While the ancient town of Plovdiv has no shortage of inner-city charm, some of Bulgaria’s most dramatic cultural gems lie just on its scenic outskirts. Nestled in the Rhodope Mountains are two must-visit historical icons: Bachkovo Monastery, the country’s second-largest Eastern Orthodox sanctuary, and Asen’s Fortress (Asenova Krepost), a medieval stronghold perched high on a sheer cliff face.
Many travelers assume you need a rental car or an expensive private tour to combine these two spots in a single day, but you can easily do it yourself using public minibuses for a total transport budget of just 15 to 20 BGN per person. That said, traveling like a local means navigating cash-only bus drivers, knowing which transit hubs to use (like Asenovgrad), and figuring out if paying the fortress entrance fee is actually worth it. In this comprehensive, boots-on-the-ground guide, we share our exact DIY itinerary, honest tips on walking durations, and how to seamlessly execute this perfect day trip from Plovdiv.
🇯🇵 この記事を日本語で読む: プロヴディフから日帰り！バチュコヴォ修道院＆アセノヴァ要塞への行き方・観光ガイド
Day Trip Essential Info: Bachkovo Monastery & Asen’s Fortress
- Our Route: Plovdiv → Bachkovo Monastery → Asen’s Fortress → Asenovgrad → Plovdiv
- Transport Breakdown: Outbound minibus (7 BGN) → Hitchhiking/Walking/Taxi → Return bus from Asenovgrad (2 BGN)
- Total DIY Budget: Approx. 15–20 BGN per person (Incredibly budget-friendly!)
- Best Time to Visit: Sunday morning (Highly recommended to experience the lively, authentic atmosphere of the monastery Mass)
How to Get from Plovdiv to Bachkovo Monastery by Bus
Bachkovo Monastery is located approximately 30 km south of Plovdiv.
Minibuses run from Plovdiv to Bachkovo Monastery. They leave from the South Bus Station (Bus station Rodopi, Plovdiv), located south of Plovdiv town centre, close to the railway station. Take a bus to Smolyan (Смо̀лян) and get off at Bachkovo.
The first service in the morning is at 9am, so we took this. The bus leaves from platform 1. Bus tickets are purchased directly on board the bus by paying cash to the driver. The fare to Bachkovo Monastery was 7 levs per person.
I thought 7 levs per person for a distance of 30 km was a bit expensive, but the ticket was an official-looking ticket with a QR code printed on it. I don’t think it’s a rip-off, but my suspicions remain…
Visiting the Bachkovo Monastery
Anyway, the minibus left at 9am as scheduled. It took about 30 minutes to reach Bachkovo Monastery and we were able to get off right in front of the approach to the monastery. The approach to the monastery was lively, with souvenir shops and cafés lining the street. It was just Sunday morning, so these would be even busier. Many worshippers were already walking towards the monastery.
After walking up a gentle slope, a large parking lot and the gate of the monastery came into view. It appeared that Sunday Mass was being held and Mass in the main hall was being broadcast outside through loudspeakers.
About Bachkovo Monastery “Uspenie Bogorodichno”
It was built in 1083 as a predominantly Georgian Orthodox monastery, it is characterised by its unique blend of Byzantine, Georgian and Bulgarian cultures. It was destroyed during the Turkish invasion, but was restored at the end of the 15th century.
One of the oldest parts of the monastery is the ossuary, which is located 300 m from the main monastery building.
The fresco paintings on the outer walls of the refectory, known as the ‘panoramic’ murals, vividly depict the history of the abbey.
Transport Options from Bachkovo Monastery to Asen’s Fortress
- Hitchhiking: The quickest way (as we experienced!). However, please hitchhike at your own risk and only if you feel comfortable.
- Taxi: A taxi ride takes about 10 minutes and costs roughly 10–15 BGN. This is the most stress-free option.
- Walking: It’s a long 1.5-2 hour walk along the road. Great for the views, but watch out for cars!
Hitchhiking to Asen Fortress
After visiting the Bachkovo Monastery, the next stop was the Asen Fortress. Asen Fortress is located on the way from Bachkovo to Plovdiv, and it is approximately 10 km from Bachkovo Monastery to Asen Fortress.
It is a bit of a walk, but buses are not that frequent. The quickest way to get there is to hitchhike, so we hitchhiked near the bus stop in front of Bachkovo Monastery.
After a while, a Toyota stopped for us. A kind Bulgarian driver gave us a lift to the junction to Asen Fortress.
Estimated Taxi Fare from Bachkovo Monastery to Asen’s Fortress
If you prefer a more reliable option, a taxi from Bachkovo Monastery to Asen’s Fortress should cost around 10–15 BGN. It’s a short 10-minute drive, but prices may vary depending on the driver.
Walking Duration to Asen’s Fortress
For those who enjoy walking, it’s about a 1.5 to 2-hour hike (approx. 10km) from Bachkovo to Asen’s Fortress along the main road. Be aware that the road can be busy with traffic.
If you’re walking from Asenovgrad town to the fortress, expect a steep but scenic 30–40 minute uphill walk. Don’t forget to bring water!
Exploring Asen’s Fortress: Is It Worth Entering?
A large sign saying ‘2km to Asen’s Fortress’ marks the entrance to the access road to Asen’s Fortress. The distance is 2 km from here, but it is uphill, so it will take some time. The road is nicely paved and the gradient was not very steep. However, it gets hot during the day in summer, so it is better to go up in the morning if possible. You can also drive up to the top.
On the way up the winding slope, the fortress gradually became more and more clearly visible.
There is a ticket office next to the entrance to Asen Fortress at the top. The entrance fee to Asen Fortress is 4 Lev per person.
However, according to previous reviews, we did not enter, as there was nothing much to see inside and the view of the fortress from the outside is more spectacular.
There was a path opposite the Asen Fortress, which was marked ‘Chapel’, so we decided to visit that side of the fortress.
The path to the chapel is downhill and only accessible to pedestrians. You have to go down more stairs to reach the chapel, but the chapel is also dreary… It’s nothing special, but it’s free, so I won’t complain. We went back the way we came.
About Asen’s Fortress (Асенова крепост)
Asen’s Fortress is situated 279 m above sea level and the area was already settled in Roman and early Byzantine times. The importance of Asen Fortress increased in the Middle Ages and it was extensively renovated in the 13th century. The surviving outer walls are 3 m high, but it is known that they were originally 9-12 m high.
How to Return to Plovdiv via Asenovgrad
After visiting Asen Fortress we returned to the city of Plovdiv which is about 20 km. Ideally we would have liked to hitchhike from the entrance to Asen Fortress to Plovdiv, but this time there were no cars willing to stop for us. We wanted to buy drinking water, so we decided to walk to the nearby town anyway.
The nearest town is Asenovgrad, which is about 2 km away, so it was not too painful. After buying drinking water in the town, we decided to walk to the railway station, as there should be a train to Plovdiv. However, there was a bus station in front of the railway station and a minibus had just stopped there. The minibus left within five minutes. The bus fare to Plovdiv was 2 levs per person and after about 20 minutes we arrived at Plovdiv’s Yug bus station (diagonally opposite Plovdiv train station).
Ready for Your Next Destination?
After soaking in the spiritual tranquility of Bachkovo Monastery and capturing the dramatic cliffside views from Asen’s Fortress, it’s time to wrap up your Plovdiv adventure and head toward Bulgaria’s vibrant capital city, Sofia.
While taking the train might sound romantic, experienced travelers know that in Bulgaria, the long-distance coach is king. Finding the right terminal in Plovdiv, dealing with cash-only ticket windows, and deciphering handwritten seat numbers can be a bit confusing on the day of travel.
To ensure your journey is smooth and stress-free, check out our next practical transport guide where we break down everything you need to know about the 2-hour highway ride:
➡ Next Post: Plovdiv to Sofia by Bus: A Practical Guide to Timetables, Tickets and Terminals
➡ Back to Bulgaria Travel Guide: The Ultimate Overland & Public Transport
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