The 8 Best Fortress Tours in Bulgaria

1.Small group tour to Plovdiv, Asen’s Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 164 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $90Our pick

Leave Sofia at 8:30 am for Plovdiv’s Roman ruins and Revival-era Old Town, then visit cliff-top Asen’s Fortress and Bulgaria’s second-largest monastery, Bachkovo. A professional English-speaking guide, private vehicle, hotel pickup, and drop-off are included. Guides such as Daniel, Theodore, Anna, Krisi, and Stanimira have led past departures.

“So much to see in Plovdiv it was good to have an experienced person help pull it all together. Wish we had a little more time to explore certain parts and while the recommendation for lunch was perfect from a culinary perspective it did not leave any time to go back to previous spots. Only suggestion is that it was hard to hear in the back seat of the transport so maybe a microphone or something else to project to all”

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2.Full-Day Belogradchik Rocks and Belogradchik Fortress from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · 10 to 11 hours (approx.) · from $95

Leave Sofia at 8:00 am for Belogradchik with a licensed English-speaking guide and driver, often Ventsislav. Visit the fortress, take in the strange red-rock pinnacles, and enjoy lunch in town. The group is limited to seven, hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and some departures may also include Venetsa Cave, so confirm the day’s plan before booking.

“Ventsis made the trip really enjoyable - extremely comfortable driver. He was very knowledgeable and accommodating in dropping off. We would highly recommend this trip”

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3.Full-Day Plovdiv and Asen’s Fortress Tour from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 36 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $35Best value

Travel from Sofia to Plovdiv and Asen’s Fortress with a guide such as Philip, Ivan, or Gregorio. Walk Plovdiv’s Old Town, see its Roman theatre, enjoy free time, then climb to a medieval fortress above the Rhodope Mountains. The small group, English guidance, and virtual reality headset add value, but uneven steps and extra entrance fees require planning.

“I opted for hotel pick up and drop off, which made me feel way more comfortable being alone in a new country. Tzvetomir was wonderful from the very beginning, and the car ride was great, chatting with him and the other people exploring Plovdiv. He knew a ton about the area and he helped take photos with my camera. 10/10, would definitely recommend!”

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4.Wonderful Bridges-Bachkovo Monastery-Assen’s Fortress – day tour from Plovdiv

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $134

Leave Plovdiv at 9:00 for a private guided trip through the Rhodope Mountains. Visit Asen’s Fortress, Bachkovo Monastery, and the Wonderful Bridges, with hotel pickup, commentary, and a group of no more than eight. Expect mountain roads, uneven paths, a 4 EUR fortress fee, and roughly seven to nine hours away.

“Took the Wonderful Bridges, Bachkovo Monastery, Assen's Fortress Private Day Tour from Plovdiv on Aug 31, 2017. Had a wonderful day at the sights and enjoyed getting a chance to see the Rhodope Mt's. The guide was very informative and helpful. Would definitely recommend it.”

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5.Bachkovo Monastery & Asen’s Fortress – day tour from Plovdiv

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $98

Travel from Plovdiv to Asen’s Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery in a small group of up to eight. Guides such as Kamen and Kalina explain Bulgarian history, Orthodox art, and local traditions in clear English. Expect mountain views, a short climb at the fortress, hotel pickup, and optional paid visits to the monastery refectory and nearby waterfall.

“Kamen is an exceptional guide. We booked this tour at 11 pm and the following day at 9 am he was under our hotel. It is a perfect trip for half a day if you are in Plovdiv without car. Kamen is eager to share information not only on the fortress and the Monastery, but also on Bulgaria and Bulgaria culture in general. Recommended!”

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6.Private trip to Bachkovo Monastery and Assen’s Fortress

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $55

Travel from Plovdiv with guide Lyuben to Bachkovo Monastery and Asen’s Fortress in about three hours. See a 1310 icon, colorful monastery frescoes, a 13th-century church, and Ivan Asen’s stone inscription. Pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, and English service are included. Fortress admission costs extra.

“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.”

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7.Plovdiv, Asen’s Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery small group tour with pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 9 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $94

Travel from Sofia with an English-speaking guide, usually Ventsislav, to Plovdiv’s Old Town, Nebet Tepe, Kapana, and the Ancient Theatre. Continue to Asen’s Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery in the Rhodope Mountains. The small group is capped at seven, with hotel pickup, transport, and selected entrance fees included.

“The tour start on time. Our tour guide Ventsislav is very organized from start to end. He is very knowledgable and know the ins and out of the city we visited. Our experience with Multi Travel highly on my record and create a lifetime memories.”

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8.Belogradchik Rocks and Belogradchik Fortress

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 16 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $168

Travel from Sofia to Belogradchik in a small group of up to 15 people, with an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, and return transport. Spend about two hours at the Roman-built fortress and two hours among the remarkable sandstone formations. Guides such as Mariya, Methodiy, and Stojan are praised for clear explanations and local legends.

“Excellent tour to an amazing fortress. Lots of climbing and great views. Methodiy was a knowledgeable and informative guide.”

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