A Day trip to the Thracian Kings, The Valley of Roses & Buzludzha
Description
From Plovdiv we go towards Balkan mountain. We pass through several small Bulgarian villages. Our road continues through the Valley of Roses where, if you wish, we can stop. Then we arrive at the Russian Church "Nativity of Christ". After enjoying the unique architecture, we visit the largest tomb in the valley of the Thracian kings. Built 330 BC. Then we head to Buzludzha Peak and UFO -Buzludzha Monument.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We travel through picturesque landscapes towards the Valley of Roses, which has been known for centuries for its oil rose growing traditions. Every year, the Rose Festival is celebrated here in the first days of June. Note that roses bloom from about mid-May to about mid-June. If you wish, we can stop to enjoy their magical aroma and pick from their flowers, as well as get to know the harvest.
We stop at the architectural masterpiece Shipchen Monastery "Nativity", which has been declared a cultural monument and is of national importance. It is located under a rose hip. It is also known as the Russian Church
One of the largest Thracian mounds in Bulgaria. This is one of the few Thracian tombs preserved and not looted. This is the tomb of Seuthes III the last of the Odris kingdom. From 330 BC
Featured as one of the Most Beautiful Abandoned Places in the World! Originally built as a Bulgarian Communist Party Assembly Hall in 1974, this UFO-like structure has been abandoned for decades. Each year it attracts hundreds of photographers and adventure seekers. The construction process started in 1974 and took seven years. Around 6,000 people worked on the site until the monument rose as a structure and more than 15,000 cubic metres of rock were destroyed in the process.The cost was more than 35 000 000 US Dollars. After 1989 with the end of the communist era in Bulgaria the monument was abounded and is slowly disintegrating and falling apart since then. The building is no longer managed by the Bulgarian government, or anyone in general, and is closed off from the public as it is considered dangerous to go inside.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We need your exact address in Plovdiv city so that we know where to pick you up.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(14)
Lyuben showed us around the mountains and we had such a great time! He was so friendly, accommodating and knowledgeable. He made sure we had an authentic Bulgarian experience. I highly recommend this tour - it was a lot of fun and a rich experience.
If you want a day trip from Polvdiv to explore the Valley of Thracian Kings, Rose Valley and Buzludzha Monument then look no further! Smooth from time of booking with fast confirmation and clear communication of the plan. My guide Lyuben was a legend! Very friendly, funny, and accommodating. He added lots of interesting facts along the way. The destinations were unique and very special- highly recommend. There was optional things to see and Lyuben always gave me a choice. Pick up from hotel and drop off back in Polvdiv wherever I wanted, which was extremely convenient.
An incredible day trip from Plovdiv through the Rose Valley with our guide and driver, Lyuben! Everything was perfectly organized, and we had plenty of time at each stop. We visited the beautiful Russian church, the fascinating Thracian tombs, and the finale was truly amazing — the otherworldly Buzludzha monument, which was absolutely unforgettable. We were also lucky to visit during the rose blooming season and stopped in the middle of a rose field to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Along the way, Lyuben shared short and interesting stories, and we always had enough time to truly feel the atmosphere of each place around us. The Thracian tombs felt like the Bulgarian pyramids to us! Highly recommended experience.
This was an unforgettable journey through the Rose Valley, the Thracian Tombs, and the truly extraordinary Buzludzha Monument. Our driver was very friendly, shared short and interesting stories about all the places along the way, and made the whole experience truly enjoyable. We visited during the rose blooming season and even stopped to pick a few roses and enjoy their beautiful fragrance. We also had enough time to truly feel the spirit and atmosphere of every place we visited. The Buzludzha Monument is also a very interesting place to experience and our guide was very knowledgeable about its history which made us appreciate it even more. A perfect blend of history, culture, nature, and unforgettable moments. Thank you for this amazing experience - highly recommended!
Thank you very much for your kind words! We are very glad that you enjoyed discovering the Thracian Tombs and the charming Buzludzha monument. And of course, visiting during the rose season makes the experience even more special - we are glad that you had the opportunity to pick a few roses and enjoy their incredible fragrance. This is always one of my favorite moments to share with our guests. It was a real pleasure to spend the day with you and I hope to welcome you back to Bulgaria for another memorable adventure! Warm regards, Lyuben
All good, few roses, it was early
We are happy that you enjoyed everything. As for the roses, it is clearly mentioned in our listing that they usually bloom from mid-May until around the end of June, depending on the year. Thank you for sharing this experience with us and for giving us the opportunity to show you a small part of the beauty of our homeland. Best regards, Lyuben
I thought the church was beautiful and seeing Buzludzha Monument was absolutely incredible. Personally for me, I didnt find the visit to the thracian tomb as interesting and unfortunately the valley of roses had no roses as we visited too early.
Thank you, Lindsay, for giving us the opportunity to show you a small part of our motherland. We are truly sorry that the roses had not yet bloomed during the time of your visit. Their blooming period depends on the season and the weather, and in our listing we clearly mention the approximate time when the Bulgarian oil-bearing roses usually bloom. The Thracian tomb is always one of the most memorable parts of the experience for our guests. It is a remarkable historical site more than 2,300 years old. The Rose Valley is also known as the Valley of the Thracian Kings, as it is home to many Thracian tombs. During our time together, we visited the largest and most impressive one. It would be a pleasure to welcome you again and to let you experience the fragrance and beauty of the rose fields in full bloom. We are so happy that the Russian Church and Buzludzha monument truly impressed you. Best Regards, Lyuben
Our guide was really nice. The places we we visited were all beautiful and different. I would recommend doing the trip a little later in the season so you can take advantage of the flowers. Otherwise it was all worth it.
We are truly happy that we had the chance to spend this time together, Ariane, and to show you these unique places and beautiful views from our homeland. It was a pleasure for us to share this experience with you. We would be delighted to welcome you again and hopefully show you the blooming rose fields too, for which we have included the approximate flowering period in our listing. Warm regards, Lyuben
Our guide was nice. The church, the tombs and the monuments were very beautiful and different. I wouldn’t recommend going at this time of the year. We were too early for the roses. I would wait until end of May to be able to experience it fully.
It made us very happy to spend this time with you, Karine and to introduce you to these beautiful places and unforgettable views from our homeland. Sharing this experience with you was truly a pleasure for us. We would be delighted to see you again and, hopefully, next time also enjoy together the beauty and fragrance of the blooming rose fields. Their approximate blooming period is described in our listing. Best regards, Lyuben
It’s definitely worth it. Moreover, Lyuben was friendly, kind and well-informed about historical and local curiosities.
Thank you, Filippo! I am happy that I was able to show you a small part of the beauty of our motherland. Best regards, Lyuben
The trip was wonderful: we saw breathtaking landscapes and very evocative places. We were lucky to find snow at Buzludzha under bright sunshine, and we really enjoyed walking on the snow. Lunch at a traditional restaurant on a frozen lake was beautiful. The kindness, courtesy, and helpfulness were priceless.
I am happy that we made your trip to Bulgaria even more interesting and memorable. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Gabriele, for the time we spent together. Warm regards, Lyuben
