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Bachkovo MonasteryTours

Our most recommended Bachkovo Monastery Tours

Plovdiv: Bachkovo Monastery, Fortress Asen, & Wonder Bridges

1. Plovdiv: Bachkovo Monastery, Fortress Asen, & Wonder Bridges

Begin the tour at the impressive Asen’s fortress, nearby the charming town of Asenovgrad. Explore the remarkable remains of King Ivan Asen's fortress and discover the nearby ancient 12th-century church painted with authentic pieces of iconography as well as the stone-made inscription carved by King Ivan Asen himself. Continue the tour with a drive to the picturesque Bachkovo monastery, the second largest in Bulgaria and over a thousand years old. Admire the sacred icon of the Virgin Mary dating back to the 14th century that rests inside, as well as the striking frescoed murals of the monastery's walls Conclude the trip with a visit to the "Wonderful Bridges". Situated high in the stunning Rhodope Mountains, 1,450 meters above sea level, admire these unique marble bridges formed by the erosive activity of what was once a high-water river. In summer the longest zip line on the Balkan Peninsula (240 meters) stretching between the 2 bridges is available for the more adventurous travelers.

From Plovdiv: Wonderful Bridges and Rhodope Cuisine Day Trip

2. From Plovdiv: Wonderful Bridges and Rhodope Cuisine Day Trip

The Wonderful Bridges are a stunning set of natural wonders that have been carved from solid rock over millions of years. With breathtaking views of the rushing river below and unique rock formations, this is a destination unlike any other. The village of Kosovo is a peaceful and authentic corner of Bulgaria, with traditional homes, cobbled streets, and a strong sense of community. Here, visitors can experience the charm of rural life and admire the well-preserved historical and cultural heritage of the village, and also enjoy the amazing Rhodope cuisine. At 08:00 your guide will pick you up from your hotel and you will start a beautiful and scenic trip toward the highlight of the day- Wonderful Bridges. The Wonderful Bridges are a set of unique natural bridges formed over millions of years through the process of erosion. These bridges are located in the Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria and are considered to be some of the most stunning and unusual geological formations in Europe. Each bridge is carved from solid rock and is a result of the relentless action of water over time. The bridges vary in size, shape, and height, but all have a natural beauty that is truly breathtaking. Some of the bridges are over 100 meters in height and span up to 50 meters across. The tallest and most famous bridge, known as the Eye Bridge, is a popular spot for tourists and is considered one of the most beautiful and impressive natural wonders in Bulgaria. After we admire the mighty of Nature we will start our drive deeper into the mountain and our goal is to reach an amazingly beautiful small village where you will taste the culture and the unique cuisine of the Rhodope region. The village is known for its well-preserved historical and cultural heritage, with many of the traditional homes and buildings dating back several hundred years. Visitors to Kosovo can admire the architecture and intricate details of the old homes, which are characterized by their wooden balconies and intricate carvings. After Kosovo, we will start our journey back to Plovdiv. On the way, we can make a stop and visit the second biggest monastery in Bulgaria- Bachkovo monastery. Its story started in the XI century but is mostly famous for the burial sites of two Bulgarian heroes, responsible for saving the Jews during the Second World War in Bulgaria. Despite the historical value of the place, the monastery is also very beautiful and it is surrounded by picturesque landscapes. Together, these destinations offer a unique and unforgettable experience that will leave you inspired and motivated. So join us on this day tour and discover the beauty and wonder of Bulgaria!

From Sofia: Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery

3. From Sofia: Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery

After you have been picked up from your hotel or accommodation in Sofia, enjoy an hour and a half scenic drive to Plovdiv.  Visit sights of historic importance such as the Roman Theatre and the Roman Stadium. Walk around the Old Town and admire the architecture of the houses, museums and cobbled streets typical of the Revival Period. After a traditional Bulgarian lunch, take a 25-minute drive to Asenova Fortress situated on the top of a cliff in Rodopi Mountain. Admire this medieval building and breathtaking views across the valley.  Visit Bachkovo Monastery, founded in 1083 and see the beautiful mural paintings which are still preserved today. End your tour with a drive back to Sofia where you will be dropped off at your accommodation.

From Plovdiv: Bachkovo Monastery & Asen’s Fortress Tour

4. From Plovdiv: Bachkovo Monastery & Asen’s Fortress Tour

Drive to the dramatic Rhodope Mountains for this half-day tour from Plovdiv, passing the pretty town of Asenovgrad to see the remarkable fortress remains of King Ivan Asen, a wise ruler of the 2nd Bulgarian Kingdom. Visit the 13th-century Church of the Holy Mother of God to admire the historic iconography and ferscoes. Enjoy panoramic views of the mountain scenery, and learn why the fortress gained importance in the Middle Ages, and how it was conquered by the armies of the Third Crusade. Next, head to picturesque Bachkovo Monastery deeper in the mountains. Founded in 1083, and one of the most sacred places in Bulgarian history, the monastery’s main church contains a valuable icon of the Virgin Mary from 11-th century that, according to legend, can work miracles. Admire the exterior of the 12th-century bysantine style Church of the Archangels. Admire the stunning mural on the outside wall of the refectory, representing a bird’s eye view of the monastery and the surrounding buildings. This is the largest panoramic mural of Bulgaria, painted in the middle of the 19-th sentury. The monastery complex tour ends at the Church of Saint Nikola, built between 1834 and 1837. There enjoy the impressive Doomsday frescoe in the narthex of the church.

From Sofia: Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery

5. From Sofia: Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery

Leave Sofia and enjoy a full-day tour to Plovdiv, Asen's fortress, and Bachkovo Monastery with a licensed guide. See some of the most interesting historic sites in the area, like Nebet Tepe, the Roman theater of Phillippolis, and the Church of the Holy Mother of God on this tour. Leave Sofia and set out for a full-day tour to Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress, and Bachkovo Monastery. Start the day with hotel pickup in Sofia and relax on the 90-minute drive to Plovdiv. Visit the site of Nebet Tepe, an ancient settlement founded around 4000 BC, and see some historical buildings. Travel to the Roman theater of Phillippolis, one of the world's best-preserved ancient theaters. Marvel at the intricate wooden architecture of Hindliyan's house before moving on to the modern Kapana district to explore the shops and wander one of the longest pedestrian streets in Europe. Relax on the approximately 30-minute drive from Plovdiv to Asen's Fortress, perched on top of a hill in the beautiful Rhodope Mountains. Learn how the fortress that defended the route from the Aegean Sea to Thrace, and see the ruins of the fort itself and the Church of the Holy Mother of God. Admire some of the fragments of fourteenth-century murals in the church, and see its rectangular tower, believed the be the earliest preserved tower of its kind in the Balkans—Marvel at breathtaking views from the top of the fortress before departing for the next stop. Leave the fortress behind and stop at Bachkovo Monastery, the second-largest monastery in Bulgaria. Explore the main church with one of the oldest iconostasis in Bulgaria and the miraculous Icon of the Virgin Mary, the biggest fresco from the nineteenth century. Wander the Monastery and see the old dining room and original marble table, where monks ate for over three centuries, and gazer at the well-preserved murals in the St. Archangels and St. Nicolas churches. Sit in the courtyard and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and impressive trees. Buy handicrafts, honey, homemade jam, yogurt, herbs, and other gifts on the walk back by the monastery alley before returning back to Sofia on an approximately 2 hour and 20-minute drive.

From Sofia: Full-Day Tour to Plovdiv and Bachkovo Monastery

6. From Sofia: Full-Day Tour to Plovdiv and Bachkovo Monastery

On this full-day tour you will visit Plovdiv and the Bachkovo Monastery, located 170 kilometers from Sofia. You will start your journey from Sofia in the morning and first visit the old town of Plovdiv for a 2.5-hour walking tour through the Roman and medieval remains. You will then have some free time for a stroll along the main street in Plovdiv, enjoy an open-air café, or a quick kebab sandwich. Before returning to Sofia in the evening, stop at the Bachkovo Monastery (30 minute-drive from Plovdiv), where you can admire the churches and the dining room wall paintings from 1602. Plovdiv is one of the oldest European towns, contemporary to Troya and Mikena. It has existed as a settlement for about 8,000 years, and became a town 3,000 years ago during the Troyan war. In the historic quarter of the city you will see beautifully decorated Revival period houses, the ancient fortress-wall, the Roman forum and stadium, and magnificent churches. The old city of Plovdiv with its museums, historical sites, ancient houses, and paved streets is the perfect place for sightseeing.

From Sofia: Bachkovo Monastery and Plovdiv Day Trip

7. From Sofia: Bachkovo Monastery and Plovdiv Day Trip

Visit the Eastern Orthodox monastery of Bachkovo and admire its ancient frescos, valuable icons, and scenic courtyard. Afterward, head to Plovdiv and tour its old town. Meander through cobbled streets and be inspired by the city's architecture ranging from Antiquity to Bulgarian revivalism. Your day trip begins with a pickup from your hotel with a suggested departure time between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Depart for Bachkovo Monastery. The drive is around 2 hours and 15 minutes and takes you on a scenic drive through the Rhodope Mountains. Arrive at the monastery and spend time touring its grounds. Afterward, head to Plovdiv. The drive takes around 30 minutes. Stop for lunch in a traditional restaurant (subject to your decision) and then visit the old town of Plovdiv. Enjoy spending free time exploring Plovdiv and seeing its stunning architecture and stopping by its Roman theater. Conclude your day trip with a drive back to Sofia, taking approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.

3 Days Best of Plovdiv and the magic of the Rhodope mountain

8. 3 Days Best of Plovdiv and the magic of the Rhodope mountain

Day 1: Explore Plovdiv At 09:00 your guide will pick you up from your address in Sofia and your adventure will start. After an hour and a half drive, you will reach the amazing city of Plovdiv. We will park at the hotel and the expiration will start. The first stage of the tour will be a walking tour of the ancient ruins of Plovdiv. We will visit most of the main highlights – the IV century Bishop Basilica, wealthy merchants' houses from the XIX century, the Roman theatre, the Roman stadium, the 14th-century mosque, which gave the architect fashion in the whole Ottoman Empire, an old pharmacy, and many more. Our guide will share all his knowledge about Plovdiv and Bulgaria with you. The evening you can spend in “The Trap” area, full of small restaurants and bars, serving good craft beers and wines. Day 2: Hike the Eagle's eye and enter the Devil's throat At 08:30 your guide will pick you up from your hotel The driving time will be around 2 hours and a half, filled with stunning views and scenery. You will drive on one of the most beautiful roads in Bulgaria next to Vacha reservoir and Devin. The road will lead you into the mystical and impressive Trigrad Gorge. Our first adventure will be to hike the Eagle's Eye Mount and admire the stunning 360 view. The hike to the top is around an hour and it can be classified as moderate hiking. After the hike, we will continue our drive deeper into the Trigrad Gorge. We will reach the town Trigrad where you will have the chance to enjoy one of the best and most authentic cuisines in Bulgaria - the traditional Rhodope cuisine. After regaining strength with the excellent lunch we will head toward our final adventure - a visit to the Devil's throat cave. It is one of the most mystical, full of legends, and impressive natural sites- The Devil's Throat Cave. After this visit, we will head back to Plovdiv. Day 3: The Marvelous Bridges and the Village of Kosovo At 08:00 your guide will pick you up from your hotel and you will start a beautiful and scenic trip toward the highlight of the day- Marvelous Bridges. The Marvelous Bridges are a set of unique natural bridges formed over millions of years through the process of erosion. After we admire the mighty of Nature we will start our drive deeper into the mountain and our goal is to reach an amazingly beautiful small village where you will taste the culture and the unique cuisine of the Rhodope region. The village is known for its well-preserved historical and cultural heritage, with many of the traditional homes and buildings dating back several hundred years. Visitors to Kosovo can admire the architecture and intricate details of the old homes, which are characterized by their wooden balconies and intricate carvings. After Kosovo, we will start our journey back to Sofia. On the way, we can make a stop and visit the second biggest monastery in Bulgaria- Bachkovo monastery.

Plovdiv and Bachkovo: Private Full-Day Tour from Sofia

9. Plovdiv and Bachkovo: Private Full-Day Tour from Sofia

Visit Plovdiv, one of the oldest towns in the world, on this full-day private excursion from Sofia. Enjoy a 3-hour walking tour in the charming old quarter, and take in its ornate 19th century houses, the walls of the ancient fortress and magnificent churches. Note the Roman structures as well, including the theater, forum and stadium. In the afternoon, continue on to the Bachkovo Monastery, a famous religious site that’s popular with visitors. Admire the unique frescoes in the dining room and also the façade of the St. Nicolas Church, as the guide provides commentary about the history, architecture and modern day life of the monastery.

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Frequently asked questions about Bachkovo Monastery Tours

What are other things to do than Bachkovo Monastery Tours that are worth visiting in Plovdiv Province?

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Other Sightseeing Options in Bachkovo Monastery

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What people are saying about Bachkovo Monastery

Almost private tour because no one else had booked. Martin, our guide was perfect, adapting to all our requests and presenting us with all the facets of the places visited, smooth driving even in the mountains.

Evo was a great tour guide. Gave us lots of information about Plovdiv, the fortress and the monastery. We had plenty of time for lunch and to explore Plovdiv on our own … a brilliant day out.

It was a great trip with an awesome guide who was really knowledgeable. Would recommend

Fabulous. The guide was a fountain of information and we had a great day together.

Great day out, Plovdiv is lovely and our guide Plamin was great, very helpful