Day trips from Plovdiv
5 hidden towns and nature spots within 150 km of Plovdiv, picked by Europe Revealed. Sorted from nearest to furthest.
110 km01 · Hidden townBanskoA stone town at the foot of the Pirin mountains.
Buses run from Sofia in about 3 hours. A narrow-gauge railway passes through too.
115 km02 · Hidden townRila MonasteryBulgaria's largest monastery, with striped arches and painted walls deep in the mountains.
About 2 hours by car from Sofia. A daily bus also runs from Sofia.
115 km03 · Nature spotSeven Rila LakesSeven glacial lakes stepping down a mountain cirque.
Drive to the Panichishte area, then take the chairlift up. It may not run in bad weather.
125 km04 · Hidden townVeliko TarnovoBulgaria's old royal capital, with a hilltop fortress above a river gorge.
Buses run from Sofia (about 3 hours). Trains are slower.
130 km05 · Nature spotVitosha MountainA mountain at Sofia's edge, with boulder 'rivers' and wide views.
Buses from Sofia go up the mountain. The Simeonovo gondola runs at some times.Questions
Day trips from Plovdiv: good to know
What are the best day trips from Plovdiv?
Our favourite hidden places near Plovdiv are Bansko (110 km), Rila Monastery (115 km), Seven Rila Lakes (115 km) and Veliko Tarnovo (125 km). All 5 are on this page, sorted by distance.
How far are these places from Plovdiv?
All of them are within about 150 km of Plovdiv in a straight line, close enough for a day trip by car, and many by train or bus too. Check each place for how to get there.