Plovdiv Day Tour from Sofia: Explore Ancient History & Culture

Your day trip starts at 9:00 am behind Vasil Levski Monument, in front of Embassy of Slovakia in central Sofia. You will board a comfy, air-conditioned minibus and head for a 2-hour drive on the motorway to Plovdiv. This is the time that you will learn from your guide more about Bulgarian history, culture, economy and nature.

Picking up the clients who have booked pick-up from the airport.

Hisar Kapia, the "Castle Gate," is the most photographed symbol of the Old Town, constructed in the medieval era upon older Roman foundations. Your guide will highlight how this site demonstrates Plovdiv’s continuous habitation by pointing out the distinct layers of construction visible in the walls. You will learn about the gate's role in the city's defense, while the guide's narrative emphasizes how the beautiful Bulgarian National Revival houses were uniquely built directly into and over the ancient fortress walls, creating a seamless blend of history and architecture.

Walk through the centuries in the Old Town of Plovdiv, an architectural reserve steeped in Thracian, Roman, and Bulgarian Renaissance history.

Join our 2.5-hour walking tour on the narrow, cobbled paths to see the major highlights:

- The spectacular Ancient Theater of Philippopolis.

- Magnificent Bulgarian Renaissance houses.

- Plovdiv's Ethnographic Museum and remnants of the Roman Stadium.

Your Guide Options: Choose between an engaging professional guide or the flexibility of a detailed audio guide.

Discover the ancient heart of Plovdiv in just 2.5 hours!

The Easter gate of Ancient Philippopolis is the point from where our guided/audio-guided walking tour of Plovdiv starts. At this site, you will explore the ruins of the main, most representative entrance to the ancient city. Your guide will point out the original 13-meter-wide Roman street, paved with large syenite slabs, as well as remnants of the monumental gate structure. The guide’s commentary will focus on the complex’s strategic importance on the road to Byzantium and its ceremonial role. You will learn how the gate was rebuilt and adapted over time, with the guide helping you clearly distinguish the multiple layers of the city's ancient defences and urban planning.

Housed in the magnificent Kuyumdzhiev House, your guide will first focus on the building itself—a shining example of wealthy 19th-century Bulgarian National Revival architecture. You will receive insight into the ornate façade and elegant interior, understanding how they reflect the era's prosperity. Inside, the guide’s commentary will help you interpret the rich exhibits, focusing on the traditional material and spiritual culture of the Plovdiv region, from folk costumes and jewelry to crafts, truly bringing Bulgarian life from past centuries to light.

Nebet Tepe is the birthplace of Plovdiv, where the earliest Thracian settlement was founded over 8,000 years ago, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited spots in the world. As you stand on this "Hill of the Guards," you’ll explore the preserved ruins of the ancient citadel walls, including cyclopean masonry and a Roman-era water reservoir. The experience culminates in a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view over the entire city, offering a perfect orientation point for the tour. 

Your guide will weave the foundational myths and history of the city right on the spot where it all began.

As one of Plovdiv’s oldest church sites, dating back to 337 AD, your guide will provide historical context on the church's evolution, explaining its significant rebuilding during the 19th-century National Revival period. Inside, despite the modest exterior, the guide will draw your attention to the impressive religious art, focusing on the beautifully carved wooden iconostasis and magnificent icons. Commentary will specifically highlight masterpieces from the Debar Iconographic School, including works by the famous Bulgarian artist Zahari Zograf, providing context on their artistic importance.

Join a guided tour of Plovdiv to step inside the magnificent Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis, one of the world's best-preserved Roman theatres. Your guide will illuminate the 1st-century history of this venue that hosted between 5,000 and 7,000 spectators, and it is currently in use. Get a sophisticated explanation of its use for both theatre and gladiator games. Standing in the marble seating provides a breathtaking view over the city, connecting you directly to Plovdiv’s rich past and present. 

Unearth a colossal piece of ancient history right beneath Plovdiv's modern main pedestrian street. Built in the 2nd century AD, this stadium was modeled after the one in Delphi and could seat up to 30,000 spectators for athletic competitions and gladiator fights.

Your guide (live or audio) will lead you to the magnificently preserved northern curved section (sphendone), where you will see the original marble seating rows decorated with stylised lion paws. Through detailed commentary, the guide will help you visualise the structure's massive scale and bring to life the atmosphere of Roman-era games and gladiator contests. It is a great place to take selfies. 

After the guided tour of the Old Town, you will have about an hour and a half to further independently explore the attractions of the city centre. You can have lunch (own expense) or go shopping on "Glavnata"- the longest pedestrian in Europe. You can get entertained by some of the artistic events organized in the heart of the city while Plovdiv is celebrating its nomination as the European Capital of Culture for 2019. A lot of tourists choose to wander in the Kapana neighbourhood - a place with a bohemian vibe, chic bars and beautiful graffiti. The region of Plovdiv is famous for its wine production and in Kapana you will find options to sample some of the local red or white wines.

Dropping off the clients who have booked drop off at the airport.

After you have immersed in the unique atmosphere of Plovdiv, sit back and relax on your 2-hour transfer back to Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia) with a stop at the Airport before that.