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Plovdiv Small Group Full Day Guided Tour from Sofia

202 Reviews 4.58 out of 5 stars Based on 202 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 90% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Sofia, Bulgaria

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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 23 (0) days in advance.

12 hours (approx.)
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Offered in: English
and 5 more
French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian

Overview

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.

What's Included

  • Round-trip transportation by air-conditioned minibus or coach
  • Extended Plovdiv time or trip to Starosel/Koprivshtitsa (Depends on your selected Option)
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (ONLY included if a "+ Pickup" option is selected at checkout)
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (If a standard 'Meeting Point' option is selected)
  • Plovdiv & Starosel/Koprivshtitsa site tickets (Optional & payable locally)
  • Gratuities
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What To Expect

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Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free

Vasil Levski Monument

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.
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Sofia International Airport

Before hitting the highway, the bus makes a scheduled stop at Sofia International Airport (and occasionally selected hotels) to pick up arriving passengers and regular shuttle ticket holders joining the route. Please sit back and relax as we complete these necessary boarding procedures before the 2-hour drive to Plovdiv.
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Plovdiv Old Town

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).
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1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis

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).
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30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Ancient Stadium of Philipopolis

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.
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30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Plovdiv Province

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).
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3 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Sofia International Airport

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.
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Vasil Levski Monument

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.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Plovdiv Small Group Full Day Guided Tour from Sofia?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EEST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-6992P9

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.58
202 reviews

Average 4.58 out of 5 stars based on 202 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

5 stars
142
4 stars
39
3 stars
18
2 stars
3
1 star
0

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On average, this is booked 23 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Round-trip transportation by air-conditioned minibus or coach
  • Extended Plovdiv time or trip to Starosel/Koprivshtitsa (Depends on your selected Option)
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (ONLY included if a "+ Pickup" option is selected at checkout)
  • Live Guide OR Audio Guide App (Depends entirely on the specific Option selected)
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (If a standard 'Meeting Point' option is selected)
  • Plovdiv & Starosel/Koprivshtitsa site tickets (Optional & payable locally)
  • Gratuities
  • Smartphones, headphones,and internet data- Required ONLY if you book an Audio App/Self-Guided option

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • 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
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
  • Operated by a business

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Free Cancellation

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You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EEST).

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  • Cool Rewards is a loyalty program operated by Cool Destinations. Rewards may be earned by any eligible person holding a Cool Destinations account, subject to the Cool Destinations customer Terms of Use.

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  • Rewards can be earned by making bookings on the Cool Destinations website. You will be able to see the value of the rewards you can earn during the booking process.
  • Earned rewards will be issued in a pending state and will move to a confirmed state 24 hours after the start time of the experience.
  • Earned rewards will be available to redeem once they are no longer in a pending state.
  • For bookings that are moved to a different travel date, the rewards will be redeemable after the amended travel date.
  • If a booking where rewards were issued is canceled, the earned rewards will not be redeemable and will be moved to a canceled state.

Redeeming rewards

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