Shuttle Day Tour, Bachkovo Option

Shuttle Day Tour, Bachkovo Option, 9.5 hours, rated 4.7 across 401 traveller reviews.

Overview

This day trip runs from Sofia to Plovdiv and back, with a stop at Asen's Fortress before the return leg. It is an excursion operated by V Travel Ltd, built around a two-hour drive each way and a guide who stays with the group through the Old Town portion. The whole day runs about 9.5 hours.

The shape of the day is straightforward. A guide walks the group through Plovdiv for roughly two hours, covering the Roman Theater, the Roman Stadium, a 19th-century house from the Ottoman period and a church. After that comes two hours of free time on the main pedestrian street, which the listing suggests for walking, lunch and coffee. The van then continues to Asen's Fortress for a short sightseeing stop before the drive back to Sofia, with arrival expected between 6:00 and 6:30 PM.

It suits travellers who want a structured first look at Plovdiv without organising a rental car or bus themselves. Reviews repeatedly credit the guides for making the day work, and one reviewer described a group of only six people. Note that the meeting point is in Sofia, at 2 Maria Luiza Boulevard across from the McDonald's, and hotel pickup is not included.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet in SofiaThe tour starts at the Serdika meeting point, 2 Maria Luiza Boulevard across from the McDonald's restaurant. Hotel pickup is not included.
2. Drive to PlovdivThe coach or van covers the distance to Plovdiv in about 2 hours.
3. Guided tour of PlovdivA guided walking tour of about 2 hours takes in the Roman Theater, Roman Stadium, a 19th-century house and a church.
4. Free time in PlovdivTwo hours on your own along the main pedestrian street, with time for lunch, coffee, walking and museums. Museum entries are paid separately.
5. Transfer to Asen's FortressA 30-minute drive brings the group to the fortress area.
6. Asen's Fortress sightseeingAbout 30 minutes at the medieval fortress, with entry of €4 paid on site.
7. Drive back to SofiaThe return drive takes about 2 hours, with arrival at the Serdika meeting point expected around 6:00 to 6:30 PM.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you plan the day, from entry fees to what the pace actually feels like.

• Bring cash. Entrance to Asen's Fortress costs €4, Plovdiv museums are €4 each or €11 for all including the Roman Theater, and lunch is on your own.
• Pace and walking. Expect around two hours of guided walking followed by two hours of free time. Several reviewers said the pace was comfortable and the schedule was kept, though one felt more free time in Plovdiv would help.
• Group feel. The listing describes this as a small group tour with a guide ready to answer questions, and one reviewer described a group of six that felt almost private. That smaller setting came up in that review as a highlight of the day.
• Guides and languages. Live guiding in English is included with the right option, and an online audio guide covers Spanish, Italian, French, German and Russian. One reviewer found the audio guide unnecessary when a live guide was present.
• Dress code. The listing advises women to have knees and shoulders covered for monastery visits. Comfortable shoes make sense given the walking tour and the fortress stop.
• Photos at the fortress. The fortress stop is short, about 30 minutes, but reviewers single out the views over the mountains from the top. Have the camera ready on arrival.

Common issues. Entry fees are not included: €4 for Asen's Fortress, €4 per Plovdiv museum or €11 for all including the Roman Theater, plus lunch and any spa costs on the spa variant. One reviewer said the guide was hard to hear in the van and suggested a microphone or speakers. Some travellers feel the free time in Plovdiv is a little short. Hotel pickup is not offered, so everyone makes their own way to the Serdika meeting point in Sofia.

Common Questions