guide Stoyan, who is passionate for the history of Bulgaria. And his English is excellent. Recommended to anyone who wants a terrific day trip from Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Superb Day Tour to Bachkovo Monastery and Ansen’s Fortress from Plovdiv, Bulgaria
EsteveJF,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent day tour from Plovdiv to Bachkovo Monastery and Ansen’s Fortress with guide Stoyan. His English is excellent given he lived in the USA earlier in his life, and after working in tourism for a number of years, he truly understands customer service. Stoyan did a terrific job detailing the layers of Bulgarian history while walking us through 2 beautiful sites in the picturesque Rhodape mountains. He explained the frescos and helped us to understand and appreciate the historical importance of these sites. He made our time enjoyable, and is highly recommended to any English speaking visitors. Thanks Stoyan! Steve & Mimi.
Kamen is an exceptional...
Eric B,Feb 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Kamen is an exceptional guide. We booked this tour at 11 pm and the following day at 9 am he was under our hotel. It is a perfect trip for half a day if you are in Plovdiv without car. Kamen is eager to share information not only on the fortress and the Monastery, but also on Bulgaria and Bulgaria culture in general. Recommended!
Great experience!
Adampeterhicks,Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00An amazing experience in the rhodope mountains, understanding and learning pieces of religion and iconography. Murals were out of this world and the monasteries were incredibly beautiful. We also experienced a baptism taking place in bachkovo which was quite special. Fragments of bone from Christ and also various saints also can be seen alongside a 1000 year old holy shrine of Mary. Climbing up the steps is really rather tame, I was expecting it to be much worse. Kamen was an amazing tour guide so this made it a much more pleasant experience! Highly recommend for the natural beauty of the mountains and the education on the monastery/fortress.
Simple and beautiful getaway!
denisg94,Sep 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Both sites are located about 40 minutes from Plovdiv, which allows to limit transportation time and spend more time on the sites. Our guide Kamen was very friendly and interesting! The view of the mountains surrounding the fortress was breathtaking!! I had a great day!
An excursion without complications!
Denis G,Sep 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very interesting excursion from Plovdiv and that allows to see the area around. The sites are located about 40 minutes away, which limits travel time and allows a focus on visits. Our guide Kamen was very friendly, interesting and flexible. Loved the experience!
Wonderful locations with a great tour guide!
Curiosity591850,Sep 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I am super glad I booked this tour which also included the marvelous bridges. All three sites were extremely interesting and not to be missed. Our guide, Kamen, was extremely professional and very knowledgeable as well as friendly. Really enjoyed this approximately 7 hour tour. I would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Plovdiv.
Visit to Assenov Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery
Katerina B,Jul 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We visited the Assenov Fortress and the Bachkovo Monastery, starting from our hotel in Plovdiv. For us, it was an unforgettable experience that was at once fascinating and fun, in equal measures. We learned a great deal from our friendly and knowledgeable guide, Kalina, who was smart, patient and attentive to our every need. She herself was well traveled and versed in local history, tradition and lore, and thus, we believe, she understood how to make an experience for clients like us. We offer her our highest recommendation.
Great experience for the whole family
644stefanas,Jun 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Communication with Kamen was very easy and seamless from the beginning and he’s very responsive. Our airport transfer went smoothly but the real highlight was our guided tour to Assen Fortress, Bachkovo Monastery, and Wonderful Bridges. Our guide was Chris and he was incredible - very friendly, knowledgeable, and fun to speak to.
Excellent tour company - would recommend!
victoriapR1091SE,Jun 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had two tours with Kamen as well as a transfer to Sofia airport. The first tour was a half-day trip to Asen’s Fortress/Bachkovo Monastery and the other a full-day trip to the Rose Festival in Kazanlak along with a few other sites. Kamen had obtained the tickets for the festival events ahead of time and reserved a local restaurant for lunch afterwards. He was able to adjust our tour to accommodate our timeframe since we were in town for a concert at the ancient theater. Kamen is extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and punctual and was very quick to respond to questions before the tours. I’ve only been home for a day but have already recommended his company to others!
-20% off
From €65.60Was €82.00
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