Full-day wine tour from Plovdiv to South Sakar

Full-day wine tour from Plovdiv to South Sakar with the Alexandrovo Tomb, the dolmens near Hlyabovo, Bratanovi Winery, and Basarea Winery

Immerse yourself in the magic of South Sakar—the land of ancient Thracian rulers and modern boutique wines. This full-day tour combines Thracian cultural heritage with tastings at two iconic wineries nestled among the hills and vineyards of one of Bulgaria's most interesting wine terroirs.

What to expect?

Your journey begins with a pick-up from your hotel/Airbnb in Plovdiv and departure in a comfortable car or passenger minivan towards Haskovo and the Sakar Mountains.

The first stop is the Alexandrovo Tomb – an exceptional monument of Thracian art and culture from the 4th century BC. You will visit the museum center with a precisely crafted replica of the tomb and murals telling stories about Thracian rulers, hunting scenes, and rituals. You will visit the museum center with a precisely crafted replica of the tomb and murals telling stories about Thracian rulers, hunting scenes, and rituals. Here you will feel the spirit of an ancient civilization that lived in these lands long before us.

The route then continues to the Bratanov Winery near Harmanli, a family-owned winery in the heart of South Sakar. The region is known for its mild, warm climate, long sunny autumn, well-drained hilly soils, and low yields, which produce concentrated, aromatic, and elegant wines.
Here you will enjoy a five-course wine tasting paired with appropriate appetizers, revealing the characteristic styles of the winery and the richness of the terroir. The owner himself will introduce you to the history of the winery and the characteristics of the local and international varieties that thrive in South Sakar.

In the Harmanli area, we have planned free time for lunch at a local restaurant or a pre-arranged option (lunch is not included in the price).

In the afternoon, the tour continues to the dolmens near the village of Hlyabovo - impressive megalithic structures from the time of the ancient Thracians. We will walk among the hills, where stone, sun, and wind preserve the memory of millennia-old rituals and beliefs. This is the perfect moment to feel the connection between the earth, the people, and the wine – just as the Thracians understood it.

The final highlight of the day is the Basarea Winery, a boutique winery located among the vineyards of South Sakar. Here you will enjoy a second five-step wine tasting, where you will learn how different varieties and styles reflect the terroir of Sakar – sun, wind, poor stony soils, and careful human care. The wines are paired with appropriate regional dairy and meat products and seasonal fruits, and a wine guide will present the organoleptic characteristics of each wine and tell you more about the philosophy behind them.

At the end of the day, we head back to Plovdiv, filled with stories about the Thracians, wine, and Sakar – a living wine and cultural map.

Total duration of the experience: about 9–10 hours (full-day tour), after which you will be returned to your hotel or address in Plovdiv.

The terroir of South Sakar

• South Sakar is considered one of the most promising wine regions in Bulgaria –
• a mild continental climate with a long warm autumn;
• hilly terrain and exposures that provide ideal sunlight;
• poor, well-drained soils (often stony and clayey-sandy) that encourage low yields and high quality,
• constant winds that keep the vines healthy.

These conditions produce concentrated, structured red wines with good aging potential and aromatic, mineral whites and rosés that bear the mark of Sakar.

What's included

• Pick-up and drop-off from/to your hotel, Airbnb, or other pre-arranged address in Plovdiv
• Transportation in a comfortable car or passenger minivan (depending on the size of the group)
• Visit to the Alexander Tomb and museum center with a lecture
• Visit to the dolmens near the village of Hlyabovo
• Visit to the Bratanov Winery
• Visit to the Basarea Winery
• Five-course wine tasting at Bratanov Winery with a presentation by the owner
• Five-course wine tasting at Basarea Winery with a presentation by a wine guide

What is not included

• Lunch
• Personal expenses and additional purchases on site (wine, souvenirs, etc.)
• Drinks and items not explicitly mentioned in the description
• Travel and medical insurance
• Tips

Tour hours

Start time: around 9:30 a.m. from Plovdiv

Approximate return time: between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. (depending on the season and the group)

The tour is subject to advance booking and confirmation for a minimum of two tourists.

Where to meet

We will pick you up from your hotel, Airbnb, or other convenient landmark in Plovdiv.
Please provide the pick-up address when booking.

Practical information

• Wear comfortable shoes – the day includes short walks around archaeological sites and in nature.
• Dress for the season – the tour takes place in sun and rain
• Bring a camera or phone – the views of the Sakar hills, vineyards, and ancient Thracian sites are very photogenic.
• Bring cash in Bulgarian levs (BGN) for purchases of wine or local products, as cards are not accepted everywhere.
• If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, please let us know when booking so that we can accommodate you if possible.

Prices and registration with VAT

For 2 people – 366 euros / 715.83 BGN
For 3 people – 549 euros / 1073.75 BGN
For 4 people – €732 / BGN 1431.66
For 5 people – €845 / BGN 1652.68
For 6 people – €1014 / BGN 1983.18
For 7 people – €1183 / BGN 2313.75

Minimum number of participants: 2 people.

For larger groups, we can prepare an individual offer tailored to your needs and preferences.

The wine tour is developed and organized in cooperation with the licensed tour operator Slowtours.BG Ltd.