The 11 Best 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 to Plovdiv and Asen's Fortress in a small group of up to 18. Expect a guided walk through Plovdiv, two hours for lunch and wandering, then a short visit to the medieval fortress. Guides such as Philip, Georgi, and Michael are praised for clear, friendly explanations.

“Very interesting tour and good information on Plovdiv and Aspen Fortress. Time was adequate and didn’t feel rushed More general information on Bulgaria’s history from the driver/guide would make the long drive better!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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 to Plovdiv’s Roman ruins and Revival-era Old Town, then continue to Asen’s Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery. English-speaking guides such as Lyuboslav, Mika, and Daniel bring the history to life. Lunch is not included.

“Little more time in Bachkovo Monastery would have been required since this is really a worth visiting place”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Spend about nine hours exploring Plovdiv’s Roman ruins and Revival-era streets, then visit Asen’s Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery. Hotel pickup, transport, entry fees, and an English-speaking guide are included. Guides may include Daniel, Teodor, Anna, Krisi, or Stanimira.

“Very professional tour operation that explained all historical aspects of Plovdiv and visiting sites.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Travel from Sofia with a licensed English-speaking guide to the wild Belogradchik Rocks and Roman-era fortress. The small-group tour includes hotel pickup, a comfortable vehicle, about 90 minutes at the fortress, lunch time, and optional rock walks. Venetsa Cave may be included, so confirm before booking.

“We absolutely loved walking around the rocks of Belogradchik. Each viewpoint was more beautiful then the next and the sceneries were breathtaking. I have been on many tours over the years but have to give a shout out to Ventsislav- he knew his information he gave it over well too and he wasn't overbearing. He took photos for us whenever we wanted, held our water bottle when the path was steep and was only too eager to help out however he could. He definitely made the trip more enjoyable and I highly recommend using him as a guide. The caves were interesting too especially with all the cool lighting.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Spend 12 hours exploring Belogradchik Fortress and its strange sandstone rocks, then visit Venetsa Cave with its colorful lights. Guides such as Radi, Maria, and Dimitar add useful stories and local help. Expect a long mountain drive, uneven ground, and two entrance fees paid separately.

“The guide was professional and friendly at the same time, I would say tailored for this job. The fortress and the cave are absolutely worthy to visit.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Travel from Sofia in a small group of up to seven with an English-speaking guide such as Ventsislav. Walk among 230-million-year-old rock formations, visit the Roman-era fortress, enjoy wide hill views, and take an optional 45-minute downhill hike. Transport, hotel pickup, and drop-off are included.

“It was a small group which was great! Smooth drive and the views on the way were awesome! The cave was cool, the views at the fortress and the rocks werrr breathtaking Superb day”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Belogradchik Rocks and Fortress from Sofia

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

Travel from Sofia to Belogradchik in a small group of up to seven. Walk among red and yellow rock formations, visit a Roman-era fortress, and hear stories of Northwest Bulgaria from an English- or Spanish-speaking guide. Hotel pickup, transport, and guiding are included.

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

Check availability →Read our full review

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 with a live English, Russian, or German guide. Cruise along the Black Sea, tour the 2,500-year-old old town, eat lunch at The Windmill, then visit Ravadinovo Castle. Guide Souren is a lively English-speaking choice.

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

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Leave Plovdiv with an English-speaking driver-guide for Asen’s Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery. You’ll see medieval frescoes, the 11th-century Virgin Mary icon, the Balkan Peninsula’s largest mural, and Rhodope Mountain views. Hotel pickup, parking, and a group of up to eight are included.

“The Tour was excelent, with excelent guide, with a lot of information and useful Quirks, recomanded tour to see 2 musts in plovdiv”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Travel from Sofia in a small group of up to seven with an English-speaking guide such as Ventsislav or Dimitriv. See Plovdiv’s Roman theater and Kapana, then visit Asen’s Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery. Entry to the fortress and Hindlian House is included.

“Excellent and the Guide was superb! Thank you Dimitriv!”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Ravadinovo Castle Unseen

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

Visit Ravadinovo Castle near Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast with private support, an English, Russian, or Bulgarian audio guide, and a digital guide for planning. The castle is a Western-style creation with gardens, photo spots, nearby beaches, a resort town, and an aquapark. Allow about four hours for the castle itself.

“Get the entrance only ticket. This was double the price. This is not all-inclusive. There is no "unseen" element to this.”

Check availability →Read our full review