From Sofia: Plovdiv, Starosel Temple and an Art Village, Plovdiv

About this activity

Traverse millennia of history on a seamless day trip from Sofia. Traveling by air-conditioned coach, explore ancient Plovdiv, the mystical Starosel Thracian Temple, and the open-air street art village of Staro Zhelezare.

Plovdiv Old Town: Walk through historic cobblestone streets and major Roman ruins.
Lunch & Walk: Enjoy local food along Europe's longest pedestrian zone.
Starosel Temple: Discover an ancient 4th-century BC Thracian site.
Staro Zhelezare: Capture vibrant street art in a unique rural village.
Scenic Drive: Relax through the scenic Thracian Valley.

Important Details

This tour operates as a large group tour. Transport is provided by large 45 to 65-seater tourist coaches (not small minibuses). You will share the vehicle with other travelers and multi-language guided groups

Passengers with different options may share transport; add-ons may require vehicle/guide changes.

Closed-toe walking shoes are strictly required for uneven cobblestone streets.

Day Trips Full-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Audio Guides Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours

At a glance

Duration: 10 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 25 people
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: German, Russian, English, Italian, French, Spanish
Guide: English, Italian, Spanish
Operated by: Traventuria

Ages: Children (6–11 years) · Adults (12–80 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Comprehensive tour of Plovdiv Old Town, Starosel and Staro Zhelezare
Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle
Included: Surcharges on fuel: Fuel surcharge
Included: Professionnal driver/guide

Not included

Not included: Admission tickets (will be paid onsite)
Not included: Hotel pickup and drop-off
Not included: Food and drinks
Not included: Gratuities

Itinerary

Vasil Levski Monument

15 min

Your day trip starts at 08:00 AM from the Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia). Please arrive by 07:45 AM to check in. Board our comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle for the drive to Plovdiv.
Plovdiv Old Town

2 hours

Explore one of Europe's oldest cities! Your guide will lead you through the cobbled streets of the Old Town architectural reserve. Marvel at the 19th-century National Revival houses, ancient Roman walls, and historic churches while learning about Plovdiv's 8,000-year history.
Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis

30 min Admission not included

Visit the spectacular 1st-century Roman amphitheater. Still an active venue for opera and concerts, this UNESCO-listed site offers the most iconic panoramic views of Plovdiv and the Rhodope Mountains. (Entry is optional and paid locally).
Ancient Stadium of Philippopolis

30 min

Discover the massive Roman Stadium (2nd century AD) located right beneath the feet of shoppers on the main pedestrian street. You will also have time to explore the vibrant "Kapana" (The Trap) creative district.
Kapana

one hour

Stroll through Europe’s longest pedestrian zone and dive into the trendy, car-free streets of the Kapana creative hub. Enjoy dedicated free time to grab an authentic local lunch at a courtyard café, shop for unique handmade souvenirs, and soak up Plovdiv's artistic energy at your own pace.
Thracian Temple Complex Starosel

one hour Admission not included

Step inside ancient mysteries as you climb the grand stone staircase of Europe's largest 4th-century BC Thracian royal tomb. Walk through the mystical 10-column dome chamber with an expert guide and uncover secret rituals older than many Roman monuments.

Note : The itinerary depends on the specific option you have booked

Alternative route : Koprivshtitsa - Spend extra time in the town, exploring its colorful revolutionary houses and the "First Shot" bridge, soaking in the mountain atmosphere.
Staro Zhelezare Street Art Village

one hour

Capture surreal photos in a traditional rural village completely transformed into a vibrant, open-air street art gallery. Walk past local homes and barns where village elders are painted right alongside global celebrities, politicians, and pop-culture icons.

Alternative route : Koprivshtitsa - Spend extra time in the town, exploring its colorful revolutionary houses and the "First Shot" bridge, soaking in the mountain atmosphere.
Plovdiv

Passing by

After exploring the street art in Staro Zhelezare, we will make a quick, scheduled stop back in Plovdiv to pick up the passengers who chose the Plovdiv-only option. Once the entire group is comfortably back on board, we will head straight back to Sofia.
Vasil Levski Monument

10 min

Sit back and relax on the drive back to Sofia. You will be dropped off at the original meeting point.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

IMPORTANT: The meeting point is Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia). Please, be there 15 min. in advance! | This tour is not suitable for children under the age of 5.

End point

IMPORTANT: The meeting point is Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia). Please, be there 15 min. in advance! | This tour is not suitable for children under the age of 5.

Using your ticket

Google Maps link for where we will meet the travelers before the tour: https://goo.gl/maps/KY3uaHDALKjDJukQA | GPS coordinates: 42.695601, 23.333790

Cancellation

Free cancellation

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

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Minimum age is 6 years, children must be accompanied by an adult
Features historic cobblestone streets with slight inclines in Plovdiv's Old Town. Comfortable walking shoes and sun protection (sunscreen/hat) are highly recommended.
The Regional Ethnographic Museum - Plovdiv is closed on Mondays
Operates in all weather conditions. During the summer months, temperatures in Plovdiv are significantly higher than in Sofia.
Travel safely in a modern, fully insured, air-conditioned vehicle led by a professional regional driver.
Please provide a valid mobile number (with WhatsApp preferred) at checkout so our coordination team can easily reach you regarding morning departures if needed.
If selecting a self-guided (Audio App) option, please note that you must bring your own smartphone and headphones. Using the audioguide throughout the day requires active internet, and we strongly recommend bringing a power bank to ensure your phone battery lasts the entire tour.
For tours booked in Spanish or Italian, you will be met by a local expert at the historical sites. The Traventuria host accompanying you on the bus from Sofia will manage travel logistics and will speak a different language (usually English).
The Starosel/Art Village option returns the latest of all routes. This is because the bus must loop back into Plovdiv city center in the late afternoon to collect passengers who remained in the city for "Extra Free Time" before heading back to Sofia.
Please note that both the Koprivshtitsa and the Starosel itineraries are long, full-day tours. Expect a late return to Sofia, typically between 18:30 and 19:30.

Options

ENG Guide: Kopriv. Combo

➤ You will visit: Plovdiv's historic old town and the stunning 19th-century National Revival museum town of Koprivshtitsa.

✔ Live English Guided Tour: with a dedicated English-speaking guide for both the bus transfer and on-site walking tours at Plovdiv & Koprivshtitsa.

Starosel Completely SKIPPED: You visit Koprivshtitsa instead! ⚠ Fast-paced day. Vehicle change in Plovdiv MAY occur. Plovdiv free time is limited.

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

➤ You will visit: Plovdiv's old town, the ancient Starosel Thracian Temple, and the famous Staro Zhelezare street art mural village in one day.

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

➤ Return Route Logistics: mean after Starosel and the art village, the bus must return to Plovdiv to collect other passengers before heading to Sofia.

⚠ 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.
Italian Local Guide

➤ You will visit: Plovdiv's old town, the ancient Starosel Thracian Temple, and the famous Staro Zhelezare street art mural village today.

Local Italian Guide: is included for the Plovdiv and Starosel tours. Note: Sofia bus transfer is accompanied by an English or Spanish coordinator.

➤ Return Route Logistics: mean after Starosel and the art village, the bus must return to Plovdiv to collect other passengers before heading to Sofia.

Vehicle & Group Size:: Transport is provided by large 45 to 65-seater tourist coaches (not small minibuses). You will share the vehicle with other t
English Guided Tour

➤ You will visit: Plovdiv's old town, the ancient Starosel Thracian Temple, and the famous Staro Zhelezare street art mural village in one day.

➤ Return Route Logistics: mean after Starosel and the art village, the bus must return to Plovdiv to collect other passengers before heading to Sofia.

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

➤ You will visit: Plovdiv's historic old town and the stunning 19th-century National Revival museum town of Koprivshtitsa.

❌ NO Live Guide In ANY Lang.: This is an AUDIO app tour on a shared large bus. Foreign commentary may be audible. Bring headphones! Basic English host.

Starosel Completely SKIPPED: You visit historic Koprivshtitsa instead! ⚠ Fast-paced day. Vehicle change in Plovdiv MAY occur. Plovdiv time is cut short.

⚠ 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.
Spanish Local Guide

➤ You will visit: Plovdiv's old town, the ancient Starosel Thracian Temple, and the famous Staro Zhelezare street art mural village in one day.

Local Spanish Guide: is included for the Plovdiv and Starosel tours. Note: Sofia bus transfer is accompanied by an English or Italian coordinator.

➤ Return Route Logistics: mean after Starosel and the art village, the bus must return to Plovdiv to collect other passengers before heading to Sofia.

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