Starosel attractions

You will meet your guide near the Ramada Trimontium hotel in Plovdiv, who will accompany you for the whole walking tour and give you an audio guide device and headphones. The recordings are available in nine languages, so you’ll listen in your own language as you move through the city. The guide will hold up a sign showing the number of each sight and you will enter that number on the audio guide to hear the relevant commentary. As you go, you’ll visit more than 20 landmarks and cultural monuments, enter churches and temples, and take photos at your own pace without needing to stay right beside the guide. The audio guides work even inside landmarks, so you’ll hear the narration while inside churches and other sites. The tour ends near the 15th-century Mosque, where you can relax and enjoy Turkish coffee if you wish. Overall, you’ll explore Plovdiv’s highlights freely, in your native language, and at a comfortable pace.

Exploring the sights of Plovdiv, the capital of culture, will be easy and flexible with a self-guided audio tour. You will wander through the Old Town at your own pace using an audio guide and a map of the route. As you approach each sight, you will dial its number to start the relevant recording, so you can listen when you are ready and spend more time at the places that interest you most. After payment you will receive a link to the audio files by email; the link will become active on the day you selected and will be valid for 24 hours. You will listen to the recordings on your phone and will need internet access and headphones, especially to hear recordings inside temples. Internet consumption is minimal.

You will find Cork & Fork in the heart of Plovdiv, housed in the historic Atlas House And Luxury Suits. This wine bar and enoteca focuses on the diversity of Bulgarian wines. On the wine list you will see 365 Bulgarian wines from over 110 wineries across the country, representing the five wine regions of Bulgaria and their most characteristic varieties and styles. You can book individual or group tastings, attend themed wine dinners, or sample wines by the glass while enjoying an exclusive selection of farm dairy and meat products and premium tapas and bites. Along the way the team will showcase regional styles and pairings in a unique, authentic atmosphere. You may also find Cork & Fork a suitable venue for wine team buildings, company events, celebrations and gatherings with friends and loved ones.

Setting off from Plovdiv, you’ll drive into the Rhodope Mountains and pass through the pretty town of Assenovgrad. Nearby lie the remarkable remains of King Ivan Assen’s fortress; at the site you’ll find a 13th‑century church decorated with authentic pieces of iconography and a stone inscription carved by King Ivan Assen, offering a direct link to the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. You’ll then go deeper into the Rhodopes to the picturesque Bachkovo Monastery. The cloister here is the second largest in Bulgaria, founded in 1083, and remains one of the most sacred places in Bulgarian history. Along the way there is the option to stop if you wish, and if you are the only person booked for that day the tour will be just for you. The maximum group size for this experience is six people.

On this guided walking tour of Plovdiv you'll explore one of the world's oldest settlements, founded on three neighbouring hills with a history that dates back to around 4,000 BC. As you move through the heart of the city, you will hear historical facts and local legends that explain how Thracian, Roman and Bulgarian influences shaped the town you see today. Plovdiv is also the current European Capital of Culture this year. Along the way you'll visit key sights including the Roman Theatre and parts of the Roman Stadium, walk along what is known as the longest pedestrian street in Europe, and wander the Revival Old Town with its distinctive 19th-century colourful houses. The guide will point out architectural highlights and explain the layers of history in each area, helping you understand how different epochs have been preserved in the cityscape. Please note the streets are cobbled, so wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking.

In Plovdiv, you can explore the city at your own pace while using the app to listen to the tour; it gives clear directions about where to go next. The route begins at the Roman Forum of Philippopolis, the ancient political and social heart of the city, surrounded by columns and civic buildings. Nearby, you will see the mosaics of the Roman Basilica of Philippopolis. As you move through the centre, you will pass through Tsar Simeon Garden and the Singing Fountains, then continue to the Roman Stadium of Philippopolis and the still‑active Roman Theatre of Philippopolis. Walking the Old Town streets, you will encounter Lamartine House, Klianti House, the Regional Ethnographic Museum Plovdiv and Balabanov House. Along the way you will pass the Yellow School, visit the Church of St. Petka and the Church of St. Constantine and Helena, and conclude near the Boris Hristov House of Culture. Listen, walk and let Plovdiv reveal itself.

In Plovdiv you'll explore an 8,000‑year history that ranges from ancient ruins to lively modern neighbourhoods. As you move through the city, you'll see remains from Roman times and learn about their place in the long story of the city. You will also take in the elegant Revival architecture that shapes much of Plovdiv's historic centre. Along the way you'll spend time in the Kapana district, with its cosy restaurants and creative atmosphere. The tour is run in a small-group format, so you'll have a more personal experience as you explore these highlights. Hotel pickup is included, making it simple to start your visit.

Koprivshtitsa, about 110 km southeast of Sofia, will introduce you to the feel of the Bulgarian Renaissance. The road to the town passes through small valleys and follows the southern foothills of the Balkan Mountains, and as you arrive you'll see well‑preserved 19th‑century houses with colourful courtyards set behind high stone walls and gates. The town’s narrow, curved cobbled streets, irregular plots and numerous stone fountains add to its charm. Many of the old houses have been turned into museums, yet each retains its own identity that reflects the original household’s trade and family size, so you’ll gain a sense of local life from the period. On the return to Sofia you’ll follow a different route through the valley of Strelcha, known for its rose bushes used to produce rose oil. The valley is particularly picturesque in May and June when the roses are in bloom, offering a contrasting landscape after your time in Koprivshtitsa. Exploring the town’s streets and the Strelcha valley together provides a clear, tangible way to connect with the region’s cultural and natural heritage.

This day tour brings together two contrasting sides of Bulgaria: the natural spectacle of the Marvelous Bridges and the quiet charm of the village of Kosovo. At the Marvelous Bridges you will see natural rock arches carved from solid rock over millions of years. You will get views across dramatic rock formations and a rushing river below, and the scenery offers plenty of moments to pause and take in the scale and texture of the landscape. In Kosovo you will find traditional homes, cobbled streets and a strong sense of community. As you move through the village you will encounter well‑preserved elements of local history and culture, and you may have the chance to enjoy Rhodope cuisine typical of the area. Along the way the combination of natural beauty and rural life will give a rounded picture of this part of Bulgaria, blending geological wonder with everyday village traditions.

This tour will take you on a journey through time to explore the ancient Thracian civilisation. You will visit the Valley of the Thracian Kings, home to some of the most impressive and well-preserved Thracian tombs, and explore Augusta Trayana, an ancient city that was once a major centre of trade and culture. As you move through these sites, the focus will be on the people, practices and regional impact of the Thracians, helping you place the monuments in their wider historical context. Your guide is educated in History and Archaeology and will do his best to make history come back to life. Along the way you will hear about the art, burial customs and cultural connections that shaped the region. By the end of the tour you will gain a deeper understanding of the Thracians and their influence on the area.

Starting from Plovdiv, you will travel towards the Balkan Mountain, passing through several small Bulgarian villages along the way. As you move through the Valley of Roses, you may choose to stop there. You will then arrive at the Russian Church Nativity of Christ where you can take time to enjoy its distinctive architecture. After admiring the church, you will visit the largest tomb in the valley of the Thracian kings, built in 330 BC. The experience concludes as you head up to Buzludzha Peak to see the UFO - Buzludzha Monument. Throughout the trip you will see a mix of rural landscapes, historical sites and striking monuments.

Set in the Rose Valley, this activity offers a truly authentic, local and bespoke experience. It has been shaped around the character of the area and personalised attention, so the time you spend here will reflect local ways of life and tastes rather than a standard itinerary. As you move through the valley, you will take in its spectacular surroundings and the atmosphere that makes the place special. Along the way you may learn about local traditions and the valley’s cultural character, and you may have opportunities to engage with people and practices that are specific to the area. The pacing and content are tailored, so what you experience can feel personal and distinct to the Rose Valley setting. Overall, the activity aims to give you a genuine sense of place and is presented as a memorable, locally grounded option for those interested in an individualised encounter with the valley.

You’ll set out on a guided cycling route around Plovdiv that blends green spaces and city highlights. Along the way you’ll ride beside the 2.2 km Rowing Canal, where a park and fresh food stands offer a chance to grab snacks or a healthy breakfast. You’ll climb to Plovdiv’s highest hill, which provides great views and a pleasant spot to rest or picnic. The route also takes you through Tzar Simeon’s garden and past the singing fountains, a well-known local meeting point, and you’ll visit a few other secret places kept as a surprise. As you move through the city your guide will lead the way and point out each stop. After the ride you’ll return to the bike centre, and the guide will help you find a pleasant place to relax and have lunch. The tour can be personalised to suit your needs and wishes, with a variety of cycling routes available — from uphill sections to downhill or mostly flat options — so you can choose the pace and terrain that suits you.

This experience takes you through Bulgaria's recent history, with visits to the Buzludzha Monument and the East Block aviation museum. Built in the late 1970s, the Buzludzha Monument stands as a symbol of Bulgaria's communist past. It sits on the top of a mountain and can be reached by a winding road, where you will see the monument’s distinctive form and learn about its historical significance as you move around the site. The tour also includes a visit to the East Block aviation museum. There you will learn about the Eastern Block’s accomplishments in aviation warfare and the space programme during the Cold War. Together, the two stops will give you a focused look at both the ideological and technological aspects of communist-era Bulgaria, combining architectural history with military and aerospace heritage.

A Taste of Spring is a collaborative experience from Food Nomads, Villa Velis Winery and vegetable garden Season that brings together wine, food and the rhythms of the season. At Villa Velis’ wine cellar you will learn about winemaking and spend time among the vineyards and production areas. Along the way you’ll get a sense of the winery’s approach and the qualities of its wines. After a walk through the vineyards and the winery, you will sit down to a special lunch prepared entirely with seasonal produce from the regenerative garden of Sezon. Sezon’s chef has created an ambitious four-course menu inspired by spring vegetables, with each dish paired with wines from Villa Velis to highlight their aromas and flavours. The meal is designed to balance the ingredients and the wines, offering a thoughtful combination of taste and texture.