Full-Day Plovdiv and Asen’s Fortress Tour from Sofia
Overview
Available languages
9 hours
Mobile ticket
Plovdiv and Asen's fortress tour is excellent way to see in one day Bulgaria's second largest city and Medieval fortress. Plovdiv was one of the two European Capitals of Culture in 2019 and it is more beautiful than ever in its 5,000 years of history.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
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.
Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis
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.
What‘s Included
Professional guide
Driver/guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
Online audio guide for Plovdiv in English, Spanish, Italian, French, German and Russian
Transportation
Food and drinks
Hotel pickup
Hotel drop-off
Entrance fees in Plovdiv's old town and Asen's fortress
Options
Plovdiv & Assen's Private Tour
Plovdiv Private Tour: The price includes pick up/drop off from your hotel, transporation, English speaking guide, entrance fees.
Full-Day Plovdiv and Asen’s Fortress Tour from Sofia
Transport only (self-guided)
Self Guided Tour
Reviews
36 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent Full Day Tour
Keith F,,Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Philip was our guide for this tour and was excellent. He provided us with detailed information with a sense of humor. Plovdiv was excellent; we enjoyed going through the old town with its history and then walking through the new town. Asen's Fortress is highly recommended. You need to be sure-footed as the steps up to it were uneven. The views were absolutely fabulous. There were roadworks on the motorway to Plovdiv, so we were on a tight schedule. The motorway was to be closed later, so things seemed a little rushed at times. That said, we avoided the motorway on the way back to Sofia. We took the back roads and saw parts of Bulgaria we would have never expected to see. Well done, Bobby, our driver. A long day, but very much worth it.
Plovdiv is beautiful, an essential visit
CARMEN L,,Jul 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Plovdiv is a very beautiful city with a lot of history, worth visiting. The strength of Asen is also interesting and the setting is beautiful ❤ our guide Philip, has been very friendly, polite, and enlightened, with a very good sense of humor.
Great package
Brett S,,Jun 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great small group (5 people) tour, the guide was excellent on all fronts, his knowledge was nothing short of top shelf. Transport was very comfortable, we had plenty of spare time to have lunch and see a few other highlights in more detail
Positive 100%.
franciscojose r,,Apr 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Excelent tour ! Excelent tour guide ! Thnk you Gregorio ! You were great and very very prepared and helpfull ! Gracias !!!! Next excursión I will get them From your company. Thanks
Beautiful Day Trio
Elizabeth G,,Oct 8, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Fantastic day trip, beautiful old town. Ivan was a wonderful guide, answering all our questions and giving the perfect balance of guided tour and free time to explore.
Rushed & poor transport
David M,,Aug 19, 2024
- Review from Viator
3.00Guide & driver very pleasant people however the bus was not what was expected, seatbelts didn’t work , air conditioning broken & working intermittently- exhaust fumes filtering into bus. The tour felt very rushed - sure there are better options available.
Very good trip to Plovdiv
Ian H,,Dec 10, 2023
- Review from Viator
4.00This 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.
Great company and style, less the city
Christopher R,,Sep 7, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00By 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.
I expected more and better archaeological finds in Plovdiv.
Renato R,,Jul 14, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Long travel time from Sofia, to see little interesting archaeological find. Asen Fort, dangerous pedestrian access, very slippery.
Guide
Johannes P,,Oct 2, 2022
- Review from Viator
4.00great guide, knew much, safe driver, very good English!; the old city center and the theatre of Plovdiv are really worth a visit!
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