Private Tour
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
From Plovdiv we head towards the Rhodope Mountains passing through the pretty town of Assenovgrad. Nearby we will see the remarkable remains of King Ivan Assen’s fortress – a wise ruler of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. There we are to find an ancient church dating from the 13th century painted with some authentic pieces of iconography as well as the stone made inscription carved by King Ivan Assen. Next we go deeper in the Rhodope Mountains towards the picturesque Bachkovo monastery. The cloister is the second largest in Bulgaria, founded in 1083 and one of the most sacred places in the Bulgarian history.
We can stop on the way if you wish. If you are the only one booked for that day, the tour is just for you.
Please note that the maximum number of people who can join is 6
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Travel time is included in the total duration
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Air-conditioned vehicle
Gratuities
Bachkovo Monastery
Inside the monastery we ll visit the main church of the Virgin Mary built in 1604 where a valuable icon of the Virgin Mary from 1310 is kept. According to the legend, this remarkable icon is wonder-working. Attached to the Virgin Mary church we ll see the Archangels Church dating to the 12th century. The monastery refectory is another jewel in the complex which has preserved colorful murals from 1643. Together with the Doomsday fresco, we ll witness the images of some saint-monks, ancient philosophers and writers as Socrates, Aristotle, Diogenes and many more. The panoramic mural on the outside wall of the refectory represents a bird s eye view of the monastery with all the surrounding buildings at the time of the painting – 1846.
Nearby we will see the remarkable remains of King Ivan Assen s fortress – a wise ruler of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. There we are to find an ancient church dating from the 13th century painted with some authentic pieces of iconography as well as the stone made inscription carved by King Ivan Assen. The entry is 4 lv for adults and 2 lv for the kids
Pickup included
19 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Rosica R,
Jul 13, 2025
- Viator
Me and my husband spent some wonderful hours of the day visiting Bachkovo Monastery and Asen's Fortress. The monastery felt so peaceful and full of history - I could've stayed there for hours. When we arrived at Asen's Fortress we admired the stunning views. Definitely make your way to the top — the stairs only look scary, but they’re really not that bad! Just a short drive om Plovdiv, but it felt like a different world. Our driver made the trip even more fascinating with his stories. It's totally worth it!
Heather M,
Jun 20, 2025
- Viator
Our guide was nice and polite but didn’t explain much about the fortress and church that we visited. We wish we would have learned some of the history of these amazing spots.
Stasia C,
Jun 12, 2025
- Viator
Hidden gem of Bulgaria! The tour guide was friendly, accommodating, knowledgeable, and kind! Would 100% recommend this tour!
Juan S,
Apr 23, 2025
- Viator
Great activity to cover half of the day in Plovdiv. Perfect to do in a day that you want to do any additional plan in the afternoon/evening, if you have a transfer or, just simply want to relax after it :) Bachkovo Monastery is really a wonder that you must visit, and Asen fortress is really impresive, as it is the door to the Rodope mountains, which will really surprise you for their beauty.
Viktoria R,
Aug 11, 2024
- Viator
Me and my friend fell in love with Bulgaria at first sight. I wish I was born here. The views and nature take your breath away. My guide, Lyuben, made sure I didn't miss anything, even in the short time I had. Extremely helpful and beaming. Complemented my adventure with even more positive energy. I definitely recommend it!
Operated by Your Plovdiv Trips