Welcome to Thrace
Thrace is among Greece’s least visited areas, but it hides unique natural gems and cultural idiosyncrasies. In the north, the Rhodopi Mountains demarcate the Bulgarian border, and are home to the wonderful Pomak villages, whose minarets glisten on the rolling green hills. Eastward, towards the Turkish border, significant migratory bird populations stop at the Dadia Forest Reserve and the Evros Delta on the Aegean, delighting nature- and bird-loving travellers.
Top experiences in Thrace
Travel guides
Starting at $32.49
Thrace activities
4-Night Bulgaria from Sofia: Bansko and Plovdiv
Day 1:Arrival in Sofia. Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Free time. Overnight in the hotel Day 2:Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to Bansko. Take a walking tour of Bansko, a world-famous mountain resort within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Pirin National Park. Free time. Overnight in the hotel. Day 3:Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to Plovdiv.Plovdiv, the second biggest city of Bulgaria, is considered to be one of the oldest settlements of Europe, with more than 7,000 years of history. Plovdiv is situated on the crossroads between the West and the East, amid the fertile plain of Thrace, where history and modernity go hand in hand. The city is home of the remains of the Ancient Roman Empire – the Roman Stadium, Roman Forum and the Amphitheatre. The Old Town of Plovdiv, situated on the three hills of the ancient Trimontium, with its houses from the National Revival period (18-19th century) is proclaimed an architectural open air museum. The tour offers visit to some of the main landmarks of Bulgaria from Thracian times, trough the Roman Empire period, the national revival, till the modern age. Day 4:Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to Sofia. Afternoon tour “Sofia Food, Heritage and Culture tour” from 3pm till 6pm. Free time. During this tour, you'll explore the rest of the sights in the Sofia center like National Theater, ex Royal Palace, Presidency, St. George Rotunda, the place named The Small Jerusalem with orthodox St. Petka church, Banya Bashi mosque, The Synagogue and the Catholic Church St. Josef. We will visit the biggest indoor market Central Hali, will ride the newest underground in Europe and will taste fantastic Bulgarian wine with traditional Bulgarian meat pieces called meze, you will taste also the fantastic Shopska Salad and typical Bulgarian cold soup tarator. Overnight in the hotel.Day 5:Transfer from your hotel to the airport.
Private Day Trip to Plovdiv
The tour starts at 9am when you will be picked up from your place in Sofia by your guide. Plovdiv is a very beautiful place, also known as the town of the Seven Hills, and it can be reached for only 2 hours from Sofia by car. This amazing city merges Thracian, Roman and Bulgarian heritage. You will see traditional Bulgarian houses from the Revival period, walk by Roman remains and early Christian mosaics. Popular museums that can be visited in the town are the Ethnographic museum, the museum of Natural history, the Roman stadium. And you will have free time for lunch in a traditional local restourant. Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria, the 5th oldest in the world and the oldest in Europe. Its history dates back to 4,000 years BC. In the beginning, the ancient settlement was situated on the natural elevation between Nebet, Taksim and Dzhambaz hills (the Three Hills). In ancient times Thracians inhabited the Three Hills and built a fortified settlement – the largest city in Thrace. In the 4th century BC Plovdiv was conquered by Phillip of Macedonia. He gave the city one of its many names – Phillipopolis, and had it surrounded by thick fortified walls. Later it became a Roman province and an important regional center. The town hosts the Roman theatre, which was successfully restored and it is presently used for different performances, concerts and events. Plovdiv will be the European capital of culture in 2019 !Enjoy a beautiful trip to the heart of Bulgaria!
Plovdiv Sightseeing Private Tour
Plovdiv (population: 338 000) is the second largest city in Bulgaria, considered by most people as the most beautiful Bulgarian town. Situated at 160 m. a. s. l., Plovdiv is an important administrative centre in Southern Bulgaria, as well as the largest and most important city of the historical region of Thrace, famous for its ancient and diverse culture and millenary history. Plovdiv is 150 km away from the capital Sofia and only 75 km from the international ski resort Pamporovo. Plovdiv is regarded as the gate to the beautiful Rhodope Mountains which are few kilometers away, as most people who head for the mountains choose it as their starting point. The city is located on both banks of the Maritsa River in the central part of the Upper Thracian Lowlands. Plovdiv is particularly known, like Rome, for its seven hills, one of which has been destroyed. A couple of key thoroughfares cross the city, including the one connecting Sofia and Europe with Istanbul and Asia, as well as the one between Sofia and Bourgas (Black sea coast). The Plovdiv International Fair, the first in the country since 1892, is the largest fair in Southeastern Europe, gathering companies from all over the world on an exhibition area of 95 000 sq. m.Plovdiv is an eternal town. The foundations of the town on the seven hills by the ancient Maritza River were laid some 8 000 years ago. Plovdiv is older than Rome, Athens and Constantinople. The city is of the same age as Troy and Mycenae. According to some sources this is the second oldest European city and the oldest still living city in Europe. Plovdiv is all in one: a Thracian and classical Greek polis, the pride of Philip of Macedonia, the capital of Thrace under the Roman Empire, a centre of Byzantinism, a stronghold of the Bulgarians, a dream of the crusaders, a magnificent, wealthy and most important city. Plovdiv’s motto is: “Ancient and eternal”. In 1999 Plovdiv was supporting European capital of culture. In September 2014 Plovdiv was chosen to be the European capital of culture in 2019.On this sightseeing tour visit the most impressive landmarks in town like The Old Plovdiv - an architectural and historical reserve, situated on the Three Hills. Here picturesque houses of the National Revival period stand close to ruins from antiquity and Bulgarian Renaissance churches. The Roman Theatre from II century that we discover on our way has been restored and is being used even today for different performances and festivals. The walk continues down to the partly uncovered Roman Stadium and the 14-th century Djumaia Mosque. At the end stroll along the long and lovely main pedestrian commercial street with many cafes and shops to feel the unique laid back atmosphere of this spectacular city.Tour duration: 2.5 hours
Kazanlak - Rose Valley - Valley of the Thracian Kings - Private Day Tour from Plovdiv
The rose is one of the symbols of Bulgaria. The country produces the best rose oil in the world since 1664 when the first rose bushes were imported from Syria via Turkey. Now Bulgaria manufactures about 70% of all rose oil in the world. The Kazanlak rose is being grown in the notorious Rose Valley in Central Bulgaria where the unique climate conditions and soils are perfect for this remarkable plant. The Rose valley covers geographically the Valley of the Thracian Kings as well. Many impressive Thracian tombs, temples and sanctuaries with lots of golden, silver and bronze craftsman masterpieces inside them have been found on the territory of Bulgaria.Travelling through some rose bushes fields we arrive to the centre of Kazanlak town. The first stop for the day is the Rose Museum of Kazanlak which is the only one of its kind in the world and stores interesting exponents related to the rose-picking and rose-production in Bulgaria.Then proceed to the local historical museum which protects, examines and popularizes the entire rich historical heritage of the Kazanlak region, including all Thracian tombs and treasures from the Valley of the Thracian rulers.Next discover the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site – the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak which impresses the visitor with its unique frescoes from IV century B.C. The tomb consists of a narrow corridor and a round burial chamber with the famous paintings on the cupola. The Thracian tomb of Kazanlak is a unique aesthetic and artistic work, a masterpiece of the Thracian creative spirit. This monument is the only one of its kind anywhere in the world. The exceptionally well preserved frescos and the original condition of the structure reveal the remarkable evolution and high level of culture and pictorial art in Thrace.After lunch continue to the Thracian Tempe/tomb Golyama Kosmatka from V century B.C. About 20 gold objects were found in that tomb. Among them is a very precisely made golden wreath from oak leaves, a golden wine cup, golden heads of a goddess and a deer. A bronze man’s head was found in Golyama Kosmatka too. All findings impress with their marvelous workmanship and are valuable examples of art. They are exhibited in the historical museum of Kazanlak. Archaeologists believe they have found the tomb of the greatest Thracian king Seuthes III. The final stop for the day is the Shipka Memorial Church which is an outstanding Russian Orthodox temple built between 1885 and 1902 near Shipka town at the foothills of the Balkan Range. The Shipka Monument complex is dedicated to the Russian, Ukrainian and Bulgarian soldiers who died for the liberation of Bulgaria in the Russo - Turkish War from 1877-78. Trip duration: 7.5 hours
Visit Plovidv & Street of crafts
The day begins with a meeting with your guide. With his help you will have the opportunity to travel back in time and feel the old-centuries history of the city.During this walking tour you will go through a variety of eras, cultures, architectures. You will visit the Ethnographic Museum, where one can see, touch and feel tradition. And in order to feel the way people lived before technology, we will visit the street of crafts where we will see a demonstration of a 2 craft houses chosen by you.Higlights:Walking Tour Plovdiv : Ancient Plovdiv Architectural Reserve is a well-preserved complex where on a relatively small area visitors can take walks through different historical ages, see ancient buildings adapted to the modern way of life and feel the spirit of the town from the Bulgarian Revival Period.Street of Crafts : The Street of Crafts is a crafts market where one can explore typical for the Revival period workshops, have a tea or coffee, purchase herbs from a traditional drug-store, observe works of skillful craftsmen created in front of their eyes.There can be observed workshops in: ceramics, pottery, bakery, felting, glass engraving and painting, weaving and blacksmithery.Every visitor is able to see, or make by themselves, and purchase a souvenir from Plovdiv. Ethnographic museum :The rich collection represents the traditional culture of Thrace, the Rhodopes and the Sredna Gora mountains during the period of National Revival.Тhe choice to the visit for craft houses can be made between 1 workshop from each category: Category 1: - Flexible- Bakery- Doll making- Pottery Workshop- Drawing on glassCategory 2: - Art fabrics- Flexible- Drawing on ceramic products- Smithy workshop- Traditional musical instruments- Jewelry from crepe
Thracian and Antique City of Kabile Entrance ticket
The city of Kabile was founded around 2000 BC, and was one of the most important cities of Ancient Thrace. In fact, it is believed to have been one of the royal residences of the kings from the Odryssian Kingdom, the most powerful state of the Ancient Thracians. In 341 BC, Kabile was conquered by Philip II of Macedon. The Ancient Thracian city is mentioned by 14 ancient authors, the first of whom describes its conquest by Philip II of Macedon. After the collapse of Alexander the Great’s empire, in the 3rd century BC, Kabile was ruled once again by the Ancient Thracians. It was conquered by the Roman Empire in 71 BC, and later was incorporated into the Roman province of Thrace. It was an important regional center in the Late Antiquity as well. The city of Kabile was modeled after the Ancient Greek cities at the time. It boasts a stone acropolis with a unique rock relief of the ancient goddess of Cybele, a protector of the city. In the 4th century AD, Kabile was conquered by the Goths, and was later destroyed for good by the Avars. The Kabile Archaeological Reserve was established in 1965 on a territory of 650 decares (160 acres). It features ancient structures such as the agora (a central square), Roman barracks, Roman thermae, a bishop’s basilica, among others. Kabile is excavated every year by archaeological teams from Bulgaria and abroad.It’s also an important spiritual sight with a lot of energetic stones at the top - Rabbit’s peak. It’s worth taking the trek up there and experience it.