Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery small group tour with pickup
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 25 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery small group tour with pickup worth booking?
Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery small group tour with pickup is a 9-hour experience in Sofia, Bulgaria, from $50 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 25 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 76 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (25)
- Duration
- 9 hours
- From
- $50 per person
Explore the 8000-year history of Plovdiv with ruins from the Roman times, beautiful Revival architecture and cozy restaurants in Kapana district. Enjoy breathtaking views from Asen’s Fortress, perched on top of a hill
What you get
- Transport with minivan or car
- Entrance fee to House-Museum Hindliyan, Plovdiv
- Entrance fee to Asen's fortress
- Licensed English-speaking guide
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
About this experience
Explore the 8000-year history of Plovdiv with ruins from the Roman times, beautiful Revival architecture and cozy restaurants in Kapana district. Enjoy breathtaking views from Asen’s Fortress, perched on top of a hill in the beautiful Rhodope Mountains. Visit the second largest monastery in Bulgaria and see the miraculous icon of Virgin Mary. Take the advantage of this small-group tour with free hotel pickup.
What's included
Included
- Transport with minivan or car
- Entrance fee to House-Museum Hindliyan, Plovdiv
- Entrance fee to Asen's fortress
- Licensed English-speaking guide
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Personal expenses
What you'll see and do
Plovdiv
Travel time from Sofia to Plovdiv is about 1h and 45 min
105 minutes here
Plovdiv Old Town
Explore the 8000-year history of one of the oldest cities in the world Plovdiv. Travel through the ages just in one day.
60 minutes here
Archaelogical Complex Nebet Tepe
Ruins of the old village and fortress where the ancient city was founded 4000 years BC.
20 minutes here
Ethnographic Museum
The building of the museum was built in 1847 and is a stunning masterpiece from Bulgarian Revival period. The museum keeps one of the biggest collections of Bulgarian cultural heritage.
15 minutes here · Admission not included
House-Museum Hindlian
The house of Stepan Hindliyan is one of the few houses in Plovdiv which has preserved its original symmetric design from the Revival period.
20 minutes here · Admission not included
Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis
One of the best preserved ancient Roman theaters. It was built in the 1st century.
20 minutes here · Admission not included
Kapana
Area with cozy restaurants and cafes.
60 minutes here
Assenova krepost (Asen's Fortress)
The fortress played an important role in defending the route from the Aegean Sea to Thrace. It is perched on top of a hill in the beautiful Rhodope Mountains and reveals breathtaking views.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Bachkovo Monastery
The second largest monastery in Bulgaria with one of the oldest iconostasis in the country and the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary.
30 minutes here
Sofia
Travel time from Bachkovo monastery to Sofia is about 2 hours and 20 minutes.
140 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Sofia
Meeting point
Sofia
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 7 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Multi Travel Bulgaria
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 25 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
10 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
9 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
25 verified traveler reviews for Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery small group tour with pickup. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great day trip option
The guide was amazing! He was knowledgeable and arranged the tours so we could get the most out of the day. The vehicle was spacious and clean.
via Tripadvisor
Great day trip
Despite cold, rainy weather, it was a great trip. Very glad I went. Guide gave us solid history behind what we saw and good recommendations for lunch. Was also very helpful in the rain and helping with possible slippery steps at the fort. Having been to Plovdiv now, I might want to stay there a couple of nights to be able to explore all of the museums etc, but it was still a great introductory day trip. Beautiful Old Town.
via Viator
A very interesting tour
We really enjoyed seeing the old town in Plovdiv. The museum building was really something. However, it was a shame to see next to very nice buildings others that was in different stages decay. The other big take away was of course the Romen remains that had a very prominent place in the old city and especially the best-preserved Greek theatre that I have seen, and the part of the racing course/stadium. The second stop was not a formal stop but very much an important one. The guide had found a good sandwich shop next to a large coffee place with very nice cakes. This was very appreciated with us. The other highlight of the formal program was the Bachkovo monastery. The garden had very impressing trees, and then I am not talking about a recently planted banana tree. The churches were really beautiful and covered from floor to ceiling with colourful pictures. The last stoop the Asen castle is really a viewpoint, and since it was a really foggy day it was not much to be seen. Our guide was very nice and knowledge man that took us through Bulgari troubled history and took care of us very well.
via Tripadvisor
Do it if you have the time
This is a long drive from Sofia, but well worth the trip because of the beauty and uniqueness of the sites. Our guide was very informative and approachable, and adapted exceptionally well to my needs regarding the amount of walking (this, in a “group” of two). If you have the time, I highly recommend this day trip.
via Tripadvisor
This was an amazingly...
This was an amazingly varied trip and Ventsi was a great guide with really interesting historical knowledge. We would really recommend this trip, wear good shoes, there are lots of cobbled streets in Plovdiv and the access to the fortress is uneven. We all really enjoyed it and being picked up and dropped back to the hotel was wonderful after a long day. All in all just great.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $50 to $115
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 9
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 76
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery small group tour with pickup: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Sofia.
How much does Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery small group tour with pickup cost?
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Prices start at $50 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Sofia usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery small group tour with pickup take?
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Plan for about 9 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Sofia is not rushed.
Is Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery small group tour with pickup worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 25 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Sofia, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery small group tour with pickup?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery small group tour with pickup suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery small group tour with pickup?
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Around 9 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Sofia can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Sofia and add a light layer if any part of the 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery small group tour with pickup start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Sofia within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Sofia?
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On Outty we rank every Sofia experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Communist Walking Tour of Sofia, Sofia Highlights 2 Hour Sightseeing Walking Tour, Sofia Escape Room - Teorema Rooms. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Sofia?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Sofia?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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