Food destinations within easy reach of Plovdiv, worth the early start.
Food destinations within easy reach of Plovdiv, worth the train, the rental car or the early start.
Famous for Charcoal trout, grilled lamb on a spit, Rhodope mountain mushrooms
Bachkovo Monastery sits 29 km south of Plovdiv in the Chepelarska River valley. The Vodopada restaurant has an outdoor terrace around a waterfall pond.
Drive south on Asenovgradsko Shose toward Asenovgrad, then continue 9 km past town
Famous for Mavrud reserve, Asenovgrad winery flights, Stanimashki Mavrud
Asenovgrad 18 km south of Plovdiv is the canonical home of Mavrud, an indigenous Bulgarian grape. Vinzavod Asenovgrad and surrounding wineries pour tasting.
Drive 18 km south on the Asenovgradsko Shose; trains hourly from Plovdiv Central
Famous for Spring-water poached fish, Roman bath rest stops, Starosel winery
Hisarya 43 km north of Plovdiv has 22 hot springs and a Roman fortress. Starosel Wine and Spa nearby is the canonical day-trip combination of cellar.
Drive 43 km north on the secondary road network, or bus from Plovdiv South Bus Station
Famous for Rhodope lamb kebab (Chevermeto), mountain trout, Smolyan yoghurt
Pamporovo 83 km south of Plovdiv anchors the Rhodope range. Chevermeto folk taverna for Rhodope lamb kebab; Smolyan Lakes 10 km north for pine-shaded.
Drive 83 km south via Asenovgrad through Smolyan; no direct rail, taxi or rental car best
Famous for Starosel Mavrud-Rubin blends, Thracian-style cellar tour, vineyard lunch
Starosel Wine and Spa 55 km north combines a winery, hotel, restaurant and spa. The Thracian temple site sits next door, easy to pair with a half-day Hisarya.
Drive 55 km north via Hisarya; ideal as a winery, spa and Thracian heritage combination
