From Sofia: Plovdiv, Starosel Temple and an Art Village
Overview
Available languages
10 hours
Mobile ticket
Discover Bulgaria’s rich heritage on an engaging day trip that spans 8,000 years of history, art, and culture. Begin your journey in Sofia, where a comfortable minibus takes you to Plovdiv, one of the oldest cities in the world. Explore the grand Roman ruins and the vibrant Old Town, with an hour of free time to shop and enjoy local cuisine. Continue to the Starosel Thracian Temple, the largest royal tomb in the region, before visiting Staro Zhelezare, a captivating village adorned with street art for perfect photo opportunities. Enjoy a seamless blend of history, culture, and scenic beauty throughout the day.
- Visit Plovdiv’s Old Town and major historical landmarks
- Enjoy one hour of free time to explore Plovdiv’s art district
- Discover the Starosel Thracian Temple, dating back to the 4th century BC
- Capture unique photos in the vibrant art village of Staro Zhelezare
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
The Old Town of Plovdiv is with cobbled streets (some of them steep) , please have comfortable walking shoes
The Regional Ethnographic Museum - Plovdiv is closed on Mondays
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
During the summer months the weather in Plovdiv can be very hot. We highly recommend sunscreen, hat and sun glasses.
Minimum age is 6 years
Tour with ONLINE, cloud-based audioguide in different languages. INTERNET required to download and use.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Vasil Levski Monument
Your day trip starts at 9:00 am from the Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia) in central Sofia. You will board a comfy, air-conditioned minibus and head for a 2-hour drive on the motorway to Plovdiv. This is the time that you will learn from your guide more about Bulgarian history, culture, economy and nature.
Plovdiv Old Town
As one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, cosmopolitan Plovdiv is packed with fascinating Thracian, Roman, Slav, Turkish, and Bulgarian history. With your guide, enjoy a 2.5-hour walking tour on the cobbled narrow paths in the Old Town of Plovdiv. After the guided tour of the Old Town, you will have about an hour and a half to further independently explore the attractions of the city centre. You can have lunch (own expense) or go shopping on "Glavnata"- the longest pedestrian in Europe. You can get entertained by some of the artistic events organized in the heart of the city while Plovdiv is celebrating its nomination as the European Capital of Culture for 2019. A lot of tourists choose to wander in the Kapana neighbourhood - a place with a bohemian vibe, chic bars and beautiful graffiti. The region of Plovdiv is famous for its wine production and in Kapana you will find options to sample some of the local red or white wines.
What‘s Included
Air-conditioned vehicle
Fuel surcharge
Driver/guide in English
Admission tickets (will be paid onsite)
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Options
English-guided tour
Explore Plovdiv, Staro Zhelezare, and an Ancient Thracian Temple with an English-speaking guide and multilingual smart audio.
Self-guided tour
Smartphone audio guide: Transport only tour, live guide NOT included. Bring your own headphones and power bank, and ensure you have Internet access.
Spanish-guided tour
Spanish-Guided tour: Explore Plovdiv, Staro Zhelezare, and an Ancient Thracian Temple with a Spanish-speaking guide and multilingual smart audio.
Reviews
1 review
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Can certainly do better
brasov b,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Far too much time in vehicle, we left at 9:00 am and returned at 7:30 pm. Driver's slow, don't obstruct traffic. So instead of 2 hours of free time, only 1 hour...
From €20.00
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