Starosel winery and Thracian temple from Plovdiv

Updated: October 29, 2026

Starosel is about 60 km north of Plovdiv, around 1 hour by car. The village has a winery that offers tastings and, a few minutes away, a Thracian cult complex under a burial mound. Both fit into a half day of 5 to 6 hours, or a full day if you add the Roman town of Hisarya, about 25 minutes away.

Starosel lies in the foothills of the Sredna Gora mountains, an area dense with Thracian mounds. The best known is the sanctuary under the Chetinyova mound, a large Thracian temple with a stone façade, a corridor and a round chamber, dated to the 5th to 4th centuries BC. Close by is a winery complex built in the style of a Thracian sanctuary, with a cellar, tasting room, restaurant and hotel.

Distances from Plovdiv

Stop	From Plovdiv	Drive from previous stop
Starosel winery	about 60 km	about 1 h
Thracian cult complex (Chetinyova mound)	about 62 km	about 5 min
Hisarya (optional)	about 45 km	about 25 min from Starosel
Back to Plovdiv from Hisarya	about 45 km	about 45 min

A half-day plan

Time	Plan
10:00	Pick-up in Plovdiv
11:00	Thracian temple: guided visit of the mound and chamber
12:00	Starosel winery: cellar and tasting
13:30	Lunch at the winery or in the village
15:00	Back in Plovdiv

A full-day version with Hisarya

Hisarya was a Roman spa town and still has long stretches of its Roman walls, including the great southern gate known as the Camels. It is also known for its mineral springs, where you can fill a bottle from public taps. After Starosel, spend 1 to 2 hours walking the walls and the park, then return to Plovdiv in the late afternoon. Our Hisarya half-day trip has more detail.

Visit the temple before the tasting. The mound is a short climb with steps, and it is easier to take in the history with a clear head.

At the Thracian temple

• The temple is set inside a mound and entered through a stone façade and corridor.
• The main round chamber has a ring of half-columns cut in stone.
• Visits are paid and usually guided; check opening hours and the language of tours before you go.
• Other mounds in the area, such as the Horizont complex, may be open; ask at the ticket desk.

At the winery

• Book the tasting in advance and ask which wines are included.
• Ask whether food can be served with the tasting, or book lunch at the restaurant.
• If you plan to buy wine, ask about cases and packing for travel.

Practical notes

• Wear shoes with grip for the steps up the mound.
• The temple chamber is cool all year; bring a layer in summer too.
• Carry some cash in euro for tickets and small purchases in the village.
• If you are a group of more than four, choose a minivan or van in the booking form so everyone travels together.

Who this trip suits

It suits couples and small groups based in Plovdiv who want a short, varied outing, and anyone with an interest in the Thracians. It is also a good alternative on a hot day, as the cellar and the temple chamber are cool.

More wine around Plovdiv

If you want more than one tasting, the wineries near Plovdiv are closer to the city and combine easily. For a wider choice across the country, see private wine tours in Bulgaria, and on the coast wineries near Burgas.

To book, enter Plovdiv and Starosel in the form above, with the date and number of passengers. If you are adding Hisarya, put it in the notes.