Self-drive weekend tour in South- Western Bulgaria

Arrive in Sofia, pickup the rental car, transfer to your hotel. You can spend the day visiting the city, overnight in the hotel.

Departure to Rila Monastery. Visit the largest monastery in the country, established in the 10th century by the most venerated Bulgarian saint, the hermit St.Ivan Rilski. Lunch near the monastery with fresh trout from local breeding farms.

Departure to Bansko, accommodation in hotel in Bansko. Free time. Dinner and overnight.

Distance: 190 km. The winding road runs along the valley of Mesta river and crosses Rodopi mountains.

Plovdiv is a history book. Established in ancient timnes, it is considered the oldest city in Europe. The most important monument of that time is the Ancient Theater. Plovidv, just like Rome, is located on several hills, one of this is the historic center, a picturesque kaleidoscope of colorful facades of unique houses, a maze of cobble streets and stone churches.

Possible detours for optional visits:

Kovachevitsa is an architectural masterpiece. The tall houses with stone roofs are organically set in a rocky mountain landscape. It is a village which still bears the spirit of the old times of the revolt againts the Ottoman empire. Nearby is also Leshten village. Yagodinska cave with Buynoskov gorge and Trigrad gorge with the Devil's gorge are set amidst the sweet shapes of Rodopi mountains, where the enormous cliffs of the two gorges can be distinguished, cut by rivers which have excavated two beautiful gorges. 

Dospat, Shiroka Poliana, Goliam Beglik and Batak dams are all situated along the road which runs through the selected itinerary. You can enjoy walks in the splendid countryside and along the dams. Tsigov Chark has plenty of restaurants and facilities. Dospat Batak area is located in the mountains and is not much populated. 

Since the distance is short, today you can visit several attractions near Plovdiv. Bachkovski monastery, the second largest in Bulgaria, was founded in the 11th century and the only building left from those times is the ossuary situated 300 m away from the monastery. The monastery is famous for its frescoes from 1605 covering the walls of the dining hall. The main church of the monastery dates back to the 17th century.

Assen fortress, built in the same period as Bachkovo monastery, is today a two-storey church perched on a rocky cliff over the valley of Chepelarska river. The view from the church is unforgettable.