Wonderful Bridges-Bachkovo Monastery-Assen's Fortress - day tour from Plovdiv
Overview
Available languages
7 hours
Mobile ticket
Discover 3 of the most famous 100 National Tourist Landmarks of Bulgaria during this bestselling day tour from Plovdiv to the stunning Rhodope Mountians. First visit the impressive Asen's Fortress from 13th century and the second largest Bachkovo Monastery, founded in 11th century. In the main cloister court yard visit the main church of Virgin Mary, which was built in 1604. Walk around the 45 m high rock bridges named the Wonderful Bridges, situated at 1450 m. a. s. l. in the heart of the mystical Rhodope Mountains. Before exploring the exceptional nature phenomenon have lunch at a small local restaurant in the nearby chalet amid refreshing conifer tree forests.
Note : Often this trip is actually delivered as a private one as there are no other travelers to join the experience.
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children must be accompanied by an adult
The short walk on and around the Wonderful Bridges also includes some uneven rocky path and very short but steep and slippery terrain.Trainers with proper sole and grip or hiking shoes are advised if you are not comfortable on such terrain.
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. 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
Professional local guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Driver/guide
Fuel surcharge
Live commentary on board
Entrance fees: Assen's Fortress (4 EUR)
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Assenova krepost (Asen's Fortress)
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Wonderful Bridges
Pickup included
Reviews
32 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing views
Resort666221,,Oct 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A wonderful day trip combining amazing views and very interesting historical/religious places. Nice short walks, that are niether too hard, nor too easy. Great communication with Kamen, who was very knowledgeable and friendly. The hot chips at the restaurant is not to be missed. Highly recommend the trip!
Amazing experience.
CeliaCristina C,,Jul 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely amazing! Our guide was so kind, educated, and informative. He gave us a really good overview of Bulgarian history, the area and the religious icons. This particular was the perfect combination of nature and culture. Thank you.
Great tour, would highly recommend
Christine C,,Jul 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour, made exceptional by our guide Christian. Christian was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the tour content, he answered hundreds of questions thrown at him on the day, and he was friendly and a joy to be around. The tour itself is also worth it and I’d recommend to anyone, being able to see all three points of interest in one day as well as having someone to explain everything was great. I’d recommend to anyone and also use this company again.
Excellent
Traveler06874562109,,Oct 1, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the tour with Kamel, on the tour we were a small group of 8 people, . Kamel told us everything about what we saw, and answered all our questions. We had enough time for everything, Excellent tour with Kamel, recommended, would do it again
Monastery, Fortress and Bridges Trip
Heather K,,Jul 24, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an amazing trip with a very knowledgeable guide. The scenery was breathtaking and Assen’s Fortress was the star of the show. Photos do not do justice to this piece of history you just have to see it for yourself. Thank you so much!
Excellent!
Anthony F,,Jun 4, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We used a private tour for our trip using the provider DMC tours. We booked the tour only the day before. They were very easy to deal with and professional. The tour to the wonderful bridges was excellent and so was Bachkovo monastery and Ansen's fortress......well worth doing. Our driver, Victor was great, very friendly and helpful....he was able to answer all our questions...I would highly recommend!
Stunning Tour! A Must-See in Bulgaria.
R3967CHlauram,,Jan 29, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was one of several tours I booked with Plovdiv Tours - all excellent. Stoyan is a fantastic guide, his English is great and he has a good command of the history and culture of Bulgaria. This tour is absolutely worth doing. We had a lovely authentic Bulgarian meal at a mountain hut at Wonderful Bridges before taking the hike down to the river to fully take in the immensity of these natural features. The sweeping views of the Rhodope mountains from Asen's Fortress are stunning and the Bashkovo Monastery is a jewel. Highly recommend!
Enjoyable Experience
pete1156,,Sep 24, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We would highly recommend using Plovdiv trips, we used them on 4 occasions having emailed them direct to arrange bespoke trips around Bulgaria including transfers. Kamen and Stoyan are friendly and very knowledgeable about Bulgaria and the places we visited. We stopped at a number of restaurants and tried the local food. Kamen and Stoyan went out of their way to ensure we had the most enjoyable experience. We would definitely use Plovdiv Trips again when visiting Bulgaria.
Plovdiv Day Trip
475zacharyl,,Aug 14, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kamen was a great tour guide and extremely knowledgeable. Also very personable and great to talk to on the drive. Would recommend him to anyone visiting Plovdiv.
Great History, Magnificent Sites, Outstanding Guide.
Lynn HF,,Jan 9, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kamen is a terrific tour guide and truly, one of the very best we’ve had anywhere. We went on two tours with Plovdiv Trips; the Wonderful Bridges, Bachkovo Monastery, and Asen’s Fortress, and to Kazanlak, Rose Valley and the Valley of the Thracian Kings. Each trip became a highlight of our visit to Bulgaria. Kamen is everything a good guide should be; knowledgeable, efficient, and organized. However, on a tour with Kamen, we noticed right away how much he cares for both his country and his guests. His dedication to sharing Bulgaria’s rich history and amazing natural wonders makes his enthusiasm for this beautiful country contagious. We would love to come back to visit Bulgaria and if so, we hope to take another tour with Kamen and Plovdiv Trips. We wish him the very best.
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Operated by PLOVDIV TRIPS