Top 12 Bulgaria Castle Tours

1.From Sofia: Full-Day Tour to Plovdiv and Asen’s Fortress

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 350 reviews · 9h 30m · from $45Our pick

Travel from Sofia in a small group of 8 to 18, with an English or Bulgarian guide, to explore Plovdiv’s Roman Theater, Roman Stadium, old town, and 19th-century homes. You get two hours to explore and eat independently, then visit Asen’s Fortress for mountain views. Museum and fortress fees cost extra.

“If you have a perfect tour guide then the trip goes perfect. He explain us everything . Thank you again Cheers From Cyprus”

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2.From Sofia: Plovdiv, Asen’s Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 270 reviews · 9 hours · from $88

Travel from Sofia in a small group of up to eight, with an English-speaking guide such as Mika, Lyuboslav, or Daniel. Explore Plovdiv’s Roman ruins and Revival-era Old Town, then visit cliff-top Asen’s Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery. Allow for walking, steps, lunch, and a full day on the road.

“Our guide was extremely informative and knowledgeable, with lots of history packed in, learnt a huge amount. It was a very well organised tour and was flexible to accomodate everyone’s needs. Highly recommend, was worth every penny in my opinion!”

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3.Small group tour to Plovdiv, Asen’s Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 164 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $90Top rated

Leave Sofia at 8:30 a.m. with a guide such as Daniel, Teodor, Anna, Krisi, or Stanimira, then visit Plovdiv’s Roman ruins and Revival-era Old Town, Asen’s Fortress, and Bachkovo Monastery. Hotel pickup, transport, guiding, and admission fees are included. Plan for a long day with plenty of walking.

“Be ready for a lot of walking. Best to go on cooler days. 2hr drive to Plovdiv - a beautiful town with a lot of history. The nearby Monastery is also beautiful.”

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4.Full-Day Belogradchik Rocks and Belogradchik Fortress from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · 10 to 11 hours (approx.) · from $95

Travel from Sofia in a group of up to seven to see the strange red-rock pinnacles of Belogradchik, climb its Roman-era fortress, and enjoy mountain views. Licensed guide and driver Ventsislav is frequently assigned to the tour. Venetsa Cave has also featured on some outings, but confirm its inclusion before booking.

“The guide was wonderful and I had a terrific time walking around the scenery. He was a good driver and the van was very comfortable”

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5.From Sofia: Belogradchik Fortress & Venetsa Cave 12 hrs Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 73 reviews · 12 hours · from $70

Travel from Sofia to northwestern Bulgaria for Belogradchik Fortress and its strange sandstone rock towers, then continue to Venetsa Cave. Expect about six hours on the road, guided visits, time to climb and explore, and helpful local guidance from staff such as Radi, Maria, or Dimitar. Fortress and cave tickets cost extra.

“Had a fantastic day. Radi was a brilliant guide with so many facts both at the sites and along the way”

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6.From Sofia: Day Trip to Belogradchik Rocks and Fortress

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 56 reviews · 1 day · from $93

Travel from Sofia to the Belogradchik Rocks in a small group of up to seven. Guide Ventsislav is known for clear local stories and careful driving. Walk among rock shapes such as the Madonna and Gorilla, visit the Roman-era fortress, and choose an optional 45-minute downhill hike. Allow three hours each way for the drive.

“best day trip ever! such a fun location, great guide, fantastic”

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7.Belogradchik Rocks and Fortress from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 43 reviews · 10 hours · from $122

Travel from Sofia to the red and yellow Belogradchik Rocks, then walk through the Roman-founded fortress built among them. The 10-hour small-group trip includes hotel pickup, transport, and an English- or Spanish-speaking guide. Guides such as Maria, Angel, and Nadya are praised for local history, food tips, and attentive service.

“Excellent guide and trip, shame the cave had a power cut so we couldn’t go in!”

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8.Sunny Beach: Sozopol Old Town, Ravadinovo Castle & Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 30 reviews · 1 hour · from $93

Travel from Sunny Beach or Nessebar to Sozopol for a boat ride, guided old-town walk, traditional lunch, and free time. English guide Souren is lively and clear, while Ravadinovo Castle adds a fanciful, highly unusual final stop. Transport, entrance fees, lunch, and the cruise are included.

“W tej cenie mogłoby nie być nawet wizyty w zamku w ravadinovie który osobiście nas zawiódł. Przewodnicy wspaniali, rejs świetny, bez zarzutów.”

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9.From Plovdiv: Bachkovo Monastery & Asen’s Fortress Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · 3 hours · from $96

Travel from Plovdiv to Asenovgrad and into the Rhodope Mountains with an English-speaking driver-guide. See Asen’s Fortress, the 13th-century Church of the Holy Mother of God, Bachkovo Monastery, its miracle-working icon, panoramic mural, and 19th-century frescoes. Hotel pickup, drop-off, and parking are included.

“Fantastic guide. Great tour for someone who wants a short tour”

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10.From Sofia: Plovdiv, Asen’s Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 23 reviews · 1 day · from $93

Join a small group of up to seven from Sofia for Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress, and Bachkovo Monastery. Guides such as Ventsislav and Dimitriv lead the day in English, with hotel pickup, transport, Asen's Fortress admission, and Hindlian House entry included. Expect Roman ruins, mountain views, Orthodox art, and about three hours in Plovdiv.

“Ventsislav, nosso guia e motorista, é uma pessoa ótima, muito solícito, profissional e educado! Nosso tour de um dia por Plovdiv, a fortaleza e o mosteiro de Bachkovo foi muito bom e ficou ainda melhor com todas as explicações do Vent, que nos contou fatos históricos e curiosidades, além de esclarecer dúvidas sobre costumes do povo búlgaro. O tour é recomendadíssimo e a experiência, imperdível!”

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11.Ravadinovo Castle Unseen

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 12 reviews · from $33Best value

Visit Ravadinovo Castle on Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast with private support, an audio guide in English, Russian, or Bulgarian, and a digital guide for your phone. The castle receives about four hours, while nearby stops may include a resort town, beach, aquapark, and other local sights. You return to the castle meeting point.

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12.Small Group: Sofia to Kyustendil Fortress & Sequoia Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 8h 30m · from $100

Travel from Sofia with a guide such as Tsetso to Kyustendil Province for Roman heritage, Hisarlaka Fortress, thermal-town culture, and a walk through an old sequoia park. The eight-and-a-half-hour trip uses a group of no more than six, includes transport and guiding, and leaves food and about €5 in entry fees to you.

“El dia es precioso, viaje muy corto y comfortable, el bosque magico, tenemos bastante tiempo para ciudad Kiustendil, el guia del grupo es muy amable y educado. Recomendo ese viaje, era perfecto.”

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