Plovdiv Small Group Full Day Guided Tour from Sofia

Travel hassle-free from Sofia to Plovdiv and back in the comfort of a modern and air-conditioned minibus. Plovdiv is one of the oldest towns in the world. More ancient than Rome! With an expert guide at your side, explore and experience its millennia of epic history, monumental attractions, unique Bulgarian culture, and way of life. Your guide will take you to the most interesting sites and pinpoint fascinating details missed by the general public. Still, you will have ample free time to stroll on your own along the longest pedestrian street in Europe and sample local food and drinks.

Itinerary

1. Vasil Levski Monument · 15 min

   Your day trip starts early at 08:00 AM from the Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia) to beat the summer heat and the crowds! Board our comfortable, shared tourist coach and begin your journey.

2. Plovdiv Old Town · 1 h 30 min

   Upon arrival in Plovdiv—one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe—you will begin a comprehensive walking tour. Walk along the cobbled streets and marvel at the beautifully restored 19th-century National Revival houses. (Logistics Note: If you booked a tour in Spanish or Italian, you will be met by a dedicated local expert guide here, while your onboard host from Sofia manages transport logistics).

3. Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis · 30 min

   Explore one of the world's best-preserved ancient Roman amphitheaters. Still used for performances today, this spectacular 1st-century structure offers breathtaking panoramic views. (Entry is optional; local fee approx. 2.56 € cash).

4. 30 min

   Discover the massive Roman Stadium built in the 2nd century AD, located beneath the main pedestrian street. Your guided portion concludes near the vibrant "Kapana" (The Trap) creative district.

5. Plovdiv Province · 3 h

   How the afternoon works depends on the Option you booked: Plovdiv Extended Free Time: If you booked the base Plovdiv tour, you now have massive extended free time! Relax, dine in Kapana, or visit museums at your own pace. (Note: The shared bus will leave Plovdiv to conduct the "Grand Tours" and return later in the afternoon to pick you up). Starosel OR Koprivshtitsa Grand Tours: If you booked a premium upgrade, you will re-board the bus and travel into the countryside to visit the Thracian Tomb of Starosel & Staro Zhelezare Art Village, OR the historic 19th-century town of Koprivshtitsa (depending on the day's specific route).

6. 15 min

   After completing the day's itinerary and reuniting the group in Plovdiv, the bus travels back to Sofia. We will make a brief scheduled stop at Sofia Airport to drop off connecting passengers and shuttle riders.

7. Vasil Levski Monument · 5 min

   The tour concludes with a final drop-off at the original morning meeting point (or selected hotels, if the premium pickup option was booked). Expected return time is approximately 18:00 - 19:00, depending on traffic and the day's specific routing.

What's included

• Live Guide OR Audio Guide App (Depends entirely on the specific Option selected)
• Round-trip transportation by air-conditioned minibus or coach
• Extended Plovdiv time or trip to Starosel/Koprivshtitsa (Depends on your selected Option)

What's not included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Plovdiv & Starosel/Koprivshtitsa site tickets (Optional & payable locally)
• Smartphones, headphones,and internet data- Required ONLY if you book an Audio App/Self-Guided option
• Gratuities

Meeting point

Start time

07:56 · 07:59 · 08:00

End point

Languages

In-person guide: English, Italian, Spanish · Audio guide: German, Russian, English, Italian, French, Spanish

Travellers

• Child (5–11)
• Adult (12–80)

Options

• Audio App: Plovdiv Highlightsfrom €19

  ★ Massive Free Time in Town: enjoy massive extended free time to explore while the shared bus takes other guests on a side trip.

  ❌ NO Live Guide In ANY Lang.: This is a self-guided AUDIO app tour. The bus host speaks basic English only. Bring a charged smartphone and headphones!

  Hotel Pick-up EXCLUDED: from this option. You MUST meet the group at the central Sofia departure point. Do not wait at your hotel lobby!

  ⚠ Large Shared Bus Logistics: mean you may share a bus with a Spanish or Italian guided group. Their live guide commentary may interfere with your app.

  Start time: 08:00

  Audio guide: Italian, French, Russian, English, German, Spanish

• AudioApp:+Historic Koprivsticafrom €19

  ➤ Historic Koprivshtitsa: is included! After Plovdiv, you will travel to explore this stunning 19th-century National Revival museum town.

  ➤ Audio App Requirements: This is a self-guided phone tour. Bring a charged smartphone & headphones. No live English guide is included on this tour.

  ⚠ Large Shared Bus Logistics: mean you may share a bus with a Spanish or Italian guided group. Their live guide commentary may interfere with your app.

  Start time: 07:56

  Audio guide: Italian, French, Russian, English, German, Spanish

• ENG Guide: Plovdiv & Kopriv.from €25

  ★ Historic Koprivshtitsa Town: is included! ℹ Fast-paced, high-mileage day with a live ENG guide. Free time in Plovdiv is strictly limited to keep schedule.

  ⚠ Possible Vehicle Change: may occur. You travel in a shared bus from Sofia & MAY switch vehicles in Plovdiv. Guides may differ for each town.

  ℹ Fast-Paced Itinerary: means significantly more driving today. Because of the extra travel distance, your free time to explore and shop is cut short

  Vehicle & Group Size: : Transport is provided by large 45 to 65-seater tourist coaches (not small minibuses).

  Start time: 08:00

  In-person guide: English · Audio guide: Italian, French, Russian, German, English, Spanish

• ESP Local Guide: Plovdiv Tourfrom €25

  ➤Massive Extra Free Time: is included in Plovdiv while the bus takes other groups on a side trip. Explore at your own pace before the bus returns.

  Local Guide in Plovdiv: is included for the city tour. Note: The bus transfer from Sofia is accompanied by an English or Italian coordinator.

  Vehicle & Group Size: : Transport is provided by large 45 to 65-seater tourist coaches (not small minibuses).

  Start time: 08:00

  In-person guide: Spanish

• ITA Local Guide: Plovdiv Tourfrom €25

  ➤ Massive Extra Free Time: is included in Plovdiv while the bus takes other groups on a side trip. Explore at your own pace before the bus returns.

  Local Guide in Plovdiv: is included for the city tour. Note: The bus transfer from Sofia is accompanied by an English or Spanish coordinator.

  Vehicle & Group Size: : Transport is provided by large 45 to 65-seater tourist coaches (not small minibuses).

  Start time: 08:00

  In-person guide: Italian

• ENG Guide: Plovdiv Highlightsfrom €25

  ★ Plovdiv Tour & Free Time: enjoy a live English guided walk. Afterward, get massive extended free time while the shared bus takes others on a side trip.

  ✔ Live English Guided Tour: with a dedicated English-speaking guide for the walking tour in Plovdiv. You enjoy a relaxed pace with no rushed add-ons!

  Hotel Pick-up EXCLUDED: from this option. You MUST meet the group at the central Sofia departure point. Do not wait at your hotel lobby!

  Vehicle & Group Size: : Transport is provided by large 45 to 65-seater tourist coaches (not small minibuses).

  Start time: 08:00

  In-person guide: English · Audio guide: Italian, French, Russian, German, English, Spanish

Additional information

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Dynamic Itinerary & Shared Coach: To offer flexible options, this tour operates on a shared coach. If you book the "Extended Free Time" option, you will remain in Plovdiv to explore independently while the bus continues on to visit Starosel or Koprivshtitsa with the other passengers, returning later in the afternoon to pick you up.
• Guide Language Logistics: If you select a live guided tour in Spanish or Italian, your local tour will be conducted by an expert in that language. However, the transport host accompanying you on the bus from Sofia will manage logistics in a different language (usually English).
• Audio App Users: If you booked a self-guided/Audio App option, the onboard staff will assist with meeting times and logistics only. Please bring your own headphones, a fully charged smartphone, and ensure you have mobile internet data.
• Terrain & Dress Code: The Old Town of Plovdiv features steep, uneven cobbled streets. Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes are absolutely mandatory.
• Summer Weather: During summer, temperatures in Plovdiv can be extremely hot. Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a bottle of water are highly recommended
• All touch points in our vehicles will be frequently cleaned and disinfected.
• Museum Closures: Please note that the Regional Ethnographic Museum in Plovdiv is closed on Mondays.Confirmation will be received at the time of booking.Not wheelchair accessible.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult. Minimum age is 6 years

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.