Bulgaria · BACHKOVO MONASTERY TOURS
Bulgaria’s second monastery is half an hour from Plovdiv in a wooded valley, and it is usually sold with the city or with Asen’s Fortress. These 15 compare the pairings, the driving time and what each one costs.
Travel from Sofia to Plovdiv, Asen’s Fortress, and Bachkovo Monastery in a modern private vehicle with an English-speaking guide. Expect Roman ruins, Revival-era streets, mountain views, preserved murals, included entrance fees, and a small group of up to eight people.
“Little more time in Bachkovo Monastery would have been required since this is really a worth visiting place”
Travel from Sofia to Plovdiv, Asen’s Fortress, and Bachkovo Monastery in about nine hours. Expect a guide-led walk through Roman ruins and Revival-era streets, a cliff-top fortress, and Bulgaria’s second-largest monastery. Pickup is offered from central addresses, with groups generally kept small.
“What an incredible experience! Our tour guide, Krasi truly made the day exceptional. His friendliness and deep knowledge brought the architectural splendor and vibrant cultural history of Bulgaria to life. Though it’s a long day, Krasi’s engaging storytelling made every moment enjoyable. Absolutely worth it!”
Travel from Plovdiv into the Rhodope Mountains with an English-speaking driver-guide. Visit Asen’s Fortress, Bachkovo Monastery, and the Wonderful Bridges, with time for a local lunch. Guides such as Stoyan and Kamen are praised for clear English, strong history knowledge, and flexible pacing.
“Absolutely amazing! Stoyan is such a warm and knowledgable person. I learnt so much about Bulgarian history and culture. He even helped me gather juniper berries for a friend. A wonderful tour, highly recommended. Thank you Stoyan!”
Leave Plovdiv for a private, English-language trip through the Rhodope Mountains. Visit Asen’s Fortress, Bachkovo Monastery, and the Wonderful Bridges with a local guide such as Kamen, Christian, or Stoyan. Expect door-to-door transport, mountain scenery, Bulgarian history, and some uneven walking.
“All the points of interest were very unique and exciting to visit. Our guide, Dimitar, was extremely personable and delighted us with his experience and knowledge. An amazing day, thanks Dimitar!”
Leave Sofia at 08:45 for Plovdiv’s Roman Theater, Roman stadium, Old Town pharmacy, and Revival houses, then continue to Bachkovo Monastery. English-speaking guides such as Georgi, Filip, and Vladimir have led this day trip, with free time for lunch and a stroll.
“Il posto è bellissimo, la guida preparata e molto cordiale, l'autista calmo e riflessivo nello svolgere quanto richiesto”
Travel from Plovdiv with an English-speaking guide to Asen’s Fortress and 11th-century Bachkovo Monastery. Expect a small group of up to eight, hotel pickup, striking Rhodope views, Orthodox art, and optional monastery refectory or nature-walk visits.
“We visited the Assenov Fortress and the Bachkovo Monastery, starting from our hotel in Plovdiv. For us, it was an unforgettable experience that was at once fascinating and fun, in equal measures. We learned a great deal from our friendly and knowledgeable guide, Kalina, who was smart, patient and attentive to our every need. She herself was well traveled and versed in local history, tradition and lore, and thus, we believe, she understood how to make an experience for clients like us. We offer her our highest recommendation.”
Travel from Plovdiv with an English-speaking driver-guide to Asen’s Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery. See medieval frescoes, the 11th-century Virgin Mary icon, a vast panoramic mural, and the 17th-century paintings at Mary’s Assumption Church. Hotel pickup, drop-off, and parking are included.
“The Tour was excelent, with excelent guide, with a lot of information and useful Quirks, recomanded tour to see 2 musts in plovdiv”
Travel from Sofia in a small group of up to seven with guides such as Ventsislav or Dimitriv. See Plovdiv’s Roman theater and Kapana, climb to Asen’s Fortress, and visit Bachkovo Monastery, including its miraculous Virgin Mary icon.
“Ventsislav, nosso guia e motorista, é uma pessoa ótima, muito solícito, profissional e educado! Nosso tour de um dia por Plovdiv, a fortaleza e o mosteiro de Bachkovo foi muito bom e ficou ainda melhor com todas as explicações do Vent, que nos contou fatos históricos e curiosidades, além de esclarecer dúvidas sobre costumes do povo búlgaro. O tour é recomendadíssimo e a experiência, imperdível!”
Leave Plovdiv with Lyuben for a private, air-conditioned trip to Bachkovo Monastery and Asen’s Fortress. See a 14th-century icon, colorful monastery frescoes, a medieval church, and sweeping views toward the Rhodope Mountains in about three hours.
“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.”
Travel from Sofia with an English-speaking guide, usually Ventsislav, on a 9 to 10-hour trip through Plovdiv’s ancient theatre, Old Town, Kapana district, Asen’s Fortress, and Bachkovo Monastery. Hotel pickup, transport, and key admission fees are included.
“Ventsislav was an exceptional guide He was good company and gave just the right amount of information without being overwhelming.”
Travel from Sofia to Plovdiv and Bachkovo Monastery in about nine hours with a driver-guide and hotel pickup. Explore Plovdiv Old Town, visit the ancient Philippopolis Theatre, and see one of Bulgaria’s most important Orthodox monuments. Guides such as Todor and Metodiy Garchev are praised for strong historical storytelling.
“Fantastic experience. Beautiful city and monastery, great guide. A must do for everyone visiting this region.”
Spend nine hours with a private English-speaking guide, exploring Plovdiv’s Roman theater, old quarter, churches, and 19th-century houses before visiting Bachkovo Monastery. Guides have included Alexander, Maria, and Vladimir. Hotel pickup and monastery entry are included; lunch is not.
“We enjoyed this trip. Very knowledgeable guide. Highly recommend activity and guide.”
Spend about eight hours visiting Asen’s Fortress, Bachkovo Monastery, and the Wonderful Bridges south of Plovdiv. Choose a private guided option with transport, entrance fees, and a local guide, or use the personalized e-guide and arrange your own transport. Confirm the meeting point and inclusions before booking.
“**SCAM ALERT** DO NOT BOOK THIS TOUR Once we booked, operator asked for 180€ more for transportation. The tour operator was very rude and unprofessional. Would not cancel the reservation, so we ended up pay 93 USD for a google document. The document was Read more”
Travel from Sofia by private air-conditioned car to Plovdiv’s old town and Bachkovo Monastery. Your driver-guide, possibly Nicholas, Lubomir, or Alexandra, leads the visits, explains Bulgarian history, and provides hotel pickup, drop-off, and onboard Wi-Fi.
“An excellent day trip from Sofia. We enjoyed visiting the charming old city of Plovdiv … the views are amazing and the old buildings beautifully restored. The monastery was definitely worth the additional drive out of Plovdiv … it was a treat driving through the beautiful countryside up to the monastery but the situation and inside the church of the Monastery was like nothing we had seen before … it was awe inspiring. Our driver/guide, Lubomir, was brilliant … he ably gave us an outline of the history of the Balkan Peninsula and the history of the Sofia area … we enjoyed his company and came away from the day…”
Travel from Plovdiv with an English-speaking guide to Asen’s Fortress, Bachkovo Monastery, and the Wonderful Bridges. This 7.5-hour small-group outing includes transport, coffee or tea, and mountain views, with up to 15 people aboard.
“It was a beautiful day in the Rhodopes. Iva was a super guide, communicative, friendly and humorous. She was able to tell me a lot about Bulgaria and its history. I can highly recommend this tour with her. Thank you!Auto-translated”
Pick a monastery, a ridge, a cellar or a beach.
