Food destinations within easy reach of Plovdiv. worth the train, the rental car or the early start.

Worth the trip

Bachkovo Monastery and Vodopada ★ 4.6

30 minutes south by carDrive south on Asenovgradsko Shose toward Asenovgrad, then continue 9 km past town

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.

Bachkovo Monastery and Vodopada

Asenovgrad (Mavrud wine country) ★ 4.8

15 minutes southDrive 18 km south on the Asenovgradsko Shose; trains hourly from Plovdiv Central

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.

Asenovgrad (Mavrud wine country)

Hisarya (Roman thermal spa) ★ 4.0

1 hour northDrive 43 km north on the secondary road network, or bus from Plovdiv South Bus Station

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.

Hisarya (Roman thermal spa)

Pamporovo and the Rhodope Mountains ★ 4.4

90 minutes southDrive 83 km south via Asenovgrad through Smolyan; no direct rail, taxi or rental car best

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.

Pamporovo and the Rhodope Mountains

Starosel Thracian Temple and Winery ★ 4.2

1 hour northDrive 55 km north via Hisarya; ideal as a winery, spa and Thracian heritage combination

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.

Starosel Thracian Temple and Winery
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