Private Day Trip to Plovdiv and Asen's Fortress
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September 2026
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Who is going?
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
4.5/5
Based on 13 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Day Trip to Plovdiv and Asen's Fortress worth booking?
Private Day Trip to Plovdiv and Asen's Fortress is a 9-hour experience in Sofia, Bulgaria, from $248 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 13 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 55 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (13)
- Duration
- 9 hours
- From
- $248 per person
Enjoy a great day trip to the ancient town of Plovdiv - see its old town, Roman heritage and astonishing hills. In the afternoon, take a ride to the nearby Rodopi mountain to discover the remains of the medieval Bulgaria
What you get
About this experience
Enjoy a great day trip to the ancient town of Plovdiv - see its old town, Roman heritage and astonishing hills. In the afternoon, take a ride to the nearby Rodopi mountain to discover the remains of the medieval Bulgarian fortress, from which you will also see magnificent panoramic views. Most times the trips are done with eco friendly cars - with a CNG engine or electro mobiles, so that we can help combat the air pollution.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Professional private driver- guide
- Private tour
- Transportation by an A/C car
- Sightseeing tour in Plovdiv
- A visit to the Asen`s fortress
Not included
- Food & personal expenses
- Gratuities
- Entrance fees (if present)
What you'll see and do
St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral
The tour starts with a pick up from any location in Sofia.
5 minutes here
Plovdiv Old Town
The cliche "you must see Plovdiv to see Bulgaria" is absolutely true and there is so much to explore in the country's second largest town. Plovdiv is about 1,5 hours’ drive from Sofia and is situated in the western part of the Thracian Valley. It is one of the oldest settlements in the world, having emerged on the three adjacent hills – the beginning of its history dates back to 4,000 years BC. It has preserved Thracian, Roman and Bulgarian heritage from different epochs. There will be a 1,5-hour walking tour in the heart of the town and you will learn lots of historical facts and legends while exploring its most interesting sightseeing places. You will see the Roman Theater and parts of the Roman Stadium. Walk through the longest pedestrian street in Europe. Explore the magnificent Revival old town with its unique colorful houses from the 19th century. See the recently uncovered early Christian mosaics dating back to the 4th century! Since this year Plovdiv is the European capital of culture, you may be able to see some of the undergoing events as well! They will be in all different aspects such as exebitions, concerts, art permormances, street parades and many others. You can write us your date of traveling and we will inform you what events will be held during that period and can be included in the day trip. On requesrt, we can organize you a multiday trip to Plovdiv with an overnight stay as well!
180 minutes here
Assenova krepost (Asen's Fortress)
After exploring Plovdiv, you will head to the mountains and visit the remains of the old medieval Asen`s Fortress (named after the famous Bulgarian king Ivan Asen II) and its church. It is situated on a very vivid place from where you can see amazing panoramic views and take astonishing photos.
30 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
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
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- City Tour Ltd.
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Please warn us if you have a 0-2 years old baby when you make the reservation so that we can prepare a special seat for them
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 13 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
13 verified traveler reviews for Private Day Trip to Plovdiv and Asen's Fortress. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
had the absolute pleasure...
had the absolute pleasure of joining a private day tour with Dhiraj, and I truly cannot recommend him highly enough! From the very beginning, one finds oneself impressed by his deep knowledge of Bulgarian history, culture, and traditions. With every place visited, one finds oneself drawn in by his engaging storytelling and detailed historical background. Whether wandering through ancient ruins or the vibrant streets of Plovdiv, one learns so much thanks to Dhiraj’s thoughtful explanations. One really feels taken care of throughout the tour – Dhiraj goes above and beyond to ensure that the experience is comfortable, personal, and unforgettable. If one is looking for a guide who is knowledgeable, passionate, and genuinely committed to sharing the beauty of Bulgaria, then Dhiraj is the perfect choice.
via Viator
Good sightseeing but ride was uncomfortable and guide in English was difficult to understand.
The sites visited on this tour are actually great. I would recommend this tour for that reason alone. What our group was a disappointed about was the quality of transportation used and the English fluency of our driver/guide. Our driver/guide was 15 minutes late for pick up which worried us. He drove a van owned by City Tour Ltd, the agency in Sofia that organized the tour. The van’s door initially wouldn’t open. And then, the air vents would blow heat but not cool air and the guide couldn’t fix it. The van was also a very uncomfortable ride, as if it had no shock absorbers. As for our guide/driver, he looked like he had just jumped out of bed to pick us up and his English was difficult to understand. We probably could catch only half of what he was saying. We know he tried to do his best but we felt it just wasn't good enough.
via Viator
Perfect daytrip to Plovdiv and Asen's fortress
This was a wonderfule experience! Alex has a PhD in History and our drive to Plovdiv was filled with information about the past and recent history of the area we were driving thru,as well as introduction to various musical influences different cultures left over the centuries. Both Fortress and especially Plovdiv are definitely worth the visit and having Alex as a tour guide certainly elevated the experience. This was the only day trip I had the time fore during my visit and I would strongly recommend it. At the end of the day, before heading back, try baklava and coffee (or tea) in a turkish coffee/tea shop by the mosque.
Response from the operator: It is great to have your feedback! Reading comments like this one is the biggest reward for us. Thank you - we highly appreciate the opportunity to have Alex on our guide team and we are happy to know that you strongly recommend this experience. best regards & welcome again
via Tripadvisor
Rude Tour Company Operator
We accidentally booked this tour for the wrong day and rebooked, but the tour company REFUSED to refund any of the money from our incorrect booking. They were VERY rude.
Response from the operator: Hello, it is very UNFAIR to present the story like this. First of all, you never notified us in advance that you have booked the tour for a wrong date so we obviously did not have any idea about your mistake. It is our responsibility to organize the tour for the date which is indicated in the voucher and so we did. And when our guide arrived to take you on Monday, you told him “Ah, but we taught that this tour is for tomorrow”. So I spoke with you on the phone and I told you that you need to do the tour on Monday, otherwise it will be treated as a no-show and no-refundable according to the Viator/ Tripadvisor police (which by the way is very customer- friendly and allows free rescheduling up to 24 hours before the starting time of the tour) and that if you want to do the tour on the next day, you need to make a new booking and to pay for it. When you accidently make a booking for the wrong date and you even do not notify the tour operator about it in advance, we (the tour operator) have to arrange a guide and a minivan for your tour and we can not use them for another tour and we also have to decline other potential bookings for this date, since the guide and the van are reserved for you. Do you think that this is very fair towards us?
via Tripadvisor
The best tour EVER!
A beautiful tour to two completely different places. Maria our tour guide was so nice, and knowledgeable, she was amazing & deserves mentioning! Plovdiv is beautiful & so interesting & Asen’s fortress has breathtaking views! Would recommend this tour highly, especially if you have Maria guiding you! :)
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
- Every day
- Price range
- $248 to $420
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 55
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Day Trip to Plovdiv and Asen's Fortress: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Sofia.
How much does Private Day Trip to Plovdiv and Asen's Fortress cost?
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Prices start at $248 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 Private Day Trip to Plovdiv and Asen's Fortress 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 Private Day Trip to Plovdiv and Asen's Fortress worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 55 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 13 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 Private Day Trip to Plovdiv and Asen's Fortress?
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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 Private Day Trip to Plovdiv and Asen's Fortress 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 Private Day Trip to Plovdiv and Asen's Fortress?
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Around 5 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 Private Day Trip to Plovdiv and Asen's Fortress 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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